Mowing Advice on mowing 2320 vs 2520 vs new 2025r or 2032r

[jclego]

I currently use a 2305 with 62c deck, 200c, and 54in front blade. I would like to upgrade to a slightly larger machine, but am worried about lawn damage with a heavier machine or the lawn damage TBN users note with the swivel wheels in the drive over decks. Can someone let me know if they have regretted the 2520 due to weight on lawn or from deck wheels. I am leaning towards 2x20 rather than new 2r because the inconvenient PTO switch to mow in reverse. I do not have too many trees and about 1.5 acres of lawn and 2000 to 4000ft gravel drive to plow in winter. New house, so still using the loader a lot.
Thanks

 

[chevyman29]

whenever i had a 2520 i didnt have any issues with the tractor itself tearing up the yard . i did have issues with the drive on deck wheels not working properly but is been three years since i sold mine so im sure they've fixed the decks by now.

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

I used a 2520 to cut grass, never had an issue with weight or tearing up turf unless it was too wet after rain. (I also never drove over the septic tank) I would go with the 2520 or even the 2720 over the 2320 as the greater hydro flow rates will make your work a little quicker when using the loader and the tires are slightly larger as well I believe.

As far as your driveway, the larger 2x20 series should be better able to deal with snow however, if you spend a lot of time in the winter dealing with snow, may I suggest you look to a 3320 cab, nothing beats being able to clear your driveway in the winter in pajama pants, tee shirt and slippers with a cup of coffee, of course, that would mean you would need something to cut the grass as a 5K Lb cab tractor is not good for turf..

My 2 cents,

Tom

 

[jclego]

I would LOVE to own a 3320 with cab, but am afraid that would be too pricey. I think I will test drive the 2520 and 2720. Plowing while wearing carharts and a snowmobile helmet has worked well so far. The 2320 does not seem like much of an "upgrade".

Thanks for all the great advice.
Happy Thanksgiving !

 

[chevyman29]

fwiw i loved my 2520 it was about perfect for around the house type stuff it was just a little lacking for some of my bigger jobs . but for its size it really over performed.

 

[yelbike]

The 2320 is quite the upgrade to the 2305. I have both. Each have their respective duties. The only complaint i have with the 2320 is its difficulty to pull the high range gear. I think the gear is too tall, its strictly a travel gear. The hydraulic speed doesn't bother me one bit. Jmho.

 

[castiman]

I currently use a 2305 with 62c deck, 200c, and 54in front blade. I would like to upgrade to a slightly larger machine, but am worried about lawn damage with a heavier machine or the lawn damage TBN users note with the swivel wheels in the drive over decks. Can someone let me know if they have regretted the 2520 due to weight on lawn or from deck wheels. I am leaning towards 2x20 rather than new 2r because the inconvenient PTO switch to mow in reverse. I do not have too many trees and about 1.5 acres of lawn and 2000 to 4000ft gravel drive to plow in winter. New house, so still using the loader a lot.
Thanks

I had a 2305 with the front blade, front snowblower, and 62'' mower, no loader,also had a hardsided curtis cab, we get alot of snow here in upstate NY. Sold everything except my front blade almost two years ago and upgraded to 2520. Its like nite and day between the two tractors. I got the 54'' front blower, the 200cx loader, didn't get the mower because of the extra weight of the tractor. There were times when things were wet the 2305 was a little to heavy for the lawn. I ended up getting a x530 just to cut grass with. I have only a couple of acres to cut and the extra cost wasn't all that much more with not getting the deck for the 2520. This worked out really well for me, maybe something to think about. You won't be disappointed with a 2520 for moving snow.

 

[jclego]

Thanks. I am pricing a 2520 with hydraulic angle front blade, 200 cx, and 62d mower. Need to by new FEL and blade setup cause dealer says I can't move it to the 2520. Not getting a lot for trade in though. I would like to by 2520 without the mower and spend the same money on toro zero turn. That way i can have best of both worlds Problem is storage. Don't have a big enough shed for 2 toys.

I have also read about 3038 with fixed loader. Anyone put a front blade on the FEL QA mount and plow with a 3038? Would need an extra set of hydraulics, right?
Thanks everyone-

 

[JD6400NZ]

Hello there, I am wondering is the 2025R the same as the 2320 hood (metal) or is it a plastic one now?

 

[Shawk]

I like the idea that you're looking at a ZT mower. Others have suggested that here over and over but I personally never bought into it until I ran across a nice used one this summer. Man, I've been missing out! Especially if someone is purchasing a new mid mower deck for a 2000 series... I would recommend spending the money and snagging a nice low hour ZT instead.
I've had a 2210, 2305, 2520 and now a 3120. For me the 2210/2305 was a faster and better finish mower without question. The 2520 was REALLY good but the smaller machine was a better mower over all. I guess I never really noticed much of a weight factor between my 2305 and 2520. As another mentioned, high gear on the 2520 was not impressive for any work or mowing.... it's ok mowing on flats but if there's much grade at all, it's weak and poorly designed IMO by Deere. They should simply have geared high a little lower or added a 3rd gear like the 3000 series (this has been discussed many times). I ran my 47" front blower on the front of my 2305 and 2520 and they both ate snow. Without a doubt though the 2520 ran it much better/faster as you would expect. Loader speed is also lightning fast on the 2520 compared to the 2305. I loved both machines. The 2520 is a big upgrade though and I would anticipate the 2320 would be as well (I've never run one though).
Now I have a 3120 that I just picked up and its a great machine. Some claim the lack of power but this thing like many of the series 1st in line machines but this is no where close to lacking IMO... Careful when you listed to those who make some of these claims on any of the machines here. Find out if they've actually run them. I'm in the camp as well that bigger is typically better. But many times guys will down grade a machine they've never spent any time on. Unless someone is really going to work a tractor to death on a farm or commercially (daily) I think the 3120 & 3320 are perfect "big" machines for an acreage owner. However if you don't want the extra weight, it's pretty darn tough to beat the 2305 & 2520 size beasts. These machines will do so much more than most of us really need. So going back to your subject question on mowing... I can't imaging you would be unhappy with any of the machines you've listed. The only catch if you have hilly terrain is that you might spend some time shifting from low to high a little more or just mowing in low. But if it's really hilly you'll probably need to mow slower and in low anyway. See if your dealer will drop the machine off and mow once or twice with it... then you'll know before you purchase. Best wishes!