Magilla1
New member
So I've been wanting to buy a 2320, but my local dealer doesn't have one I can try out. He does have a used 2520 and he let me try it out at home this weekend. I played with it for awhile, and here are my first thoughts:
1. I'm dying to own a Deere! Dealers are smart to let you try them at home -- you don't want to let it go!
2. The 2520 seems a little too heavy to use as a mower. The grass stopped growing here a couple of weeks ago, but I had a few patches that I left high, so I got to test the MMM on this unit. It cut just fine, but the weight of this machine really seemed to leave pretty significant marks. I live on tough red clay with well established turf, and it hasn't rained here in a couple of weeks. This unit has R-4s on it, and perhaps the turf tires I want would make a big difference.
3. Low gear really is pretty slow for mowing a big open area. High is far faster than you need, but it bogs down a lot on my hills, at least. So, because I have both flat areas and significant slopes in my grassed areas, I'm going to have to use low. Really wish it had a third, middle gear.
4. The FEL on the 2520 is really nice, quick and responsive. I was very happy with it. I also used it to make sort of a quick little trail in some thick stuff I have on a powerline going through my woods. It did the job pretty well in 4 or 5 passes.
5. The R-4s stink. Chunky enough to damage your lawn, but not good traction when you're working in the woods. A little mud and a little slope, and it's just not very good. Admittedly, I'm new to the unit and I'd probably work it better with time, but I'm guessing the R-4s would be lousy in the snow. It seems to me turf tires are the way to go with mowing when it's warm, then chains when the snow comes.
6. The ergonomics of the 2520 were great for me. Comfortable, well-thought-out controls. Really don't see much room for improvement here.
7. This is one sturdy machine. I've sat on a 2305. That just is a different thing. I'm not dumping on the 2305, and I might even buy the new 1026 when it comes out. But the 2520 is a moose compared to the 2305.
8. I have a somewhat bumpy lawn in spots, but even so, the ride on the 2520 (at least with the FEL on) was pretty doggone bouncy. I'm a sturdy fellow so I don't mind, but I did think the bigger wheels/wider tires/heavier weight would smooth things over more than the Sears lawn tractor I used to use to mow. It did a little better, but not all that much better.
Anyway, for those of you shopping, I thought I'd share at least one guy's hands-on, first-hour impressions. Wish I could try the 2320; I think I'm still leaning towards it just to save the bucks and because a bit lighter machine might be better for mowing.
1. I'm dying to own a Deere! Dealers are smart to let you try them at home -- you don't want to let it go!
2. The 2520 seems a little too heavy to use as a mower. The grass stopped growing here a couple of weeks ago, but I had a few patches that I left high, so I got to test the MMM on this unit. It cut just fine, but the weight of this machine really seemed to leave pretty significant marks. I live on tough red clay with well established turf, and it hasn't rained here in a couple of weeks. This unit has R-4s on it, and perhaps the turf tires I want would make a big difference.
3. Low gear really is pretty slow for mowing a big open area. High is far faster than you need, but it bogs down a lot on my hills, at least. So, because I have both flat areas and significant slopes in my grassed areas, I'm going to have to use low. Really wish it had a third, middle gear.
4. The FEL on the 2520 is really nice, quick and responsive. I was very happy with it. I also used it to make sort of a quick little trail in some thick stuff I have on a powerline going through my woods. It did the job pretty well in 4 or 5 passes.
5. The R-4s stink. Chunky enough to damage your lawn, but not good traction when you're working in the woods. A little mud and a little slope, and it's just not very good. Admittedly, I'm new to the unit and I'd probably work it better with time, but I'm guessing the R-4s would be lousy in the snow. It seems to me turf tires are the way to go with mowing when it's warm, then chains when the snow comes.
6. The ergonomics of the 2520 were great for me. Comfortable, well-thought-out controls. Really don't see much room for improvement here.
7. This is one sturdy machine. I've sat on a 2305. That just is a different thing. I'm not dumping on the 2305, and I might even buy the new 1026 when it comes out. But the 2520 is a moose compared to the 2305.
8. I have a somewhat bumpy lawn in spots, but even so, the ride on the 2520 (at least with the FEL on) was pretty doggone bouncy. I'm a sturdy fellow so I don't mind, but I did think the bigger wheels/wider tires/heavier weight would smooth things over more than the Sears lawn tractor I used to use to mow. It did a little better, but not all that much better.
Anyway, for those of you shopping, I thought I'd share at least one guy's hands-on, first-hour impressions. Wish I could try the 2320; I think I'm still leaning towards it just to save the bucks and because a bit lighter machine might be better for mowing.