Interested in 2305 or 2520

[Phunge]

I thought that was strange as well about the front and rear axles. It definitely is the number that deere is advertising on their website.

I am leaning toward the 2320 over the 2305. The difference in price with a MMM and FEL is $3700 cdn. this is about 18%, and the 2320 definitely seems like 18% more tractor in terms of capabilities.

The problem I have is the backhoe. The 46 bh is $2500 cdn more than the 260 bh (47% more). It does not seem like 47% more hoe to me, with my needs. if you could put a 260bh on a 2320, i'd be set.

Decisions, decisions. Of the 2305 and bx24, i'm still leaning towards the bx24.

 

[ducati996]

Even though the 2320 and 2520 tractor frames are so similar, the BH mount for the 46 backhoe is completely different. Take a look at the videos on the JD website, the BH subfame on the 2520 extends all the way to the front of the tractor underneath. The 2320 uses a different subframe that is compatible with the MMM.

I have not used the backhoe on either machines, so i can't give any real-world experience. I will say that the 2520 provides quite a bit more hydraulic flow, so I would think that the backhoe would feel quite a bit more responsive than the 260 bh, or even the 46 bh on a 2320. Spec-wise, the 46 backhoe digs 4 inches deeper than the 260bh, has 20% more bucket force, and weighs 47% more, so appears to be quite a bit more substantial. It has two swing cylinders as opposed to the single swing cylinder on the 260 bh.

As far as bucket size goes, the bigger the bucket, the more strain on the backhoe. The largest size bucket would be great for a machine sitting on top of pile of topsoil, but might have a hard time breaking into undisturbed hard clay ground. My plan was to go with the smallest, since speed is not really my concern. Less strain on the equipment is fine by me, and any bucket is better than a shovel Again, I have no practical experience with these machines.

As mentioned earlier Deere makes mistakes on their specifications - and its clearly effecting the seperation between the 2320 and 2520 series.
I know from having experience from both owning the 2320 and 2520 that the 2520 lifts more - and its really noticable. Listen they have the 2320 lifting higher using the same loader - but the 2520 is taller. Speed is listed as too close in some areas, since I noticed it right away. They list the 3pt lift at 1150 but it lifts 1,300 lbs (probably more) all day long 24" inches out. I honestly think they just slapped some numbers together without actually verifying them.
Im not trying to start a pissing contest by saying this -but there are many areas of seperation between the two (2320 & 2520). Oh I forgot to add the 46BH sub-frame only goes up to the loader arms, not to the front of the machine. And yes attaching a MMM is a hassle and Im still not clear on how they missed that one, or why. I dont mow with it but I might one day, so hopefully they fix it..

 

[Phunge]

I see what you're saying about the specifications. I can't believe they wouldn't check more carefully before publishing these specs.

I agree that the 2520 is more tractor over the 2320 than the published specs suggest, but the price and imcompatibility between the BH and MMM kill the deal for me. Of course, for the price of the 62d MMM, I could always buy a riding lawn mower...

 

[ducati996]

I see what you're saying about the specifications. I can't believe they wouldn't check more carefully before publishing these specs.

I agree that the 2520 is more tractor over the 2320 than the published specs suggest, but the price and imcompatibility between the BH and MMM kill the deal for me. Of course, for the price of the 62d MMM, I could always buy a riding lawn mower...

As for specifications being wrong - I see it on every mfg site, especially when they do comparisons. Some are done on purpose and others are done just by pure laziness. You have marketing folks releasing crap all the time to meet deadlines.

As for the deal breaker - I would agree it would appear its an issue unless someone knows of a fix or work around from Deere for the 2520 series.
Maybe someone with more knowledge on this subject can chime in

I would even say if I was looking at mowing and found out about the incompatibility between the BH46 and MMM. I honestly would have went orange (B3030) and not had a second thought. Its that much of a screw up that it would have made my choice easy.

 

[Phunge]

I did get a price on a Kubota B2630. It's a nice tractor, with a real nice BH, but way out of my budget . The smaller, cheaper B series tractors utilize a 3ph BH, which I do not like, and lack the position control on the 2320/2520

 

[ducati996]

I did get a price on a Kubota B2630. It's a nice tractor, with a real nice BH, but way out of my budget . The smaller, cheaper B series tractors utilize a 3ph BH, which I do not like, and lack the position control on the 2320/2520

Not sure where you are located but there was no price difference (worth mentioning) between the the 2 different mfgs. 2320 compared with B2630 and 2520 compared with B3030. all quotes were T/L/B included...

Im not trying to sell you orange- so everything I just said will disappear in 10 seconds

 

[vintagemilano]

I just received our 2520 with 200cx a couple of hours ago. When we were trying to decide on a unit the choice then was a B7800 with FEL or the 2520. What won me over to the 2520 was the way better quick release of the loader on the 2520 and that is has two hydraulic pumps. The deere also has rear hyd port option that kubota doesn't have on the 7800. The price difference between the two here in BC and Alberta was less than a thousand bucks.

 

[JDCAN]

Well it looks like I closed the deal, I ended up going with a

2520

CX200 loader with 61” bucket

62D cutter with independent lift kit

46 Backhoe with 16” wide bucket

Bradco Pallet Forks – Does anyone have any experience with these? If so are they good?

This was a hard thing to do, considering I was looking at a $2500 Home Depot JD special, I blew the budget 10x over

The hard part was the loot, this thing cost as much as a car. I hope I don't regret it. I plan to really do some work over the next few years here on the new 2 acre property. I also have plans for allot of underground pipe to run the water away from the shop and house.

This brings me to another question, for a guy that has never really played on one of these machines; will I be able to pick it up pretty easy? Or will it take allot of practice?

vintagemilano I noticed you are in Canada what did you end up paying if you don't mind me asking?

In closing thanks everyone for all the great input, I am sure allot of you advance tractor owners get tired of all the fresh meat on here asking millions of questions.

Thanks again for everything. Some of you guys should be getting paid by John Deere. I feel the help you guys offer help sell a few units for John Deere.

Once again thanks for all the great help.

 

[Loogie]

3pt hitch lift capacity 24" behind pins 69% more (1150 vs 681)
Front axle capacity 17% more (1940 vs 1654)
Rear axle capacity 64% more (1477 vs 2426)

To me, the 3PH lift capacity is the biggest (and for me, only) limitation of the 2305.

When you are looking at axle capacity, make sure you look at "reserve" axle capacity. That is, you have to deduct from the total capacity, the weight that the axle carries with the tractor configured the way you want but with no payload. Often the bigger tractors look like they are rated for MUCH more when in fact it's just that they weight more and the reserve capacity is only incrementally more.

 

[archerynut]

This brings me to another question, for a guy that has never really played on one of these machines; will I be able to pick it up pretty easy? Or will it take allot of practice?

From a fellow new tractor to another, you will pick it up pretty quickly. As far as using hte BH, I just dig holes for practice. This past weekend I dug a hole that was 3 foot deep by 8 feet by 12 feet and then filled it in with the loader. Just for the heck of it. By the end of diggingt he hole I was very comfortable with the controls and could make the machine dig just like I wanted to. As far as attaching and detaching implements, just do it a bunch of times and each time it gets easier each time.