Looking for 2305 draft arm lock kit

[Joe Gremlin]

Leaf season is upon us and I've decided that its time to buy a leaf vac system for our 2305. My preference would be for a unit that runs off the PTO such as the Trac Vac 854 or something similar.

As luck would have it, I've found a used one for sale locally. I've gone and looked at it. It seems in good shape and asking price is reasonable. But according to the trac vac website, some sort of bypass kit is required to 'lock' the draft arms of the 3-pt and bypass them from the mechanical lift mechanism of for the mower deck.


Trac Vac Model 854, 854-BX, 856 Lawn Vac
There is a picture near the bottom of the page linked above which appears to be a trac vac unit mounted on a 2305 with this kit installed. As you can see in the photo, draft arms aren't attached to the rockshaft arms and a second set of arms appear to connect between the draft arm attach points and the base of the top link. You can also see what appears to be some sort of connecting arm that runs between the left side rockshaft arm and the mower lift mechanism.

I know I could install the mechanical lift bypass kit that allows the SCV valve to control the deck height, but I'd like to avoid going that route if I could.

So is anyone familiar with this kit? I plan to stop by the dealer and see what they can come up with but I figured I'd ask here as well as it might save some aggravation at the dealer if I can provide a part number for the kit I need.

 

[Joe Gremlin]

Finally came up with the solution for this one. Figured I'd post it here in case anyone else runs into the problem later on.

First I called Trac Vac and spoke to a couple people there. I was told they couldn't sell me the kit and that I would have to go to a local dealer to order it. Fine no problem. So I asked for a part number while I had them on the phone so things would go faster at the dealer. Asked me what tractor and I told the guy 2305. He does some looking and says according to his info the 2305 doesn't need any kit.

And that's where the problems started. The 2305 does need a kit. So I go to the local dealer which also happens to be the dealer I bought the tractor from. I go through the same thing with the guy there. No kit listed so it doesn't need a kit. But it does need a kit or else you can't move the deck.

So we run it up the chain of command until we get to the owner. He agrees a kit is required but also can't find one listed anywhere. He takes my number and says give him some time. He called me a few hours later and says he found it. Like everyone else, he couldn't come up with anything for a 2305. So he did the next logical thing and looked for a kit for a 2210. Bingo.

So long story short, if you want a trac vac mounting kit for a 2305, tell the dealer to look up the kit for a 2210. Cost was about $40 and they had it in two days.

 

[kennyd]

Sorry I missed your post Joe, I went through kind of the same thing, but I just ended up making my own setup: https://picasaweb.google.com/113966569709555812037/TracVac854