Need Advice on JD purchase

[OhioTractor44065]

Hi...I pposted the below in the general forum....note sure if anyone has some insights here but they would be most welcome:


Hello:

This is my first post but I would like to thank everyone in here for the info they have provided in other posts....it has been very useful.

OK, I need some advice. I am purchasing a new tractor and have narrowed it down to 2, JD2720 and JD 3520. The 3520 is not a hydro while the 2720 is. I have never driven a substantial tractor (outside of a garden tractor) without a hydro. However, the dealer is offering me a pretty good deal to get it out of his dealership (about 20% off list including implements...the difference is about $3500 between the 2720 and 3520) so I am tempted considering the upgrade in power/tractor over the 2720.

My question is, how hard will it be to learn to use the power reverser gear tractor? Is there anyone in here that recently learned to use a gear tractor and if so, how has it gone?

 

[WH401]

I didn't recently learn to drive a gear tractor, I learned long ago. But I did recently just get introduced to a shuttle shift transmission, I.E. the PowrReverser, and it's very simple.

First on the floor of the driver's area you get a clutch on the left side, and 2 brake pedals, each corresponding to each rear wheel, on the right side of the floor. The brake pedals can be latched or unlatched together so you apply both brakes at the same time or independently.

To the left of the drivers seat you get 2 shifters. The farthest back one is your range selecter and it consists of A, B, & C range. Basically like a low, medium, and high, with A being the lowest and C the highest. The other handle on the left side of the seat, that is the farthest forward, is your gear selection shifter. It's basically the same as a shifter you would find in an automobile with a manual transmission. You get 4 speeds on this shifter, laid out in an H pattern.

Finally you have your "F-N-R" lever that is located on the dash, just to the left of the steering wheel. Push it in either direction to go that corresponding way, and move it in between F and R to move in to Neutral.

Now to get going. First you push the clutch in, select your range, then select your gear. Now there are 2 ways you can go about starting to move from this point on. 1, release the clutch and just push the "F-N-R" to forward or reverse, which ever one you want. The hydraulicly accuated clutch will engage and move you smoothly along, without ever having to touch the clutch. 2, keep the clutch depressed and push the "F-N-R" lever to which ever direction you want to go, then release the clutch smoothly, as if you were in a car, and the tractor will start to move.

Now the best thing about the PowrReverser, IMO, is the fact that you don't have to clutch to switch from F to R. If your traveling forward and want to go backwards, just flip the lever. Though, if your traveling fast it is best to slow down by shifting it to N, then moving the lever to the opposite direction. This isn't because you could hurt the tractor, it's because you will become the hood ornament. Also you may shift between your 4 gears at anytime while moving. Just push the clutch in and shift like you would a car. This is because the PowrReverser gears are synchronized. The ranges aren't synched though so don't shift those while on the move. So far I love the transmission and couldn't be happier with it. My biggest reason for going with the PR, was because you don't have to run the tractor at a high RPM to achieve good performance from the tractor.

I believe that's the general operation of it, I'm sure other's will fill in if I missed something.

 

[jdbower]

Something I'd be careful of is that the 3000 series is significantly bigger than the 2000 series. When I actually saw them side-by-side and then thought about where I'd store and drive the tractor I ended up with the 2520. If you've got the space and the size of the tractor isn't daunting the 3520 is a nice tractor. Of course, having tight spaces that necessitate a 2x20 also means a lot of shifting from forward to reverse where with the eHydro this just means moving my foot over a few inches.

 

[OhioTractor44065]

Thanks Guys.

A follow question for WH401...When the reverser lever is in N, can you depress the brakes without using the clutch as you would if you are in gear? So in your example, if I am moving forward and want to reverse, I shift to N to slow down....can I depress the brake without the clutch to slow before going to R?

Thanks again!

 

[WH401]

Thanks Guys.

A follow question for WH401...When the reverser lever is in N, can you depress the brakes without using the clutch as you would if you are in gear? So in your example, if I am moving forward and want to reverse, I shift to N to slow down....can I depress the brake without the clutch to slow before going to R?

Thanks again!

Yep, if the machine is rolling in neutral you can press the brakes without having to press the clutch. The clutch only has to be depressed when your selecting your range or selecting/shifting the gears. The 2 lever's next to the seat can be engaged and as long as the reverser lever is in neutral, you will still roll.

Also just incase I misunderstood any of your question, you shouldn't apply the brakes while the tractor is in gear and moving, unless your trying to spin one wheel to get unstuck or such, only when your in neutral.

 

[Egon]

Before purchase you may want to actually try both tractors for a better comparison.

You might also want to consider the amount of loader work being done as this is one area were the different transmissions become very noticeable.

 

[ddivinia]

Hi...I pposted the below in the general forum....note sure if anyone has some insights here but they would be most welcome:


Hello:

This is my first post but I would like to thank everyone in here for the info they have provided in other posts....it has been very useful.

OK, I need some advice. I am purchasing a new tractor and have narrowed it down to 2, JD2720 and JD 3520. The 3520 is not a hydro while the 2720 is. I have never driven a substantial tractor (outside of a garden tractor) without a hydro. However, the dealer is offering me a pretty good deal to get it out of his dealership (about 20% off list including implements...the difference is about $3500 between the 2720 and 3520) so I am tempted considering the upgrade in power/tractor over the 2720.

My question is, how hard will it be to learn to use the power reverser gear tractor? Is there anyone in here that recently learned to use a gear tractor and if so, how has it gone?

Hydro is hard to beat. I have a PR in my 5525 cab and hydro 4520 cab. There are very few situations that i like the PR better.

D.

 

[LBrown59]

Hydro is hard to beat. I have a PR in my 5525 cab and hydro 4520 cab. There are very few situations that i like the PR better.

D.

Any time I am offered a choice between a MA Bell hand crank phone and todays modern phone I pick the modern phone.

 

[cast_and_blast]

Hi...I pposted the below in the general forum....note sure if anyone has some insights here but they would be most welcome:


Hello:

This is my first post but I would like to thank everyone in here for the info they have provided in other posts....it has been very useful.

OK, I need some advice. I am purchasing a new tractor and have narrowed it down to 2, JD2720 and JD 3520. The 3520 is not a hydro while the 2720 is. I have never driven a substantial tractor (outside of a garden tractor) without a hydro. However, the dealer is offering me a pretty good deal to get it out of his dealership (about 20% off list including implements...the difference is about $3500 between the 2720 and 3520) so I am tempted considering the upgrade in power/tractor over the 2720.

My question is, how hard will it be to learn to use the power reverser gear tractor? Is there anyone in here that recently learned to use a gear tractor and if so, how has it gone?

We might be able to give more/better advice if you can chime in with your intended use for this tractor. Also, what kind of acrage are you going to be using this on?

Scott

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

Hydro is hard to beat. I have a PR in my 5525 cab and hydro 4520 cab. There are very few situations that i like the PR better.

D.

I discovered one. Blowing snow with a rear mounted blower.
With the power reverser, I sit sideways in the seat so I only have to turn my head about a 1/4 turn. The 5425 cab is roomy enough. I steer and fingertip toggle the PR forward/N/Reverse with my left hand. I work the EH hitch buttons with my right hand. My feet don't have to do anything. Couldn't do this with a hydro. E-PTO keeps the engine revs at about 1500 rpm instead of 2400 too, so PR shifts aren't at full throttle. E-PTO is awesome.