Buying Advice 2320 or x530

[Magilla1]

x530 or 2320? I know, I know, it's a weird question; they're two entirely different machines (with very different prices!) But here I go:

I have 21 acres, about three of which I mow. The rest is woods. The part I mow is pretty hilly. I have been doing it with my old Craftsman until it died recently. (In a pinch since the Craftsman when to lawn mower heaven, I'm now doing it with a Honda commercial walk-behind, 48" cut. Nice machine but I'm getting tired of the 3-4 hour workout.) So, while I've always wanted a CUT, I started out by just planning on getting a mowing machine.

Then I started to really WANT the 2320. I have about 1000 things I could do with the FEL. I have 150 yards of gravel driveway, nearly a mile of trails to maintain through my woods, mulching, etc, etc. All of it I could pay the man with the big machine to do whenever I really need it done, but I figure with the 62" MMM and FEL, the 2320 would be an awesome (very expensive, but awesome) machine to have. I've bargained my dealer down about 10% off the JD website price, and I think I could get a bit more if I get ready to close the deal.

Here's the problem: My dealer doesn't have a 2320 or even a 2520 around. I haven't been able to try it out as a mower on my land. I've read carefully the posts saying that low gear is slow and high gear just won't go up hills. They'll order the 2320 for me and it'd be here in a few weeks, but I'm not able to try it out.

I just today tried out the x530 (the x340 too) after my dealer dropped them off for a spin this afternoon. The x340 doesn't hold a candle to the x530. Doesn't go up my hills nearly as well, etc. So if I were to buy a pure mowing machine, the x530 is the way to go. But it's a heckuva price (there's deals by JD now, but it's still well north of $6,000) for a pure mowing machine.

I'm usually a decisive guy, but I'm stuck here. Mowing is important to me, probably the most important job, but I sure could use the 2320 and the FEL for all kinds of work (and in a pinch a bit of snow removal here in the hills of Virginia). The x530 is a sweet little machine, but at the end of the day it's still belt-driven, and I wonder how long its transmission will last going up and down my hills. On the other hand, I'm real worried about the 2320 being slow and not being able to mow nearly as well as the x530.

What do y'all think?

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN

Sounds like you need the 2320 to me

 

[Johndeere3720]

Get the 2320. It will suit your needs and with the 3 point hitch, you can always go and get some more implements to play with.:thumbsup:

 

[bp fick]

If all you had to do was mow grass, it would be a simple choice; a quality mower.

But man, with all the other stuff to do keeping up 21 acres, it is a no brainer for me. Notice you skipped right over the 2305. I won't ask and I would as well. The four wheel drive on the CUT will take grades like you've always dreamed. You might consider spreading the rear wheels a bit to give even more stability. I don't think you'd ever, ever regret getting the tractor.

 

[Magilla1]

You're right; I skipped right over the 2305 because I think you get so much more with the 2320 for just a little more money. If I'm going to use a CUT to maintain my trails instead of hiring the man with the track machine, I want enough clearance. I'm afraid I'd rip out the delicate stuff hanging low on the 2305.

I'd love the 2320 for all the non-mowing fun I could have. But I'm really worried about it as a mower, especially on hills. The x530 mowed like a dream today. Anyone have a feel for the 2320 as a mower? Is it far more tippy on hills than the x530? Is the low gear really annoying slow to mow? If I had the budget I'd get both, but the 2320 alone would be all my wallet can handle . . . and who knows what my lovely wife would feel entitled to buy for herself if I got this for myself. . . .

Thanks, y'all. Been reading as a guest for weeks and glad I joined. Great resource to have.

 

[Rob-D]

If all you had to do was mow grass, it would be a simple choice; a quality mower.

But man, with all the other stuff to do keeping up 21 acres, it is a no brainer for me. Notice you skipped right over the 2305. I won't ask and I would as well. The four wheel drive on the CUT will take grades like you've always dreamed. You might consider spreading the rear wheels a bit to give even more stability. I don't think you'd ever, ever regret getting the tractor.

Bite the bullet and get the 2520 not the 2320. It's a longer chasis with more HP. You can't keep you implements and go to it later, the MMM from the 2320 doesn't work with the 2520. (Might just be hardware though but my dealer ,whom I trust told me its a no go). With 21 acres you could go to a 3320 but I imagine this is way out of your price range.
The 2320 is a wonderful ltractor but the 2520 has a couple of things that make it better. For one if you run out of gas you just refill and go. The 2320 has to be primed if you run out of gas OR you have a problem like water in the cup during the winter. The 2520 has bigger back tires too along with more weight and the ability to utilize more 3 point attachments becasue of its extra PTO hp.
None of this means much to you now but trust me, in a year it will!

Good luck on your purchase. (Use the Deere financing for 36 mos. at 0 percent. Don't get the 48 because the dealer will likely add on because it costs him.) When you get the 36 mos, you can get Deere insurance for 50 bucks a year which is a great deal.

Rob

 

[bp fick]

of course, the previous poster meant diesel, not gas.

Yes, the 2305 also has a sensitive tranny fan, which doesn't like to be speared while in the woods. Many, many folks talk up the 2520 over the 2320. That is a decision you need to make yourself. Somewhere, within an hour's drive, is one sitting on a dealer's lot. Go!

 

[ChuckinNH]

Actually that is not such a strange choice request. I have both a large garden tractor, and a Kubota about the size of the JD 2320. With the drive over deck available, etc. I have been very tempted at times to get the mmm for it. Then when I mow around all my obstacles I think I should have something more manuverable, not less so. Grass / leaf collection is also important to me as is the ease of mounting the collector, and removing it. I've done that a couple of times in one day with the Simplicity I have but sure wouldn't want to even think about it with the collector that Kubota makes for my tractor. I know I'm the naysayer of the bunch, but I think your budget will thank you if you address your mowing needs separately. You can always buy a used larger tractor for trail clearing work, etc. and your wife will appreciate that more I think. I've had larger tractors for a number of years now, and still find that I put twice as many hours on my garden tractor mowing, etc. than I have my Kubotas. It would be more than that if I blew snow with it too, and I could.

 

[Rob-D]

Chuck,
I think that's good advice. I had a MMM for my 2320 and it was a pain going back and forth. I wound up getting a ztrac just for the lawns. On the fields I use a rotary cutter which is fine for me.

Rob

 

[jcmseven]

I would recommend the 2320 in general due to its versatility, but I do not know how well one mows (getting ready to find out). Different folks have different opinions and all have validity. I have experience with the machines you are reviewing and would add my 02 cents.

The 500 series lawn and garden tractors are really nice machines. Unfortunately for mowing they are not much better than the less-expensive 300 series (for MOWING--I reiterate). If I were looking into that line I would go with the 540 because the liquid cooling makes for a longer life and much more quiet engine that has a bit more power too. The X360 is a nice mowing little machine that is less expensive but really can only be used to mow--which it does well.

The 2320 I currently have has been one of my favorite JD machines, and I have had a bunch of them. It is a stout little bugger. It does lack a bit of PTO HP v. the 2520 and 2720 and the loader is not as fast as it does not have a dedicated implement pump for ancillary hydraulics. If one is doing A LOT of loader work this is an issue but for most homeowners it is not. The 2320 will pull any ground engagement attachment that a 2520 or 2720 will and will do it just the same. My 2320 is stable on hills, much more so than either the 3000 series or 4000 series machines I have owned before. It likely is not as stable as a ballasted 2520 or 2720 due to their 6" longer chassis and larger tires. The 2520 is among the most stable compact tractors out there. My opinion here is that for the average property owner a 2320 performs most tasks the same or better than a 2520/2720 for less money. I also think they look better (for what that is worth). If I were looking at a 2720, for example, it might be just as well at that point to move into the 3000 series which is a lot more tractor for a little more money. Once one gets into the mid-high numbered tractors their cost-benefit ratio wanes. This is why I personally went with a 2320.

The 2305 is not a good consideration for you in my opinion. They sell like hotcakes mainly because they offer high versatility at a low up-front price, but they lack many features of the 2320 and over time the moderate price difference favors the 2320 machine. Remember in JD lingo, the "20" means an upscale tractor, while the "5" ending number means a price point tractor and this holds true here.

If you are looking for a dedicated mower, I would suggest not passing over the 700 series machines. There is some misinformation that the 700 series tractors are "as expensive as a 2305" and this is only partly true. The diesel four wheel drive ones are super high dollar, but an X700 or X720 with a 54" mower can be had for a reasonable cost. I know because I just bought one. It was more expensive than an X540 but not by that much for a much nicer machine. I would include that in my comparisons.

John M

 

[Rob-D]

Hi John,
I have some experience here as I've had the 2320 and the 2720. First, the 2320 does not have the PTO hp of the 2520 or the 2720. If you look at the implements catalog from Deere you will see many things that do not run on the 2320:

Implements & Accessories - Product Catalog

Besides PTO hp it is lighter and like you say shorter, which means a more stable front end when pulling.

The 2720 FEL will run faster than the 2320 but with the same power, although it did seem like my 2720 did have more FEL power but I can't tell you why. I remember lifting rocks that the 2320 could not.

Also the 2720 is an easier machine to run, for one, it easily pulls uphills in top gear which the 2320 can't do especially if you have a BH attached, and the bigger tires are much better. Snow plowing is much better with the 2720, it doesn't bog down like the 2320 does.

I don't want to diminish the 2320, it's a great little tractor but with 21 acres to care for I'll bet even the 2720 will be less than he needs.

I'm just going to a 3320 for the extra power in the FEL and BH but you learn these things over time and I didn't know them 6 years ago. I wanted to go to the 3320 from the 2320 but my dealer talked me out of it.. he didn't this time. After running these guys for several years I know them pretty well.

Rob

 

[jcmseven]

Rob I agree with you in part. My experience with the 2720 was not the same as yours. In my testing of the machines on my property prior to buying, I found the 2720 to not have any real benefit pulling ground engagement attachments (which was my main task when buying). Using exactly the same box blade, LR, land plane, etc., I found the 2320 to actually pull them better, as it did not seem to lose traction and buck as much as the 2720. It is true the 2720 operates the loader faster given its higher hydraulic flow and dedicated pump, but the speed difference for me did not merit the additional cost. It also will not lift any more than a 2320. I do not operate any PTO attachments currently, thus I cannot attest to that, but feel there would be an advantage for a 2520 or 2720 in that instance. My conclusions therefore (and I have mentioned this in the past):

1. In the 2000 series machines, the 2320 offers the same ground engagement ability as a 2520 or 2720, provided it does not involve repetitive loader work, or the operation of a backhoe or other hydraulic implement. PTO work would favor the 2520 slightly and the 2720 moderately-likely aside from finish mowing.

2. The 2320 has a shorter wheelbase, which hurts stability slightly but improves ability to access tight areas.

3. JD has priced the 2520 and certainly the 2720 at price point which place the consumer tightly between consideration of a 3000 series machine. Given the price discrepancy I have counseled those that can to go into a 3120 or 3320 for a bit more money, or if they need a true small frame machine to look at the 2320 or perhaps spring for the 2520 if they need faster loader performance but not more lift capacity.

I certainly am not "anti-2520 or 2720" and realize that sometimes people make comments about products they secretly may want and might not be able to afford, etc. I am not in that group. I think highly of the 2520 and 2720 machines but it is my view that many of the features they offer and for which the consumer gets charged have limited utility on such a light machine. Direct injection, though nice, offers torque levels that need more chassis weight to appreciate and perhaps an additional speed range; dual pumps for the hydraulics are nice but cannot offer more lift capacity in these sized machines. One area where there seems clear benefit is in the operation of PTO powered implements. Running a 72" RFM, or a 60" RC is a good upgrade, but in the Frontier line, these attachments are typically much heavier and thusly would require more care when using.

My point overall to our OP is that the 2320 is a bargain for what one gets. No other machine is the 2000 series offers this type performance for the price in my opinion. Once we begin working into the 2520 and 2720 I feel not only does much of the value go away but the cost benefit ratio begins to favor looking into the 3000 series machines. There is always a niche for the 2720's but I think there is a reason dealers in my area do not order them or they sit for long spells on the lots while 2320's and 3320's roll out pretty well.

John M

 

[mjncad]

Welcome Magailla1.

Based on what I'm reading, most of your acreage is woods that I'm assuming will stay pretty much as is. If all your going to do is mow 3-acres, then the X5xx might be all you need; but I'm inclined to second everyone else's suggestion about getting a 2520 as a minimum since you have a driveway to plow, etc.

You could look into a X7xx for its shaft drive transmission, hydraulics, and small loader; but the price of such a combo will put you in the 2000 series territory.

If you go the 2000 series, I'd get the one that has the drive-on/drive-off MMM deck. The reason I suggest that is the MMM could become a PITA when using the loader or other attachments since it sits low to the ground. Being able to attach/detach the MMM quickly and easily in my opinion makes the difference between having a machine that's a pleasure to use versus one you cuss at.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I think it might be easier to convince the wife that you need something heavier for the "tractor" tasks later than to try to convince her that you need a smaller mower after you have spent several thousand on a larger tractor. I know my late wife sure would have thought that way!

 

[Rob-D]

John,
You make some good points about the 2320 and for the price it's hard to beat. One thing, it's very likely the 2720 you tested wasn't ballasted correctly. Due to the increased HP the tires will slip without a full ballast box on the back (700 lbs at least). With a box the tractor really shows its power. Of course, at the price you're starting to get into 3000 series but the 2520 and 2720 do have a nitch although it might not be as big as the one the 2320 fills.
The problem is when you have backhoes and implements that fit a 2000 series it's a big jump to go to the 3000 on trade and even though the 2720 approaches the 3000 tractors in price when you start to add implements like BHs, snow blowers and MMM decks costs start to get substantially higher.
I pulled a Woods HC60 5 foot rotary cutter with the 2720, I don't think the 2320 had the length, PTO hp or the weight for the 640 lb. implement. In fact it used to bog down with my 47" blower while the 2720 walked away with it.

Rob

 

[ddivinia]

Do you have a lot of obstacles?

How wet does your place get?

How long have you owned the place without a tractor and front end loader?

I would be tempted to get a ZTR mower of types and keep researching the tractor stuff.

ZTR will probably cut your mowing time down. I bought a JD 757 years ago and I never get to use it now because my wife likes it so much. What a great problem to have... She would almost never mow with the JD 2210.

D.

 

[JeffinNE]

I would want to test a 2320 on your property given your hills. Don't think full speed in low range will be too slow for you.

D makes a good point about obstacles--if too many or lots of low hanging trees you may want to go with the X530 and also look for a good used tractor with loader and whatever implements you may need. Wouldn't the
X530 be more stable on hills than a ZTR?

 

[ddivinia]

21 Acres is a good chunk of dirt.

Depending on what else you want to do - you might want/need a much bigger tractor. Like a 50hp or so, etc.

These smaller tractors look cool, but like everything else they have their limitations.

I had a 2210 and it would barely spin a 4' shredder. I ended up using the MMM for pastures. 2320 and 2530 are better, but are they enough.

One size fits all might be too big a compromise on both ends of the spectrum.

D.

 

[arrabil]

I completely agree with ddivinia. I couldn't imagine less tractor than a current 3000 series or a slightly older 4x00/4x10 series. And mowing with an X series is just pure joy (particularly the X700).

If I were buying a dedicated mower with FEL I'd be looking at an X748 with the 45 loader and not a 2000 series. The X700/45 combo compares very favorably with the low end 2000 series and makes for a better mower while losing some overall tractor ability (though not as much as you'd think). You can see which route I chose for 2.5 acres in my sig....

You may also want to consider buying used and getting both ends of the spectrum for the same price as a new 2320.

 

[Magilla1]

Thanks for all the helpful insights.

Yes, of my 21 acres, 18 are woods. I use them for hunting in season and just walking through the trails otherwise. I don't know what the future may hold, but for now, I have 3 acres of grass and 18 acres of hardwoods. All are hilly (I live about 6 miles from the Blue Ridge in central Virginia).

To answer another poster's question, I've lived in the country my whole life but lived on this particular piece of land for 6 years, and I'll probably live here the rest of my life or until someone drags me out (I'm 39 now). The six years I've been here, I've done any FEL work either by backbreaking hand labor -- wheelbarrows and shovels -- or by occasionally hiring someone out, like when I had my original trails put in. In all honesty, it's kind of a PITA, but not being a gazillionairre, I can't have everything I want.

Despite all the good insights, I'm still torn, but I've narrowed down my considerations/concerns. To summarize:

1. I mow three somewhat hilly acres. I go up and down the slopes. They're not ridiculous but they're real (maybe 1 foot rise for 4 feet run). I am worried about any belt-driven machine lasting over time doing that kind of work, even a pretty good machine like the x530. I'd think a CUT would last much longer. Thoughts?

2. I know I can kinda push a little snow with the x530 and maybe even spread a little gravel with it. But again, I think I'd just be stealing hours out of life for it. Again, a CUT of almost any kind would last much longer if I was going to do anything other than mowing with the x530.

3. The 2320 looks great, but I'm increasingly persuaded by the posters who suggest more power. On the other hand, at some point, the weight of a CUT eventually makes it unsuitable as a mower. I'm thinking the 2520 and 2720 and certainly 3000 series are all starting to push it too much. Thoughts?