2520/2320 vs TC26

pjtiii · Jun 25, 2007

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.

aesanders · Jun 25, 2007

The tc26 is a fine tractor. I liked the ergonomics better on the Deere's in this size machine and that is why I bought a Deere. The TC was a little cramped for me. The larger TC's are every bit as nice as the Deeres in creature comforts. I don't think one tractor has a considerable advantage over the other, but one might standout for a particular reason or have a certain feature that you like that sways the deal. For me it was just the feel of sitting in the seat. You may like the feel of the NH better though.

VABlue · Jun 26, 2007

That's my take on it, too. The tractor's can handle the same tasks equally well regardless of color. What pushed me into a green one was the blue dealer blew chunks and the green ergonomics worked better for me than the orange did. (It probably also helped that the female resident didn't want a big orange machine next to her green sided house...

)

Think about how often you'll be on the seat and what feature/capability/comfort means the most to you. That will drive your decision...

ChuckinNH · Jun 26, 2007

Though I have sat on a couple of TC26 machines, I am certainly not qualified to speak about them. I like the ergonomics of the JD, and the way the loader, and mower attach / detach. The loader on the 2520 seems strong, and quick, and allows multiple functions. The loader on the 2320 will not rollback, and lift at the same time, and (I) see that as a serious defect in normal use....... though no offense to those used to it is implied, or intended. I would also consider the Kubota B2630 though mowing favors the JD. Loader, and possible backhoe use, the quick hitch attachment for front implement use, snowblower, and front blade favor Kubota.

This is not meant to fire any brand wars, just casual observations from someone also looking......

EdC · Jun 26, 2007

PJTiii

They are all good machines. The best thing to do is get seat time in each, preferably at your place. That not only lets you get familiar with the tractors but you can get familiar with the dealers as well. To me the relationship with the dealer is almost as important as the tractor.

Pick the tractor/dealer combination that works for you. I looked at Kubota, NH, IH and JD. The JD (both tractor and dealer) just fit me better and to be honest one of the reasons I did choose JD is because our little JD lawn mower and the 2320 we bought had the same pedal arrangement; that was a safety feature for me. Did not want to be in a situation where the operator reacted to something and instinctively pushed the pedal they were used to and the tractor did something other than what was intended.

ChuckinNH I get rollback and lift in my JD 2320. Just have the revs up to about 2800. I do agree that when lifting and curling at the same time each motion is slower than if you had done them separately.

ChuckinNH · Jun 26, 2007

Thanks for clarifying that issue...... for me as well as for others. I didn't try it with the rpm that high, and don't know why I didn't. My old BX22 needed rpm to function at it's best too. Perhaps I'll give one another try since I do like the tractor.

jimgerken · Jun 27, 2007

A few things to check: The last time I operated a New Holland, it had the brake pedals on the right side, the same side as the hydro pedal. I was born with two legs, but I could not reach the brakes and hydro at the same time (for sharp turning in the woods...).
Also, the loader on that NH had an irritating feature. After lifting a bucket load of dirt, the arms would bounce as if they were not strong enough. Strong enough, but not damped, just barely correct somehow. Tough to describe, you have noticed. Comparing the John Deere loader design, on JD there are curved or tapered arms. On the NH (the one I operated) the loader arms were just rectangular tubing. The tubing was flexing causing the bouncing of the carried load.
Also, this NH had supersteer, which worked ok. But the rocking action of the front axle (feature to allow tractor wheels to stay on the ground when going over rough ground or through a ditch) did not rock very far. It seemed to have about half the travel of my smaller JD tractor. I was called at about 9:30pm on a Saturday to come with tractor and chain to pull him out of a ditch back in the woods. When we tried to drive it out, the axle would rock to its limit, then one back tire came off the ground and it stopped moving. There was enough moisture that the locking differential didnt quite do it. Eventually we pulled it out with the smaller tractor. As a test, I pulled down into the same stuck place and had no issues climbing out and back in and out in various directions without hitting the stops on my JD, even with my turf tires compared to his R4 tires.
So check that stuff out, if you wish. Otherwise the NH was a strong tractor.

pjtiii · Jun 27, 2007

Thanks for the input. 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. Nice to have a blower that is wider than the tractor. I also got 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.

jimgerken
I'll have to keep an eye out for the brakes /hydro manuver they still have the same set up. I have not noticed any "bouncing" with the FEL, but not sure I would be experienced enoough to notice it. The TC26 is not available with super steer, so I hopefully won't have that issue either - all good things to watch for though.

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

Thanks again.
Patrick

aesanders · Jun 27, 2007

I think you made an excellent choice. I really like NH equipment even though I have a Deere. One of my favorites is the TC 34. It's a super powerful tractor in a very small package. Only wish they had the split pedal hydro on it. Other than that minor glitch it's about a perfect machine.

The TC26 is fine as well. I'm a fat man so I needed the extra space of the Deere. But other than that the ergonomics on the TC 26 are top notch. Sounds like you got a good dealer that's close by to boot.