John Deere 2520 Review
JD 2520
Posted by Art Hebert on 11/16/2013
I had a JD 755 for twenty years. During that time I replaced the battery three times, replaced oil and filters---and that's it. I gained a respect and admiration for the Yanmar engine and the drive train that is top shelf.
So, twenty years later, I went looking for a replacement (the reason won't be mentioned here). I looked briefly at other similar sized tractors, looked longer and harder at Kubota, and decided on the JD. I picked the 2520 because I wanted a specific PTO-driven tool that required 25hp. Otherwise, I probably would have gone with a 2320.
I added the quick mount 5' bucket and the 62D On Ramp deck. It's a nice tractor.
ITEM INFORMATION
Model year: 2011
Date Purchased: 05/20/2011
Number of Hours: 150
REVIEWER'S ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Pros: It starts easily every time I turn the key, it cuts my 2 acres of grass, it drives my wood chipper, and it moves my trailers around.
Cons: I believe the 755 had greater lifting power than this rig. I lived in NH---The Granite State---and I moved a lot of humongous rocks with that machine. We added a porch to our house, including nine granite steps that weighed 600 to 700 lbs apiece, and I put each of them in place with the JD. Quantifying this, with the 755 I could approach a weight of any kind, get under it with the bucket, and the load would either come up with the bucket or the rear tires would come off the ground. The 2520 has NEVER lifted the rear tires off the ground. If the load is too heavy, it just sits there with apparent (to me) hydraulic slippage or leakage going on. One other project worthy of note was when my wife asked me to remove this little rock that was sticking up... I ended up digging a hole that could hide the whole John Deere, and having that "little rock" roll over so I could bury it. The John Deere 755 did everything I ever asked it to do. Two of the quick disconnects for the bucket leak constantly. When I went to the local JD dealer to buy replacements they ordered the wrong ones. I'm living with the leaks. I brought my 2520 to the local dealer once, and without wanting to I was impacted by their head mechanic's preference for big AG tractors... He couldn't be bothered with the "little stuff." I took my tractor home and will live with it as is. I have the independent lift kit, because there are times when I cut with the deck while I have the bucket mounted, and I want to be able to control the bucket (curl) and the deck lift concurrently. The design of the joystick and the additional hydraulic control down by my right heel is impractical and awkward. I've been cutting trees; I deliver the wood to three neighbors, bucket by bucket. At high speed on the road the PTO arms swing back and forth and rub against the inside of the rear tires, and rub rubber off the tires. That's a design flaw. It's been mentioned by many other owners. Living in NC means living with red clay. I cannot dig a hole with this machine. Maybe if I replaced the bucket with one with teeth it would be different.
Type of User: Homeowner 1-10 Acres
Location: United States North Carolina
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REVIEWER'S PHOTOS
