Upgrade 2320 to 2720?

[Phunge]

For the money involved in moving up, I would strongly consider either a JD 3x20 series, or a Kubota with a three range hydro if you are not happy with low range in yours.

I have seriously looked at the 3320, but rejected it for a couple of reasons:
1. Cost. The cost of the tractor, loader, backhoe and mower deck is quite a bit more than going the 2720 route.
2. Size. While I have quite a few landscaping projects that I need to accomplish, my primary use for the tractor is mowing and plowing snow. The size of the 2320 seems just about right to me, and I worry that a heavier tractor will be hard on my lawn.

The 2320 has served me well, I just would like a little more oomph.

 

[Phunge]

I've had both tractors, the power in the 2720 is a big improvement BUT it depends on how steep a slope you want to go up. I've gone up about a 10 to 15 degree slope with a BH and a loader, the 2320 would just sit there.

I'd take the 2720 over the 2320 but that doesn't mean you'll be happy with it. The other thing is the BH cramps you. You can't run with a MMM, you have to remove it. Sure, no one wants to run with the BH and a MMM but I wasn't crazy about going back and forth in the summer. If I could have simply just unhooked the BH when I didn't need it and left the MMM on all summer it might have been better but you can't do that. You get to have one on or the other.

The other thing is, regardless which tractor you go with, you don't gain any FEL or BH power, they're both the same but use different under fame mounts so if you get a 2320 and decide you want a 2720 you also have to shell out another 900 bucks for a new sub frame and the MMM isn't switchable either. Te 46 BH won't move mountains either, hard pan will make a religious experience out of digging a hole!

Too bad JD doesn't make the 3 speed hydro like Kubota does for that size tractor.
Rob

Thanks for the feedback Rob. I'm not so worried about having to take the mower deck off -- I only put it on when it's time to mow, and then remove it and pressure-wash it afterwards and put it away.

I did wonder about the FEL and BH power. I figured that since the operating PSI of the tractors are the same, the power would be the same, but I've heard reports that this is not the case, and the 2520 can lift more with it's loader than a 2320 despite JDs ratings.

The limitations of the BH also worry me. I've seen some pretty impressive work that's been done with this setup (or even a smaller kubota BX), but I also realize that it's a pretty small backhoe compared to a commercial unit, and from the videos i've seen on youtube it looks a tad underpowered.

Do you still own the 2720?

 

[Rob-D]

Thanks for the feedback Rob. I'm not so worried about having to take the mower deck off -- I only put it on when it's time to mow, and then remove it and pressure-wash it afterwards and put it away.

I did wonder about the FEL and BH power. I figured that since the operating PSI of the tractors are the same, the power would be the same, but I've heard reports that this is not the case, and the 2520 can lift more with it's loader than a 2320 despite JDs ratings.

The limitations of the BH also worry me. I've seen some pretty impressive work that's been done with this setup (or even a smaller kubota BX), but I also realize that it's a pretty small backhoe compared to a commercial unit, and from the videos i've seen on youtube it looks a tad underpowered.

Do you still own the 2720?

Phunge,
Sounds like the 2720 may be for you. The tires are a little bigger, I think about 31" for the R4's as opposed to 24" for the 2320. There is a little more umph in the loader but if I remember nothing to write home about. If you're happy with the 2320 and just want more mowing power the 2720 will give it to you and like I said, it's much better on hills, see if you can find one to test.

I just switched up to the 3320 and am waiting for it to get here. I'm doing some stumps and heavier rocks and grading for my orchards and trails through the woods so it is worth it for me. I gave up the MMM for an EZtrac two years ago. My friend got a 990 which is about the same power as the 3320 in the 3PH and a little less in the loader and this is what changed my mind. Using the 73" HD bucket was night and day and the pallet forks actually did some good work too. They were anemic with the 2 series.
The only complaint I had with the 2720 is the diesel smell. I'm on and off the tractor a lot and it was killing me. It's much worse than the 2320 and on the 3320 I got a stack to vent it above me. There have been talks about it, some people mind it and some don't. As far as the tractor itself, it was fine and I appreciated the extra power.
The back hoe won't be any different but there's talk around here that Deere may go with a 265 hoe for the 2x20 series. I wouldn't jump into the 46 hoe until I found about it if I was you though. If you take your time and you're not digging deep holes in hard pan you may be OK with the 46. It was fine for planting my fruit trees but when it can to moving some 10' spruce it became tedious. It's great for running pipe and water lines though and was a real help when I ran in my solar lines from the front field.