Buying a 2520 South of the Border?

[North of 60]

Good afternoon Gents -

New to the site & I am looking for a compact utility tractor & after reading much of your discussion boards I've thinkng about placing an order for a JD2520, cxloader 61", add additional hydraulics for the rear (for future backhoe) & the front mount snow thrower...just nervous about pulling the trigger...lot's of $$$. The price discrepancy between dealers here (canada) and just south of the border is approx. $3,000; escpecially with the CDN$ on par with the USD$. What I am looking for is some general support for making the purchase - I have about 3 acres with alot of snow in the winter to move...I've finally got the OK from the Boss (wife)..I just want to make sure I am not making a rash decision here. Any comments welcome.

 

[MacTractor]

I am in the same boat as you. I have been lurking here for a while asking questions and doing research. I am torn right now between the 2305 TLB and a 2320 with a BH. I would love to go with the 2520 but I need my rig to do everthing from Mow to BH and from what I have found you can't mount the MMM with the BH subframe on the 2520. This leaves me with the 2320 or the 2305 TLB

I have looked at the pricing here in Canada and although the local dealer here seems good, the price difference leaves me no choice but to buy in the US. As others have noted, it is a simple affair to import.

On a side note, the JD dealer conference was I think last weekend. My local dealer was hoping that they would try to take care of the CAD $ issue.

I would like to support local, but saving $3000 to $5000 takes center stage.

Let me know how you make out.

 

[kennyd]

from what I have found you can't mount the MMM with the BH subframe on the 2520.

The sub-frame for the BH comes off with the BH yes?
I understand that you can't have the MMM and the BH on at the same time, but why would you want to do that anyway?

 

[North of 60]

Thanks for the comments - the consideration of the 2520 as opposed to the 2305 or 2320 is that my primary need is for a front loader & snow thrower...i already have their zero turn mower which works plenty fine (& fun to drive)...I am considering the 2520 over the other two simply because of the increased ground height & minimal more HP.

My understanding & after considerable conversations with the border guards (both US & CDA)...because the unit is consider 'farm' equipment the only tax req'd at the border is the GST...coming in the unit does have to be presented to US customs before going through the Canada officials so as to clear the unit for export (essentially verify the serial numbers for theft - have to submit copy of invoice 72 hrs before by fax)....but after all that...we will save anywhere between $2500-4500. All the Cdn dealer's just came out with their new incentives & JD did reduce the prices of units, but there's still a price disadvantage from buying them in Canada vs US; to the point it's still worthwhile to go over the border with a utility trailer.

 

[MacTractor]

Maybe I am not understanding correctly. If I have a 2520 and I have the BH attached, what will I have to do to be able to mow the lawn. I don't intend to mow with the BH on the tractor but I need to be able to switch between the mower and BH with little effort.

The sub-frame for the BH comes off with the BH yes?
I understand that you can't have the MMM and the BH on at the same time, but why would you want to do that anyway?

 

[kennyd]

Hopefully someone with a 2520 will respond shortly, but I thought the sub-frame came off with the BH on one unit. Maybe I am wrong but don't think so...

 

[gunmaker]

Hey guys...yes the whole bh frame comes off nice and neat when you take the bh off. Usually takes me about 10 mins. to drop the bh.

 

[kennyd]

Thanks for clarifying GM, you wouldn't happen to have a picture of the BH/sub-frame removed would you? That will clear it up I think.

 

[gunmaker]

Sorry, don't have the pic, but I'll try to describe it as simply as possible.
There is a rectanglular frame which extends forward under the tractor, It begins at the main backhoe unit(seat,controls,stabilizers, arm& dipperstick w/bucket) and extends forward to the fel mounting supports. 2 hooks on the frame by the main backhoe unit slip over ther rear axle. The front of the frame is then raised into position to a mounting point on the bottom of the fel support. A pin on each side of the frame(tractor) is used to secure the bh frame to the fel mount. The frame when installed is parallel to both the tractor frame and the ground. It all goes off and on together as a single unit.

 

[canoetrpr]

Lots of Canucks buying across the border. Same deal in the Kubota section. One huge advantage with Deere is that the warranty is North America wide.

Kubota OTOH will not honour U.S. warranties as Kubota USA is a different company than Kubota Canada.

I've heard that Kubota prices are also being adjusted downwards but I doubt they will ever get to be even with USA prices. Just close enough to convince you to purchase locally.