Buying Advice Why 1026R vs 2320?

[BlueHorseFarm]

My 2720 tractor, CX200 loader, and 62" mid-mount deck were delivered yesterday. After some training by the sales rep, I have been having some fun with it.

A frequent task for this tractor will be dragging a horse riding arena, for which I will separately buy a 3-pt harrow/drag. During my training session, my salesperson noted that the 62" MMD is raised and lowered with a connection to the 3-pt hitch. When the mower is removed to use a 3-pt drag/harrow, part of the mower remains connected to the tractor and goes up and down as the 3-pt goes up and down. This part can get in the way of using the 3-pt hitch as it is very close to the ground when the hitch is lowered. My options to "fix" this, as provided by the salesman, are:

"I have a few options about keeping your linkage up while the mower is off the tractor.
1- Mid Mower deck lock-up kit $200.
2- Independent attaching kit $750.
3- Independent attaching kit ($750)/ Mechanical Diverter for independent lift ($582.50) $1332.50
For simplicity and cost, option # 1 will get the job done, especially if you are comfortable using the 3pt hitch to raise and lower the mower. If you would prefer to completely separate the mid mower from the 3pt hitch, then option 2 or 3 come into play."

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thank you.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Hmm, on many small tractors one can simply raise the mmm to the "Top", or "lock" positin, and pin it up there which frees up the 3pt hitch for other things.

 

[urbandeere2520]

"I have a few options about keeping your linkage up while the mower is off the tractor.
1- Mid Mower deck lock-up kit $200.
2- Independent attaching kit $750.
3- Independent attaching kit ($750)/ Mechanical Diverter for independent lift ($582.50) $1332.50
For simplicity and cost, option # 1 will get the job done, especially if you are comfortable using the 3pt hitch to raise and lower the mower. If you would prefer to completely separate the mid mower from the 3pt hitch, then option 2 or 3 come into play."

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thank you.

Hmmf? I discovered the same problem (lift linkage dragging) when I received my new 2520 this spring. I picked up the telephone and called the dealer that sold me that tractor and asked that he ship me the MM lock-up kit at no cost since I had just dropped $$$ on a new tractor. Three days later the lock-up kit appeared!

When the mower deck is off the tractor the lock-up kit works like a charm, keeps the linkages out of the way. I always take the mower off when doing non-mower work; FEL, 3 pt attachments, so the lock-up kit is handy. That's why I didn't consider your options 2 and 3 above.

There are a few resourceful folks on this board that hand crafted their own solution to the hanging linkage, but I'd ask the dealer for the kit first, and at no charge to you.

 

[BlueHorseFarm]

Thank you VERY much for sharing your experience and advice. Seems to me JD should include the lock-up kit with the MMM, as it would be a problem for everyone who plans to use the tractor w/o the deck attached (i.e., everyone). I received some good discounts on the tractor, etc. so am not sure if the dealer will offer the lock up kit free, but it is sure worth a try! Thanks again.