Mowing Mowing with the 2520

prosperity · Mar 15, 2011

A quick bit of history first.....

I've had a small mowing business for over 15 years, but last year decided to slim it down to just a couple customers with larger acreages.

I always had a zero-turn mower - last one was a 757 and a mowing machine for sure. I sold it before last mowing season, bought a 62D mower for my 2520, and now just do those couple properties plus my own 3-4 acres. I have R4 tires on the 2520 with the rears loaded.

Quite a difference mowing with the 2520 vs. the 757 for sure, but I was expecting that.

Now as I am getting older and less limber it seems, after an hour or so on the 2520 I am just sore all over. Between the stiffness of the R4's compared to the soft turfs on the 757, and the terrible seat on the 2520.

Everyday I mowed I would think about this thread where a Michigan suspension seat was adapted to the 2520:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/147265-2520-suspension-seat.html

Since it has been a couple years since that thread, I just wanted to ask around if anyone has installed this seat since, and if there were any other modifications made. In that thread, in post #15, he attaches a document with the dimensions for the plate needed.

The only other thing I can see to make the 2520 ride better for mowing is installing turf tires - but I use my tractor with the loader quite often, and spend a bit of time in the woods with brush hog & tooth bar where turf tires will just not do it.

JDdude · Mar 15, 2011

Have you lowered the air pressure in the tires?

prosperity · Mar 15, 2011

JDdude said:
Have you lowered the air pressure in the tires?

No I haven't because the rears are loaded (liquid). Plus, the R4's are so stiff I don't think it would make any difference.

And that is a good point - I remember when I first got my 757, it rode really bad - only to find that all the tires were way over inflated - brought them down to the low spec, and made a world of difference.

kennyd · Mar 15, 2011

This is the most recent thread I remember: SE SEAT FOR MY 2520 - TractorByNet.com

JDdude · Mar 15, 2011

I elected for wheel weights on my 2520..tire pressure always makes some difference, but my guess would as you said just not enough..I put a Michigan seat on my Zero Turn and love it..Simple bolt on for it..

I would guess if you did not want the 2520 seat to flip forward it might be easier to install, but I have not investigated it yet really.

prosperity · Mar 15, 2011

I want to apologize JDdude - I discounted your idea of tire pressure too quickly without thinking about it.

When I had my 2210, even though it had turf tires, I would routinely add pressure to the front tires for loader work, and deflate for mowing - it did make a big difference.

I am going to experiment with the front tires - not sure about the rears as they are loaded - I will have to see what is in them now to see if I can go any lower without the threat of breaking the bead.

I am most likely going to do the seat also - just have to justify ~$400 for it.

I sure miss my 757 during mowing season, but I'll get the 2520 to be more comfortable with a combination of the above.

Thanks for the input folks!