A new tractor but which one?

[nails_n_glue]

I own a JD 2520 which has served me well on my 2 acres for 12 years. Recently I purchased 36 acres on a magic hilltop location and the JD 2520 doesn't seem to be well suited for the job. I'd like some input from experienced members to help me decide what to buy and how to configure.

The new property contains about 20acres of tall Setaria grass and Lantana. There are about 16acres of untouchable rainforest. Max slopes on the property are about 26 degrees with many areas less hilly. On some steep sections, there is no flat land to turn around at the bottom. The overall plan is to clean up the lot, landscape and eventually finish mow the 20 acres. So there will be some clearing, fencing, stump grinding, mulching, chipping. I have most of these implements but the JD2520 doesn't seem powerful enough for such a large area and even on the wide setting there is a fear that keeps me up at night - those slopes! Ventrac provided a demo of their dual wheeled go anywhere (30 degrees) garden tractor 32hp and wow it felt so safe. It could get to places I would never take my JD2520. However, Ventrac cannot use any of my existing implements and also seemed a bit underpowered. On the plus side, the finish mower was outstanding, a very light machine, and no ground damage. I looked at other low centre gravity tractors such as Ferrari Cobram V65 RS and Antonio Carraro TTR 7600 but the recommendation from friends is don't due to parts issues in Australia and longevity problems. I don't think anything on my JD has ever broken in 12 years, so this is important. I'm thinking I need something in the 50-60hp range. I'd like it to be green but not necessarily and comfortable with protection from sun and heat

Which tractor do you think is best suited?
Is it best to have a heavy tractor or a lighter tractor on a slope?
Would a 26 degree slope require dual wheels?
Would the dual wheels be best front and rear or just rear?
What tires are best suited given that I eventually want to finish mow?

 

[jeff9366]

John Deere 2520

2006 - 2012 2000 Twenty Series
Compact Utility tractor
Series next: John Deere 2720
Series back: John Deere 2320
Manufacturer: John Deere
Factory: Augusta, Georgia, USA

John Deere 2520 Engine:
Yanmar 1.3L 3-cyl diesel
John Deere 2520 Power:
Engine (gross): 26.4 hp [19.7 kW]
PTO (claimed): 20.5 hp [15.3 kW]

Capacity:
Fuel: 7.1 gal [26.9 L]
Hydraulic system: 3.85 gal [14.6 L]
Front axle: 3.6 qts [3.4 L]

3-Point Hitch:
Rear Type: I
Control: position control
Rear lift (at ends): 1433 lbs [650 kg]
Rear lift (at 24"/610mm): 1150 lbs [521 kg]

Power Take-off (PTO):
Rear PTO: independent
Rear RPM: 540
Mid PTO: standard
Mid RPM: 2100

Dimensions
Weight (operating): 1,865 lbs [845 kg]
Wheelbase: 65.2 inches [165 cm]
Length: 108.9 inches [276 cm]
Width: 39.2 inches [99 cm] (min)
52.6 inches [133 cm] (max)
Height (hood): 47.2 inches [119 cm]
Height (ROPS): 89.7 inches [227 cm]
68.9 inches [175 cm] *
Ground clearance: 12.5 inches [31 cm]
Clearance (front axle): 13 inches [33 cm]
Clearance (drawbar): 11 inches [27 cm]
Front tread: 32.7 inches [83 cm]
Rear tread: 37.6 inches [95 cm]
4WD turn radius: 8.2 feet [2.5 m]


John Deere 2520 attachments:
mowing deck
front-end loader
backhoe

Mechanical:
Chassis: 4x4 MFWD 4WD
Final drives: spur gear
Steering: power
Brakes: wet disc
Cab: Two-post folding ROPS.

Hydraulics:
Type: open center
Capacity: 3.85 gal [14.6 L]
Valves: 2
Pump flow: 5.0 gpm [18.9 lpm]
Total flow: 10.5 gpm [39.7 lpm]

Electrical:
Ground: negative
Charging system: alternator
Charging amps: 20

Battery:
Number: 1
Cold-cranking amps: 500
Volts: 12

Page information:
Last update: July 28, 2019
Copyright: Copyright 2019 TractorData LLC
Contact: Peter@TractorData.com

 

[jeff9366]

Within subcompact and compact tractor categories, a significant tractor capability increase requires a bare tractor weight increase of 50%. It takes a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY!

Relatively narrow subcompact and compact tractors under 3,000 pounds bare weight operate in landscape, kitchen/commercial garden or hobby farm applications on one to ten flat acres.

Tractors are inherently unstable operating on sloped ground. Tractor rear wheel/tire spread, sometimes adjustable, is a critical factor increasing compact tractor stability working sloped or uneven ground. Rear axle is the tractor component on which rear wheels/tires mount. A 6" to 10" wider rear axle substantially decreases tractor rollover potential. Tractor width is simulacrum for rear axle width.

Filling rear tires 50% - 75% with liquid helps to reduce tractor center-of-gravity, increasing tractor stability.

When considering a tractor purchase, bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second, rear axle width third.



I recommend a tractor of 3,500 to 4,000 pounds bare tractor weight, 66" wide, with 12" to 14" of ground clearance and 50-horsepower, for twenty hilly acres. (50-horsepower will power a 72" Rotary Mower/Bush Hog through brush and Lantana.) (72" mower will cut around 2-1/2 acres per hour.)

R4/industrial tires apropos to Front End Loader and mowing.





Ventracs are around 1,600 pounds bare tractor weight, around 30 horsepower. Ventrac minimal ground clearance and articulated design helps on slopes at the price of reduced capability. Golf courses are Ventrac's target consumers. Great mower. (Deere also manufactures non-tractor golf course mowers.)

Consider a Ventrac while keeping the little Deere 2520 and your current implements for light Three Point Hitch applications.


MOWING CALCULATOR: Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour

 

[Cruiserdog]

Weight ( low COG weight) is critical for stability. I’d be looking at something in the 4K pound range. I recently went from a 38 horse Kubota L3800HST to a McCormick X1 35 -35 horsepower, 12x12 trans ( same as Branson 3520) with liquid filled tires. Much heavier tractor, much more stable on the hills. I’m running a 60” cut Maschio Giraffa flail, and it’s a cutting machine. Much better than my previous with a 60 “ Rotary cutter. Feels very safe even on a steep angle. Same tractors are a available with larger engines but didn’t see the need. I’ve cut 4-5 ft high blackberry bushes and multi flora rose with no issues.

 

[MossRoad]

How often are you going to mow 20 acres of grass? That seems to be your biggest chore.

 

[i7win7]

I see your from Australia, forum members are giving you US model numbers. You may have available brands that are rather exotic to us.
Multifunctional Mini Articulated Loaders Production - Multione looks interesting mini payloader / articulated 4wd tractors 170 front mounted attachments. If you were in US, I would recommend Kubota or John Deere.

 

[ptsg]

Check out Antonio Carraro closely. Go to some dealers if possible, try to confirm that parts situation, try one out if possible.

Those are very good tractors, used a lot in the orchards in my area. The few I see for sale from time to time, have over 6000 hours on it.

The operators area can be a bit tight but it's a small price to pay for such a low and compact tractor.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

How about just adding the Ventrac to your existing equipment lineup? Keep your 2520 for most of the flat and lessor slope work, and use the Ventrac for the severe slope stuff.

I have one very small area I mow with a 22 degree slope here. It definitely gives me a pucker factor. I can mow most of that spot straight up and straight down, with room to turn after it flattens out at the top and bottom. If I didn't have flat areas to turn around at top and bottom, I don't think I would mow it at all.

How much of the severe slope area really has to be worked at all? Can you leave some of the worst areas alone?

 

[chim]

Can't advise you on any particular tractor, but would suggest that it may be useful to consider the implements needed first and then take a look at what tractor is needed on your land to drive them. I only finish mow about 3-1/2 acres. Mowing 20 acres is a pretty big task and would take me around 6 hours or so with a 7-1/2' mower. Do yourself a favor and spend time thinking it through. It sounds like anything you end up with would be a substantial investment. Discovering you chose the wrong equipment 2 months after the purchase is a bigger issue with the class of equipment you're shopping for.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

chim makes a good point too. Ask yourself how long you're willing to take to mow that 20 acres each time it "needs" it. You can mow that much area with a 4' mower, but man, is it going to take a while. Bigger sized mowers/tractors allow you to do the mowing in a much shorter time period. Basically, the faster you want it done, the more the equipment will cost. Your 2520 will "do" it. But are you ok with the amount of time that it will take?

That's really the question (well, that and get the Ventrac).