2320/2520 Reviews

[archerynut]

Just wanted to get some overall impressions of the JD 2320/2520. Originally I was thinking of buying the 2305, but after many hours of indecision I think that I may want to move up a size or two for many different reasons. Here is the setup that I am thinking about:

2320/2520 w/turf tires
FEL
BH
62" Onramp MMM
Quick tatch snowplow
Rear rake for maintaining gravel drive

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I am also considering the Kubota B7610 for comparision also.

 

[aesanders]

I'm not sure of all your intended purposes, but one thing that the 2320/2520 has over the 2305 and bx 24 and b7610 is position control. This may or may not be a big deal to you, but it was for me. I really like it for my bush hog, box blade and rake. I can return to the proper setting very easily with the position control. It is great for rear mounted implements. To get this on a Kubota you have to look at the 2630 and 3030 machines.

All these tractors are good. Their really is not one that is better than another, just some might be more suited for your application. Take my property and use. I wouldn't really gain anything with a 2520. My ground is flat as a pancake. If I had hills I would probably like a 2520 better for getting up the hills, but this is not a problem for me.

Another member on this site (Ducatti) had a 2320 and then decided to get a 2520. He said the loader was a little faster and he liked the responsiveness of the larger engine. He has the backhoe as well and said that the added hydraulic flow did not noticably increase the performance of the backhoe (if I remember correctly). These are very good machines ( as well as the Kubota's) and I don't think I could have made a better choice for what I have needed. My main uses are: Bushhogging pastures dragging a horse arena with a pasture drag, digging fence holes with a posthole digger, boxblade and rake where needed, and clearing land on an older pasture parcel that backs up to a lake.

Here are some pics of the 2320 and my clearing project:
Flickr: Photos from aesanders71

 

[Mike5252]

I'm fairly new to the 2520 club, but appreciate mine more every day. I think you probably can't go wrong with either the 2520 or the 2320.

The direct injection diesel on the 2520 started up the first time even on the coldest days here in ohio. If I'm not mistaken, the 2520 is the smallest JD w/ the direct injection.

 

[RalphVa]

The main difference, as pointed out, between the 2320 and 2520 is direct injection on the 2520. I've read that this is a bit more efficient. It's faster starting only if you forget to glow the 2320 (4 seconds on the coldest day). Think this is available on the 2520 at a lower price increment than was between the 4110 and 4115, for instance.

A rear blade with some skids to keep the blade off the gravel would be cheaper than a quick tach front snow plow. The BB and FEL make a great combo for clearing snow.

The real seller for me among the choices you're looking at is the position control. Wish I had it on my 4010. I'm forever looking back there and guessing where to drop the implement.

Another thing I've seen is the hood folds back and makes access to EVERTHING, incl. the battery, so much nicer than the older models and better than the older Kubotas, too.

If you have any uneven ground at all or want to do much brush hogging, scratch the 2305. That underneath plastic hydraulic cooling fan is very vulnerable. The hydraulic cooler on the 2320/2520 is like it was on the 4000 series: in front of the radiator and uses the engine cooling fan.

Turf tires work fine on my 4010, even in our recent sleet storm. Don't think it slipped at all on the driveway with the wheels behind either the BB or the FEL. Did slip some on top the sleet. Even plowed some of the road uphill from our cul-de-sac. Still no slip. Turfs are mainly not very good on mud. About the best for mud is R1s, but they may dig you into a hole.

 

[aesanders]

The direct injection diesel on the 2520 started up the first time even on the coldest days here in ohio.

My 2320 started right up even on the coldest day here in the sunshine state

 

[Hard]

Both the 2320 and 2520 will start right up on very cold days...no difference, I have tried them both. I had Cub SUB-CUTS (nightmare) and was considering the 2305 but I wanted the extra ground clearance so I went for the 2320. The hydro filter is better protected. On the 2305 the filter hangs down and is exposed. If ground clearance is not an issue get a 2305, it's an awsome tractor. If you need more clearance you can't go wrong with a 2320 or 2520. Also, the OnRamp drive over mowing decks on the 2000 series are easy to install and remove.

 

[Jksnvly]

I bought a 2305 late Spring of '06 for use at my place upstate. Rotary cutting overgrown areas and then maintaiing them are very important aspects of my useage. After 10 hours of use, I realized the limitations of the 2305 with its exposed filter and low hanging fan, as others have pointed out. I traded it back to the dealer for a 2320, which I havent's had an opportunity to use...yet. Having a FEL installed next month. Our get-a-way home will be finished late Spring this year, so she'll definately get a work out.

 

[Mike5252]

While we're all talking about the differences between 2320's and 2520's I've always had a lingering question I'll throw out there.

The JD literature says the 2320 weighs in around 1600 lbs, while the 2520 weighs in around 1865 lbs. What is it that is making this fairly large weight difference?

A slightly bigger engine and better hydraulic flow shouldn't cause any appreciable weight increase. Is the transmission somehow different, or the frame heavier?

 

[johndeere_2210]

While we're all talking about the differences between 2320's and 2520's I've always had a lingering question I'll throw out there.

The JD literature says the 2320 weighs in around 1600 lbs, while the 2520 weighs in around 1865 lbs. What is it that is making this fairly large weight difference?

A slightly bigger engine and better hydraulic flow shouldn't cause any appreciable weight increase. Is the transmission somehow different, or the frame heavier?

Mike, I know the wheels/tires are difference on the back and would account for some of that difference.

 

[BleedGreen]

While we're all talking about the differences between 2320's and 2520's I've always had a lingering question I'll throw out there.

The JD literature says the 2320 weighs in around 1600 lbs, while the 2520 weighs in around 1865 lbs. What is it that is making this fairly large weight difference?

A slightly bigger engine and better hydraulic flow shouldn't cause any appreciable weight increase. Is the transmission somehow different, or the frame heavier?

As well as the larger tires/wheels, (thank you johndeere_2210)the engine block is actually different in the 2520 - it is a 3TNV82A, while the 2320 uses the smaller (and lighter) 3TNV76. The 2520 is 2.2" longer than the 2320 due to the engine size. (Just an interesting side note, the 2520 and the 3120 both use the 3TNV82A engine block...) Also the fuel tank, cooling system and hydraulic system (not just the pumps) are slightly larger. IMHO, the larger engine, additional frame length and larger rear tires/wheels make up the bulk of the additional 205 pounds.