Just bought my 2720..what do you have to say about yours?

[charleyfarmall]

What does the backhoe weight? 800+ pounds I would guess. That's a fair load going up hill and I would bet you need to be in low in the 2520.
The difference in power of the 2720 is quite noticeable. I love mine and can mow up hill in high gear in places that the 2520 would bog down.

Overall it it's a great tractor. I need to make a quick disconnect cab for the winter....I don't want a cab on this one for the summer as it's a lawn mower and horse manure tractor and I am on and off of it all the time.

 

[Rob-D]

Hi All,

For those who have the 2720 and the 46 backhoe:

How do you find the power going uphill in high range? My 2520 is anemic in this situation with any incline past a few degrees. It's ok going uphill without the backhoe on, but I wouldn't say it doesn't still get my attention.

The 2720 walks away with or without the 46 hoe. I always felt it was a great combination of size and engine. Many people thought I was wrong and for the HP you might as well go to the 3x20 series but after owning both there are places where the 2720 shines like working a medium size food plot.

The thing I hated about the 2720 was the exhaust, it killed me and I would get physically sick from it. MY 3320 has the through the hood exhaust and it is a relief.
I imagine if you're creative you can find a way to run the pipe through the hood and do away with the problem on the 2720.

Rob

 

[C-Range]

The backhoe is actually about 1000 lbs. I too would like a "quick disconnect" cab, Charley. It seems to be a tall order.

Thanks for that info on the 3320, Rob. The exhaust on the 2520 is definitely noticeable to me too. I've choked a couple of times.

I've read time after time about how the only reason to get a 2720 over a 2520 is if you need the HP for the (rear) PTO, that they were otherwise identical. Well, it is sounding like there's actually another point to consider as a difference here. Of course, it's pretty specific to having the backhoe on and having to navigate hills.

As for using low range to get up the hill, that would be torture. That low range is painfully tediously slow, especially when you are looking at 150 feet or more in front of you to go.

 

[BethesdaEC]

The backhoe is actually about 1000 lbs. I too would like a "quick disconnect" cab, Charley. It seems to be a tall order.

Thanks for that info on the 3320, Rob. The exhaust on the 2520 is definitely noticeable to me too. I've choked a couple of times.

I've read time after time about how the only reason to get a 2720 over a 2520 is if you need the HP for the (rear) PTO, that they were otherwise identical. Well, it is sounding like there's actually another point to consider as a difference here. Of course, it's pretty specific to having the backhoe on and having to navigate hills.

As for using low range to get up the hill, that would be torture. That low range is painfully tediously slow, especially when you are looking at 150 feet or more in front of you to go.

The transmissions are identical between the 2520 and 2720. When the tractor does not want to move the engine is not bogging down, the transmission is whining a lot and not being very enthusiastic about actually moving. The 2720 is also a little heavier which could make it worse.

I spend almost all of my time in low, when I crossing the property to start working I move slowly to give the tractor some time to warm up and at the end of the day I idle down and give the tractor some time to cool down. Honestly the tractor is so heavy with the BH that it can really start to bounce at higher speeds in an unpleasant way unless you are on smooth pavement.

Really the 2520 and 2720 need to have a 3 speed transmission.

 

[C-Range]

....the tractor is so heavy with the BH that it can really start to bounce at higher speeds in an unpleasant way unless you are on smooth pavement.

Really the 2520 and 2720 need to have a 3 speed transmission.

Hi BeEC,

Yes, I totally agree. In the particular case I am mentioning, it happens to be on smooth pavement. I'm just trying to get from here to there.

And I couldn't agree more, these machines would be vastly more smile-inducing with three speeds, but I knew that going in so I can't complain.

Anyway, I didn't mean to hijack the thread..

 

[Rob-D]

Chris, I agree. This is one of the reasons I bit the bullet and went to the 3320 which is no power house but saved by the 3 speed box.
The good thing for you is the chasis, both are the same on the 2520 and 2720. (the 2320 is shorter and the BH sub frame won't work) Going from a 2520 to 2720 means all the implements work without a change.
What I would do is go test a 2720 and see if it has enough power to justify trading up.
I doubt Deere will ever go to a three speed box on the 2 series. They already are costing close to the three's and you can get a stripped down three relatively cheap.

Rob

 

[charleyfarmall]

There is another reason to go to the 2720 for the hoe. The 2720 has a different rear end. It has more beef.

I also have a 3320 and it is a lot bigger and not nearly as manuverable as the 2720. That's how I ended up with the 2720 too. I needed a better mowing machine for smaller areas but still wanted the loader capacity of the bigger tractor. On the farm the 3320 is a perfect utility tractor and the 2720 is my lawn mower snow blower wagon puller.

 

[Rob-D]

There is another reason to go to the 2720 for the hoe. The 2720 has a different rear end. It has more beef.

I also have a 3320 and it is a lot bigger and not nearly as manuverable as the 2720. That's how I ended up with the 2720 too. I needed a better mowing machine for smaller areas but still wanted the loader capacity of the bigger tractor. On the farm the 3320 is a perfect utility tractor and the 2720 is my lawn mower snow blower wagon puller.

I do miss the 2720's manuverability, I also think the front blower on the 2720 is nicer to operate than the 3320's front blower although this year I got chains for the 3320. I think the 2720 would be better for food plots too.

The big plus for my 3320 is the 485 BH and front loader capacity. Big difference. I dig a hole with the 485 in 20 minutes in this Catskill hardpan that took a couple of hours with the 2720 and 46 hoe. More times than not I hit a rock to big to move with the 46 and that ended that hole. Stumps are much easier too.
You're right though, if you can afford it, both are ideal.

Rob

 

[BethesdaEC]

Hi BeEC,

Yes, I totally agree. In the particular case I am mentioning, it happens to be on smooth pavement. I'm just trying to get from here to there.

And I couldn't agree more, these machines would be vastly more smile-inducing with three speeds, but I knew that going in so I can't complain.

Anyway, I didn't mean to hijack the thread..

I compared to the Kubota before I bought and the Kubota 3 speed was tempting, but overall the Deere had it beat. Honestly I kind of enjoy the slow ride out and back, it gives me some time to cool down after a cutting and clearing wood.