My new 2520 with Hydraulic Dump Power Pak

[larry8818]

Jack (floridagrasscutter)-

Having the tractor since August 23rd, I have mowed the lawn with it three times with the dump system on, and twice without. No issues to date. You definetly have to mow slower than when just side discharging. When side discharging, this thing just eats grass. I am overly impressed....at the same time more power would not hurt this tractor either in future models. Not to say it is underpowered but I expect alot from my equipment, but do not beat it either. From what I understand this is the smallest tractor John Deere makes of their newest models that they say will swing a 72mmm. The chassis size is perfect in my opinion with an absolutely unreal turning radius. If the grass is wet it still clumps a little. Like any other collection system the dryer the lawn, the better. If I were paying somebody to cut my lawn I would expect what this thing ocassionally leaves behind to be cleaned up, but it is good enough for me.

As far as sitting a little higher higher than normal, to the top of the dump system is pretty tall and this is just a 2520 with standard 36" turf tires. I believe the rear tires are around 5" taller than the 2320 and maybe that is what you are comparing it to?

For the loudness comparision, the 5Hp Honda blower at full tilt is pretty loud...but quieter than a 5Hp lawnmover. Very smooth compared to what I was expecting. It seems the blower impeller must be pretty well balanced to make this all possible. When used in combination with the tractor & mower I make sure to use my 31db noise reduction head set for sure! With the head set on you can you can hear the rpm's really well. The tractor with mower deck together kind of reminds me of what a turbodiesel sounds like, but deeper pitched. The Honda you can just hear like your typical air cooled-oiled splash gasoline engine pounding away. With my head set on I have used for up to three hours with no problems or headaches.

 

[f2000ez]

Could you post some closeup shots of how you modified your dump pack to fit the i-match. Any dwgs/measurements would be greatly appreciated as I would like to convert my dump pack to fit the i-match.

Thanks

 

[Nuru]

Looks very good. but it does look like you can do wheel stands pretty easy.

 

[BloomingtonMike]

When the system is full is the tractor a little light in the saddle? Seems tippy potentially without front ballast. Not sure what it weighs however. Looks very awesome!

How fast do you fill it when the grass is long? I would bet I could fill it very quickly on my yard.

Also have you drove with it on any inclines, or across/along any ditches? How does it handle tilting?

 

[kubuddha]

Larry,

Are the turfs standard or the "Omni" or "Special Turfs", They appear to be larger then normal.

Awesome machine!!!

 

[larry8818]

kubuddha -

See the attached picture of a close up of the tire. Like I said before, I believe these are the only turfs available as my dealer never told me I had any other option for turfs and neither does the online build and price feature from Deere. If you can not read the writing on the tire in the picture, it says: Carlise Multi Trac C\S 36x14.00-15NHS....

BloomingtonMike & Nuru -

As far as being light in the saddle (as opposed to wide in the seat?) and doing wheel stands (I was thinking of taking her to New England Dragway), I must say that I am very surprised at how the tractor seems as if it does not even know that the dump system is there and as the operator, I can hardly even feel the weight.

I have to admit that I was leary of this package...Deere does not list this as an option on the 2520, I believe they think it is too small a tractor. I have been reasearching something like this for about three years before I purchased this. I recall looking back at the 4115 which the 2520 replaced. Even though the 4115, according to Deere specs, was their smallest compact to swing a 72"mmm, my dealer always told me that it would be underpowered. My goal back then was to buy a 4410 figuring next chassis up and go for the power, but I was never too keen on the larger chassis as it is more of a utility tractor in my opinion and my number one priority was a lawn mowers to cut 4-5 cleared acres with trees...and leaves, leaves and more leaves!

Even before I bought the 2520 I was all ready to buy the 3520 as it came out first, but everyone told me I was crazy for even thinking about a tractor that large, that is how I came to purchasing the 2520. My dealer told me that the 2 1/2 more HP over the 4115 should be all I need and the 3520 would be overkill. He was right because this thing will cut 9"-10" tall grass going up hill at 5-6mph without a problem. From my pictures at the beginning of this thread, I have the loader on the tractor. I do not keep the loader on when mowing. I use front mounted quick-tatch weights. When I ordered the tractor, to be safe I got it with the optional weight bracket extension kit which increases the amount of weights it will hold in the front from five (210lbs.) to seven (294lbs.). I have never used it with the seven, I always use it with five. With five weights of front ballast and the bin full to the point on the full indicator not spinning, when emptying there is no feeling of tipping over backwards or instability. What I do need to be careful for is when transporting to my dump zone I have a habit of going too fast as my PTO is off and I want to get there, with those big ballon tires you could very easily get BOUNCED off the machine. It's like an amusement ride...a very expensive one! This thing is the coolest attachment I've ever seen, and it works.....so far has made this autumn leaf season a breeze.

Now, if I can just save more money for that Bear Cat Chipper...

 

[ktm250rider]

orlo -
If you research on John Deere, you will find that the 72 mower and the hydraulic dump are not compatible with each other due to JD not making a boot to fit a 72mmm.

I wonder if thats the same reason why my equipment guide i have only shows the same unit fitting up to a 4410? I would love to get a 72"mmm for my 4510 but i need some way to pick up leaves. Not gonna rake either. Ive been looking for used 400 series with 60" decks but Im greedy, i dont want to give up the extra 12".

 

[johndeere_2210]

That is the cat's meow!

 

[keeney]

There is a used high-dump collection system just like that on this site:

Tractor Attachments - Lawn Tractor Attachment - Garden Tractor Attachment

For $1200 it would be a steal, but I bet it doesn't have the power-pack or impeller assembly. Still worth calling the guy - he looks like he could hook you up with a motor and the rest of the stuff could be purchased as parts...

- Rick

 

[Chris_VA]

Just thought I'd make a comment on using the Hydraulic Dump MCS with a 72" deck. I use that combo (not supported by Deere). It works good as long as the grass is dry and not too long. But if either or both conditions exist, I have to go slow or only take part of a swath. In the early spring and late fall, my lawn stays so juicy that even if it hasn't rained for days, the water will just run out of it when cut.

My guess is the reason it isn't supported is because that 72" deck will move more grass than the MCS can handle. I have found that the choke point seems to be the 120 degree bend at the top of the MCS going into the hopper. Sludge seems to build up there and if I make an effort to keep it clean it performs better. Also, running that little honda engine so fast that it sounds like the piston will fly out helps too...

By the way, the boot on my MCS would not fit my old 72" deck from the 4000 series days. I had to rig it up. But, the new deck on the 3000 twenty series (I just can't bring myself to use the term "7 iron" for anything other than golf) has the bracket for the boot. It just connects right up.

I think the MCS would physically hook up to the larger frame CUTs, but I think the width of the tractor would become an issue. When I reversed the rear wheels on mine for a wider stance, I had to swing the 3pt hitch all the way to the right so that the collection hose coming from the mower deck would clear the right rear tire. Even with the hitch swung over, I still had to construct a "stand off" to attach to the ROPS with a rope to hold the hose clear of the tire.

Chris