2520 appropriate size tractor?

[VTtractorguy]

Hi guys... I'm inspired by all the great talk going on about the 2520. I've been longing for a few years now to move out of our x540 into a CUT... considering the 2305, 2320 and the soon to be released 1026r. But the buzz (and Deere's promotion) about the 2520 has me thinking...

I'm looking for a CUT for a variety of jobs year round:

Summer work:
Mowing - 50% of time
FEL work (landscaping, moving rocks, etc.) 30% of time
Driveway repair 20% of time

Winter work:
Snow removal. When I can afford it, I'd love to get a snow blower and cab, but for next winter I'll probably just use the FEL to clean up after the plow guy does his work.

We own 10.5 acres here in VT. Maybe 2.5 acres of it is lawn. As you can see from my pics, our property is not flat, with hills & dales in the lawn around the house. The driveway is about 700' long (not terribly steep). I'll eventually be getting either a blade or rake to patch it up. I'm eventually going to clear more land (not with this tractor) - maybe up to an additional acre or two.

I think the 2520 is the best choice for everything except maybe (in my case) cutting the grass. I'm a bit concerned that it may be too big a machine for cutting on uneven terrain. The x540 does a wonderful job. Will the 2520 be anywhere near as good as the 540 for this type of lawn, or am I expecting too much? We do have a few wet spots so I'm guessing I'd have to be careful with any CUT not to leave ruts. Turfs may be the best choice.

What do you guys think? 2520 a little overkill for what I've described? 2320 a better fit, or even the 1026r?

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[PossumHound]

When I had my JD 650 it had a 62" MMM and worked well on my property with terrain similar to your lot. I don't think it will work as well as your dedicated lawn/garden tractor for quality of cut unless JD has really improved the decks for the CUTs since 1985.

However, the 2520 will do so many other useful chores that you probably will not care about the lawn so much.

PH

 

[VTtractorguy]

Thanks Possum. I'm sure you're right. I do have a great Honda self propelled push mower. I can break that out to use in tough places where the 2520 can't go. Good exercise too!

 

[TripleR]

I can't say much about the 2520, but our 2305 with 62" deck gives as good of quality cut as our John Deere 425 which is pretty good.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Nice pictures.

The 2520 is a perfect match for your property.

 

[glc24]

Nice pictures.

The 2520 is a perfect match for your property.

DITTO!!:thumbsup:

 

[revitupfaster]

I also think the 2520 is the perfect machine for your property. The 2520 is a major sized lawnmower, but you sure have the major sized lawn for it. Also, that long driveway just begs for the 2520 in the winter.

REV

 

[Mrh51072]

Hello. The 2520 is exactly what u need. I use it to finish cut my lawn and it gives a beautiful cut every time. I also have filled rear tires and as wet as it's been the yard looks great. Feel good pulling the trigger on a 2520. U won't be disappointed that you did!!

 

[kennyd]

Buy the 2520 and keep the X for mowing...it's a great machine and it's paid for-no sense buying a $3000 MMM when you already have such a nice machine to mow with.

 

[Gizmo2]

Although I own a 2320 for use on 8 acres and would not trade it for the 2520, I would also say the 2520 would be more suited for you.
How tall are your garage door openings?