2510 or 2520? Gas or Diesel? Which Trans. ? etc. etc.

I have spent the last few hours studying the posts on the 2510 and have noticed alot of good remarks about this machine and some refs. to the 2520.

I am looking to all you JD EXPERTS out there to educate me a little further on this model and help me save myself from myself.

Even after reading all the posts on the 2510 and 2520, I still come away a little confused.

What are the main differences between the two?

What is the difference between the two different transmissions offered on these machines and which type trans is better or should I look for. How reliable are the fluid systems (hyd., power steering, etc.)

Is a diesel model better than a gas and how about starting in cold weather?

I guess there are still plenty of parts available for this model and from what I've read, many engine options still available as well. Is this true?

How good is this machine at plowing (dirt farming and pushing snow) and pulling? Has anyone out there broken one? In other words just how tuff are they?

I do tend to be a little rough on equipment at times (I'm trying to quit) but am very fussy about maintaining equipment on a more than regular basis.

I just don't want to spend good money and come away dissapointed as I believe I would with a 1010.

I do believe that you get what you pay for and to quote an eariler post "you can always do a small job with a big machine but not a big job with a small machine."

I apolojize for turning this post into a novel but I'm just trying to make a good decision.

As always, Thank You Very Much for all your expertise and knowledge.

Scott

My Dad has been gone for a year now and we sold all the equipment...except the 2520 and 7ft rotary mower! I use it sparingly at the family farm for mowing a lane and ditchbanks. It always starts right up and runs great. Some day I hope to restore the outside, it needs a coat of paint, otherwise, it runs like the day the dealer delivered it.

One thing about the power shift transmission vs. the synchro range that isn't brought up much (if at all) is the speed of your reverse gears. If you live in a state where you gets lots of snow, a slow reverse is a necessity when using a rear mount snow blower (or you'll be clutching a lot). I have a 4020D with power shift and a 3010D with synchro range. I'd have to use 3rd reverse in the 4020D to go faster then 3010D 1st reverse. My snowblower is about the right size for my 4020D, but my 3010D could handle it if the snow wasn't too deep, but still probably would have to clutch because the reverse is just too fast.

If you don't have to do any slow backing where you need lots of power (engine running at full throttle), then I don't think it would matter a whole lot which transmission you got. As was mentioned, the power shift is not cheap to fix.

to answer your questions, the 2510 and 2520 are basically the same tractor except that the 2520 has a side consol on the right side for the hydraulics and the rock shaft. the 2510 has the rock shaft and the hydraulic levers on the left side of the dash, like the 3010 and 4010.

the 2520 is rated at 60 hp while the 2510 is rated at 54 hp. With the 2520d we are able to drive up the hill on the road in eigth gear while with the 2510g we have to shift down in to sixth gear. that has nothing to do with the horse power of the engines but wether or not it is a gas or diesel. the diesel engine has more hp but is hard to start in the winter unless you have an engine block heater and have it pluged in for a while. the gass engine is easy to start in the winter. at work, both of our yard tractors are gas because of the winter starting.

while i am only familar with the syncro-ranges, the powershift transmision has its advantages and disadvantages. the ps will rob your tractor of two or three hp, it would make a nice loader tractor, and may be handy for other things as well. i personaly like the sr because it is what i am familar with and it takes less hp.

i don't realy know much about how much abuse they can take, but i know that they are easy to maintain and easy to fix. a person who knows what they are doing can have the hood off in less than 10 minutes. the hydraulic and engine oil filters are easy to get to and the dipsticks and oil fill holes are in easy reach.

i think that you will be happy with either the 2510 or 2520 with either a gas or diesel engine. i will say that these tractors are fairly hard to find, and will cost a littly bit more than a 1010 or a 1020.

jared

sorry for the long post.