2520 collection systems

[pkav32]

Does anyone have of recomendation for a collection system for leaves and/or grass. I know the one I was quoted was @ $1700 w/ the powerflow. I am not sure how this set-up performs. I have used the cyclone rake before with good results, but never with a 62 d mmm deck. I like the Hydo set-up but find it a big pill to swallow, I heard something in the $4000 range!! that is alot of other attachments. I still need a FEL!! I appreciate all responses.

 

[larry8818]

I have the Hydraulic Dump with the power-pak 5Hp Honda engine and this is by far the single best attachment I've ever seen if you cut a lot of grass and want to simply make leaf season just a time consuming (not labor intensive) affair.

I purchased this at the same time I bought my tractor, loader & mower in August of 2006 and the final cost with the optional remote air intake was $4,723.51 for the unit.

My father has the power flow unit on a X585 and works great for him on 3/4 of an acre, but during leaf season he is still on and off that tractor all the time. Even on a tractor with great ergonomics, tractors are simply not fun to get on and off of often regardless of brand.

I mow between 4-5 acres and visit my compost pile often, especially during leaf season, but I only get off the tractor to take a break or clean the screens of the air intake on the front of the tractor.

At almost 5k it is a ton of money, however this is an attachment that I can take with me if I go bigger down the road. Over a 20 year investment, this attachment only cost $236.17/per year. To call a landscaper to do what I do all year would cost me more in just one mow or cleanup. If your yard is large I suggest you rake or let the wind blow for a year or two until you can save the extra money...$1700 is a heck of a down payment for that attachment.

Oh yeah, you will not be sorry you bought it!

 

[pkav32]

thanks Larry 8818,
I would love to have the hydraullic dump, it looks like a sweet set-up. I think I will just wait alittle before I buy anything. I still have not moved into my new house yet. I also will have 5 acres to mow. Although some of it is only allowed to be mowed twice a year because of wetlands and a buffer zone. I will just wait to see what my needs will be. Maybe I could convince my wife we really "need" it.

 

[jdbower]

I've got the standard MCS for the 2520/62D and the hydro version would be nice. The hydraulic MCS isn't (wasn't?) approved for the 2520 because the 2520 was too light, but a nice dealer may be willing to order it for you (plus I think it can be easily modified to be 3PH mounted rather than drawbar - makes things easier to install). I have the standard PowerFlow and it's not bad for most of my uses, clogging isn't a big problem even when vacuuming up leaves last weekend, but it has issues with long grass and sometimes I'll hit a twig just right to get it to jam under the deck (not sure an auxiliary motor would help with that).

What you pay for to get the hydro dump set are easier 3PH install rather than lifting the drawbar mounted bagger in pieces, on-the-seat clipping removal, larger capacity, and a supplementary motor to reduce clogs. Points for the standard 3-bagger are price, official support, no secondary motor means less maintenance, and I haven't found a need to have any front ballast for mowing my fairly flat property (at least beyond the FEL mounting frame with BH brackets).

I had seen the Cyclone-like solutions and they seem nice, but I'm completely incompetent with maneuvering a vehicle with a trailer so I hadn't seriously considered one. Those who have them seem to be typically happy with them, though.

I thought you had mentioned some rarely mowed areas (I could be mistaken - it's been a long week!). I'd probably look at a rotary cutter or flail mower for that. A MMM will struggle on its own and you likely won't be able to successfully use any sort of bagger if it's like the vegetation by me. A rotary cutter is nice in that it's cheap and can be sued on underbrush as well. A flail mower produces a better quality cut and typically lays down the cuttings much neater, but it's pricier.

Yet another option I wish I had considered more is to get a standalone lawn tractor or ZTR - let the 2520 be a tractor instead of an overgrown mower. The downside of this is that I wouldn't be using the 2520 nearly as much, but on the flip side because the mower gear is on I tend to let the projects build up until it's worthwhile to get off my lazy posterior and get the tractor implements on.

Hope this helps!

 

[gjsnow]

Trac-vac makes a great Cat I rear PTO mounted assembly. I used it on my Kubota B2410 booted to a 60 inch MMM. It comes with a high volume cart and dumps easily. No hydraulics. If you go slow enough it won't clog. The hoses are 8 inches in diameter. Currently I am using a deere commercial front mower with a 60 inch deck and a 18 bushel high dump collection system called the MCS 600. When the volume gets really heavy I switch from the high lifts to gators. I cannot remember the last time it clogged.
Good luck.

 

[f2000ez]

I have the Hydro Dump pack on my 2520 and it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I had the dump on a 4115, but when I moved up to the 2520, the hydro dump went onto the 2520.

I hook the dump up to the I-match 3PH. No modifications were needed.

Larry 8818, what is the optional air filter kit? The Hydro Dump as it is means a lot of filter changes and cleaning on the dump motor.

Dave

 

[foz]

Any pictures of the hyd dump hooked up to the 3pt?

 

[HarleyEnough]

Here's a writeup on some options:

RunsLikeADeere.com - Articles - John Deere Hyrdaulic Dump Material Collection System

 

[jd140400]

I HAVE THE MCS ON A 62" MMM ON A 2320, I HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE DECK WANTING TO BLOW THE LEAVES AWAY FROMN THE FRONT OF THE DECK RATHER THAN SUCKING THEM IN, OTHER THAN THAT IT DOES A GOOD JOB OF MULCHING , I CAN ALSO PUT PLASTIC BAGS INSIDE THE CLOTH BAGS ( SOMETHIMES MY NEIGHBOR TAKES THE BAGS TO HIS FARM AND THIS MAKES IT EASIER TO HANDLE)

 

[ChuckinNH]

jd140400,
John Deere has an additional plate that you can put in some mower decks to reduce the blowout, especially in the right front when collecting leaves. Perhaps it is available for your deck?