[t613]

Hey all, new to this site...not yet a Deere owner. Working with a local dealer for a 2520, 2720 and a slim chance at a 3320. Momma said I could get whatever I wanted!

Initially wanted the 2520, but don't want to regret not getting the extra snort of the 2720. Noticed the frame (under the engine) and drive shafts are a little beefier on the bigger brother, too.

Anybody have experience with both, back to back? Short of differences mentioned, and 100 extra pounds, any other significant differences? Noticeable HP gain on the 3720?

Bought 2 acres that will need to be cleared, house built, then need the machine for maintenance/upkeep/mowing. Not real hilly, but some slope to it.

Thanks for all of the (anticipated) help!

Tim

 

[Brian]

Welcome to Deere Talk.

If I follow you, you are looking at a 2520 or 2720 but maybe a 3320 or 3720?

There is a lot of difference between the 2720 and 3720 in size and capabilities.

What will you be using it for?

 

[RandyM]

I have a big WELCOME for you. We are looking forward to learn from you as well. I am sorry I really have no experience with the 2720 or 3720. But I do have the 2520 and I can tell you this that moving up from lawn tractors was a big jump for me. The 2520 has never ceased to amaze me in what it is capable of doing. My big suggestion here is to sit on them and try them out if at all possible. Keep us up to date with what you decide. And we will want to see it. Again, welcome to the fun.:good2:

 

[t613]

Welcome to Deere Talk.

If I follow you, you are looking at a 2520 or 2720 but maybe a 3320 or 3720?

There is a lot of difference between the 2720 and 3720 in size and capabilities.

What will you be using it for?

As stated in the OP, to help clear a 2 acre lot, dragging trees, moving dirt/rocks. After the house is built, I'll be doing land/lawn upkeep/mowing/maintenance. Pretty much decided on a 2520 or 2720. Was KIND OF looking at the 3320, but that sure is a lot of tractor for 2 acres... I do like the ability of the extra hydraulic connections for the 4-in-1 bucket and grapplers, but don't think it'll pay off in the long run.

Was really wondering if the 2720 is that noticeably better (more powerful) than the 2520 for the extra $1700.

Thanks again!

Glad to be here, glad I found you all online! :drinks:

Tim

 

[RandyM]

OK sounds like you are narrowing it down. I would agree with you and Brian, the 3000 series frames are quite a step up from the 2000's. I too could not see myself going to the 3000 series for my 2.8 acres. I ended up with the 2520 just before the 2720 came out, March of 2008. I probable would have went with the 2720 had I been aware of it. But, I will tell you this, there is not a day I regret my purchase. OK, I have pondered the upgrade, but still can not convince my self it will be worth the financial hit to do so. You will be amazed at what these little machines can do. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Brian]

When I built our home, we owned 1 acre and farmed the other 19. I purchased a 4110 (20 hp) with a 60 inch deck and a 410 loader. I used it everywhere to build the house. It was too small in my opinion for the tasks I needed it for. I did not have forks or good tools for the loader at the time. About the time we were done with the house, our farm lawn mower but the dust and I put the 4110 at the farm and bought a 445 and an open station 3720. The difference was night and day.

I was able to load up the bucket and move wet sand without any problems and I was able to dig in the clay type soil we had. I also had a light lawn mower to do the lighter tasks. About that time we stopped farming the land behind the home and started planting trees. I purchased the 5203, sold the open station 3720 and bought a cabbed 3720. :unknown: Now that the trees are done, the 5203 lives at the farm. Recently, I sold the 3720 cabbed model for a 4520 cabbed model. Again, night and day differences in what I can do with the tractor.

My point in telling you all of this is so that you don't do what I did. I purchased to small of a machine. I think a 3720 is a bit large to mow with, but Nuru here does it on 1 acre of lawn (in his cab) and loves it!

My suggestion is to really look and search for the uses. Will you need to unload pallets from your truck, lift heavy materials to your roof, or move piles or soil around? Purchase now what you will need 3-5 years down the road and save some money. The difference in cost from a 2720 to a 3320 is minimal.

If you do look at a 3x20 series, check out a rear 3 point finish mower that is rear discharge.

I also agree with Randy, these little tractors can do a lot of work!

 

[Jer]

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS buy a little bit more than you think you'll need - if it's reasonable financially.

I don't know much about the 3x20's or 2000's, but I agree that if you want to move pallets or dirt, dig, etc, go with the 3x20, especially if they are not a whole lot more to buy.

The 2 acre yard could likely be well served by a 2000, but the house building, that's what makes me say 3000 series.

Also, it sounds like you're planning on this being an all-in-one machine - lawn mowing to loader work - plan your tire choice carefully. R1's will definitely chew up lawn grass, but R4's will spin in snow and mud. I ended up with R1's and R3's (turfs, found 'em on ebay for 900$ brand new). The R1's sure do the job in the wintertime.

Just my thoughts.

-Jer.

 

[eepete]

Also remember that just because you have a utility tractor, it doesn't mean you can't contract out some of the work. Two days with a track loader with a four way bucket would clear a lot of land. You can then go in and do a lot of fine finish work with your utility tractor.

So if you think that you might want a bigger machine for 5% of the work, remember you can contract that work out for less than the price difference between the two models.

Just to get a feel for this, find out what a track loader cost for a day in your area. Then figure out the difference in price between a 3320 and a 3720. That will let you see how much "big equipment" time you could buy for those once in a lifetime tasks.

When we built our house, I still had a backhoe come in for some of the work even though I have a small 21HP backhoe. It could do in a half a day what would take me 4 days. I just paid for the dig, I could do the back fill and tidying up with my FEL.

Pete

 

[t613]

Hey all, new to this site...not yet a Deere owner. Working with a local dealer for a 2520, 2720 and a slim chance at a 3320. Momma said I could get whatever I wanted!

Initially wanted the 2520, but don't want to regret not getting the extra snort of the 2720. Noticed the frame (under the engine) and drive shafts are a little beefier on the bigger brother, too.

Anybody have experience with both, back to back? Short of differences mentioned, and 100 extra pounds, any other significant differences? Noticeable HP gain on the 3720?

Bought 2 acres that will need to be cleared, house built, then need the machine for maintenance/upkeep/mowing. Not real hilly, but some slope to it.

Thanks for all of the (anticipated) help!

Tim

WHOA!!!! BAD place for a typo! What I MEANT to say was, " Noticeable HP gain from the 2520 to the 2720, not the 3720! Oops, sorry for the confusion!

I'm pretty confident that the 2x20 series will do me fine, wasn't sure about the perceived benefits stepping to the 2720 from the 2520.

Sorry again, but thanks for all of the great replies!

Tim

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Was KIND OF looking at the 3320, but that sure is a lot of tractor for 2 acres...

Nah, I've got a hair over 2 acres and I use the 3520 Cab for just utility work and I have a F935 for mowing. Would I buy a 4x20 Cab next go round? Possibly...but truthfullly my perfect machine would be a Green 110 with the nice cab.

PERSONALLY i'm not a fan of using anything larger then a 2x20 for mowing...even with a 2x20 I think your probably better off spending the money you'd spend on the deck and related hardware and bargaining with your dealer for a 2 tractor setup....Thats just me.

Sounds like you got some heavy chores ahead....I look at it this way. You can clear brush with a HUGE Pro-Grade Chainsaw AND Cut Big Trees. BUT with a small electric chainsaw, you are pretty much limited as to what you can do. 3320 w/300cx would be just a few bucks more (possibly cheaper if you already have a mowing machine) and do alot of work for you.

 

[glc]

Hello t613 and welcome to Deere Talk
IMO,and I guess I'm being a little partial,but I think the 2520 would be just fine,but if you could go the few extra, I would get the 2720. You can't go wrong with either one. I don't regret getting the 25,and it is constantly surprising me with its abilities! :thumbup1gif:


Greg

 

[t613]

Thanks!

Guys,

Thanks for all of the great replies sharing your experiences with these green rigs.

I think I have pretty well decided on the 2720. The 2520 looks like an awesome machine and would jump on it and never look back...but with the availability of the 2720, it has my interest.

For 10% more $, the 2720 has a few extra ponies, an extra 100 lbs of built-in ballast, and a beefier frame (plates under engine anyway) and beefier drive shafts/drive train. Hopefully a better resale, should that day ever come...

It all stems back to this crazy instinct that bigger is better (to a point anyway!).

Again, Thank you all for your experiences and welcomes. I'll be back here a lot more often once I get it home! I'll let you know how it goes.

Tim

 

[t613]

Tires?

Hey all, Another quick question, if you don't mind...Anyone have their tires filled? Is it worth it? Will have the FEL on the new one. Dealer says about 600 lbs. extra with filled tires. Anyone feel it's a must have or not really an issue?

Would like to have it done before I pick it up if I go that way.

Thanks again for all of your input!

Tim

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I'm personally not a fan of filled tires on any tractor....If you'd like some "permanent" weight back there I'd suggest looking into Iron Wheel weights. Little more pricey up front, but no chance of puncturing a tire and losing my iron :laugh:

 

[Brian]

Since you will be using this to mow with, I would do Iron weights so you can remove it and add when needed..

Maybe someone else mows with filled tires?

 

[RandyM]

I like my ballast box, easy on, easy off. They are correct, you will not want the weight for mowing.

 

[Jer]

I have fluid in my tires, but I don't mow pretty lawns with mine. I don't have iron weights. When I added the fluid it did make a lot of difference when lifting round bales, etc. I did take one of the rears off last fall to get to my fender switches, and it was a bugger to move around and re-mount, but manageable. It is true that if I have a puncture my 'weight' will dribble all over the ground.....

I recently got some turf tires for the summer, because I do aerate and spread fertilizer with my tractor. I think I am going to put fluid in them, as I will still have to do a some heavy loader work with it. I'll let y'all know how it goes.

You gotta have the weight somewhere. When I'm lifting heavy - round bales, pallets, bundles of posts, etc - I have my BB or a heavy implement (ie my flail mower) and the fluid in the tires. The more weight you have behind the rear axle (ie BB or implement), the healthier it is for your front axle.

-Jer.

 

[mjncad]

Since you are in central Connecticut, you will have snow to deal with and I don't know if you can get a factory cab on a 2000 series rig. I'd go with the 3000 series and a smaller lawn tractor for the mowing duties. Even if its just 2-acres, you'll be surprised at just how much more you can do with a rig that has the grunt to do things a 2000 series tractor can't do efficiently. I like my 26HP 4200; but I wish I would have gotten the 4400 instead. More snort and not much bigger in size.

Plus, you can contract yourself out to NYC helping to remove snow and parked cars. :laugh:

 

[t613]

The deed is done

I have an open purchase order in with a local dealer for a 2011 JD 2720 with the 200CX loader and a Frontier standard duty blade.

Everything is in stock, they just need time to assemble and prep. Sales guy told me should be by next weekend!

Thank you all for your great input and experiences, it was a tough decision!

Come on next weekend!!!

Tim

 

[Kennyd]

I have an open purchase order in with a local dealer for a 2011 JD 2720 with the 200CX loader and a Frontier standard duty blade.

Everything is in stock, they just need time to assemble and prep. Sales guy told me should be by next weekend!

Thank you all for your great input and experiences, it was a tough decision!

Come on next weekend!!!

Tim

Congratulations :lol: