2305 and Independent Lift?

[hink10]

Hello everyone,

I just bought a 2305 TLB w/ 62" deck and ballast box. I did not order the independent lift, they wanted $800 installed! At any rate, I have found a new lift kit for $330 and I can install myself. Since I don't have the tractor yet, I can't study the 3 pt and mower lift. I don't see many reasons to have to ind. lift, but did think of one, maybe. I thought about keeping the empty ballast box on while mowing and making an insert that would accommodate my Stihl Kombi system components, backpack blower, etc.

Without the ind. lift, can I keep the ballast box high enough off the ground? I may also consider removing the 3 pt arms when just mowing, long story. I don't believe you can remove the arms and still lift the deck, is that correct?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[kennyd]

Everything you wrote is correct.

 

[hink10]

Everything you wrote is correct.

Just so I'm clear, do you think having the BB on the 3 pt. while mowing will have the box riding too low? $330 doesn't sound too bad for the lift kit, I think retail is around $430. I've heard from some sources they are a pain to install and others say they aren't too bad, 4-5 hours or so. I'm fairly capable so it shouldn't be a big problem to install.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[castiman]

Just so I'm clear, do you think having the BB on the 3 pt. while mowing will have the box riding too low? $330 doesn't sound too bad for the lift kit, I think retail is around $430. I've heard from some sources they are a pain to install and others say they aren't too bad, 4-5 hours or so. I'm fairly capable so it shouldn't be a big problem to install.
Thanks,
Steve

When I had my 2305 after mowing for a short time I decided on getting the independent lift kit, because of the problem of the quick hitch ocassionally hitting the ground. If I had gotten the mower deck with my 2520 I would have added it to that also. I personally like the mower deck independent of the 3 point hitch.

 

[Steveb05]

I have the independent lift on my 2305 TLB. Broke the bolt that held the solid end of the lift cylinder. I had to remove the Left rear tire and section of the backhoe frame to get to it.I don't think it would take more than 2 Hrs. to put a lift on.I'm glad I have the independent lif VS the 3 point lift.

I can have the hoe and loader off roll the mower deck under attach it it and be mowing in a matter of 10 minutes. If I had the 3 point lift i would of had to install the 3 point arms before I could mow.

Also if you plan on using tire chains you may want to look at some spacers on the rear wheels to keep the chains from hitting the line on the independent lift cylinder.

Congrats on the 2305 purchase. You be riding around with a

 

[kennyd]

Just so I'm clear, do you think having the BB on the 3 pt. while mowing will have the box riding too low? $330 doesn't sound too bad for the lift kit, I think retail is around $430. I've heard from some sources they are a pain to install and others say they aren't too bad, 4-5 hours or so. I'm fairly capable so it shouldn't be a big problem to install.
Thanks,
Steve

The BB is for one thing-ballast (weight). If you want to carry stuff around then the best (and much cheaper) alternative is to get a "carry-all" and modify it to hold your Kombi-System.

Having anything on the 3PH without the IL will cause problems...if you really want the BB or carry-all on the I would indeed suggest the IL kit.

 

[hink10]

The BB is for one thing-ballast (weight). If you want to carry stuff around then the best (and much cheaper) alternative is to get a "carry-all" and modify it to hold your Kombi-System.

Having anything on the 3PH without the IL will cause problems...if you really want the BB or carry-all on the I would indeed suggest the IL kit.

I'm getting the BB anyway for use when the BH isn't on. Thought I may dual purpose it. I think I may go ahead and buy the kit for $330, considering the dealer wanted $850 installed, seems like a good deal. Thanks for the help.
Steve

 

[kennyd]

So your going to load and unload ballast into the box? You realize it needs to be 5-600 pounds right?

 

[hink10]

So your going to load and unload ballast into the box? You realize it needs to be 5-600 pounds right?

If I wasn't using the BB for an extended period or if I needed to carry my other gear around, maybe. Just thinking of possible scenarios. Thanks again.
Steve

 

[C-Range]

Hi Hink,

I just wanted to reinforce what Kenny is trying to convey. Proper rear ballast is extremely important. Many people fill them solid with concrete.

With that said, perhaps you could have the best of both worlds by incorporating a carefully thought out landscape rack to the top of the ballast box. Using some PVC pipe sleeves in the BB, you could make it a removable rack. Just keep in mind that you will be having to walk around this contraption so give some thought to keeping things oriented so that you won't end up with a rake tine in your eyeball, not to paint a morbid picture.

But again, heed Kenny's advice. He's watching out for you.

With regard to the Independent Lift, as a former 2305 owner, I had the IL on mine. In retrospect, I personally might have stuck with the mechanical lift for two reasons, 1) the lift cylinder will not hold the deck up, just lift it temporarily. The system depends on a detented cam knob to keep the deck raised, a system which could be better on these machines, and 2) when lowering the deck, if I accidentally (very easy to happen) pushed the SCV all the way out and entered the Regen fuction (rapid loader dump), my deck would bounce up and down wildly because of it. However, I never desired to keep anything on the rear of the machine while mowing like yourself.

I hope this helps.