Tractor Sizing Is a 2520 / 2720 the right size?

[car1]

I am looking at buying a 2520 / 2720 tractor with a loader bucket, forks, 62" MMM, and a rear blade.

I am building a new house this fall on about 1.2 acres. I intend on using the tractor around the jobsite for most of the smaller chores. Backfilling, grading, and material handling. But after the house is built, it will mostly be used for mowing the yard. The yard will be nicely landscaped with several trees to mow around.

This leads me to my question. Is this size tractor to big for this size yard? My dad has a zero turn mower, which he loves. I just can't see spending that kind of money for something that only cuts grass?

Follow up question. I also prefer the R4 tires, will this tear up the yard?

Any help / experience would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Whitey]

I would think IMO that either trctor will do nicely when to are building your house and landscping your property..........depending on how you property lays out......either tractor may be uncomfortable to cut th grass with on a continual basis. Are you purchasing new or used.........I would recommend used and with the savings from buying new buy a grass cutter also. We have two tractors in our garage.......both are used a CUT and a grass cutter. R4s will still do damage but it will be minimal compared to AG tires.

 

[gary_dsc]

Seems like since your long term use is for mowing, you might want to buy something like a 2305 or 2320 which will save you some money and do just as good at mowing, maybe better since they are lighter. For the one-time uses, rent the equipment that you need if the 2305/20 isn't big enough.

I mow with a 2305 with R4's and it doesn't tear up my grass at all.

 

[Birdmayon]

I'm sorta doing the same as you're proposing but in reverse order. I bought 15 acres of woods that we plan to build on eventually, but currently live in a house on 1.4 acres. I bought a 2520 that gets used on my remote property but it is my mowing machine on my home property as well. Running a rear finish mower, it does a great job on my yard. I've got some areas I can't get to with teh tractor that i have to push mow but other than that it does a great job and is not uncomfortable at all. I've got alot of trees planted on my lawn and they are a breeze to mow around. I'm running r4's, rears are loaded, and it doesn't mark my lawn at all unless it is wet. But we've got alot of hardpack clay, I'm sure how much they mark will depend on what type of soil you've got. Sounds like this might be the right size tractor for you though.

 

[unreconstructed]

I have used the 2320 for all of those chores. All the threads about these tractors cite faster hydaulics for the 2520 but that has not been an issue for me. Have R-4s NOT loaded. Sandy yard, stay off when wet. have ballast box and when I use the loader just snag the ballast or the box blade and it seems to do ok with the tires not loaded-have i match so that makes it easy. So when I mow, drop the ballast and usually the FEL and go to it.

I use this tractor all the time where i live--4.5 acres. The other places I use my 5325 but one's 20 acres and the other 100. I still find uses for the 2320 on the two bigger spots.

For the 4.5 acre spot--its flat and have only about 1/3 acre in yard--mow the rest once a year--I can't see the need for anything over the 2320. Bot it over the 2305 for the full cat 1 hitch.

Have a walk behind to knock out the areas I can't get to with the 2320.

You'll always find a use for the FEL>

 

[car1]

Thank you for all the great feed back!

 

[NewJDGuy]

I have a 2520 and love it. I use it on 2+ acres, with lots of trees, etc in southern Ohio. I find it easy to ride and it does a great job cutting grass. I used to maintain a lawn tractor LX110 (I think that's what it was - a Deere) and a utility tractor. I didn't like the fact they took up so much space, having to service both, etc. I'm often using the loader and remove and install it nearly weekly. I do have a need for the Cat 1, using the auger on a number of projects, pulling a rotary cutter on my dad's 6 acre field (don't want to ruin the belly mower blades) and maintaining his gravel driveway. I use the 2520 to plow in the winter (just use the loader and pile up snow piles for the kids to play in). In short, I'm very happy with the purchase. I did look at the 2305 and that may have been the "right size" for my lot, but am glad I purchased the 2520. The zero turns are nice, but I couldn't use them for the first 2 months of grass cutting anyway, as I need to run through a swale that frequently has running or standing water and have some inclines. I just use the 4wd and cut right through. Before with the lawn tractor I had to weed eat it, as it would get stuck. That's the only evidence of tire marks mine makes with the R4s - running through the swale, and they disappear after a rain.

I've had the tractor since Nov 2005 and would have even more hours (only at @180 now) on it but for a one year absence to Iraq.

My brother's have used it to put in over 100 holes for a pole barn and other projects.

In short, I'm very happy and believe going from a 2 tractor to 1 tractor guy was the right decision for me.

 

[brian22]

I just recently purchased a 2720. I....like you just use the tractor around my home. I had a 4100 JD before my 2720 and that was a great tractor as well.. I bought the 2720 not really ever needing to get rid of my 4100. My 4100 did all the jobs around the house that I needed, and never let me down. I had a guy that kept bugging me to sell my 4100... I finally gave in and sold it. When replacing it I had the urge to go bigger! So i did. I will never use this tractor to its potential, but im glad I have it. I work about 60 hrs a week and sometimes do to weather I miss a week of mowing my 4 acre lawn! My 4100 used to bog down and even stall when mowing the thick grass,...the 2720 dosnt even grunt...probably the only benefit I will see from this tractor..but I'm glad I have it. For the tasks you said you would be doing I would go smaller and save money...the 2320 or something. I love having the big tractor but for the exspense...I should have kept my old one!P.S. the turf tires are a great way to go...great on lawn..and I plow my driveway in the winter and never put chains on or anything...those tires are great