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!

 

[orlo]

The 200cx (According to JD's new catalog with great specs) If I remember right is about 1200lbs (I think that is to full height but maybe not) 2320 and 2520 (Running about 2400PSI). It's around 800lbs (Again I think) on the 2305 due to the lower PSI hydraulics.

1200lbs is an awful lot to lift with such a small chassis tractor so that's plenty.
(I definitely wouldn't go without a ballast box - I use a 700lb box on my 2305, an 1100lb box on my 3720 WITH loaded tires and you still can make the rear end feel light if you really want to...

Either way they lift about 25-30% (reason PSI) more than the 2305. I don't think the 300 on the 790 (or 3202) lift that much.

 

[jdbower]

As a fellow newbie before I bought the 2520 I appreciate the ease of use of the machine. Even compared to the mowers I used to drive the twin touch pedals make the turning radius irrelevant as it's trivial to mow around even tiny trees. Couple that with an OnRamp drive-over deck, Pat's EZ Change for the three point, and an easy-to-install FEL and I've been shielded from most of the knuckle-busting aspects of tractors but I can still pretend to be a farmer

 

[RoyJackson]

EDITED BY ROY
The 200cx (According to JD's new catalog with great specs) If I remember right is about 1200lbs (I think that is to full height but maybe not) 2320 and 2520 (Running about 2400PSI). It's around 800lbs (Again I think) on the 2305 due to the lower PSI hydraulics.

It's 798 lbs (see the link) at max lift of 78.7" for the 200cx on the 2520. The 1200 lbs is probably the break out force.
If it could lift as high as the 300 (on the 790), it would be down around 700 lbs ± 20 lbs (my estimate). But again...how many are going to lift that much, that high?
And...don't forget...always install the loader before you rig that ballast box!

200cx specs on 2520

 

[orlo]

It wasn't breakout force. I'll have to check when I get home. The catalog has about 6 specs per loader/tractor combo. Maybe that was to 59" (Where do they get that spec). It's all confusing, too many specs.

Good point about the BB Roy. Otherwise the tractor will do Wheelies....

I actually did a small wheelie in the JD parking lot on a 790 taking a test ride. They had a huge bearcat chipper and no weights on the front. Go to let out the clutch and up the front wanted to go.

 

[RoyJackson]

Good point about the BB Roy. Otherwise the tractor will do Wheelies....

I actually did a small wheelie in the JD parking lot on a 790 taking a test ride. They had a huge bearcat chipper and no weights on the front. Go to let out the clutch and up the front wanted to go.

I'm rather embarassed...
I always...always rig the loader first...except for one time.
I've got my ballast box on a dolly...I always have the tractor outside backed up to the garage door (good thing too!!!).
So, I rigged the ballast box, got back on the tractor (which was in neutral) and raised the 3PH.
Then I engaged 1st low range (RPM was about 1500) to turn the tractor around (Loader is also in the garage).

Well, physics did it's thing. The front end of the tractor did raise...fairly slowly (also a good thing), but up she went. Lowered that 3PH mighty fast (well, it only goes so quick).

Funny thing...even with the rear wheels being the fulcrum, I would have expected the front to stay down since I think there is more weight forward of the rear axle. Maybe I just went a bit quick on the 3PH or forward in 1st low.

Anyway, won't make that mistake again...


BTW, yes, I was belted in.

 

[Chris2520]

JD specs on a 200CX loader on a 2520 is bogus.
complete and utter horse crap...

I own the machine, and have carried twice that with no problem..

Doing my balist box the other day. i bought 12 94pound bags of portland cement . had them on a pallet on my truck. pallet about 20 pounds 12 94pound bags = 1128 JD pallet forks = 317.

can you all add? thats 1465 picked it up from the bed of my truck and drove around the house and put it in the garage with no problem. and i have picked up 1800 a foot and a hafe before the breakout with 317 pound pallet forks.
You want to believe a peace of paper or a man that owns it and done it.
its up to you..

Chris...

 

[RoyJackson]

JD specs on a 200CX loader on a 2520 is bogus.
complete and utter horse crap...

I own the machine, and have carried twice that with no problem..

Doing my balist box the other day. i bought 12 94pound bags of portland cement . had them on a pallet on my truck. pallet about 20 pounds 12 94pound bags = 1128 JD pallet forks = 317.

can you all add? thats 1465 picked it up from the bed of my truck and drove around the house and put it in the garage with no problem. and i have picked up 1800 a foot and a hafe before the breakout with 317 pound pallet forks.
You want to believe a peace of paper or a man that owns it and done it.
its up to you..

Chris...

Just stated what the specs are...
My philosophy is, if I can pick it up, I'll move it...on either end (that sounds perverted, doesn't it?).
You've got yr tractor and like it because it's a good machine...I've got mine and it does the job...

Now that we've totally confused Tonybada, he can decide which tractor (by now, he's probably at Kubota!) best suits his needs and budget.

 

[ducati996]

It's 798 lbs (see the link) at max lift of 78.7" for the 200cx on the 2520. The 1200 lbs is probably the break out force.
If it could lift as high as the 300 (on the 790), it would be down around 700 lbs ± 20 lbs (my estimate). But again...how many are going to lift that much, that high?
And...don't forget...always install the loader before you rig that ballast box!

200cx specs on 2520

This just goes to show the specs are all over the map - this link shows 902 lbs -so what can you believe from Deere? its confusing and dosent do the machines justice

John Deere products for homeowners: Features for Attachment 200CX Loader

I know Chris2520 has posted some crazy weight - I have nothing that is that heavy to try, but I know 1,100 lbs all day long in a 61" bucket is accurate and not overloading the axles or machine

 

[Chris2520]

Just stated what the specs are...
My philosophy is, if I can pick it up, I'll move it...on either end (that sounds perverted, doesn't it?).
Don't get too defensive...you've got yr tractor and like it...I've got mine and it does the job...

Now that we've totally confused Tonybada, he can decide which tractor (by now, he's probably at Kubota!) best suits his needs and budget.

No offence Roy , I just wanted to make it clear. those specs are bogus as all get out. I am like you. if i can pick it up it gets moved.
john deere is doing a complete injustes to there self. with the specs on the 2520. some people would by a kubota of the same size thinking it will out perform it. when in fact it will not. i ask a local kubota dealer to compair performance of the 3030 to a 2520. not even he would lie. he said he seen them both work at the trade show. and said the 2520 was a tuff act to follow... as a dealer. i could not get him over the fence. but i could read between the lines. I did appriciate his honisty though. after talking to many people and different dealers. and reading tractor magazines. i still stand by the fact it will out perform any tractor in its class. but as you said. it all boils down to what we are happy with. you like your 790 , and it does what you ask of it. and thats all that matters. if someone is happy with a kubota or newholland. that is what thay should buy...

Chris. ...

 

[Chris2520]

This just goes to show the specs are all over the map - this link shows 902 lbs -so what can you believe from Deere? its confusing and dosent do the machines justice



I know Chris2520 has posted some crazy weight - I have nothing that is that heavy to try, but I know 1,100 lbs all day long in a 61" bucket is accurate and not overloading the axles or machine

Ya Duc i posted some crazy weight. but as you know it was not talk.
I can back it up....
For all of you who have questions. this machine weighs 1860 pounds..

Chris.....