Future JD owner need help with mmm question

[toddrdmd]

I've appreciated your help on the forums. Really hesitant now to go through with my 2520 purchase. My main use will be the MMM with fel, tiller and rear box being secondary. Without a mid range, I feel the low gear will be too slow for my tastes in mowing. My JD garden tractor does 5mph. I've read of power problems mowing in high with slopes. I have flat land and gentle slopes and don't need to mow at 13 mph but would like to mow at 7-8 mph. What is your experience with this dilema of mine? Don't want to spend 20k on a tractor that bogs down at 7mph on slopes and makes me with I went with a different alternative.

Thanx a ton.
Todd

 

[chipsndust]

Can't speak for the 2520, but I mow about 1 1/2 acres with some steep areas in high range with my 2305 with no problem. 62" MMM, I almost always have the loader on, with the bucket off.

 

[RoyJackson]

If you're not sure...don't buy that tractor.
Keep on looking (Deere as well as other brands) until you find the machine that fits your needs.
You may well come back to the 2520, but at least you'll be sure that it is the tractor you want and need.

After all, buying a tractor doesn't have a time limit...

 

[mfreund]

Test Drive!!!! If I was spending the money I would be absolutely sure it was exactly as I wanted or I would keep looking. You may want to look at a bigger(more features) tractor and go used to stay in the price range you are comfortable with.

 

[Runner]

I agree with the recommendation to test drive. There might not be much grass to mow right now, but if you get one out and run it at top speed in low range, it will at least give you an idea of what it is like.

Try running in high range too, and you'll see what I mean about it being kind of hard to feather the pedal to control the speed and about the power it takes to run in high.

It's kind of hard for me to relate to the problem because my property is so rough and hilly, there are almost no places that I would feel comfortable in high range...maybe a few hundred square feet in the middle of the front yard...

Tractors are kind of like mates...you love them for their good points and accept the rest.

 

[radman1]

I mow with my 2305 in high gear. Most of the time at 6-7 mph or so. Mostly flat with few slopes. It seems way to slow to mow in low gear unless the grass is tall. I bought it used with 54" deck but would prefer a 60" deck.

 

[Hammsman]

We have a 2320 and high works well on gentle slopes and even steep if you are not trying to maneuver around stuff at 2 mph, high likes to stay 4 mph or more, then the steep slopes are fine. At lower speeds in high it may seem a lack of power because more force on the peddle is needed and the hydro whine is louder. To clarify even in high on gentle slopes and level you can maneuver at 2 mph without any problem.

 

[toddrdmd]

4mph or more on slopes sounds ok. Was really hoping to mow at 7-8 mph. Can it do it? Really want the Deere but don't want to regret mmm capabilities. Loved the test drive but wasn't mowing. Please keep weighing in here.

 

[toddrdmd]

Need someone to confirm I'll love the mmm in high at 7-8 mph w/ no drag on power.

 

[Hammsman]

4 mph or higher works well, so your 7 or 8 would work well. A lot of steep slopes around here are not that smooth to traverse and safety requires a slower speed. Even then one shift either way takes no time or effort. The tractor does have the power to the mower deck and wheels to mow those speeds all day. If you let the height of the grass get away from you then you might want to adjust your cutting height to keep from clumping and then lower it a couple days later to the preferred height. These decks are made to mow grass very well at whatever speeds, but not tall weeds, they will do it but a much slower speed is required obviously.

 

[Nuru]

Test Drive, Test drive or go up to a larger tractor.

Also for mowing - obviously a ZTR will do what you want. no loader though

 

[cephus]

You have been chasing this issue for several weeks now, you would probably be best served with a 3 range tractor. I know you want the green paint but there are other options.

 

[Nuru]

Go Green, Sorry!

test drive a few models, and then you will know what you want

 

[ipwanab]

To all those considering a 2520....I finally decided and got one. Forget the speed questions on low range , it is fast enough for sane grass mowing. I previously used a ztr and I am cutting at a similar speed with the tractor as the ztr. I can not run 10 mph on my yard it is too rough. It took me about the same length of time to cut with both machines. The alleged advantage of the ztr's is lost when you have to sissy around on the turns to not pull up sod, so the tractor is not a whole lot slower overall. I didn't realize the deere had a cruise control so that makes things much easier. To those wondering about the plain deck lift with the position control--it's very nice. I set the stop at 4 inch and it cuts similar to my old ztr. When fully lifted it is about 6 inches off the ground. My wife stopped me and said " I am dying to check it out". She said it was easier than the ztr for her and felt very stable on our mild hill. I got the tractor with turf's and made the salesman promise a switch to r4's when possible but I may end up keeping them. I ran through some muddy spots and the tractor produced less damage than the zero turn. The thing goes so fast in high that I can lose the mud on the tires with a fast trip of the driveway. So far I am very pleased with the grass cutting performance. I couldn't decide between the 5 or 6 ft belly mower and just tossed a coin and got the 62d.(I might want a mcs). I am still waiting on my front loader so I can't report on that yet. Now I am torn between all the makes of chippers . Around here I can get a deere(pequa), bearcat, weinstein or rural king segma. What I need to know is what happens if you run little stuff through a chipper only? I don't think I need a shredder but having no experience I am afraid to screw up. My brother in law and I used a great big vermeer self powered and it handled everything we put in it. I am pretty sure it was a chipper only. Will report more when I get more hours.

 

[KevPH1]

JD4115 w/72" mmm (24hp: CUT Tractor {two range, HST}, w/20hp @ pto) FEL on / bucket off

High quality cutting/mowing is achieved with the mower blades rotating at the recommended
RPM and tractor travel speed. Mower blade RPM is controlled solely by engine throttle. My JD4115 recommended engine RPM for mowing is full throttle. The travel speed depends on lawn day to day conditions. Dry, 7 day/last cut lawn, will mow at higher ground speed no problem. Wet, and/or 3 week's growth, labor mower and slow down travel speed. Lastly, dull mower blades rob power and produce poor quality cuts. Buy spare blades and keep your blades sharp!

Set up a demo w/dealer and have a little fun!