2520 gettin old. worth fixing?

So here we are, another summer where we are attempting to put up something, doesn't look much like hay this year with the recent drought we're going through here in SE Montana.

The same raking tractor I grew up on we are still using today. '69 JD2520. Today didn't start off so well, I was raking for about 20 minutes, drawbar broke off the tractor sending the rake into the ground and breaking off all 3 hyd hoses on the new rake.. Luckilly was able to get the local fab shop to weld the drawbar, and got what I needed to patch it together.

Called the deere dealer. Drawbars for the 2520 have been discontinued by Deere, A&I had one, so I got it coming as a backup.

Been noticing since last fall when the hydraulics were run low on oil by another raking operator that the steering has had an issue ever since. turns fine to the left, but when turning to the right, it seems to turn part way, then the steering wheel seems to stick, followed by the wheels turning right all by themselves a second later.. It's a strange problem, but only on the RH turns. All the tie rods up front need replacing, the PTO brake is out on the transmission, and the engine (while being overhauled)(gas) is just as gutless as ever and really ticks me off because it's never started well, and never run well.

The tractor is coming up on 50 years old, and I'm wondering if Deere is making parts obsolete now, what are my odds of even being able to get this stuff if I wanted to fix it up? Is it even worth doing at this point? the powershift trans is the only reason anyone likes the tractor, but to pull the 14wheel vermeer rake is quite the challenge for this old girl. I'd like to find another cheap 4630 and send this thing down the road, but I'm not sure if the family would let me... it's kinda become a family relic.

Another option is what would it cost me to replace the gas with a used diesel, fix the pto brake (probably would end up being a trans o/h) and steering issue? I think it would make a prety good tractor after that?

Don't know what to do with it. Ideas?

A JD 2520 gasoline with a powershift trans is a very sought after unit by collectors so I'll state that yes this tractor in question is well worth repairing.

I'm sorry I don't have any useful ideas about your tractor, even though I had a 3010 that had similar steering problems. I ordered a used priority valve online from somewhere in Iowa, and that fixed it. But your comment about your drought in Montana is interesting to me. Here in northeast Texas in years past, we could get our first cutting done and baled without getting much rain on it. The last two years, though, heavy rain has made it almost impossible to make a good, palatable bale because rains keep it from curing properly. After June, the rains quit, and the second and third cuttings may not happen.
Butch

They only made 122 gas powershift 2520.Sounds like yours is tired and you could easily spend the cost of a used 4630 repowering and getting your tractor in top shape.The 219 and 239 diesel motors fit right in but you would still only have 60H.P.and the powershift transmission takes some power.My guess due to low number tractor you could get $5K to $7K the way it sits.2520 diesel power shifts if nice bring $20K/30K plus but repowers bring much less.Put it on YT classified and you will find out.

Read again and with PTO brake and trans tired you would spend more than 4630 would cost.The large frame 1000 PTO tractors have hard time bringing $10K.Make sure it has working and updated A/C as that is over $1000+ to get working and cab is way too hot without.

Sell it as it has a decent value as a collector tractor,even with it's problems.If the rake has enough tongue weight to snap the drawbar,a 2520 isn't the tractor for the job. By the time you locate a 219 0r 239,go through the engine,do a double split to install the engine,fix the pto brake,and probably the pto clutch pack, remove and have the steering valve repaired, have the radiator rodded out or replaced,plus miscellaneous parts,fluids,filters, you could have bought a decent 4430 open station or 4630 with change left over.

I would agree with the others, sell it to a collector and use the money for a different tractor.

If it were me, I think I would just park the 2520 for the time being, and find a 4630 to use. Where the tractor has been in the family a long time, you may just find next winter or maybe two or three years down the line it would be a nice little project to restore and being as rare as it is, it probably will be worth what you put into a restoration. Those tractors are not going down in value. Just something to think about.

A 239 would be a good upgrade, ours dyno's at 70 hp. I would save the tractor, but I am thinking you need a bigger tractor .

I'll be glad to take it off your hands and I won't even charge a disposal fee.

Sell it! What it will bring and what it will cost to
repair it will buy something else.
Look at them on Tractor House.
I don't know about a 4630 fuel hog pulling a rake.
Be sure you find something that doesn't need more
done to it than the 2520.