Ideal JD for these chores

[WhyNot]

I'm beginning to think I need some kind of old deere or kubota with ag tires & 4x4 & maybe a FEL for the york rake & snow plow and maybe an oversized 4x4 lawn tractor for cutting.

The the problem of 2 cheaper used machines instead of one, new all-purpose machine.

I believe you might be right. If it were me I would look for a used utility tractor that fits your price range to use for your business and for mowing the pasture. That way you can leave it at the job site instead of hauling it back and forth every time you need to mow the grass. Then I would purchase a Dixie Chopper to mow your lawn with. Can't beat mowing 72" of grass at 15 mph.

 

[Builder]

I believe you might be right. If it were me I would look for a used utility tractor that fits your price range to use for your business and for mowing the pasture. That way you can leave it at the job site instead of hauling it back and forth every time you need to mow the grass. Then I would purchase a Dixie Chopper to mow your lawn with. Can't beat mowing 72" of grass at 15 mph.

That's what I'm thinking.

Might be better than the "swiss army knife" approach.

 

[aesanders]

I still think a 2520 will do all your estate chores and still have the balls to do some of the rougher jobs. Don't sell it short. Quite a few landscapers get this machine. It's a great size and has plenty of oomph.

 

[Builder]

I wonder how much FEL or dirt work I can expect to get out of a 2520 with 4x4 & turf tires?

R-4's just seem like they'd be too rough on a "front" lawn.

 

[RollTideRam]

The only marks I have left in mowing yards is when it is wet and I hit spot where its just dirt and no grass growing (like most of my own yard). I mowed a yard most of last summer for my wifes boss. He lives next to the country club and had no complaints about me mowing with a tractor. He finally got his CC mower going again this year, so I lost that job, but still mow a few others.
Look for the thread about working a 2520 (can't remember the title) maybe a week old and a guy dug a small pond with his 2520 loader. JC

 

[Builder]

Yeah, now that I think about it, many of the Dixie Choppers and other commercial mowing machines have a pretty decent bar type tire on them.

 

[RollingsFarms]

Yeah, now that I think about it, many of the Dixie Choppers and other commercial mowing machines have a pretty decent bar type tire on them.

give Exmark a good look. i rarely ever see the serious lawn care crews using anything else besides these. Dixie Choppers tires will eat a lawn alive....ive asked several professional lawn care people about why you rarely see them in commercial work. Exmark makes an outstounding zero turn mower.

 

[WhyNot]

Dixie Choppers tires will eat a lawn alive.....

I will not dispute that. I worked for a guy part-time that sells them and also uses them for his lawn care business. You have to work at turning without tearing up the lawn but once you got it, it's like riding a bike. I would say it is a safe bet that 75% of the mowers around here use strictly Dixie choppers. Just goes to show how different things are around the country

 

[orlo]

Hi:

One thing you haven't mentioned is the type of Soil you mow on. If it's very soft you might want to stay away from the heavier 3000 series.

I have a 2305 (62"MMM) and a 3720 cab with a 72" MMM (Just traded in a 3320) - I use them on different properties. I can't speak for the 2320 or 2520, but you can mow much faster ground speed with a 2305 than you can with a 3320 (or any 3000 series). The reason is stability. Yes, you get an extra foot with the 72" mower but I'll bet you can go more than that much faster with a 2305. I just mowed 5-6 acres (That I used to mow with the 2305) for the first time on the brand new 3720 (Have mowed it with the 3320 also) and if I tried to mow anything above maybe 6mph (I can get to almost 7 at times) I'd bounce off the tractor of flip over Some areas I need to go below 5mph. With the 2305 I could (can) mow full open in high (About 9.1mph) and live to tell about it. Don't get me wrong, I love the cab, but having both I can tell you the 2305 can outspeed the 3x20 series just due to stability (Again, if I consider the 16% wider mowing area it maybe closer). Also, if you have any slopes the 2305 'feels' much more stable. You'll reach the 'pucker factor' real quick on a 3000 series with even a slight side slope.

If, you were going to put a big pull behind (84"+) then I'd reverse my judgement and say the 3x20 series would beat the 2305 easily.

Remember, this is 'finish' mowing. You will not handle the big implements on a 2305 that you can handle on the 3020 series but it'll be easier to trailer, maneuver, etc. I have both so I'm speaking from the mindset of loving them both.

I cannot speak to compare the 2320 and 2520 to the 2305. I'm not sure if the bigger frames would take away from stability but they might. If you need ground clearance the 2305 may not be your ride as it's very low.

If finish mowing is mostly what you'll be doing, the 2305 might be a great fit. It's also the cheapest of the bunch and accessories aren't bad.

A snowblower on a 2305 will run you less than 3k (2k for the blower and a maybe 600-700 for the mount) - I have one. On the 3000 series it's about 5k (YES, 5K). High 3's for the blower, and over a grand for the mounts. (I have one on order too).

Basically, EVERYTHING is less for the 2000 series than the 3000 series. The price difference in the tractors is the smallest difference.

Hey, if $$ is no object buy a 4720 cab and mow with it.. I have 'overbought' in both my cases.

Just my .02. (Well, I guess maybe .02+.02+.02 due to my blabbyness)....

 

[Builder]

I'm inclined to say the soil will be softer than average unless there's a drought.

Good points on the mowing speed. Thanks.

Would the 2320 or 2520 be able to pull a 6' York rake?

I like the idea of a 6' rear finish more so I can lift it as high as possible for easier cleaning. A 5' bush hog would be fine for the rough stuff.

The fact that it's cheaper really helps, too as I'll be spending enough on the property & house.