Would it be for me?

[ducati996]

Well, I certainly seemed to have stirred up some emotional responses. Truth be told, I wrote my comments in a very much tongue-in-cheek manner, hence the after the "Jehovah's Witnesses of 2520" comment (and I very rarely use a smiley). But Chris2520, are you desperately trying to prove me right? Your defensive responses, and the clearly unsubstantiated claims of "night and day" differences between models as close as the 2320 and 2520 make me think that I did not really need to employ that smiley after all, and the choice of your particular tractor model is really a matter of religious faith for you.

As far as being a n00b, you are right, I am. On the score of "he has not helped anyone", and therefore I do not deserve a voice, I can say that I am trying. Among my few posts I uploaded scanned technical data from Deere on the backhoe / MMM attachment differences between the 2320 and 2520 tractors, which helped several people clear up a confusing difference between these models. And I can promise that as long as I am a "n00b" I will reserve any voice of authority to things that I can back up with hard technical data, and not just blow smoke out of my @$$.

Will you please join me in doing the same?

Just for clarification I didnt call you a noob (how am i to know that?) Only that your comments were somewhat uncalled for in which they were presented to Chris2520 - but be that as it may everybody is just too sensitive about their manhood its too **** funny - (look a smiley)

But on a serious note: I find it a rarity on this board when actually someone who owns the machine(s) give unbiased reviews, so when it does happen I personally like to hear what they are saying. Thats how we all learn.
But I will give you the real skinny as to why I unloaded my 2320 for a 2520. I was looking for a replacement for my 2000 JD 4100 (replaced by the 4110) because it was a gear unit, and the HST was a must for the direction I was going into. It was supposed to replace the 4110 series in everyway, but it didnt (as i found out first hand). It was a total step back in performance IMO. The hydrolics were not there (compared to the 4100-4110), PTO wasnt noticably improved, and the hydrolic speed was ridiculous (again compared to the 4100-4110). Engine Rev speed is way to high for my liking (for diesels), and I really hated it - all the power of the motor is on the Top end in the rev's, and the PTO rated speed to just way too high. It was a buzzy machine from that after a while.
Now I will take some of the blame in going by what was in printed specification wise and without seeing or using the machine prior to the sale (never a model in stock to do that), going just by blind faith that it would be at the same level as my 4100 was. I was wrong and I almost paid dearly for it. I immediately contacted my dealer (an ace by the way), and told him to find me the next model up (2520). In the meantime I was forced to use the 2320 for the tasks I needed done (keeping the hours to a minimum of course) until the 2520 came in. We swapped out machines and I brought it home. Keep in mind I was up until this point comparing what i had to the benchmark of what I traded in (4100). When I got the 2520 into action and similar tasks that even the 2320 did just the day before (and the 4100 for years), you just knew the performance was by far exceed in any of the prior benchmarks that I had. It was just different, a much stronger & faster feel overall from the machine. I think I can describe it as finding an extra $1000 dollars laying around - its enough to say wow, its that much of a noticable difference -
I find that not everybody has a level of expectation or performance benchmark already set in their mind (like I did). For most, these machines are their first time buy, so they either dont know what they have, or what they lost (if they never had it) - does this make sense? So its all new to them and everything is great - as it should be and it does what is asked of them. Again these machines are capable and will do what they were designed to do. Question is what are your own expectations or benchmarks that you would like to see from this machine? If you dont have any then maybe thats a good thing because you might not be so exacting -
Now of course there will be those who profoundly disagree regarding the difference between the two machines. Ok so be it, I have nothing to gain, loose or profit by offering a real side by side evaluation. I put enough hours on the 2320 that it should have been considered used when i gave it back -

Duc

 

[aesanders]

Chris, I apologize for singleing you out. I know you really like your machine. And just so you know I have nothing against the 2520 look at this thread (1 of many) which I suggested the poster to get a 2520. I just call out the recomendations as I see it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/jd-buying-pricing/100794-ideal-jd-these-chores.html


As for my experience with a 2520, I had a loaner for a week as my dealer was so slow getting me my 2320 last summer. The 2320 had just come out and I waited about 6 weeks to get one. I couldn't wait as the grass was getting over three feet long around the house and my Simplcity mower was 1000 miles away in Maryland. From my take I didn't really notice all the difference that Duc did. My experiences with tractors had all been with much larger machines so they both felt limiting in my book. I have had 3 different Case 580 backhoe models, a large Cat loader, a Volvo loader an old Hough loader just to start. Against these machines that I was familiar with, both the 2320 and 2520 felt like toys to me. But I have been constantly amazed at all the things I have been able to get done with the 2320. It's a very useful tool and wouldn't be without it. It suits my small farm to a tee and really couldn't ask for anything more. Maybe now that I am more use to the 2320 I would notice all the power difference in the 2520, but really I don't think I need anymore juice.

 

[Chris2520]

apology accepted , Please accept mine.
I never wanted this to turn into a mud slinging match.
I think we all made our points. so lets all get back to being
Friends and enjoying our tractors...

Chris.....

 

[ducati996]

As for my experience with a 2520, I had a loaner for a week as my dealer was so slow getting me my 2320 last summer. The 2320 had just come out and I waited about 6 weeks to get one. I couldn't wait as the grass was getting over three feet long around the house and my Simplcity mower was 1000 miles away in Maryland. From my take I didn't really notice all the difference that Duc did.

This is the first Im hearing that you actually used the 2520 for a period of time (loaner), while your 2320 was on order. We have been debating this subject ad nauseum for quite a while and on different forums, and this is the first time I now hear of it. I truly hope you didnt just mention it as a way to support and validate your opinion, more out of convenience and not out of truth. The difference with what I say is I have two entirely different sales agreements and such with purchase prices, signed etc...with delivery dates for both machines.

Duc

 

[aesanders]

This is the first Im hearing that you actually used the 2520 for a period of time (loaner), while your 2320 was on order. We have been debating this subject ad nauseum for quite a while and on different forums, and this is the first time I now hear of it. I truly hope you didnt just mention it as a way to support and validate your opinion, more out of convenience and not out of truth. The difference with what I say is I have two entirely different sales agreements and such with purchase prices, signed etc...with delivery dates for both machines.

Duc

Duc,

I've always stated that I've used both machines. It's not like weve debated this issue that much.. Call my dealer if you don't believe me. Greensouth Equipment in Gainesville. They are on the web. Talk to any salesman their, as they all know me. I was thinking of buying one prior to the 2320 as the 2320 hadn't been released into production yet. You rmember all the delays. I think we were both one of the first to get a 2320. The delaer had a 2520 that had something like 50 hours on it that had been traded in on something larger and they brought it out for a demo as we hadn't finalzed the deal on the 2320 yet. Also brought one of their rental 3 pt mower that I was able to get the grass and weeds knocked down. This was during the time I was still moving to Florida from Maryland. We actually bought the house in May but did not move in until late August. Unlike the Mid Atlantic where the grass goes dormant in the middle of the heat in Summer, the grass continually grows and grows in Florida. It only got mowed one time in the middle of summer and that was by a 2520.

Anything else you want to know?

 

[ducati996]

the clearly unsubstantiated claims of "night and day" differences between models as close as the 2320 and 2520

This part is noticable between the models, very noticable

the 2520 develops 27% more engine torque than the 2320, at lower speed:
51.3 ft-lbs (2520)
40.3 ft-lbs (2320)

 

[ducati996]

Duc,

I've always stated that I've used both machines. It's not like weve debated this issue that much.. Call my dealer if you don't believe me. Greensouth Equipment in Gainesville. They are on the web. Talk to any salesman their, as they all know me. I was thinking of buying one prior to the 2320 as the 2320 hadn't been released into production yet. You rmember all the delays. I think we were both one of the first to get a 2320. The delaer had a 2520 that had something like 50 hours on it that had been traded in on something larger and they brought it out for a demo as we hadn't finalzed the deal on the 2320 yet. Also brought one of their rental 3 pt mower that I was able to get the grass and weeds knocked down. This was during the time I was still moving to Florida from Maryland. We actually bought the house in May but did not move in until late August. Unlike the Mid Atlantic where the grass goes dormant in the middle of the heat in Summer, the grass continually grows and grows in Florida. It only got mowed one time in the middle of summer and that was by a 2520.

Anything else you want to know?

I dunno what to think now aesanders for example in this thread in post #5
I would have to interpret things much differently, and yet again no mention of a 2520

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=31724

Duc

 

[unreconstructed]

I am not an engineer or tractor techno and cannot speak to the 2520/2320 debate.

I have a 5203 and plan to get my Dad's 1850 Oliver running so I have two tractors for heavier applications. I bought a 2320 to round out the stable and have found I use the thing for doing chores my 57 year old back no longer wants to do (unloading bags of portland cement/ toting stuff around etc etc) in addition to mowing with the belly mower. I usually mow the yard with the LT 133, but on occasion I use the 2320--it does a creditable job.

I think the machine is certainly more than what one might need on 2 acres on technical merits, but if you do a lot of your own work, you will use it more than you think. I have been pushing wheelbarrows and using the shovel and grubbing hoe for years. Worked pretty good when I was 40, but no more.

So my view, whether you go 2320 or 2520, indulge yourself with a CUT. You will have a lot of fun and your knees and back will love you in middle age (and later).

I picked the 2320 over the 2305 for the full cat 1 hitch.

That's my 2 bits. No disrespect intended to any of the previous posters.

g.e. bates

 

[Staghead]

Something else to consider is that if you want to use the 2320/2520 on lawn or anyplace else you don't want "tracks" is the weight difference in the machines. I was told by the dealer that the difference in weight between the 2520 and 2320 is actually more than the spec sheet lists (another "error"?). I thought I remember reading that on here as well in a thread. If you are using it to mow that could be a big deal and may lead you to a 2320. I don't know this for a fact, but you may want to check that further if weight is a concern.

Again my use is as a tractor (the extra weight is probably good) so it wasn't a deciding factor.

 

[aesanders]

I dunno what to think now aesanders for example in this thread in post #5
I would have to interpret things much differently, and yet again no mention of a 2520

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=31724

Duc

Well your a good sleuth Duc, but not that great.

If you re-read that thread posted on MTF in September last year you will realize I said my back 3 acres was no touched during the summer. I have a total of 6.5 acres. My property is split in the middle by a creek bed. The fornt is in pretty good shape with pasture and lawn with some weeds. The back was mostly weeds and brush and I never started messing with it till september last year. I just recently got it planted. Still have a lot of work to do as I am fencing it etc. I never disclosed the fact that I had a neighbor come disc it up for me after I finished ripping out all the brush and trees and boxblades the whole thing removing roots etc. I planted it with a cone spreader I recently purchased and spread pensacola bahia grass on it. Not sure if I ever disclosed that either.

Maybe since in that post I just didn't feel like it was relevent that I had tried out a 2520 earlier in the summer.

Fact is a cannot remeber the dates all that well last year. Sometime in early May i put an offer in on the property I purchased. Sometime in late May I closed on the property. Around that same time I visited Greensouth an told them what I was interested in. I didn't actually move into the house until Lat August, but did make 3-4 trips down during the summer. One of which Greensouth let me try out a 2520.

For your info I also tried out a B2630 and B3030 (not at my house) and couldn't tell much difference in them either.

I tried killing this subject with my apology and even specified that if I tried them longer like you had I might be able to tell the difference like you have.

Maybe you could keep sleuthing and try digging up more dirt.

I dunno Duc, I traced my ancestry back to Georgia in the late 1600's. Maybe you could tell me where they came from in Scotland if you are really good.