Ty,

The 2520 is an excellent tractor. Not too big and not too small. The hydraulics have sufficient capacity and flow to ensure any implement will be responsive (more so than the 2320, and far more than the 2305). The 2520 is pricey, and if it weren't for you having just 1.5 acres, I would suggest you at least look at the 3x20 tractors. However, the 2520 will handle the tasks you list just fine. Would you be using the FEL for snow removal or a blower?

Cheers

JDFANATIC

Well, I have the similar sized John Deere 2320 on my 6.5 acres. (I also had a background in Idaho farming, owning a Dairy farm north of Burley and Rupert Idaho that we sold a few years back). The 2520 is a really nice machine, and is commonly used by landscapers as it is a great size to haul around and packs the punch to do some bigger jobs, while still being light enough not to destroy current landscaping. I really do not know how large your projects will be, or your friends projects, but for general landscaping this machine equipped with a backhoe is really nice. If you plan on lifting larger object that regular exceed $1000 pounds then the next sice up 3000 series tractors would probably be a better fit. I've lifted well over 1000 pound logs with my 2320, but it starts feeling a bit tippy and unsafe with the large loads. If that was something I did as the norm, then the 3000 series (being that they weigh double what the 2000 series weigh) would be better.

For 1.5 acres, you could actually do well by getting something even smaller such as the 2305 or something on the lines of a Kubota BX 24. Again, I have no idea what type of landscaping you have, but that is exactly what the small subcuts were designed for (small acreage utility and landscaping). I've seen people doing a lot of work with the subcut size machines. It just takes a little longer.

Well I don't have a JD 2520 but I do have a new New Holland TZ25DA and have roughly that same tasks in mind that you mentioned except I do use mine for mowing. Without getting into green, orange and blue debates here is what I found.

Any one of these sub-compact tractors with full cat 1 hitches can do almost any task you ask of them. They have wildly powerful engines, traction that you can't believe and actually
are amazing fuel efficient. In the first 16 hours of operation of my new holland I have used about 5 gallons of diesel.

When buying mine I looked extensively at the 2305 and 2520. I really liked the larger tires, folding rops and smooth yanmar on the 2520. The 1000lbs + on the 3 point hitch and the Front end loader where also very nice. I didn't like that lack of visibility on the loader / bucket though. I also have owned a JD LT for the last 5 years and was pretty sure that I would end up with either a 2305 or 2520.

Well, I didn't. Stopped by the local Kubota / NH dealer and started looking at lots of orange. Price-wise Kubota is a very good value compared to what JD charges although feature wise the JD offered more. Also the BX 2350 doesn't really match up with the 2520 (although a larger B series does).

I ended up with a New Holland because the ergonomics are great, the loader / bucket you can see, it has more capacity then the comparable BX2350 / JD2302 but still isn't quite a large as the 2520. I did look at the NH TC26DA which is a little bigger than the 2520 but just was too big for my needs. I also liked the New Holland's sensitrak (automatic 4 wd), 25 HP engine that was smoother / quieter IMO and also
for me the mower deck was hands down nicer than the green and orange equivalents.

The deal sealer for me was the 0% for 60 months that New Holland had in June. These things are not cheap so every little bit helps. I also didn't have the greatest experience at the JD dealership and the dealer I bought my New Holland from was amazing.

Regardless of what you buy, make sure YOU get WHAT you WANT... Given that your going to probably spend $14000 or so; if your wife's like mine, you'll not be getting another one next year!!

Also check out www.tractorbynet.com as they are another great resource.

I've linked in a pic of my tractor

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:335601}}

nhtzer,

I think Ty is looking for a bigger tractor than a subcut. While your Boomer is a nice subcut and I'm sure could handle all a 1.5 acre yard can throw at it, there is a lot of difference between the 2520 and the TZ25. Since Ty already has a great mowing machine (425), I suggest he go as big as he can/wants.

Cheers

JDFANATIC

Thanks for everyone's input. I appreciate everyone taking the time to make sure I get exactly what I think I am getting. I know that for 1.5 acres I could probably make do with something smaller but I am interested in something that can do "regular tractor type chores" efficiently (if that makes since). However, it needs to not be so big that I can't navigate it in the back yard with ease. The other thing that I am considering is that my wife and I own a larger lot (about 6 acres) in Idaho and my wife would like to move back to good old Idaho within the next 3 years (before our daughter starts school) if I can work out the career details to make it happen. Of course if/when this happens I would want a little bigger tractor than a subcut. Thanks again for all your help, Ty

Ty,

If you are looking at the move anyway, then I would make the correct purchase once and not buy too small. I play with tons of Deere products (buddy owns the store, so I can't offer any advise on the other makers), and given everything you mentioned, I would be looking at the 3000 series, quick response, nimble, well refined and if you want my recommendation, I like the 3520 or 3720 because you can really feel the power in the turbo when you need to get nasty with a chore.