Trade 2520 for 3320 and 757 ZTR?

[B8FISH]

After trading in my 2210 for the 2520--I've been amazed at how much more I've gotten done in the rear parts of my property. The 2210 was no slouch, but the extra HP and ground clearance of the 2520 have really made some progress out there. Main problem is that I spend about 3 hours a week mowing the lawn (appx total time to take off the LX-5, install 62D deck, mow, and then uninstall 62D, re-install LX-5). It's not really all that hard, but I keep thinking that I could do the actual mowing in under an hour with the 757 and have the extra 2 hours to do more bushogging. The 3320 has even more HP and ground clearance, and I know will keep my tractor urges silenced for awhile. Dealer is open to the idea of trading the 2520 in on the combo--and looks like this would be a good time of year to try and make a deal. Let me know what I missed--both good and bad (except for the $$-I don't see any downsides). Opinions and real life experiences of owners with CUT's and ZTR's appreciated.
Thanks

 

[jcmseven]

I have a 3720 and bought my father a 757 for his mowing needs. I have posted on this topic in the past (distant) but I think this is a good combination. If you were to ask me, I would say I would rather mow with my 3720 and a large RFM than a ZTR. That said, my dad is older and I frequently help him when he and mom are out of town, or when he does not feel up to mowing (they have a lot to mow and dad has never wished it hired out). I haul my tractor to his place often, but decided it would be nice to have a good mower there, so if I did not have other "tractor work" to do I could use his. This has turned out well for me. I would say if your mowing is fairly open, you might be able to use a RFM for the 3320. My dealer said he sold a 3320 and RFM to a man using a 4110 and RFM who cut the local fairgrounds. The man cut several hours off his mowing time. There is no doubt the ZTR's are fast, and the 757 is faster than a mid frame with RFM, but not by that much, and the cut quality is equivalent. Your question is a tough one. In my mind, I would go with the RFM on the mid frame if your topography allows it. That would cost less and would allow you to use the tractor more, and they mow great. If you just are dying to have a 757, then that is a great machine also, but I think you would be pleased with the increased speed in mowing with the 3320 just due to the larger machine.

John M

 

[Malvern]

B8FISH,

This summer I traded my 2210 with a 62C for a 3120 with the 72" 7 Iron deck. The difference was amazing. The blade speed on the 7 iron is night and day faster and my cut time was cut in 1/2. The biggest difference is I could cut faster with the suspension seat on the 3120 then the kidney bust in seat on my 2210. I mow an average of 6-7 mph with the cruise on. The cut quality is better and I still get my stripes.

By the way, get the gator blades also.

Malvern

 

[orlo]

b8fish:

Sounds like you already have a plan but have you considered a pull behind finish mower for your tractor?

Last summer I bought a 3320 (in addition to a 2305 with 62"mmm I have). I was convinced I wanted/needed a MMM instead of a pull behind so I ruled out any rear PTO only tractors like the 990 (a bargain HP wise) and the 3203. I ordered the 72" 7 iron MMM for my 3320 but it was going to take a while after I took delivery of the tractor so the dealer (A great dealer) lent me an 84" rear discharge Rear finish mower he had (A Woods). Although heavy and long the cut quality on this was suberb. I was also surprised that I could get everywhere I could get with the MMM. Yes, I couldn't mow in a tight circle, but I never do. Getting along the house and fences, and under trees was actually easier since I had extra width. When I was done, it was a simple task to un-hitch it. (I don't think the woods was I-Match compatible but other ones are).

After using this, if I went back in time, I would have more seriously considered the 990 (or any tractor that I could ONLY use a RFM on) and not have been such a MMM 'snob' ....

I can tell you that the 7 iron 72"MMM is a LOT heavier than the 62" deck on my 2305 and it takes considerably longer to take off than the 62".

Anyway, just my two cents.

 

[B8FISH]

Thanks for the feedback so far--I've considered an RFM--but can't seem to be able to get anyone to take the 62D in trade for one. Not sure I want two mower decks for the same machine. I agree that the upgrade from the 2210 to the 2520 definitely cut the mowing time down already--with the same size deck. I cannot fit a 72" MMM into my lower barn doors, so that is ruled out. That leaves me with a question of whether the 3320 would really be faster than the 2520 as far as mowing time. I have several buildings and a lot of trees/obstacles to go around--how do the RFM's work in this scenario? If I had wide open flats I would be going that way (I'll research some older posts).

 

[papafoxtrot]

I've got a ZTR (Lazer) with a 60" deck on it that I love. So much so that when I ordered my 3520, mowing with it was never on my mind. I may amend that philosophy with the purchase of a brush hog in the future but I just don't see the CUT being a competent alternative to a good ZTR for the task of landscape mowing. They're fast, nimble, and with a good seat plenty comfortable. Agreed that one must temper that staement with the quality of their terrain. As the ZTR wheelbase is virtually nothing in comparison to the tractor, it can't handle much in the way of rough going. Also, I'll put my vote in for the Gator blades too. I've got some Magnolias on the property and the Gator blades are the only thing I know that will do same damage to their fallen leaves. Everything else just sucks them up and spits them out whole (I hate Magnolias).

 

[ddivinia]

I had a 2210 in hope of using it for everything. I ended up trading it on a 4720 with a MX-6 and a 757. The 757 rocks...period. My wife love to mow with it. So, in many ways it was evern better - less work for me. The 757 is very easy to get around trees, and it has plenty of power.

As you discovered with the 2520, it was night and day compared to the 2210. I bet you see the same with going to this new combo.

I did it and wish I had done it first so I would not have taken the hit on the 2210.

D.

 

[orlo]

When I was using the 84" RFM I was mowing at 7-8mph with the 3320. The deck would have easily gone faster but I think I would have bounced off the tractor No ZTR is going to beat that in acres/hr productivity although they would literally ride circles around me as far as turning goes. I mow 5 acres each time so to me speed is of the essense. I used to mow flat out in high range (Maybe 9mph) on the 2305 with the 62" deck.

Houses, fences, and even thin trees weren't a problem, you just line up before them and cut. You can cut a nice clean line with the RFM. When you turn away is when you need to be careful not to swing the butt end out and hit things. If you have small circular or square items you are not going to cut close corners like a MMM and you'll need to make several passes lining up first.

If you have a lot of tables, flower beds, etc. you'll lose time since you'll be cutting a side each pass and won't be able to circle around them. In my case I had very few of these.

I also have a Large lawn tractor (Craftsman 50" GT5000/25hp) that I 'retired' when I started using the CUT's to mow the lawn and have never felt the need to go back.

I do admit with the MMM I don't like using the tractor for anything 'harsh' with the deck on. On the 2305 it's easy enough to take off I'd remove it to do some loading/backhoe work but it's a little more work with the 3320. That's why I think having an RFM would be a little easier to alternate between tasks.

One drawback of the RFM though is your pretty much screwed as far as any sort of material collection system goes. I have a cyclone rake that I love, and a powerflow MCS on the 2305 that I'm going to modify or sell since I hate the way it mounts.

 

[Shawk]

B8Fish... I've got the solution for you. Keep the 2520 and buy the other 2 as well. Then you'll have no regrets for getting rid of your 2520.... you'll also have a machine for all occassions

 

[orlo]

Shawk:

Case closed you solved it.