TC26 vs 2520

[pjtiii]

HI,

I have been lurking for quite some time and have gotten an education. I feel like I almost know enough to by my first tractor. I apologize for the long post, but I’ve seen so many where you all come back and ask for more detail…so..

I live on 7 acres of mostly oak trees on top of a hill. About 1 acre is lawn. I mostly will be using the tractor for mowing, moving mulch, rocks, logs around the yard. I think I will have minor landscape projects in the future, and would like to get some trails in the woods. The yard of oaks makes fall leaf clean up quite of chore. The hill I live on also has about 1000ft paved driveway that needs clearing in the winter and mowing along edges in summer. (up and down the hill)

Given the size of my shed, my yard and my wallet, along with the info on this site, I have been focusing on the TC26 and the JD 2520, with Loader, 60”MMM, grass catcher (for leaves), and snow blower.

This is what I think are the differences for two machines, I’m working on getting quotes now.

TC26
A little smaller, better turning radius, snowblower comes in 60” (as opposed to 48), more expensive, better loader and 3ph specs

JD 2520
Loader has removable bucket, MMM has that easy drive over on/off process, grass catcher is mounted to hitch not 3ph (not sure if this is good or bad, but the literature says it does not go up and down with the 3ph), bigger engine displacement, larger hydraulic pump capacity and higher PSI, and stories of better lifting power - though the specs say differently.

Dealerships? Both local dealers don’t have much stock on site NH dealer has mostly bigger machines, and JD has mostly smaller. Both seem friendly enough, but truth is I don’t have a good feel for which might be better to work with.

I got to drive the JD 2520 and looked at the2320 as well. Then went back to see the TC26. While the specs seem very close, in person the tractors seem very different. The tires and clearance of the 2520 seem larger than the TC26 and both JD’s seem much longer and taller making it harder to see in front, and larger turn radius I imagine.

The JD’s seem much less expensive and attachments come off easy, need to check on the NH ease of add remove for MMM, grass catcher, and snow blower.

Thanks for any help or comments to help me decide.

[jcmseven]

I think these tractors are pretty equivalent. My only complaint about the 2520 (shared by the NH) is the two range transaxle. I would really like to see a three ranger like Kubota on these machines. The JD is pretty manuverable, I do not know about the New Holland. The extra 200 pounds of chassis weight would favor the JD. I do not know how much the New Holland costs, but I personally think the JD 2520 is a little OVERpriced v. other models in the JD line. I have owned over 10 JD's within the past few years, and can say I have felt the 2520, and its predecessor, the 4115, to not be exceptional deals for the level of machine. No doubt it is as good as the NH and in some ways (higher lift cap, more chassis weight, etc.) a little better, but still close. I like the loader attach/detach mech for the JD and the I match setup for rear implements is really nice. The "drive on" MMM is a sweet setup, and boy does it matter as the 62D mower is made of lead. Since you post on the NH page, I assume you know about the NH features already so this is why I focus on the JD more in this post. I think these tractors are so close, I would go with the better dealer and the better price--as the difference in machinery does not lend one way v. the other.

John M

[jbrumberg]

It is my opinion that also appears in many others' TBN posts- if two tractors closely compare in performance, cost, and "feel" go with the dealership with which you are most comfortable. Jay

[pjtiii]

Thanks John and Jay. All good points.

I have made the decision. And just in case others are looking I'll list my reasoning. Keep in mind my "experience" is limited to the test drives I have done on these machines, and my opinions are based on my property and expected uses.

I went with the TC26.

1)The foremost reason was the “feel”. I am 5’9” so I didn’t feel cramped though I see how bigger guys might. The TC26 seemed to get me the most power in the smallest package. Even though the dimensions are very close on the spec sheets, the JD has larger tires, has more ground clearance (weight is higher off the ground) and has a longer distance from the seat to the front of the tractor.
2)Snow blower on NH is 60” vs 48. On JD is wider than the blower. Also go the hydraulic direction changer.
3)Local dealer is much closer than JD
4)Most accessories attach/detach very easily on the NH I just hope I don’t regret not getting the drive over feature of the JD MMM. Though I was told by the JD dealer that with the grass catcher, the drive over ramps have to be removed/added every time you want to attach/detach the catcher. – or I suppose you could leave them off until you needed them.
5)No worries about the 62D MMM digging into the lawn as described in the JD forum – though this may be fixed now.
6)And most important, I just wanted to be different .. my brother has a “green” machine.

I think I should have it in about two weeks - can hardly wait..have projects already backing up..

Thanks again.
Patrick

[SacandagaBrad]

Patrick, You're going to love it! Congratulations. I have the earlier model, TC-24D and have used it for almost 4 years. Make sure you get the rear tires loaded, especially with working on hills. These small machines (any brand) have a lot of power over a small wheel base and you really want the extra weight for FEL work and stability. Even with loaded tires, you should also have a weight box or implement on the back as well.

The MMM goes on and off pretty easy if you have your FEL on to raise the front of the tractor off the ground. The FEL also goes on and off easy. The key is to have a level spot to take it off. The mower is much easier to manuver on a garage floor.

Pictures required up delivery! Be safe and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Brad