Buying Advice Anyone else thinking about buying a new 1026r?

Magilla1 · Dec 29, 2010

I've been dying for information on the new 1023/1026 since I first heard about it. I get the concept of the long roll out, but JD has really frozen me -- I was really close to buying a 2320 (or maybe a 2520) this past summer/fall, but when I heard of the great improvements made to the 2305 a la the new 1023/1026 model, I stopped short. I've been scouring the 'net to try to find information about it, but TBN pretty much is the source of everything. Still, it looks really good!

Seems like JD has come up with a great machine. It sounds like it'll be a great mowing machine for the "big lawn" residential setting with plenty of umph for the average guy with some acreage to take care of gravel driveways, pushing snow, moving mulch and dirt, etc. I'm really, really interested and so have completely held off buying the 2320. I'm having a hard time seeing what the 2320 would still have over the new 1026.

Anyone else having these thoughts, too? Obviously, I know buying a new model is always risky, and of course I have laid my eyes on one yet, but still, it sounds really good.

JB2 · Dec 29, 2010

Hi

I would love too, but not with the New price increase according to the local JD dealer, and I just picked up a 05 Deere 2305 for a Sweet deal that was too good to pass up, maybe in the future I will upgrade to a 1026R once they have been out on the market for a few yrs. Nice looking tractor though! Can't wait to see one in person.

Take Care Jason B

Kep · Dec 29, 2010

Unless I really find something I can't live with I'll get one this spring. A guy on a differant board found a small dealership in Texas that has the price listed at $11,100, seems about $1,000 low to me.

Hurst Farm Supply - John Deere Tractors-Cotton Strippers-Combines

JeffinNE · Dec 30, 2010

We're in the same situation, Magilla. Need more info! I doubt the 1026R will have the full CAT 1 3 pt like the 2320. For me one of the big considerations will be the ability to pull one of the commercial grade 3 pt core aerators--I had serious doubts the 2305 could have handled it and feel comfortable the 2320 could. Isn't the 1026R going to have more hp than the 2305?

Plus, I think the final price difference between the 2 equiped with a loader and MMM will be that much? The 2320 was about $2600 more than the 2305 and I have a feeling the 1026R will be at least $1000 higher than the 2305?

One of my reservations (proabably the only one) on the 2320 has been the MMM height adjustment--I've read of too many issues with not being able to accurately set the height like you can on the X series mowers. Wondering if this issue has been fixed with the 1026R?

Grateful11 · Dec 30, 2010

I tried my best to get some info out my dealer yesterday but all he had to show me was a little spiral bound book with a few specs. listed in it. He said he saw it at a corp. meeting and said it's going to be really nice.

jenkinsph · Dec 30, 2010

For those considering using these machines as a small tractor/mower all in one tool I would go for a 2520. I don't think there is much chance of the new models competing with the usefulness of the 2520 models. How small can you go and still have any tractor usefulness?

I was at my Deere dealer yesterday and he had me check out a new 3032 he had while he finished up with another customer. Tried it out on a dirt pile and with a boxblade for about 15 or 20 minutes. For the money it seems to be alot of tractor, some good value there. I did consider that something like this 3032 and an X320 to 360 rider would work well for most people in residential to small acreage.

The 2305 and its new replacements just seem to small to expect much out of them as far as being a "tractor". It would seem this would cause the buyers to feel the need to move up in size too soon, loosing money in the upgrade.

newt92 · Jan 9, 2011

jenkinsph said:
For those considering using these machines as a small tractor/mower all in one tool I would go for a 2520. I don't think there is much chance of the new models competing with the usefulness of the 2520 models. How small can you go and still have any tractor usefulness?

I agree. I went from a 2210 to the 2520 and huge difference! Overall size wise, yea its larger, but can still go anywhere the 2210 went. As far as loader work, its a whole different beast!! Its a heavier machine, making loader work so much more safe.

IMO, if you can afford it, spend the extra $$ and get the machine one or two sizes up from what you think you need. Now going from a 2520 to a 3XXX series, thats a whole nother ballgame.

Deadman · Jan 9, 2011

Same here 2210 to 2520, and I don't know how I Managed with the 2210 for those years. I wish my 2520 was bigger sometimes! :laughing:

jenkinsph · Jan 9, 2011

Deadman said:
Same here 2210 to 2520, and I don't know how I Managed with the 2210 for those years. I wish my 2520 was bigger sometimes! :laughing:

Recently I was shopping for a small unit and considered the 2000 series and the X700 series. The 2305 was the least desireable model in my opinion after much looking and debate with myself. I didn't feel the tiny tractor was capable of many real tractor tasks with such small wheels and low weight. Since I have three larger tractors already I decided the X749 with AWS and 4x4 was a better arrangement. Granted I wasn't willing to put a loader or backhoe on any of these little units. Most of the time the scut's are used for mowing and light lawn maintenance. I felt the X749 was a better choice for most of the jobs performed by this size equipment. With the rear pto and 3pt hitch it has worked out well so far. What I am trying to get across is this size machine is a lawnmower not a tractor for ground engaging activites.

For someone looking for a tractor with a fel I think the starting point would be the 2520 with proper ballast. This is where you get the ability to handle the larger tasks even if it takes longer to do. For a variety of small jobs this tractor is a winner.

In my case the jump from the X749 to the 4000 lb and up tractors is very workable, some people might be suprized how many places a 4520 will fit in residential settings. Where the larger tractors won't fit is where the X749 fills in, so it only has to do small areas tilling around trees and raking the ground smooth.

I hope the 2520 is working out for you.:thumbsup:

jcmseven · Jan 9, 2011

The mid mount D series mowers on these 2020 series machines seems good to me. I have one on my 2320 and have zero trouble. It mows almost as well as the 950 ZTR I have and in my opinion a little better than the X series machines I have used. It cuts smooth and pretty fast and the cut is quite level. With correct set up, this should not be an issue.

John M