looking for a CUT

[tonybada]

I am a complete newbie looking for a CUT for my 10 acres for various stuff like grading my gravel road, bush hogging, maybe some tilling and FEL work. I looked at the 790 (4wd) and the 2520. The 790 is bigger and more powerful and is less money. I know the 790 is gear tranny vs the hydro, but is there something else I am missing? It just seems like you get more bang for the buck with the 790. Can anyone tell me the advantages other than the hydro for the 2520.

 

[RoyJackson]

Well, you do get more bang for the buck...just depends if you're OK with gear transmissions.
More bang except for hydraulics...the 790's hydraulic system is old. The maximum lifting capacities are not as high as the 2520's.
The 3PH on the 790 is good for about 850 pounds, 2520's good for 1150, both measured 24" aft of the links.
I don't recall the loader specs at max height...I think the 790 is about 720 lbs at 88" (300 Loader). The 2520 uses the 200cx, so I'm guessing the lift capacity is about the same (maybe a little higher for the 2520).

Now, the specs are all well and good...if you have a thousand lb implement or you're planning on loading dump trucks. So, you want to weigh all the criteria.

There you go...

 

[Mech]

I'm pretty biased since I just bought a 790 and had an older geared JD, a Ford 8N and lastly a Yanmar 1610D before. I will let the folks with 2520s talk about its advantages over the 790 and there are quite a few.

As for my decision, I liked the open platform on the 2000 series but I was worried that it was a little light for my needs and the 3000 series just got too expensive for what I needed it for which is just road and driveway work and snow removal. Since I don't do a lot of loader work the gear transmission didn't bother me. I also grew up on a farm and drove lots of old tractors in my youth (Farmalls, Fords, IH) so in the end, probably a silly reason, the very old design of the 790 looked like a tractor to me.

When I say old design I really mean it. My 1610D was build around 1980 and the 790 has a better loader, a cleaner running engine, is heavier with more HP, all the safety features, but otherwise is pretty much the same tractor.

 

[RollTideRam]

I have a 2520. I moved up to it from a JD650. I'm glad to have power steering, and I don't miss the gear tranny, especially when using the loader. The 2520 and 790 have the same engine. The 790 does have more pto hp. To me, that is the only advantage of the 790. The 2520 will lift more, front or rear. Neither are very roomy. JC

 

[Chris2520]

2520 is a beast. that all i can tell you. done everything i have asked and then some. .......
Go order it and dont look back....
I have showed what it can do.

Chris....

 

[AKfish]

Two close neighbors have a 790 and a 2520. We share chores (they've got horses and 4-H kids, too) and equipment so I've had a chance to use both machines.

The 2520 is quicker, lighter on the tires and is heads up better for finish mowing and FEL work. And with the better hydraulics -- the 46 backhoe is heads up better than the older, #7 backhoe for the 790.

The 790 is larger and more PTO HP. It's a better platform, IMO for rototilling and pulling a disk harrow or box blade. Might be a shade better with a medium duty brush hog, too...

What kind of work do you see yourself spending most of your time with the tractor?

Finish mowing, landscape type work or heavier, ground engagement chores?

My $0.02

AKfish

 

[jcmseven]

To me, there is a fair amount of difference between the machines. Most of the difference lies in ease of use features such as hydrostatic tranny and most efficient hydraulics. The 790 is a basic, simple tractor. I personally like the appearance of the machine. I am a larger person, 6'2" and 230 lbs. and find the 790 to have a tight cockpit. The 2520 is tight also, but less so. The 2520 in most tasks that would regularly be performed by a compact tractor is the quicker more-efficient machine, but if one wanted a good simple solid tractor with a good powerplant, the 790 might be the trick. It would excel at tasks such a pulling a blade or plow, or brush hogging an open area, etc. It does not compete well with the 2520 in loader tasks, etc. I really wish JD would go to a three range hydro on its 2000 series to compete with Kubota, etc. I also wish the 2000 series had some options for more agressive tires such as those which can be ordered with the 790.

John M

 

[Yseesee]

I just recently went through the same comparison you are going through tonybada. It sounds like you and are going to be doing the same things on the same size property. I decided to go with the 2520 because of all the creature features. I will be taking the 2520 to job sites from time to time and I thought it would be a bit easier to trailer from place to place. Another reason the 2520 won over the 790 is my wife, she will be doing most of the mowing! She likes the feel of the 2520, as she puts it, it’s just like driving a larger riding lawn mower with the MMM. There was no way I could get my wife on the old Ferguson to do any mowing with the finish mower. She just did not like the idea of having to mess with the 3 point. And I was afraid I would have the same issue with the 790 if I were to purchase it. Now, she like me can’t wait for the John Deere 2520 to be delivered to the house!!!

 

[Chris2520]

Well , i pull a 500 pound box blade with my 2520 and can rip clay with the scarfers with no problem. i doubt you will see the one HP difference. the hydraulic pump on the 2520 is way stronger than the 790. and as the others said. the 2520 will lift alot more in front or back. i found it to be more comfortable than 790 but that is only opinion. and 2520 is more user friendly for loader work for sure. due to the HST. but it does cost alot more. so that is the trade off.
my dealer has a 2007 790 that has 12 hours on it. and the bucket has never been in the dirt. guy was useing pallet forks for a metal scrap bissiness. and said it would not lift enough. so he traded for a 2520. i think he is happy now. I ant met anyone that drove a 2520 that did not like it. I love mine. if i ever change it would only be a 3720 with 448. and hope i dont bend my bucket cylender......

my .02

Chris.......

 

[RoyJackson]

There ya go...all kind of opinions...take all with a grain of salt (after all, they're opinions based upon our experiences), but now you can make your choice!

Good luck in your decision!

Other then I don't think the 200cx loader capacity is that high...but I couldn't find the exact spec, you've got some good info to work with. We're always glad to spend someone else's money.
BTW, while you're at the Deere dealer, take a look at a 990. Also, if you get a loader, make sure the dealer throws in a ballast box!