Ideal JD for these chores

[Builder]

I'm moving onto a bigger piece of land. Depending on how much I clear, it looks like I'll need to cut 4 acres of lawn-quality grass and maybe 1-2 acres of meadow grass. I would also like to be able to pull a 6' York rake on my jobsites to finish grade around houses & additions I build. I'd also like to be able to possibly add a plow or snowblower to the front in the future.

Must have:diesel engine,4x4,mid/rear PTO, ROPS/sun canopy

I'm thinking I'd like to have 30+ HP to run at least a 62"-72" mower and maybe a 5' bush hog. I'd like to get the cutting done quickly so the bigger the mower the better (lots of activities with the kids). I already have a full size backhoe for really big stuff and a small GT235 for light grass work. I might sell the GT235 if the bigger tractor can mow "delicate" areas around the new house and I'll probably design the landscape to fit the new, bigger tractor.

OK, enough of my life story-what JD models should I be looking at? Also considering the orange-type.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Since you already have an L39, you should be pretty familiar with the size range you're looking at. Before you listed the required features and size, I was thinking of a large diesel garden tractor. Since that doesn't sound like what you want, I would be thinking of a 3320/3520 at the large end and a 2305-2520 at the smaller end. I think that pretty much covers everything green in that range. Not sure about the 790 but I don't think it has a mid PTO, if that's important to you. Otherwise it might be an option. I'm not sure you actually need 30+ hp for those tasks - I would think 25+ would handle the mowing you describe.

 

[aesanders]

2520 would be my recomendation for you. Or maybe down one to the 2320. The 2520 will handle a foot larger mower than the 2320 and is still light enough and agile enough to make it one helluva mower.

 

[AKfish]

My vote would be the 3320. If you want to pull a 5' brush hog and a 6' finish mower, I don't think you'd want to drop down to the 2520.

My neighbor has a 2520 and it's a dynamite machine. But it's very light on it's feet! He pulls a LX-4 and a 4' Landpride boxblade with it. Without weighted tires and no FEL.

Those attachments are all you want to grab onto without added weight.

The 2520 might be more stable with the FEL (added weight) and filled tires and therefore the bigger 5' brush hog and 72" finish mower would not be too much too handle --- but IMO you'd be near the line...

AKfish

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm moving onto a bigger piece of land. Depending on how much I clear, it looks like I'll need to cut 4 acres of lawn-quality grass and maybe 1-2 acres of meadow grass. I would also like to be able to pull a 6' York rake on my jobsites to finish grade around houses & additions I build. I'd also like to be able to possibly add a plow or snowblower to the front in the future.

Must have:diesel engine,4x4,mid/rear PTO, ROPS/sun canopy

I'm thinking I'd like to have 30+ HP to run at least a 62"-72" mower and maybe a 5' bush hog. I'd like to get the cutting done quickly so the bigger the mower the better (lots of activities with the kids). I already have a full size backhoe for really big stuff and a small GT235 for light grass work. I might sell the GT235 if the bigger tractor can mow "delicate" areas around the new house and I'll probably design the landscape to fit the new, bigger tractor.

OK, enough of my life story-what JD models should I be looking at? Also considering the orange-type.

Deere: 790, 3120 or 3320
Kubota: B7800, B2910

Also, look used for Deere 4300 (or 4310) or 4400 (or 4410).
Definitely a 72" mower! You might even want to look at an 84" unit.

All the machines listed can easily handle a 60" cutter.

There you go...how much do you want to spend?

 

[Builder]

Since you already have an L39, you should be pretty familiar with the size range you're looking at. Before you listed the required features and size, I was thinking of a large diesel garden tractor. Since that doesn't sound like what you want, I would be thinking of a 3320/3520 at the large end and a 2305-2520 at the smaller end. I think that pretty much covers everything green in that range. Not sure about the 790 but I don't think it has a mid PTO, if that's important to you. Otherwise it might be an option. I'm not sure you actually need 30+ hp for those tasks - I would think 25+ would handle the mowing you describe.

I sold the L-39 and bought a full-size backhoe. I used to use the L-39 for the York rake, and it worked great.

Deere makes so many tractors, the numbers get confusing. They make some tractors in the 20-30 HP range that look like Garden tractors on steroids, then they make some some small farm tractors that look like they were in the movie "honey, I shrunk the farm tractor".

Seems like the smaller farm tractors would be more rugged and the bigger garden tractors would be more quiet & comfortable. I'd like to try to get something that can do some dirt chores and then cut a very nicely groomed lawn.

Looks like turf tires are going to be a must have on this tractor, too.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

IMHO, you need to choose between frame sizes. From what you've written, I'd say to look closely at the 2520. The smaller frame size will mow your delicate yard area and fit into "backyards" with a 5 foot gate. If you need to spread some dirt in a new house construction leveling type job, you'll be surprised how fast you can "nibble" at a pile working in confined areas.

I've got a 4310 and I do drive it on my yard occasionally but only when its dry. BTW, my yard needs aeriating right now....Kyle

John Deere products for homeowners: Features for 2520 4WD Compact Tractor (26.5hp)

 

[Builder]

I'm beginning to think I need some kind of old deere or kubota with ag tires & 4x4 & maybe a FEL for the york rake & snow plow and maybe an oversized 4x4 lawn tractor for cutting.

The the problem of 2 cheaper used machines instead of one, new all-purpose machine.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm beginning to think I need some kind of old deere or kubota with ag tires & 4x4 & maybe a FEL for the york rake & snow plow and maybe an oversized 4x4 lawn tractor for cutting.

The the problem of 2 cheaper used machines instead of one, new all-purpose machine.

Not really...and you don't really have the acreage to justify two machines.

You plan on clearing the acreage (which was what was written in the first post) and maintaining...any mid-sized tractor would do the job (depending on your property, you may have to contract some of the clearing work as well as heavier landscaping)
Since you want a mid-PTO, I'm assuming you'd use a mid-mount mower and front snow blower (maybe).
Any of the mid-sized tractors (the ones I suggested, or others) can handle the work quite easily. There's a number of TBNers who use 20-35 HP machines to mow their lawns...I do myself (big lawn tractor, but has other uses too). I cut with a 60" RFM and do a little trim with a walk behind mower. I could use a 72" RFM with no problem, but at this point in time, I can't justify the price of a 72" RFM (implements depreciate pretty fast and my 60" unit does a great job and is paid off).

As far as quality of cut, any of the machines and MMM or RFM will give a good quality cut.

Since you want the work done fast, a 72" Mid Mount would serve you the best. You can't get one of these for a 790, but can for the 3320 or used 4300 machines. With 4 acres of finished lawn, that's the direction I would take. I'd lean toward the 4300 to save some money. The one Deere I would not look at would be the 3203 (no Mid PTO and cannot be used as a stationary power unit). As far as Kubota, probably the B7800 (new or used).

There you go...now you have to decide how you want to spend your money.

 

[Builder]

Not really...and you don't really have the acreage to justify two machines.

You plan on clearing the acreage (which was what was written in the first post) and maintaining...any mid-sized tractor would do the job (depending on your property, you may have to contract some of the clearing work as well as heavier landscaping)
Since you want a mid-PTO, I'm assuming you'd use a mid-mount mower and front snow blower (maybe).
Any of the mid-sized tractors (the ones I suggested, or others) can handle the work quite easily. There's a number of TBNers who use 20-35 HP machines to mow their lawns...I do myself (big lawn tractor, but has other uses too). I cut with a 60" RFM and do a little trim with a walk behind mower. I could use a 72" RFM with no problem, but at this point in time, I can't justify the price of a 72" RFM (implements depreciate pretty fast and my 60" unit does a great job and is paid off).

As far as quality of cut, any of the machines and MMM or RFM will give a good quality cut.

Since you want the work done fast, a 72" Mid Mount would serve you the best. You can't get one of these for a 790, but can for the 3320 or used 4300 machines. With 4 acres of finished lawn, that's the direction I would take. I'd lean toward the 4300 to save some money. The one Deere I would not look at would be the 3203 (no Mid PTO and cannot be used as a stationary power unit). As far as Kubota, probably the B7800 (new or used).

There you go...now you have to decide how you want to spend your money.

Roy,

I have a full size backhoe for the land clearing. I clear my own lots with large machinery for customers, so I'll be doing all the land clearing & excavating for this project, too. I'm just trying to picture what tractor would be good to take over where a backhoe leaves-off, like for york rake, light FEL work and then will morph into a small estate size maintenance tractor later after the house is built doing the large lawn, small pasture, snow removal, york raking, etc.

I just don't want to spend too many hours mowing.

maybe one tractor would work, but i think a set of ag tires would be nice for when I need to do "construction" work, then switch to a set of Ag tires for maintenance work. I just don't know if R-4's are too rough on finished lawns.

 

[WhyNot]

I'm beginning to think I need some kind of old deere or kubota with ag tires & 4x4 & maybe a FEL for the york rake & snow plow and maybe an oversized 4x4 lawn tractor for cutting.

The the problem of 2 cheaper used machines instead of one, new all-purpose machine.

I believe you might be right. If it were me I would look for a used utility tractor that fits your price range to use for your business and for mowing the pasture. That way you can leave it at the job site instead of hauling it back and forth every time you need to mow the grass. Then I would purchase a Dixie Chopper to mow your lawn with. Can't beat mowing 72" of grass at 15 mph.

 

[Builder]

I believe you might be right. If it were me I would look for a used utility tractor that fits your price range to use for your business and for mowing the pasture. That way you can leave it at the job site instead of hauling it back and forth every time you need to mow the grass. Then I would purchase a Dixie Chopper to mow your lawn with. Can't beat mowing 72" of grass at 15 mph.

That's what I'm thinking.

Might be better than the "swiss army knife" approach.

 

[aesanders]

I still think a 2520 will do all your estate chores and still have the balls to do some of the rougher jobs. Don't sell it short. Quite a few landscapers get this machine. It's a great size and has plenty of oomph.

 

[Builder]

I wonder how much FEL or dirt work I can expect to get out of a 2520 with 4x4 & turf tires?

R-4's just seem like they'd be too rough on a "front" lawn.

 

[RollTideRam]

The only marks I have left in mowing yards is when it is wet and I hit spot where its just dirt and no grass growing (like most of my own yard). I mowed a yard most of last summer for my wifes boss. He lives next to the country club and had no complaints about me mowing with a tractor. He finally got his CC mower going again this year, so I lost that job, but still mow a few others.
Look for the thread about working a 2520 (can't remember the title) maybe a week old and a guy dug a small pond with his 2520 loader. JC

 

[Builder]

Yeah, now that I think about it, many of the Dixie Choppers and other commercial mowing machines have a pretty decent bar type tire on them.

 

[RollingsFarms]

Yeah, now that I think about it, many of the Dixie Choppers and other commercial mowing machines have a pretty decent bar type tire on them.

give Exmark a good look. i rarely ever see the serious lawn care crews using anything else besides these. Dixie Choppers tires will eat a lawn alive....ive asked several professional lawn care people about why you rarely see them in commercial work. Exmark makes an outstounding zero turn mower.

 

[WhyNot]

Dixie Choppers tires will eat a lawn alive.....

I will not dispute that. I worked for a guy part-time that sells them and also uses them for his lawn care business. You have to work at turning without tearing up the lawn but once you got it, it's like riding a bike. I would say it is a safe bet that 75% of the mowers around here use strictly Dixie choppers. Just goes to show how different things are around the country

 

[orlo]

Hi:

One thing you haven't mentioned is the type of Soil you mow on. If it's very soft you might want to stay away from the heavier 3000 series.

I have a 2305 (62"MMM) and a 3720 cab with a 72" MMM (Just traded in a 3320) - I use them on different properties. I can't speak for the 2320 or 2520, but you can mow much faster ground speed with a 2305 than you can with a 3320 (or any 3000 series). The reason is stability. Yes, you get an extra foot with the 72" mower but I'll bet you can go more than that much faster with a 2305. I just mowed 5-6 acres (That I used to mow with the 2305) for the first time on the brand new 3720 (Have mowed it with the 3320 also) and if I tried to mow anything above maybe 6mph (I can get to almost 7 at times) I'd bounce off the tractor of flip over Some areas I need to go below 5mph. With the 2305 I could (can) mow full open in high (About 9.1mph) and live to tell about it. Don't get me wrong, I love the cab, but having both I can tell you the 2305 can outspeed the 3x20 series just due to stability (Again, if I consider the 16% wider mowing area it maybe closer). Also, if you have any slopes the 2305 'feels' much more stable. You'll reach the 'pucker factor' real quick on a 3000 series with even a slight side slope.

If, you were going to put a big pull behind (84"+) then I'd reverse my judgement and say the 3x20 series would beat the 2305 easily.

Remember, this is 'finish' mowing. You will not handle the big implements on a 2305 that you can handle on the 3020 series but it'll be easier to trailer, maneuver, etc. I have both so I'm speaking from the mindset of loving them both.

I cannot speak to compare the 2320 and 2520 to the 2305. I'm not sure if the bigger frames would take away from stability but they might. If you need ground clearance the 2305 may not be your ride as it's very low.

If finish mowing is mostly what you'll be doing, the 2305 might be a great fit. It's also the cheapest of the bunch and accessories aren't bad.

A snowblower on a 2305 will run you less than 3k (2k for the blower and a maybe 600-700 for the mount) - I have one. On the 3000 series it's about 5k (YES, 5K). High 3's for the blower, and over a grand for the mounts. (I have one on order too).

Basically, EVERYTHING is less for the 2000 series than the 3000 series. The price difference in the tractors is the smallest difference.

Hey, if $$ is no object buy a 4720 cab and mow with it.. I have 'overbought' in both my cases.

Just my .02. (Well, I guess maybe .02+.02+.02 due to my blabbyness)....

 

[Builder]

I'm inclined to say the soil will be softer than average unless there's a drought.

Good points on the mowing speed. Thanks.

Would the 2320 or 2520 be able to pull a 6' York rake?

I like the idea of a 6' rear finish more so I can lift it as high as possible for easier cleaning. A 5' bush hog would be fine for the rough stuff.

The fact that it's cheaper really helps, too as I'll be spending enough on the property & house.