the new 2520 - a current JD owner's take....

garchib · Mar 27, 2006

the new 2520 - a current JD owner\'s take....

I looked over the 2520 on a lot the other day and have read all of the reviews and seen the pictures....here is my take:
It is a great machine and would be a tractor I would buy had I to start-over again and was looking at buying a new rig. However, here is what I do not understand.....why does JD not put a more flat, moulded operator platform like on the 2210 and 4010 models ? Add to that the lack of a retractable seatbelt like on the Kubota models, the lack of a suspension seat like the 4210 / 4310 (and I would have to assume new 3000 series) and I wonder why they bother with new models ? This tractor has new headlights and a few more horsepower. This is not enough for me to even consider upgrading. Anyone else feel a little surprised at the lack of improvements ? Again, it is an excellent tractor, so new 2520 owners don't get miffed at me /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Of course, at least they put a bleepin' drink holder on this one, unlike my 4100 /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Hydraman · Mar 27, 2006

Re: the new 2520 - a current JD owner\'s take....

And why didn't they just add cruise control and independent lift to the 2210 and call it good, instead of coming out with the 2305? Could it be called "Planned Obsolesence" ? Don

TOL1488 · Mar 27, 2006

Re: the new 2520 - a current JD owner\'s take....

You're mistaken about the suspension seat and retractable seatbelts stop retracting...

As for the rest that's how everything goes these days never revolutionary changes just little evolutionary changes. Just enough to prompt sales without driving up R&D costs. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Anyway the drive on MMM deck new loader designs and such are supposed to be part of the package. IMO the ride on deck is mighty cool... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif but I doubt something like it would prompt me to buy a new tractor in five years.

lincolnvt · Mar 28, 2006

Re: the new 2520 - a current JD owner\'s take....

so the seat does have suspension? the one i tested did not - is it an option?

TOL1488 · Mar 28, 2006

Re: the new 2520 - a current JD owner\'s take....

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( so the seat does have suspension? the one i tested did not - is it an option? )</font>

When I read the initial post it struck me as wrong. I drove across a bunch of ruts and I remember thinking it was a real comfortable ride on my test drive.

So I looked at this page Deere 2520 page and found this "High-backed contoured seat is suspended for added operator comfort" So I posted back.

Can't go double check as neither local dealer currently has one in stock, can anyone else?

rockyridgefarm · Mar 28, 2006

Re: the new 2520 - a current JD owner\'s take....

Happy 4310 owner here! I have looked long and hard at the 3000TWENTYs and they are nice! But, I got the good seat on my 10, and I really figure that it'll take more than the current crop to get me to switch. But, for them buyin' them, them are good machines!! (dontcha jes hate spellngrammern checkers?)

jcmseven · Mar 28, 2006

Re: the new 2520 - a current JD owner\'s take....

In my opinion, the 2520 remains what the 4115 was, a good machine with an identity crisis. My dealer who is a pretty smart guy steers people away from that tractor, mainly because the 3000 series offer so much more for not that much more money. There are some issues that I feel JD needs to resolve with this machine that they have not yet. First a three range hydro would be nice and an open platform. Ehydro might not be needed, but would be a good option. Those that look at these tractors are usually not looking so save a buck, they would not be looking at John Deere if they were, but rather are looking for a stout machine in a small package. Honestly, if I would have been able to get the features in the 4115 at the time (2520 now) as the 3000 series, I would have not gone to a mid frame, but the difference in price to me was worth it.

John M

TOL1488 · Mar 29, 2006

Re: the new 2520 - a current JD owner\'s take....

You know what they say about those opinion things...

To start off grass cutting season lasts eight or nine months in my neck of the woods.

I wanted one machine to cut my grass roughly 2.5 acres and bush hog some other parts of my property about 4 acres. The 2520 is LIGHTEST tractor (over ONE THOUSAND POUNDS lighter than the 3000 series) that would pull a 5' bush hog (the size I decided I wanted). Those two tasks will likely be responsible for 90% of the hours I put on it. Even then I only plan on bush hogging once a month maybe twice for a three month stretch, but will mow once a week.

To me it's just a big garden tractor with a loader which coincidentally will allow the use of full sized cat 1 implements on the rare occasion that I need them.

As you mentioned saving a buck wasn't a chief concern I likely would have spent more for the lighter tractor than the heavier one had that been the pricing structure.

A third range would not really interest me but ehydro would primarily for motion match and load match.

Anyway that is all just based on another of those opinion things.

jcmseven · Mar 29, 2006

Re: the new 2520 - a current JD owner\'s take....

I agree 100% with your thoughts. I also feel there is a role for a lightweight but sturdy compact in the line. My only concern with it is that JD seems to avoid offering some of the nifty features of the 3000 series. Yes, the 2520 is a great machine. I have seen one and sat upon one, but not operated one. I have used a 4115, however, and it was one nice machine. It just did not have the features that I felt merited its price. Back about 18 months ago, when looking for a small framed compact, I looked at several brands and also at a 4115. My dealer pointed out a 4310 to me. When I looked at both, and operated both a bit, I thought there would be a huge difference in price, but there was not. I decided on the 4310, and although I have traded since then I still think it was a good move. Please understand I think the 2520 and its predecessors are-were excellent machines, but I do think JD needs to bring more trickle down tech to that size machine. I am sure, though, that they have done their market research.

John M

TOL1488 · Mar 29, 2006

Re: the new 2520 - a current JD owner\'s take....

I'm not implying that I wouldn't like more bells and whistles (I like bells and whistles /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) just that regardless of the extra features a larger tractor still doesn't fit my needs. The larger tractor will not be the best choice in all situations no matter how many neat dohickeys it has.

That said I really wish a third SCV was an option, I'm thinking about a small dump wagon and will likely have to add aftermarket hydraulics to use it with the loader attached. Also having to disconnect the loader hydraulics in order to use the independent lift for the MMM is a bit silly.