2520 vs the new one series.

[jmt1271]

I am starting to think about the near future, hopefully, when we move out of our little neighborhood property and on to between 8-20 acres, once we find it.

I moved back to the STL area from TN about 3 years ago. Down there, we had a 2 plus acre homesite and 35 acres in the country on which we intended to build. But the wifes mom got sick and she wanted to be closer to her, so we sold out and intend to do something similar up here when the time is right.

In TN, I owned a super sweet 3520 with 300cx loader and some other stuff. It too was sold.

When we do find a piece of property up here, we intend to have ~5-10 acres in pasture for a couple horses, and hoping for about 2-3 acres of yard to move.

I am trying to decide what class of tractor to get. I know it will be green, but I dont know if I want to go as big as the 3x20 series I had in TN. I loved that tractor and the power seemed unending. But, when I initially bought it, I thought I would mow with it, but it turned out too big and heavy.

Fortunately, I recently picked up a near perfect, one owner, very low hour 1983 JD 318. That will be what I mow with from now on, so I dont have to consider that factor with the next tractor.

I will need to be able to brush hog, do loader work, etc. I want 4x4, hydrostat, etc.

I cant find much info on the new 1 series, but am wondering how it compares to the 2520 and similar models. I looked at the 2x20's when I bought my 3520, but decided I needed bigger/heavier/stronger, because the 35 acres in TN was pretty challenging terrain and I did a lot of clearing work. The 300cx was invaluable for that.

I dont anticipate needing that this time and think a SCUT will be fine.

I just want to know if anyone knows much about the 1 series, and if there is anything revolutionary with it.

General thoughts?

 

[jenkinsph]

I think the new 1000 series would be far less capable than the 2520 and not that much less money. Since you have the 318, I would skip over the SCUT altogether and buy a tractor to match the new place after you find it.

 

[ralphtt]

Quite a bit of info on the 1026R available here . . .

Enjoy :thumbsup:

TractorData.com John Deere 1026R tractor information

Sorry . . . link quit working.

Do a google search on '1026r' and you'll find it.

 

[pdp11]

Before I bought my 2520 one year ago, I was using a John Deere 316 (same as the 318, but with less hydraulics) to mow 3.5 acres of lawn. Besides fears of long term reliability on the 316, I can say one other thing that was a real con: fatigue.

My lawn, being former pasture, is still a bit bumpy. I couldn't do the whole thing in one session without having to give it, and my back, a rest. With the 2520, I cut my mowing time in half, have no fatigue, and use less fuel than what I was doing with the 316.

If the 3x20 series is too much tractor, as was my thought at the time I bought my 2520, I would seriously look at the 2520 or 2720. They still offer a full category 1 hitch, and have the hydraulic capacity to keep you happy when running the FEL. I agree with the other poster about the 1000 series not being enough of a step up from the 318. The 2520 and 2720 have enough capability to let you run a good range of attachments to do the work you can't ever do with the 318.

 

[glc24]

The 2520 and 2720 have enough capability to let you run a good range of attachments to do the work you can't ever do with the 318.

I totally agree.
I still use my 316 to cut the grass around the house,and the 2520 cuts the 4 acre "used to be" horse pasture that is a really big yard now.:thumbsup:

Greg

 

[Rand]

I just traded up to a JD 2520 from a 2305, and couldn't be happier. It has a full cat. 1 hitch, quick hydraulics, position control, 20% more engine torque, and a long list of positive attributes that frankly blows the series 1 tractors away. I would suggest considering the Series 1 or a 2305 only if your primary use is for mowing, with the FEL and other implement usage as secondary.

 

[Artesia Aggie]

Count me in on the 2 machine solution. I have a 2520 and a JD 317 (generation older than the 318). I have 11 acres and so far I haven't found anything the 2520 can't do. It may take a little longer than a bigger tractor but I like the smaller size for some of the jobs I do. However, the 317 still comes in very handy for mowing around the house especially under the trees!