JonNY West
New member
...for you to weigh in, should you be so inclined, my TBN friends. Yes, yet another "what should I buy" thread, from a first time owner, though a reasonably well-informed one from the the benefit of your writings over these last many months.
Expected Use:
Finish mowing 4+ acres of former horse pasture, relatively flat, gentle slopes.
Need to navigate many split rail posts but few trees.
Snowblowing about 300 feet of driveway and parking area.
Perhaps some trail clearing, landscaping, misc. FEL work.
May use spreader for snow melt but probably minimal rear tph or pto use to begin with.
Models Considered:
BX25, B2920, JD 2520, (2930,3030 but have not test driven - like the features and possible factory cab).
Assessment:
In brief, thanks to may of your informative posts I'm aware of the differences between JD and Kubota with respect to turning brake location, position control vs. quarter inching, clutch pedal, 3 range hydro vs. 2, minimal speed/power of hydraulics on BX25 compared to B-models.
Both dealers are about 40-50 minutes away, though JD (Zahm & Matson) has several locations throughout region. Each have been responsive to my inquiries and have let me test drive. Each had positive comments about their competitor's machines.
Given the $2500 rebate and another $400 dollar reduction, I'm inclined to go with the JD 2520, w/FEL, quicktatch bucket, front mount blower, and 62"MMM for $20,400. Probably can get ballast box included with delivery.
Questions/Concerns:
The JD2520 has lower ground clearance but sits 3" higher to bigger rear wheels.
It is also a few hundred pounds heavier. I have some softer, wetter areas to mow, and wonder if this will be problematic, as even my lansdcapers ZTR leaves tracks, though I probably have more discretion not to mow when it is wet as they are on a tighter schedule.
It seems a bit more user friendly to me, though the larger size seems somewhat more imposing and I don't care for the hump on the floor from the drive shaft.
Based on what little I know, the 1026R would probably be the best choice for my needs. However, the rebates and some healthy caution about a new, already problematic release sway me toward the 2520.
I welcome your responses about the 2520 as a primary mowing/blwing machine and,
Any comments about utility or problems related to a cab (either factory or after-market).
Should I consider adding the diverter valve to readily change between the MMM & FEL?
Have also noticed that the JD blower does not have a hydraulic or electric adjustment for the chute vs. the B2920. This seems like an oversight to me and a big inconvenience, any thoughts on this and any other key differences that I have not considered also very much appreciated.
Many thanks.
Expected Use:
Finish mowing 4+ acres of former horse pasture, relatively flat, gentle slopes.
Need to navigate many split rail posts but few trees.
Snowblowing about 300 feet of driveway and parking area.
Perhaps some trail clearing, landscaping, misc. FEL work.
May use spreader for snow melt but probably minimal rear tph or pto use to begin with.
Models Considered:
BX25, B2920, JD 2520, (2930,3030 but have not test driven - like the features and possible factory cab).
Assessment:
In brief, thanks to may of your informative posts I'm aware of the differences between JD and Kubota with respect to turning brake location, position control vs. quarter inching, clutch pedal, 3 range hydro vs. 2, minimal speed/power of hydraulics on BX25 compared to B-models.
Both dealers are about 40-50 minutes away, though JD (Zahm & Matson) has several locations throughout region. Each have been responsive to my inquiries and have let me test drive. Each had positive comments about their competitor's machines.
Given the $2500 rebate and another $400 dollar reduction, I'm inclined to go with the JD 2520, w/FEL, quicktatch bucket, front mount blower, and 62"MMM for $20,400. Probably can get ballast box included with delivery.
Questions/Concerns:
The JD2520 has lower ground clearance but sits 3" higher to bigger rear wheels.
It is also a few hundred pounds heavier. I have some softer, wetter areas to mow, and wonder if this will be problematic, as even my lansdcapers ZTR leaves tracks, though I probably have more discretion not to mow when it is wet as they are on a tighter schedule.
It seems a bit more user friendly to me, though the larger size seems somewhat more imposing and I don't care for the hump on the floor from the drive shaft.
Based on what little I know, the 1026R would probably be the best choice for my needs. However, the rebates and some healthy caution about a new, already problematic release sway me toward the 2520.
I welcome your responses about the 2520 as a primary mowing/blwing machine and,
Any comments about utility or problems related to a cab (either factory or after-market).
Should I consider adding the diverter valve to readily change between the MMM & FEL?
Have also noticed that the JD blower does not have a hydraulic or electric adjustment for the chute vs. the B2920. This seems like an oversight to me and a big inconvenience, any thoughts on this and any other key differences that I have not considered also very much appreciated.
Many thanks.
. 
