Best choice for 4x4 mower

[LBrown59]

1*Forgive me asking the obvious, but have you thought about getting a MMM for your JD2520?
2* IMO it seems you have a $1600 problem (mmm cost) that your trying to solve with a $14000 dollar solution.
3*your paying a huge % to merely purchase what you have now; a scut with 4wd drive.

1* He's mentioned that and it's been discussed.
Problem is the fear is the 2520 is 2 big and 2 tippy for safely mowing the slops with it.
I would not want to try certain slopes with my BX23 for the same reason, so I certain;y hain't getin on such a slope with an even bigger tipper tractor than the BX23.
I would not even get on the posters slops with a JD 2305 let alone his 2520.
I have slopes here I mow with a CC GT2554 because it's more sure footed on those places than the BX23.
I wanted a tractor with PS 4x4 rear PTO and 3 point hitch so I'm replacing the CC with a new BX1500.
Why A BX1500 over a
Kubota G or GR or a BX2350 JD x700 or JD 2305?
Because the BX 1500 was everything and more than The G GR and JD X700 GARDEN TRACTORS and it was closer to the size of the Cub Cadet Than the X700 BX2350 and JD 2305 are.
2*I'd say $14000 is about right if he attempts to solve it with any of these; BX2350 Jd x700 or JD 2305?
3* I whacked that % down with a choice between $5150 for a used BX1500 with MMM or a New BX1500 with mmm for 7650.
Couldn't make up my mind which one to go with so I just took them both.

 

[LBrown59]

BX1500 turning radius = > 80".
My 2520 turning radius = 90" with brakes 98" without.
JD 2305 turning radius = 89".

JDX748 turning radius = 28" in 2WD or 48.5" in 4WD. This is NOT 4 wheel steer!

It seems like most all the garden tractors with 4x4 have a turning radius near half of the S-Cuts. That is significant. I have not seen any 4x4 with 4 wheel steer units...

After reading the radiuses you posted above I compared the Turning radiuses of my BX23 90" and MY CC GT2554 28".
Although the difference is significant on paper as you say; I can tell little if any difference between the BX23 and the CC related to this factor in actual field operation of the 2 tractors.
Certainly not anywhere near enough so as to warrant an expenditure of up to nearly twice as much for a tractor just to get a smaller turning radius which seems to have no effect on anything anyway.
Most assuredly I probably will never notice the BX1500 turning radius is 80'' instead of 28'' like the CC was.!
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[LBrown59]

5) Turning radius significantly tighter than S-cut
quote]

Sharper tighter turning - Exactly what you don't want on steep slopes.

 

[aesanders]

LB--- I thought the BX1500 was discontinued well over a year ago. You sure your looking at a new unit?

 

[LBrown59]

LB--- I thought the BX1500 was discontinued well over a year ago. You sure your looking at a new unit?

Kubota still list the BX1500 as still being available on their web site because as someone posted there are some left over unsold ones at some dealers.
The new one I'm dealing for is one of those.
However I am also getting a used one with 350 hours on it.
The new one has less than 5 hours on the meter due to it to being unsoled inventory.
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1 Cub Cadet 2 Bolens 3 Kubotas

 

[JDFANATIC]

unsoled inventory.
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1 Cub Cadet 2 Bolens 3 Kubotas

Does this mean you wear it on your foot?

 

[skidoo]

5) Turning radius significantly tighter than S-cut
quote]

Sharper tighter turning - Exactly what you don't want on steep slopes.

The tighter turning radius is desirable! Just because it can turn tight, one has to use it wisely. Up and down the slope it will go straight. I do have other areas that are not so steep, even flat with fruit trees where the tighter turning radius is beneficial.

I have taken the 2520 with the LX4 down the slopes in a few areas. The last run, I had to turn across the slope near the bottom in order to get through the trees to relatively flat area. The 2520, FEL, and LX4 was relatively long, and difficult to make the turns. I had to strap a rope around the ROPS and strap it around a tree as I manuevered cross slope to ensure that I did not roll into another tree. I could tell that the ROPS would not have protected in a roll there. The tree would have crushed me before the ROPS hit the ground. I feel comfortable with the 2520 going straight down the slope. The problem is there are trees I must manuever around. So, I can not go exactly straight down everywhere. I love the 2520 for what it does. I would like to just jump onto another tractor just for finish mowing all areas.

For these reasons, I intend to select after careful consideration. All your inputs are much appreciated...

 

[LBrown59]

The tighter turning radius is desirable! Just because it can turn tight, one has to use it wisely. Up and down the slope it will go straight. I do have other areas that are not so steep, even flat with fruit trees where the tighter turning radius is beneficial.

I have taken the 2520 with the LX4 down the slopes in a few areas. The last run, I had to turn across the slope near the bottom in order to get through the trees to relatively flat area. The 2520, FEL, and LX4 was relatively long, and difficult to make the turns. I had to strap a rope around the ROPS and strap it around a tree as I manuevered cross slope to ensure that I did not roll into another tree. I could tell that the ROPS would not have protected in a roll there. The tree would have crushed me before the ROPS hit the ground. I feel comfortable with the 2520 going straight down the slope. The problem is there are trees I must manuever around. So, I can not go exactly straight down everywhere. I love the 2520 for what it does. I would like to just jump onto another tractor just for finish mowing all areas.

For these reasons, I intend to select after careful consideration. All your inputs are much appreciated...

What would be interesting after all this discussion would be to try these tractors out in the areas you want to mow.
Kubota BX1500 or 1800 series
BX2230 or 2350
JD X 700 series 2 wheel steer since all others listed are 2 wheel steer also.
CC 2500 or 3000 series.

 

[Mayor]

The 2305 with a 62MMM will cut any of the hills in the pictures as long as you go up and down. I have had it in some very steep locations and she did the job with out any problems. I would get wheel weights and front weights just for a little added lower weight.

As for cutting, I used a 42in deck for years on a JD LX280 and the 62in gets into most of the same areas.

 

[LBrown59]

A = BX2230 or 2350
JD 2210 or 2305
B= Kubota BX1500 or 1800 series
CC 2500 or 3000 series
I would feel safer on the slopes with the tractors in group B because they are smaller than the tractors in group A