I have been lurking here for a while and finally joined tonight to get some input from the experts. I have a new house with about 4 acres of lawn and pasture to mow. The house came with a 1980 Satoh S650G with a 60" Woods 3 point hitch finish mower. I have no time or interested in dealing with a 30 year old machine plus I want a FEL to clear the snow off my 350' drive. I am working with the local JD dealer on ordering a 2520 with a 200CX FEL, a 61" bucket, liquid filled rear tires and a 72" MMM with a lock up bracket. Price is coming in at about 21K all in. Looking for feedback on the specs I have chosen here and any suggestions on changes. Using the FEL to clear snow is a compromise as I wanted to invest in somthing that I could use for more than snow removal. I live in NJ so snow is (usually) not that bad. I am planning on trading the Satoh but the dealer has yet to check it out so any thoughts on anticipated trade value would also be appreciated.
Getting ready to order 2520
- Thread starter J Levine
- Start date
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kennyd
Advertiser
Welcome to TBN
Sounds like you have done your homework and are getting what you need:thumbsup:
My only comment relates to the "liquid filled rear tires", what "fluid" is it? If it's Calcium then say NO! It can rot your rims...see if they offer a product called Rimgaurd.
Also, are you getting a ballast box and possibly a iMatch QH? The filled tires are not enough weight to safely use the loader.
Sounds like you have done your homework and are getting what you need:thumbsup:
My only comment relates to the "liquid filled rear tires", what "fluid" is it? If it's Calcium then say NO! It can rot your rims...see if they offer a product called Rimgaurd.
Also, are you getting a ballast box and possibly a iMatch QH? The filled tires are not enough weight to safely use the loader.
pdp11
Silver Member
Last May, I bought a 2520, 200CX, 62D, and 60" rear blade.
I also equipped mine with the hydraulic diverter valve to allow easy switching between the FEL and the hydraulic deck lift. It sounds as though you are going with the mechanical lift.
Make sure the dealer includes the hood guard with the FEL.
Have the dealer swap the rear tires to the wide position for you (valve stems pointed in).
I also purchased the "forward" lighting kit. I ended up turning one of the lights around so that I have both front and rear lights.
I've really enjoyed my 2520 in the time I've had it. I'm sure you will enjoy yours.
I also equipped mine with the hydraulic diverter valve to allow easy switching between the FEL and the hydraulic deck lift. It sounds as though you are going with the mechanical lift.
Make sure the dealer includes the hood guard with the FEL.
Have the dealer swap the rear tires to the wide position for you (valve stems pointed in).
I also purchased the "forward" lighting kit. I ended up turning one of the lights around so that I have both front and rear lights.
I've really enjoyed my 2520 in the time I've had it. I'm sure you will enjoy yours.
Thanks for the reply and the advice on swapping the rears, I will ask the dealer about that too. I was going to do the hydraulic deck lift with the diverter valve but the dealer says that the 72" deck can only be had with the mechanical lift. Cutting a lot of grass really quick is my number one objective so I want the 72" deck. The 2520 is the smallest JD compact that takes a 72.
pdp11
Silver Member
I thought about the 72" deck, but the convenience of the drive-over deck and the hydraulic lift pushed me to the 62D. It still drastically cut down my mowing time from what I was doing before.
Since you also mentioned a rear blade, I can recommend the I-Match quick hitch.
Part of my reason for buying the 2520 was due to a back injury I suffered a year and a half ago. I needed to set it up so as to reduce the possibility of aggravating that injury. That's one of the best things about this tractor, the convenience of how it all works.
Since you also mentioned a rear blade, I can recommend the I-Match quick hitch.
Part of my reason for buying the 2520 was due to a back injury I suffered a year and a half ago. I needed to set it up so as to reduce the possibility of aggravating that injury. That's one of the best things about this tractor, the convenience of how it all works.
kennyd
Advertiser
A typical rear blade will not weigh enough for ballast, and it get's in the way.
Bswope
Silver Member
I agree 100% with kennyd, make sure you get a ballast box and fill it with stone,concrete or what ever you would like. I filled mine with stone when I had my JD 2520 and it made a HUGE difference, it kept the tires PLANTED to the ground!
Have them switch the rear tires to the wider position as well doing this and the ballast box makes for one nice stable tractor. :thumbsup:
Have them switch the rear tires to the wider position as well doing this and the ballast box makes for one nice stable tractor. :thumbsup:
Runner
Elite Member
- Joined
- May 12, 2007
- Messages
- 3,054
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54, 2007 John Deere 2520, 1989 John Deere 185, 1960 Panzer T70B
I have the 61 inch bucket on my 2520 and have never regretted going with that size. It is especially good for snow removal.
Also agree on the iMatch being a good investment.
You might consider just using the rear finish mower that you already have. I use a Frontier (Woods) 72 inch RFM on mine and it works very well. The 60 inch mower would probably work even better (lighter, won't drag the rear end of the machine around as much...). Plus, it's easier to detach/re-attach when you don't want a mower on the machine.
If I was buying one now, I'd order power beyond and the 3rd SCV kit just in case I wanted the additional hydro outlets later (which I do....).
Best of luck with your purchase.
Also agree on the iMatch being a good investment.
You might consider just using the rear finish mower that you already have. I use a Frontier (Woods) 72 inch RFM on mine and it works very well. The 60 inch mower would probably work even better (lighter, won't drag the rear end of the machine around as much...). Plus, it's easier to detach/re-attach when you don't want a mower on the machine.
If I was buying one now, I'd order power beyond and the 3rd SCV kit just in case I wanted the additional hydro outlets later (which I do....).
Best of luck with your purchase.
snyder_man
New member
Make sure you get the "new" style lift arms on the three point or you probably want to measure the hitch pins on the widest three point implement you have. Make sure it will fit on the 2520's three point arms with the tires in the wide position. My widest is 34 1/2" and my old style arms only go to about 30 1/2 " with the tires in wide. I'm working with the dealer to tire to get a set of the new style life arms. The new style look just like the ones on the 2750, with a bend to give a wider mount.
Snyder-man
Snyder-man