Mowing Mowing with the 2520

   / Mowing with the 2520 #1  

prosperity

Platinum Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2000
Messages
689
Location
North Central Pennsylvania
Tractor
JD 2520
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.
 
   / Mowing with the 2520
  • Thread Starter
#3  
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.
 
   / Mowing with the 2520 #5  
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.
 
   / Mowing with the 2520
  • Thread Starter
#6  
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!
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2020 New Holland 105 Workmaster MFWD Compact Tractor with 632TL Front Loader - Poultry Special (A51039)
2020 New Holland...
EVERYTHING SOLD AS-IS WHERE IS!! (A50775)
EVERYTHING SOLD...
2007 MACK GRANITE ROLL OFF TRUCK (A51222)
2007 MACK GRANITE...
2022 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA SLEEPER (A51222)
2022 FREIGHTLINER...
2015 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T SE Sedan (A50324)
2015 Volkswagen...
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV (A49461)
2019 Chevrolet...
 
Top