Comparison 2320 Independent Lift

[chevy]

For those that have the independent lift for the mower deck on the 2320.
Does it work well?
How hard was it to install?
Are you using the diverter valve?

 

[texas42]

I have the independent lift kit
It was installed by the dealer when i purchased the tractor/mower
I do not have the diverter valve.
It works fine for me. Just one hose to change out to switch between dump/curl the loader bucket and raise/lower the mower.
Some on here have had troubles with the independent lift kit, but mine works good and returns to the preset mowing height every time.

 

[KennyG]

Mine was installed by the dealer, but it looks pretty simple. I had to re-route the hydraulic line to get it away from the mower deck uplimit stop. I don't have the diverter valve either, but I don't see much advantage to it. I don't like to mow with the loader on anyway. I have enough trouble keeping the loader away from obstacles without the complication of mowing at the same time. :laughing:

 

[pdp11]

I have a 2520 with independent lift and a diverter valve. Both were installed by the dealer. However the deck lift was never adjusted properly, and the diverter valve hoses were routed in such a way as to cause the 3PH lift arm to break one of the hoses off at the fitting of the valve.

After the diverter valve hose was replaced and rerouted, and I readjusted the entire deck lift and rerouted the hoses for it, I've had no further problems. While I usually take the FEL off before mowing, I do like the idea of leaving the deck lift hoses connected all the time.

If you ever attach the FEL and then realize that you forgot to lift the deck all the way up, that's when you appreciate the diverter valve. There are times when I do use both the FEL and MMM in the course of a single task, and it's nice to not keep switching hoses. However, I'm not sure the convenience is really worth the cost of the diverter valve.

 

[revitupfaster]

I have 2520, and was very confused before I made my purchase whether or not to go with the independent lift, primarily, because I had never heard of it before and didn't understand exactly how it worked, or what advantage it would be to me. One particular salesman was quite adamant that "it was the only way to go" and suggested that I really should add it. Yea....great idea for him, pushed up the price of the sale.

After a lot of research on it, and finally understanding the differences between the independent lift and the mechanical 3pth lift, I didn't get it and opted stay with the mechanical lift for the MMM. I wanted to be able to have the use of the loader, and the MMM at the same time, in some instances.

If you get the independent lift for the mower, then in order to use all the functionality of the attached loader, you either need to switch out one of the hoses, or go to more expense, and add the diverter valve. Using the mechanical mower lift that works off the 3pth lets you have full control of both loader and deck height at the same time without having to change any hoses or even switch out a diverter valve.

Granted, this way, the 3pth is now moving up and down with the deck but I thought "how many times would I want to use a rear implement along with the mower......in my case never. I currently only use a ballast box on the rear, either with the loader, or when I have my front blade on, when snowplowing. If I ever plan on ever using a 3pth implement, I don't think I would want the mower deck on at the same time anyway, so that would completely free up the 3pth.

I don't see any tangible advantage to having the independent lift, and for me, in Canada, it wasn't an inexpensive option, once I added the diverter valve along with the lift kit. Switching out a hose connection every time I wanted to use the loader with the deck on, even though not a big deal, didn't appeal to me. I'm sure glad I did my homework on it and didn't just go along with that first salesman's advice. The more I think about it, I don't see how the independent lift would be that much advantage to anyone, when you consider the added cost involved.


REV

 

[chevy]

Thank you for the replies.
They are helpful.

The reason I am considering the independent lift is because I have a large tow behind Trac Vac collector. Because of it's size I have hook it to a hitch bar on the 3 point. It is a problem having the hitch go up & down with the collector hooked up.

I use the loader with pallet forks a lot to unload & move lumber. In the summer that means the loader & mower deck are on at the same time, so if I get the independent lift, the diverter valve would be a must.

 

[Jriffe108]

I have a 2320 with both the independent lift and diverter valve. Love the options. Never had a problem with either and they work great.

 

[castiman]

I had the independent deck lift kit on my 2305, didn't have the diverter valve only because I didn't have a loader, now you can freely use your 3 point hitch without your mower deck running on the ground, or if you have a I match on your 3 point hitch having that nearly hitting the ground when mowing. Dealer installed, but it doesn't look hard to do yourself. Only thing when locking the deck up to it's highest point it will creep down about a inch. Check with your dealer.

 

[TripleR]

We had a lot of trouble with the dealer installed independent lift on ours. Several trips back to the dealer and about $1000 later, it works, but we don't really like it, it still leaks down after a while.

 

[KennyG]

We had a lot of trouble with the dealer installed independent lift on ours. Several trips back to the dealer and about $1000 later, it works, but we don't really like it, it still leaks down after a while.

There seems to be a lot of confusion over these lift kits (and I may be the one that is confused.) My dealer seemed to think the lift kit would control the deck height while in use, but it really doesn't. It will definitely leak down. That's why you have the lock position on the deck height setting knob. When you aren't using the deck, you lock it up and it doesn't move.

Mowing height is set with the knob and you only use the lift while mowing to pull up over rough spots or when transporting a short distance.

Although the mowing height setting knob doesn't quite give you the 2" to 6" range advertised, when the lift links are properly adjusted it gives you an adequate range. Once I got mine adjusted correctly, I've been very happy with deck.