Followup... "2520 mini review"

[Shawk]

Here's a short followup to the original mini review I posted several months ago ( http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/jd-buying-pricing/77838-john-deere-2520-mini-review.html ). Any little tidbits of info were extremely helpful to me while looking... so hopefully I may be able to provide a little helpful info as well...

How does it mow? still absolutely wonderful. This machine has a finish every bit as nice as my old 425 and 2210. Works over the yard quickly and has good maneuverability.

FEL? After 40 hours of part time work at home... the FEL is a dream. MUCH faster than the 2210...not that the 2210 was horrible (it was fantastic)... this machine was just made to handle more which is certainly does and much quicker to boot....

Ride? Not car like but not bad... I should and will let some air of my tires once it's more of a full time mow machine. That'll certainly help a bit. Again though... the machine has a decent ride as is. Better than both my old 2210 & 425.

R3 vs R4... I'm learning that this shouldn't be touched ... Kidding, but the R3's do a great job for my needs... wouldn't change 'em.

Likes and dislikes... see above in old. Nothing really different. The platform drives me more nuts than anything. doesn't get in the way just feels a little cheap. JD could have found a better mounting system... (like maybe a few more screws :-D ).
Hood latch is a little better over time.
I will add to the "pro" side that this machine is VERY stable and really exudes confidence with any task I've asked it to do.

and.... Yes, I would buy it all over again....

Final setup...
-Includes 200cx w/61" bucket
-62"onramp... fairly easy to get on and off but not as easy as JD wants you to believe... nice though
-R3 tires (no chains for winter... we'll see how that works... should be fine)
-pair of front added lights (by JD)
-single added rear light (by JD)
-54" Landpride box blade (to me this is the perfect fit.... though 60" I'm sure would be a good fit as well... I would definitely recommend no more than 60" for this machine)

50 hour checkup just around the corner... can't believe I've actually sat on the thing than many hours already (delivered in April).

 

[B8FISH]

Shawk--what no mention of the 62D "divot" issue ;-)
I can't believe how much more capable the 2520 is (compared to 2210 w/LX4) in the bushogging department. I have been clearing at a much faster rate, and getting through more "stuff". I guess it's the extra weight and ground clearance--the faster loader helps in ripping up the bushes etc as well. Mowing has been great--since the front wheels have been "fixed" on the deck. Overall mowing time has been reduced about 20% over the 2210 with same size deck. Mostly due to faster travel time on flat wide open areas, and ability to turn faster with the R4's than than the R1's I was running on the 2210. I am currently looking at a 3PH logsplitter--will let you know hot it turns out,

 

[Shawk]

Shawk--what no mention of the 62D "divot" issue ;-)
I can't believe how much more capable the 2520 is (compared to 2210 w/LX4) in the bushogging department. I have been clearing at a much faster rate, and getting through more "stuff". I guess it's the extra weight and ground clearance--the faster loader helps in ripping up the bushes etc as well. Mowing has been great--since the front wheels have been "fixed" on the deck. Overall mowing time has been reduced about 20% over the 2210 with same size deck. Mostly due to faster travel time on flat wide open areas, and ability to turn faster with the R4's than than the R1's I was running on the 2210. I am currently looking at a 3PH logsplitter--will let you know hot it turns out,

AHHH yes... How could I not mention the "divots". What did you end up doing to fix yours other than keeping them clean and oiled? As long as I did this they're fine... but who wants to continually do it all the time.

Yes... let us know with the logsplitter.

 

[B8FISH]

Shawk--I had the dealer install the grease zerks (per JD, via submitting a DTAC and getting a case number--outlined in the thread about the deck). Mows much better now--no divots.

 

[ducati996]

Overall Im tickled pink with my 2520, 200cx & 46BH setup. I will however mention a thing or two to either help those in future purchases, or have existing machines and similar experiences.
The one complaint I have is the low idle power steering effort required like when you use the lowest idle to feather in the backhoe sub frame bracket. It fights you, when the RPM's are 1000-1,100 range. It eases a lot when you raise the RPM, but it is the opposite of what you want when aligning up the sub frame bracket. I wouldnt be surprised that it turns into a warranty issue at a later time at least for me if it can be fixed. I certainly can live and deal with it - its just something that wasnt an issue with my older 4100.

As for the performance of the 200cx and 46BH -lots of good usuable power with both. its stronger in the FEL area than my 4100, and the BH is very capable and makes quick work of things. I do raise the caution flag for those who are considering turf tires with the 46BH. Its a tight fit with using R4's and I cant see how the turfs would fit being that they are larger. Unless a different sub frame mount is used (then what I have) that rests on the FEL support arms in front of the foot rests. I could be totally wrong on this, and maybe there are tons of folks with turf tires and the 46BH. I just dont see it happening on my setup. However, I dont have plans for turfs for the future.

I forgot to mention the 3pts hitch arms and assembly is considerably easier to mount then on the 2320. The setup is not the same between the two, and you need to have them side by side to see the difference. Its just easier on the 2520, I know because I had the 2320 first and then went for a 2520

 

[JDFANATIC]

Duc,

How many hours do you have on her already?

 

[ducati996]

Just under 10 hours....

 

[duppa43]

so what is this "grease zerks" you are talking about, and how do I get them to do it on my new deck? I had the divot problem too... keeping them oiled does do the trick, but if there is a more permanent fix, I'd be interested...

 

[B8FISH]

Duppa--the zerks are JD's response to the divot issue--essentially they drill and tap the front wheel mounts and install a grease zerk. You would need to work with your dealer to get the DTAC fix on your machine. There are details in a thread about the 62D deck if you need more specifics.