Mowing 2520 mower

[unreconstructed]

Still have heating/starting problems with my 2320 (only 25 hours) and told the dealer I did not want to keep the tractor. Told him I wanted to replace it or upgrade to 2520. Assuming the deal works out (who knows) and I am able to go 2520, am unsure about the mower with time around. Will be mowing pasture with it once I get it knocked down with my 5203 and would like a more finished look--that's where the 2520/2320 come in. I have read a lot of the threads on flail mowers and finish pull behind mowers but not in connection with the 2520. Would appreciated some input from the 2520 owners who use other than a mmm for a finish job. Thanks much for you advice.

 

[kennyd]

How about a RFM (Rear Finish Mower)? A 2520 will run a 72"er without breaking a sweat, and possibly a 84"er if you mow frequently.

 

[larry8818]

Hey unreconstructed,

The 2520 with a 72" mmm will crush 8-10" tall grass in low gear moving at the full 4.5mph...no problems at all. The only problem is the beer goes flat in the cup holder real fast mowing at that speed. I am sure it will have the power to run a 84" tow behind even though Deere does not recommend one, you will just have to slow down a little bit.

The 2520 is a very impressive mower, it is also extremely maneuverable with a mmm. If you do go with the mmm, and you let the grass get to the heights in the field like I do, take off the shute to allow the discharge to escape faster. It is not the safest thing, but sitting on the tractor you'll be fine. Just make sure you disengage the PTO if anyone tries to come talk to you while mowing or to give you another beer. It will allow much more volume this way. I will be posting video of this very soon!

 

[GordNovo]

Hi Unreconstructed,

I run a 60" rear finish mower with my 2520 and it's absolutely fan-frigg'in-tastic!!! I upgrade from a 62C MMM on my old 2305 up to this new configuration and the capability difference (in my particular application, that is) is luite noticeable. I find the RFM to be quite maneuverable.

If you have trees and such to go round, you might wanna stick with a 60", but if it's only open field you're cutting, go bigger!

Cleaning the RFM is a breeze compared to the MMM.

If you do decide to go any bigger than 60", front weights are a must. Even with my 550lb 60" RFM, 3 45lb suitcase weights made a lot of difference in the ditch on the slopes.

Beside the pasture, what kinds of mowing you planning to do with it? Around trees, ditches, etc.

GordNovo

 

[unreconstructed]

Hello Gordnovo,

I have a variety of terrain--some in West Texas and some in the Hill Country. So trees and tight spots will come in to play. I think the 60 inch for sure. I have a 5203 and MX 6 for the big jobs so I am covered there. I have some spots in my 100 acres that I want to groom--my wife's "park" for one--about 5 acres--partly open and partly trees, and what I call my parade grounds--probably 3 or 4 acres there. The rest I will hit with the MX 6 as I get the prickley pear cleared or poisoned or just leave it alone.

I am waiting to see what the JD dealer has to say about the 2320. They picked it up last night. I go back and forth between trading up to 2520 or seeing if JD will just drop a new motor in my 2320 at no cost to me since I am definitely in the warranty period. I am thinking the 2320 should handle the 60 RFM with no problem although with not as much authority as the 2520. I think there goes another couple of grand if I trade up then throw in a RFM then I am up to 4500 at least.

Anyhow, I have to figure that out. I am finding that the MMM just blows the fines up into the radiator and hood screens on the 2320 and it is just constant cleaning to keep the machine from heating. I would think the RFM should take care of some of that problem. Mowing when its damp is not that much of an option out "here". I PM'd with a TBNer about the clogged screens problem and read a review that mentioned it, but have not seen any other discussion of it on this forum.

I have read recommendations on the land pride RFM but have not seen any mention ( I probably missed it) of the JD 60 RFM. I had rather buy the JD just so I can one stop shop as much as possible. Just easier that way for me anyway.

Thanks much for your comments. It definitely helps my decision to go RFM.

 

[orlo]

Unreconstructed:

I have a 2305 with a 62"MMM and a 3720 with a 72"MMM (Had a 3320 with the same 72"MMM).

I'm waiting on an 84" RFM for the 3720 because I've finally convinced myself that the MMM's are a super pain in the rear. I would have gone for the 110" but it was SOOO much more money and has a much lower blade speed and 'rotary cutter' type blades so I didn't think the cut quality would be as good. The MMM on the 2305 isn't nearly as bad since I can take it on and off without losing adjustments, etc. and I can do it in about 2 minutes (Two pop pins, the drive shaft and the front lever for the mount). Also, the deck goes quite high on the 2305 (Much higher than the 3000 series) so I can do some 'tractor stuff' without banging up the deck.

The 3000 series on the other hand is a super pain in the A#$ and I think the 2520 MMM is similar (no deck mounted height adjustment, just a big Wing type nut on a lead screw). Every time the wind blows or you hit the MMM it goes out of level. Leveling it is a pain (Why don't they have leveling guages on the decks instead of having to measure the blade tips?). The deck is so low on the 3000 series even elevated all the way up that if you even THINK about doing tractor work you are going to bang it and put it out of level. I got tired doing this and am finally going with a RFM - I'll still use the MMM for material collection and occasional mowing. To be fair, if All I did was mow it wouldn't go out of level much and the cut quality is superb (18,000+ Tip speed on the 7 Iron decks), but then I'd have a 46K cab lawnmower. If all I wanted was a lawnmower I would have bought a diesel Z-Track.

I ran an 84" RFM with my 3320 (When I was waiting for my MMM) and I'm sure you could run it with the 2520 if maybe a little slow in the high stuff. I'd worry about transport and turning as it's a lot of weight sticking out quite a bit for the 2520 and it might have a tendency to muscle around the 2520 on hills and during transport. After trying the RFM I never would have got the MMM if I hadn't already ordered it back then.

The times I've used an RFM maneuvering it wasn't an issue. I don't have that many trees. It also has the ADVANTAGE that you can mow over drops and under low trees (By backing up and reaching). I even recently used a 15' pull behind wing mower on my 3720 and that didn't maneuver that bad, it was just freaking huge.

My two cents is that if you will be doing a lot of 'Tractor' stuff go with a RFM. I don't think they make a flail mower that will fit the 2520. If you have a few trees then buy a $100 push lawn mower or string trimmer to get up close to them.

 

[unreconstructed]

I think I am about where you are at on the MMM, Orlo. On top of the things you mentioned, I trailer my tractors a lot and getting the 2320 on and off the trailer with the MMM, even at the highest setting, requires some extra rigging.(I have another set of ramps I set on top of the ones which attach to the trailer to cut down the angle. Any way, its all those little things that add up.
Thanks for your comments.

 

[GordNovo]

Hello Gordnovo,

I think there goes another couple of grand if I trade up then throw in a RFM then I am up to 4500 at least.

When I was planning my upgrade from the 2305 I was originally going to the 2320 with a 62D mower (like you have now). But I decided to go with an off-brand RFM (Buhler - excellent quality) and it saved me a lot of money.

The upgrade to the stronger tractor with the RFM cost an extra 2500 CDN. The 62D is quite a costly implement. Granted your 2320 and 62D are used, but given that you've been having some problems, they should do something for you.

Given the amount of acreage you have, I'd bet you'd never regret going to the 2520. The direct inject engine with the greater torque is great when you get a little bogged down in the deeper grass. That said, there are a lot of extremely happy 2320 owners out there.


G