B2320 for mowing?

[tomd999]

Hiya,

I'm talking to a dealer tomorrow about a B2320 with a Mid-Mower. It's currently setup for just mowing which is how it will stay however, I have been reading posts that say the tractor is quite light for it's chassis size which is concerning for me. Several people have posted that it will wheelie with 3pt loads if the front isn't ballasted heavy and other have said that it "slips" on slopes.

I'm looking for peoples opinion as to if this will make a good mowing platform for my 4 acres on a mountain. I mow up and down the slopes (which killed 2 commercial mowers in less than 6 years) so sideslip is only a minimal concern when turning at the top which is on a flatter part. More of a concern is if it will pull the nose up going uphill or slide/skid the wheels going downhill. For a comparison, I had a Deere 2520 several years ago, before I upgraded to a cab tractor, that had no issues mowing the lawn with the slopes. I currently use a Deere 318 for mowing but it's coming up on 25 years old and I need to look for a long term replacement and I don't trust modern garden tractor transaxles for my slopes.

Thanks for you help,

Tom

 

[oldnslo]

With just the mid mount mower you would have to be climbing a very, very steep slope for the front to lift up. As far as sliding on the slope this depends on the tires, grass wet or dry, etc. If the 318 is working and the 2520 worked the 2320 should also.

 

[oldballs]

As I understand it, the chassis size vs the weight is how they are made nowadays as opposed to similar HP tractor of years gone bye. I'd agree with oldnslo as to a comparison of its potential. As to wheelies, ballast is indicated anytime the front or rear is used for heavy lifting, but using a MMM should not need ballast on hills even sideways. I mow fairly steep slopes sideways with my B2620 MMM without any issues, generally on dry turf. At first I did some puckering, until I got used to the lay of my land. But these were usually along road embankments and where one could not mow up-down anyway. Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

A BX would be a better choice for mowing on hillsides betwenn a B and BX.
The B2320 I owned did not have a MMM but without the MMM it sure did do wheelies until I added front weights.
The 23hp motor of a B and BX should be the same so acreage amount isn't that big of a factor between B and BX. It's mostly ground clearance making the difference.
I mow hillside and before getting Fs for mowing I used BXs and Bs. The best BX for mowing was a BX1500 MMM. Between the Bs and BXs I used the BXs were better or I would choose a BX over a B for hillside mowing with no other factors considered.

 

[tractchores]

I run my b2920 (same frame) on pretty steep hills without the FEL on and loaded rears and haven't had any issue with the front being light. If you put a heavy 3pt implement on then you'll jjust want to get a weight box or FEL for the front. I don't think you'll find the weight to be an issue and for mowing lighter may be better. I do lots of ground engaging tasks and don't have any weight issues and haven't had any side slip issues except on wet clay or mud where anything would have the same problems.

Note that the MMM is not compatible with the wheel spacers, not sure if you were thinking of those to help with stability. I would load the rear tires for sure even without a FEL.

 

[s219]

tractchores, don't sell your 2920 short! It is the same chassis/frame as the 2620, but the 2320 is a bit smaller all around. It's a more petite B-series.

 

[Gator6x4]

The problem I had with the 2920 I owned one time, (traded for larger) was it did not seem to know it was not supposed to lift something that heavy. I hooked it to a disc one time, just to move the disc, pulled the position control lever, the disc raised and then the front end raised. Another time I was replacing the tines on a tiller and using the 2920 to lift it. I noticed I could lay my hand on the top of the tiller, press down and raise the front end. I placed a brace under the tiller before starting to replace the tines. When I used implements seized for tractors the seize of the 2920 I never encountered any problems.

 

[Dillier23]

The problem I had with the 2920 I owned one time, (traded for larger) was it did not seem to know it was not supposed to lift something that heavy. I hooked it to a disc one time, just to move the disc, pulled the position control lever, the disc raised and then the front end raised. Another time I was replacing the tines on a tiller and using the 2920 to lift it. I noticed I could lay my hand on the top of the tiller, press down and raise the front end. I placed a brace under the tiller before starting to replace the tines. When I used implements seized for tractors the seize of the 2920 I never encountered any problems.

I can second that with my B2620. It will lift and operate larger than recommended attachments, but the weight is not there like a larger framed tractor.

 

[tractchores]

You definitely need proper ballast. Most compact / utility tractors can lift more than the unweighted tractor can handle. With proper ballast I hit my relief valve before lifting any wheels on both the 3pt and FEL. It's all about balance.