Buying Advice Why 1026R vs 2320?

[urbandeere2520]

Um, I was in the market for a 1026R late 2010 and early 2011... I waited and waited but could wait no longer. I went to my local JD dealer in late March and test drove the 2305, 2320 and 2520... The 2320 and 2520 looked huge compared to the 2305, and given my small acreage, I was thinking the smaller 2305 would be more than enough tractor.

Fast forward a month, the $2k incentive on the larger tractors, I decided to purchase the 2520 since someone told me to buy at least one size larger than you think you need. The price differential between the 1026R and 2520 was small given the discounts. Okay, I bought two sizes up, because of the better hydraulics on the 2520.

I'm so very glad I took this advice, since my 2520 has more than exceeded my expectations, very responsive hydraulics, and when properly adjusted, it can do a great job mowing the grass, yep just 4,000 square feet of it, and the tractor turns on a dime. Did I mention I created a 200' long gravel drive (15 tons gravel) in just a few hours... couldn't do that with the little 1026R...

Bottom line... buy one tractor up than you think you'll need... no regrets, and I added my own tool box for $25 and 30 minutes effort.

 

[dmay]

Thank you. I was hoping smaller would be better, not bigger would be better! I will not have round bales - just square - that I thought I could move, when needed, with the 1026R loader. The 5 pastures are 1-2 acres each, so not very large. I also have a very small indoor arena (about 60' x 100') so need a tractor that can maneuver in it to harrow the footing (my Chevy Avalanche and a 4x4 pasture drag could not maneuver in the small indoor arena). I will now read up on other tractor models. I'm pretty sure I will stick w John Deere due to reputation and a dealer is about 6 miles from my farm. Thanks again.

So far you have stated your horse acreage tractor needs are minimal. Mow a small acre yard site & pastures and drag the pasture and arena. A 1026R is quite capable of all these.

For your hay you have this custom cut and baled for you in squares. I'll assume you mean small square bales. Correct? If yes, then you can carry a small square bale (or two) in a 1026R FEL bucket. If you want to carry more bales I suggest you consider FEL pallet forks.

If you ever thought to do your own hay then you would need a larger tractor. As Kenny mentioned a 3x20 minimum.

 

[PioneerMan]

Are 3x20 hay capable? I want to do small hay work but heard the 4000 series are much better, cast iron I guess. Ok I don't mean to hijack...

 

[BlueHorseFarm]

Thank you all for your advice. After lots of reading, comments on this site, etc. I decided to do the middle road between the 1026R and the 3000 series and get a John Deere 2720 with a 200CX loader and a 62" midmount mower. The entire package will be available by the end of August - the the real fun starts! Thanks again.

 

[6dog]

The 2720 is a nice machine. Congrats!

 

[jenkinsph]

Thank you all for your advice. After lots of reading, comments on this site, etc. I decided to do the middle road between the 1026R and the 3000 series and get a John Deere 2720 with a 200CX loader and a 62" midmount mower. The entire package will be available by the end of August - the the real fun starts! Thanks again.

I sispect you will be much happier with the 2720, good luck with it all.

 

[urbandeere2520]

Thank you all for your advice. After lots of reading, comments on this site, etc. I decided to do the middle road between the 1026R and the 3000 series and get a John Deere 2720 with a 200CX loader and a 62" midmount mower. The entire package will be available by the end of August - the the real fun starts! Thanks again.

You'll love this tractor.... larger than a 1000 series, smaller than a 3000 series... and you'll be smiling by mid-September! Congrats...

 

[BlueHorseFarm]

Glad everyone likes my decision. It was also helpful that the local John Deere dealer had a 1XXX, a 2XXX, and a 3XXX next to each other in a row so I could easily get a feeling for size, which was important to me as a timid first-time tractor buyer/user. The 1XXX looked like a toy and the 3XXX looked like a monster. The 2720 looked just right. I already have a list of chores for the tractor when it is delivered.

 

[elroy4455]

Our shop just PDI'd ('set up and prepped' in shop speak) a 1023e with a H120 loader and 60D auto connect drive over deck on Thursday. Although I did not actually attach the deck myself, I watched our tech do it- seems like Deere did their homework with the design.
As for the 2320 vs 1023e or 1026R, I personally like the 200CX loader mounting more than the H120 loader, the 200CX is a quick connect, which can be done from the seat. 2320 has individual brakes, larger tires for greater flotation and more ground clearance. The 2320's front axle has 54% more front axle capacity than either the 1023e or 1026R. The 2320 rated engine RPM at PTO speed is 3000 RPM compared to the 1000's 3200 RPM, 6% slower- meaning less wear. The 2320 3 pt hitch lifting capacity is 68% more, plus the 2320 and 1026R have 'Select positioning' control, compared to the primitive 'Select' control on the 1023e.
IMO, the new styling on the 1023e and 1026R are OK, looks like a pissed off green Camaro from the front. The 200CX loader curved boom has better visibility than the D / H120 loaders.
With either choice, you'll have a nice John Deere in your yard!

 

[C-Range]

Our shop just PDI'd ('set up and prepped' in shop speak) a 1023e with a H120 loader and 60D auto connect drive over deck on Thursday. Although I did not actually attach the deck myself, I watched our tech do it- seems like Deere did their homework with the design.
As for the 2320 vs 1023e or 1026R, I personally like the 200CX loader mounting more than the H120 loader, the 200CX is a quick connect, which can be done from the seat. 2320 has individual brakes, larger tires for greater flotation and more ground clearance. The 2320's front axle has 54% more front axle capacity than either the 1023e or 1026R. The 2320 rated engine RPM at PTO speed is 3000 RPM compared to the 1000's 3200 RPM, 6% slower- meaning less wear. The 2320 3 pt hitch lifting capacity is 68% more, plus the 2320 and 1026R have 'Select positioning' control, compared to the primitive 'Select' control on the 1023e.
IMO, the new styling on the 1023e and 1026R are OK, looks like a pissed off green Camaro from the front. The 200CX loader curved boom has better visibility than the D / H120 loaders.
With either choice, you'll have a nice John Deere in your yard!

That is a great piece of reading!