Opinion on Hydraulics for 2520

[Piedmont]

I won’t be buying a backhoe right away but would it make sense to get the plumbing done anyways? Is it just the power beyond kit or is there more to it then that?
Also will I need to add a selector valve in order to have full use of the loader and MMM?

 

[Chris2520]

Yes, you just need a power beyond kit for the backhoe.
and thats all. as for the deck. someone else will haft to answer that.
i dont use a mower deck......

 

[Efreet]

Piedmont,

I looked at this issue just recently. If I were considering a 2520 with a backhoe, I would forget about the MMM and purchase a separate lawn tractor for mowing. The price difference is not that much, and you will not have to deal with a backhoe-to-mower conversion that is not all that straightforward on the 2520.

You could also get a 3PH mounted finish mower, they seem to do a real nice job.

 

[Chris2520]

Thats what i did. I use a GX lawn tractor for mowing. and just use the 2520 for tractor work....

 

[jdbower]

If I were considering a 2520 with a backhoe, I would forget about the MMM and purchase a separate lawn tractor for mowing.

In retrospect I would make the same choice - and probably have come out ahead money-wise when you add in the MCS (I like to have a ready supply of grass clippings for adding more organic material to the soil). Of course, I don't know if I could justify a tractor on my property if it wasn't dual purpose...

By default with the independent lift kit you have to use up one of the loader functions to use it, but since I don't mow with the loader it's not a huge issue. If you go with the standard lift kit the three point hitch controls the mower height and you don't have any issue with the hydraulics to deal with, but the 3PH arms will move up and down with the mower deck.

I'm in the process of trying to use the Power Beyond port to add a few more controls for the mower deck and for a Top-N-Tilt, but the going is slow since I'm pretty lazy.