Runner
Elite Member
- Joined
- May 12, 2007
- Messages
- 2,980
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54, 2007 John Deere 2520, 1989 John Deere 185, 1960 Panzer T70B
I finally had the opportunity to mow with the new 62D over the weekend. Having had some experience with a Frontier GM1072R on this same tractor, I thought I'd give my perspective on the differences.
First, I have noted in the past that the GM1072R seemed to be a little heavy for a 2520 when used on hills. On my property, it tended to drag the rear of the tractor sideways on the hills and I needed to be in 4WD most of the time to keep the rear tires from spinning and tearing up the grass. So, I decided to try a belly mower.
The 2520 handles beautifully with the 62D, seems more stable on the hills, I didn't need 4WD and it is, of course, more maneuverable. However, I noted that the belly mower also has some shortcomings as compared to the rear mower. First, the rear mower tends to follow the terrain better and gave an overall smoother cut, particularly when going around corners on a hill, where the belly mower tends to leave a "stairstep" appearance. Second, being a side discharge, I think the belly mower fails to distribute the grass clippings as well as the rear discharge RFM.
While the belly mower is more maneuverable overall, I did miss the ability to back under trees and into corners. Otherwise, the 62D performed beautifully and the new front gauge wheel arrangement seemed to work fine (no gouging).
By the way, the hill in the attached picture is about a 20 degree slope and is one of the steepest areas I've tried to mow sidehill. I would note that the machine felt very stable with either mower in this situation, although the belly mower did help alot with traction as mentioned earlier.
First, I have noted in the past that the GM1072R seemed to be a little heavy for a 2520 when used on hills. On my property, it tended to drag the rear of the tractor sideways on the hills and I needed to be in 4WD most of the time to keep the rear tires from spinning and tearing up the grass. So, I decided to try a belly mower.
The 2520 handles beautifully with the 62D, seems more stable on the hills, I didn't need 4WD and it is, of course, more maneuverable. However, I noted that the belly mower also has some shortcomings as compared to the rear mower. First, the rear mower tends to follow the terrain better and gave an overall smoother cut, particularly when going around corners on a hill, where the belly mower tends to leave a "stairstep" appearance. Second, being a side discharge, I think the belly mower fails to distribute the grass clippings as well as the rear discharge RFM.
While the belly mower is more maneuverable overall, I did miss the ability to back under trees and into corners. Otherwise, the 62D performed beautifully and the new front gauge wheel arrangement seemed to work fine (no gouging).
By the way, the hill in the attached picture is about a 20 degree slope and is one of the steepest areas I've tried to mow sidehill. I would note that the machine felt very stable with either mower in this situation, although the belly mower did help alot with traction as mentioned earlier.