Decision: 6500/2wd vs 6520/2wd

[bludev]

All,

I'm trying to decide between a 6500 and 6520 ... both with loaders. Bells and whistles are not important to me (as on the 6520), but the 6520 is a heavier tractor, rear end seems much stouter and it has a much higher max lift capacity. I will never lift anything heavy enough to break the 6500 though and it is some $4000 cheaper. I welcome opinions and advice on either of these or even whether or not the cost of 4wd is worth it. (We've never had 4wd, so I can't imagine if I've been missing something important).
We will be using the tractor for moving and possibly bailing hay and some cultivating in central North Carolina red dirt.
Thanks for any input.

 

[fireshawn]

I can't really say anything about the 6500 but I love my new 6520. I have already used (abused) it a little and it has done everything I have asked of it. I do need to build a grill guard though, I have already had to do a little metal work (read large cedar tree that rolled on the chain I had tied to it). It is nice w/ the shuttle shift and we got rear remotes factory installed so I can run a T&T. So far all I have really done is move round bales and push cedar trees. It will get a little more work as soon as I get off my butt and start collecting rocks again.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

bludev,

I love my 6500 4wd but if I had the choice I would have the 6520. It is just even more tractor. I use my 6500 to bale and transport hay. I have had some issues with lifting the large round bales but I think this might be due to relief valves. I had the one under the seat replaced but I think the one in the loader controls has to be replaced as well.

If the $4k is swingable for you I'd go with the 6520. That's not saying I love my 6500! .

One thing I noticed since I am on hills is that I am more comfortable with the 6500 since it seems on the 20 series you are up higher and the tractor seems to move side to side more when traveling. This wouldn't be a big deal on flat land but on hills I like the 6500 better.

Also, I just noticed that you are only looking at 2wd. When I am pulling a round baler there are times when I am on a hill that I need to kick it into 4wd to get the extra pull. Balers can be quite heavy when full. Also for loader work 4wd is the only way to go. It might be in your best interests to get the 6500 4WD and compromise so you can have the 4wd.

 

[Smithla]

I had a 4005DI 2WD with loader, and was unable to any real work done. I filled the rear tires, and even had to have some rear ballast to keep the rear tires from spinning, and even with that I was continually getting stuck. I now have a 6000 4WD with loader, and I wouldn't go back for anything. I can now dig in the dirt, and the more I put in the loader the better the front tires pull.

I'm afraid you'll be sorry after a few months with a 2WD, I know I was.

Best of Luck,

Les

 

[jwcinpk]

Loader = need 4wd ot maximize it's potential

Personally I do not see the extra money for the 6520. I would much rather have 4wd than the extra lift capacity and flat platform. I feel the 00 series is the best bang for the buck. Nothing wrong with the extra if you can afford it.
I have the 6000 4wd with almost 600 hours on it.

 

[bludev]

Thanks for all the input guys,

I did call my dealer back and asked him to price me a 6000 4wd and a 6500 4wd ... there was a huge price difference ... turns out the 4wd's don't have the same dealer incentives the 2wd's do, which is what made the 6500 2wd and 6250 2wd so attractive to begin with,

Thanks for the input so far

 

[RedRiver]

Thanks for all the input guys,

I did call my dealer back and asked him to price me a 6000 4wd and a 6500 4wd ... there was a huge price difference ... turns out the 4wd's don't have the same dealer incentives the 2wd's do, which is what made the 6500 2wd and 6250 2wd so attractive to begin with,

Thanks for the input so far

Actually the 6520 4WD does have a customer appreciation rebate of $1500.

I think the 2WD vs. 4WD greatly depends on the terrain of the land you own and will be working it on. Like stated above, if you have some hills and/or plan to add a FEL in the future the 4WD will be a smart investment and easily pay for itself in the long run.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

Thanks for all the input guys,

I did call my dealer back and asked him to price me a 6000 4wd and a 6500 4wd ... there was a huge price difference ... turns out the 4wd's don't have the same dealer incentives the 2wd's do, which is what made the 6500 2wd and 6250 2wd so attractive to begin with,

Thanks for the input so far

just curious what is the price difference for a 6500 each way? I really wouldn't get a 2wd for loader work. You could try getting the tires filled to compensate but it's just not the same. I was transporting a big bale to my livestock during the past snowstorms and the 4wd is all that kept me going in a straight line on a slight incline. Really helps out.

 

[bludev]

For a 6500 2wd w/FEL, I was quoted 18,800 (after all rebates and cash incentives). For the 4wd version of the same, I was quoted 25,000. For the 6000 4wd with a loader, I was quoted 23,999. The guy on the phone (who gave me the quotes for the 4wds) was not the owner, the owner is who gave me the quotes on the 2wds. I may call back when I can talk to the owner, I'm thinking that maybe the "assistant" didn't account for the rebates etc.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

For a 6500 2wd w/FEL, I was quoted 18,800 (after all rebates and cash incentives). For the 4wd version of the same, I was quoted 25,000. For the 6000 4wd with a loader, I was quoted 23,999. The guy on the phone (who gave me the quotes for the 4wds) was not the owner, the owner is who gave me the quotes on the 2wds. I may call back when I can talk to the owner, I'm thinking that maybe the "assistant" didn't account for the rebates etc.

yeah that is quite a difference. Honestly I didn't even price the 2wd machines as I knew that I needed the 4wd. If your land is flat maybe you could get by. Also, it may depend on what you plan to do with the loader? If you are not going to be moving dirt then it may be ok. Since you plan to make hay you probably also have livestock though, and the 4wd definitely helps when you are scooping up the nasty stuff .

That was interesting that the 6520 4wd had a customer appreciation discount. That might swing you to the 6520 4wd. Not sure though.

I used a 7520 4wd as a loaner while they worked on my 6500 4wd hydraulic relief and it was indeed a nice machine. Even considered upgrading but after learning the price decided I was quite happy with the 6500 .

Between the 6500 and the 6520 you are basically talking the same hp so it really probably ends up being bells and whistles that make the difference. If price is an issue the 00 series is more than capable. I was out clearing 3 foot drifts last night and I can tell you nothing will stop a 6500 4wd. Very dependable so far.