2320/2520 Reviews

[hemiguy]

I've only had my 2520 since end of last summer, but so far very happy with it. Like the 200CX loader, like the power (engine is the same as in the super reliable 790 gear drive tractor), like the hydro. Dealer took care of a couple of minor problems related to the 46BH but fine since then. I use it for landscaping stuff and didn't buy a deck. I takes me about 15-30 min to mount or unmount the BH/3PT but I can leave the front BH brackets on the loader frame. Do you have to remove those to mount a mower? That would be a PITA. If you're a busy person You wouldn't want to do that every week. I'd just leave either the mower or BH on depending on which you'd use more often. Or...

...I have a buddy that bought a small CUT (NH I think) for mower/3PT work plus spent <<$10k for a used Almond Bros backhoe/loader with 25hp Vtwin Kohler. These are the sort of units that rental places have. Really strong and weighs almost 5000lb. I my case, i just bought a used JD455 diesel L&G tractor to use for light 3PT work and to help mowing out at my inlaws Xmas tree farm. Moral of this story is you can never have too many toys (I mean machines) when there's work to do.

BTW if you're comparing to Kubota, the 7610 weighs almost 300/500lbs less than a 2320/2520. I tried a 2630 which is apple/apples with the 2520, but in my area Kubota gets a couple thou more for one of those so it was a no-brainer to stay green.

 

[archerynut]

Went to local Jd dealer today and to Kubota dealer yesterday. All have good seat feel. Shying away from the B7610 b/c of the 3 pt BH and how much of a pain they can be to hook up. That's what the salesman said to me at least. I do like the B2630, I think that it compares pretty well to the 2520, but both of those may be a little to large.

I did get a chance to drive the 2305, 2320, 2520. All fired up quickly without incident but the 2320 and 2305 both shotoff after a short time, dealer says b/c of ice on the operator presence system. Not worried about that though. I think that the 2320 drove and ran smoother than the 2520 in general. No real big difference in power just riding around the lot. Didn't get a chance to use implements due to time constraints. I like the floorboards of the 2320 over the 2520 also. I still have questions however.

How easily is the 3PH reattached after removing the BH on a 2320. Still looks like reattaching the 3PH on the 2305 would be a pain in the butt.

I know from what BleedGreen has posted before that the mower mounts don't have to removed to use the BH, but does the subframe need to be removed to reattach the mower? Hope this isn't redundant.

 

[hemiguy]

Others will have to speak for the 2305, but with the 2320/2520 the 46BH & subframe all comes off as a unit and it takes up a LOT of space. Its gonna be about 6'wide X 11'long dismounted so hopefully you have some space in a barn or garage to store it when off. I leave it outside for short periods of time with a cover over it, but its on the tractor and in the garage during winter. The 3PT arms on my 2520 go on or off very easy (5 min) and I can only assume the 2320 is similar. Hopefully it will work out that your dealer can demo them all for you. Others will have to comment about mounting the mowers.

In my last post I was half joking and half serious about having a 2nd machine. If you currently mow with a small L&G tractor, you might want to hold onto it for backup and for when you just don't have the time to switch the BH for the mower.

 

[Hard]

Regarding the mower deck on the 2320. I have the 62D OnRamp deck. Very easy to install and remove. Takes just a few minutes.

I still have my garden tractor though if I don't feel like installing the 62D deck on the 2320 (just being lazy).

 

[archerynut]

More confused that ever now, especially with all of the related issues with the BH and MMM issues. I like the 2320 and the larger size but it seems like moving up a size from the 2305 is actually going to make things take longer. It seems that the two main things that will be coming on and off the tractor (BH and MMM) are going to be the most complicated and time consuming. Of course I am askinga litlle tractor to do everything that I want to do, could be asking too much? Maybe I should go back to the 2305 and stop trying to get a bigger tractor, except I heard form the dealer that there is an interference issue with the new 260 BH and on of the pedals.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Just an interesting note, I think the actual size difference between the 2305 and 2320 is a few inches in length and a few inches in width. Most of the difference seems to be in height.

Cliff

 

[ducati996]

Just an interesting note, I think the actual size difference between the 2305 and 2320 is a few inches in length and a few inches in width. Most of the difference seems to be in height.

Cliff

Height,lenght, weight ,ground clearance, and width just to name a few differences. Just go to the deere dealer and see them side by side. The 2320 is just a tad shorter than the 2520. The 2320 is much closer in size to the 2520 than the 2305 is to the 2320

 

[Hard]

Duc is right. When I bought my 2320 the salesman lined up the 3 tractors I was considering. The 2305, 2320 and 2520. The 2320 is much closer to the 2520 than the 2305. Ground clearance was very important to me so that I went for the 2320.

Also, getting on and off was easier for me on the 2320 than the 2520. The 2520 has a much larger hump protruding through the operator station deck. My size 15's would bang into it every time. The operator station deck on the 2320 is much flatter. NOT A KNOCK against the 2520, I was very close to buying it, just a personal choice because of my big feet.

 

[gunmaker]

Just a thought, when I was shopping I was concerned about taking implements on/off, and size/capability of the tractor. The answer for me was to keep my 425 w/54"mmm, and purchase the 2520 w/fel & bh. I felt I got the size and capability, and the mower is always ready. A used 425/45/55 might be in the same range as the drive over deck and attaching points.

 

[GordNovo]

I've just read this whole string of posts reviewing the differences between the 2305, 2320 and 2520, and I'm amazed at all the detail.. you folks are awesome!!

There... just need to say that!!

Anyhow, I'm a proud 2305 owner who's considering an upgrade to a larger unit. We've got 10 acres, 8 of which is pasture for the horses. We currently have only 2, but are expecting to move up to 6 by the end of the month! (Note: We have extra neighboring grazing pastures available to us btw.) I'm recognizing that with all the extra mouths to feed and the abundance of natural fertilizer that's bound to accumulate, we'll need a little more capable machine. I've considering an upgrade to the 2520 because of three factors:

1. Position Control - with all the grading, bush hogging and rear-blower snow removal I do, I can really see how this feature could become a real benefit.

2. Hydrolic speeds - one thing I find that's a real limit on the 2305 is the bucket speed. Just last weekend, winter finally broke and spring reared its head with some above zero weather so I got out and cleaned the stalls and dry lot. Over the course of two hours, I must've scraped, pushed and piled around 30 yards of manure/hay/snow mixture! (I was truly in my element!!!!) But I really noticed that I spent a lot of time waiting for the bucket to curl/uncurl, etc. The speeds on the 2520 would seem to make me a lot more productive.

3. 3ph lift capacity is the other thing. No one's really mentioned this difference, but the lift capacity 24" behind the link arms is only 681 lbs on the 2305, whereas the lift capacity on the 2320 and 2520 is 1150 lbs. This is a big difference in my books. With the extra height of the full Cat 1 hitch, it seems like lifting 1200 lbs round bails with a 3ph bail fork is a real option. Right now, we don't have a way of moving these big round bails, so we don't get 'em. $60 for a 1200 lb bail is a lot less $$ than $4 for small 40 lb squares. Does anyone have experiences with moving big bails on the 3ph?!? I'm kinda curious.

There are a couple of drawbacks I can think of though, in our situation:

1. The extra 400 lbs weight may wreak havoc on our lawn, as I'd like to make this machine our principal mowing machine for the lawn around the house.

2. We have a burm/dyke around the property that I'll need to mow a few times per summer. I'm concerned the extra height of the 2520 would make it a little more 'tippy', I see it's 6 inches wider, so I'm hoping that can counter the height difference. I'm also considering hub extenders to make it more stable too, so maybe this isn't really an issue

Does anyone have any thoughts? I'm most interested in hearing if people are having any success with moving round bales around with the 2520.

Thanks!

Gord Novo