When buying new.....

[Gobblin Tom]

What options should I ask for or anyone else for that matter?? I have read a lot on the forum and this is all new to me. I am looming at ordering a 2520 soon but it seems lime there is a lot the dealer dont tell you. (Or maybe. Ecause I don't know any better) getting the tractor with a 61" cx200 and the 57" tiller what else would you suggest as in hydraulics etc.??

 

[beenthere]

How do we know for what you are going to be using the tractor?

 

[Gobblin Tom]

I am going to be using the tractor on my 22 acres, skidding logs, taking care of my 1/4 long up hill driveway, cutting ditches with rear blade, putting in food plots, plowing snow with rear blade. Eventually I will get a BH for it also. I am using my cub as a dedicated mowing machine. Might eventually get a brush hog not sure about the MMM. I would like to be prepared for about anything on the tractor (attachments). I am going to get the rear tires filled and add chains to the rear also.

 

[955er]

I wish I had a quick hitch for the front and an i-match for the back. A set of forks would be nice also...

 

[dmay]

Cutting ditches might require top-n-tilt and rear hydraulics to angle whatever attachment your using to cut the ditches with. Can you cut a ditch with a rear blade or did you mean rear box blade?

 

[beenthere]

I am going to be using the tractor on my 22 acres, skidding logs, taking care of my 1/4 long up hill driveway, cutting ditches with rear blade, putting in food plots, plowing snow with rear blade. Eventually I will get a BH for it also. I am using my cub as a dedicated mowing machine. Might eventually get a brush hog not sure about the MMM. I would like to be prepared for about anything on the tractor (attachments). I am going to get the rear tires filled and add chains to the rear also.

That helps a bunch.
In my opinion, the 2520 has too small a frame and too light (weight) for logging. I have the 4300 (now 3520 size) on my 22 acres and wouldn't want one in the woods smaller or lighter than that. Nor any smaller for plowing my 1/4 mile drive.
The 2520 is too close to a lawn mower size, IMO. Good for mowing and light loader work.

Back hoe would be much better on the larger size too.

Don't mean to rain on your parade, but IMO you won't be happy with that size.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Cutting ditches might require top-n-tilt and rear hydraulics to angle whatever attachment your using to cut the ditches with. Can you cut a ditch with a rear blade or did you mean rear box blade?

I was looking at the rear blades at everything attachments, they have them that tilt and offset at a reasonable price.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

That helps a bunch.
In my opinion, the 2520 has too small a frame and too light (weight) for logging. I have the 4300 (now 3520 size) on my 22 acres and wouldn't want one in the woods smaller or lighter than that. Nor any smaller for plowing my 1/4 mile drive.
The 2520 is too close to a lawn mower size, IMO. Good for mowing and light loader work.

Back hoe would be much better on the larger size too.

Don't mean to rain on your parade, but IMO you won't be happy with that size.

Originally I was looking at the 2320 then decided that I better at least go with the 2520 I understand though, its the best that I can afford and it has to be better than my old polaris quad that I have to lift every piece of firewood onto... I don't have to skid logs huge logs but if I can bring a 10-15' chunck out at a time I will be happy... I plow my driveway with that little cub cadet gt2544 right now, it takes me from 3-5 hours to plow because I dont have a way to scoop the snow if we get a bunch, so then I have to plow another 20-30' into my yard so I can plow the next time if we get a lot of snow.

 

[glc24]

The 2520 is too close to a lawn mower size, IMO.

Holy cow! If that is what you consider a "lawn mower",I'd shutter to see how big your tractor would be!

Greg

 

[beenthere]

I hear ya Gobblin Tom. You will enjoy the 2520 to its max.

For plowing that 1/4 mile, here is a ride on mine....2 minutes down, another 2 back, and 2 down. Plus time at the three turnarounds, for a total of about 15-20 minutes.

YouTube - 4300 Deere snowplowing 1

Something to look forward to in the future. Took me 30+ years to finally get to this point.

 

[JDdude]

Get pallet forks for your second attachment and a aftermarket tiller like King Kutter..

 

[Gobblin Tom]

I hear ya Gobblin Tom. You will enjoy the 2520 to its max.

For plowing that 1/4 mile, here is a ride on mine....2 minutes down, another 2 back, and 2 down. Plus time at the three turnarounds, for a total of about 15-20 minutes.

YouTube - 4300 Deere snowplowing 1

Something to look forward to in the future. Took me 30+ years to finally get to this point.

Good video but is that tractor bigger than the 2520?

 

[beenthere]

Last I knew it was. That video makes things look a bit small. Surprised me that the 7' Western plow looked small compared to real life.

Deere 2520 is 26.5 hp, and 1865# shipping

Deere 3320 is 32.5 hp, and 2900# shipping (this is a better comparison to frame size of my 4300 which is 32 hp)

The newer profile has a puffed up hood that makes it look bigger than the 4300, but frame size is the same (between the 2000's and the 4000's). Bought this 4300 in '99.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Last I knew it was. That video makes things look a bit small. Surprised me that the 7' Western plow looked small compared to real life.

Deere 2520 is 26.5 hp, and 1865# shipping

Deere 3320 is 32.5 hp, and 2900# shipping (this is a better comparison to frame size of my 4300 which is 32 hp)

The newer profile has a puffed up hood that makes it look bigger than the 4300, but frame size is the same (between the 2000's and the 4000's). Bought this 4300 in '99.

Well that's interesting! Maybe you can let me borrow that plow..:licking: (when I get mine)....

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Holy cow! If that is what you consider a "lawn mower",I'd shutter to see how big your tractor would be!

Greg

Yeah...:confused2:

 

[revitupfaster]

Great video beenthere. I have a 2520, and she pretty much works the same way, although I don't have the driveway length you do. I'm sure the length wouldn't matter, she'd just keep on truckin'.

She's some kinda' lawnmower let me tell you.

By the way, to the OP, if you plan on using rear attachments, get the "I" match. The only thing I use on the 3pth is the ballast box, but the "I" match makes hooking it on and taking it off a breeze. REV

 

[Jriffe108]

Tom,

Get the largest bucket for your FEL you can. I believe it's the 61". Have them weld tow hooks the bucket as well. If you are going to use the MMM, opt for the hydraulic independent lift kit. I have and love the 54" drive over, however, many prefer the 62". The imatch is a must have. Worth every penny. Mulch kit for MMM works well. Go with the r4 tires too. I use my BB for counterweight, but it does stick out a bit. I couldn't justify spending money on a ballast box that only adds weight. Extra lights are always nice too.

I dont have as much land as you and my drive is asphalt and concrete with no chance of snow. I primarily mow in the spring and summer with the MMM and move dirt and firewood with the FEL during winter. I opted for the 2320. Great unit.

Oh yeah, make sure they have the rear wheels set up for max width.

 

[jenkinsph]

That helps a bunch.
In my opinion, the 2520 has too small a frame and too light (weight) for logging. I have the 4300 (now 3520 size) on my 22 acres and wouldn't want one in the woods smaller or lighter than that. Nor any smaller for plowing my 1/4 mile drive.
The 2520 is too close to a lawn mower size, IMO. Good for mowing and light loader work.

Back hoe would be much better on the larger size too.

Don't mean to rain on your parade, but IMO you won't be happy with that size.

Tom,
From your description of jobs I would suggest a good used 4500 to 4600. Much better for your needs imo.

 

[mjncad]

I agree with Steve, you need something bigger.

 

[pdp11]

I have a 2520, and while I do use it for road grading and a variety of landscaping and general tasks, it spends most of it's time mowing with a 62D MMM. I don't do any logging, and I thankfully don't plow snow.

If I had not been looking at using for mowing, and was instead looking at more agricultural and ground engaging tasks, I'd have looked more seriously at the 3x20's. They just seemed a little too big and more tractor than I really needed.