2320 w/ 62d mower issues

Zackwbutler · Oct 7, 2024

Hello all. New tractor owner here. I purchased a used 2011 2320 hst with 670 hours. It came with the 62D mower. Today was my first mow with it. The deck adjustment is all messed up, which I guess is quite common. I’ve read through a ton of threads about this but my situation seems a little unique?

The deck is too low. Specs say the deck should be able to go between 1-6in of cutting height. It doesn’t get lifted high enough to even come close to 6. The highest the deck gets lifted by the 3pt is around 3.5 inches or just under. With the adjustment knob found between the operators legs turned all the way clockwise as far as it will go (lock position) and you lower the 3pt, it will drop down to about 2.5-2.75 inches. This is the highest cutting height possible, and far from the 6” spec’d possible height. Any adjustment of the knob to a lower setting drastically drops the deck. At about the medium setting you could unhook the deck from the mower as if it were in the install position.

Reading around it appears people had luck with adjusting the turnbuckles found on the rear mower deck arms to a shorter length to increase the height the deck is lifted. Mine are adjusted as high as they can go, the extra bolt of the turnbuckle is running into the arm, therefore they can’t be adjusted any shorter. I see no other adjustments possible to lift the deck any higher… what am I missing? Something is wrong here and I need help.

the adjustment knob appears to work somewhat as intended. It will rotate from the install to lock position without issue. It doesn’t get stuck. From my understanding there is a plate at the front of the deck, I believe I included mine in the pictures, which is supposed to prevent contact of the deck and frame. it has been stated that there should be 1/8” minimum between the plate and frame at the highest setting… well as you can see I have inches of space at the highest setting.

Can anyone please help with this?

KennyG · Oct 7, 2024

I have the same tractor/deck. Initially I was able to get close to the full up position using the turnbuckles. After a few years, something happened and I didn't have adjustment left to get to the top position. I'm not sure whether something wore or was bent. I fabricated my own version of the turnbuckles to get a higher lift and I'm now back to close to the required lift range. If I can, I'll try to post some pictures of my current system.

Even when working correctly, this system has some design shortcomings. Specifically, although you may have close to 6 inches of mowing height when in the locked up position, you have a lot less one notch down. That said, with a lot of mowing in 14 years and 1300 hours, I'm relatively happy with it. The 62D deck seems to be bulletproof. I mow some pretty rough lawns and the only repair needed was one belt replacement.

Zackwbutler · Oct 8, 2024

KennyG said:
I have the same tractor/deck. Initially I was able to get close to the full up position using the turnbuckles. After a few years, something happened and I didn't have adjustment left to get to the top position. I'm not sure whether something wore or was bent. I fabricated my own version of the turnbuckles to get a higher lift and I'm now back to close to the required lift range. If I can, I'll try to post some pictures of my current system.

Even when working correctly, this system has some design shortcomings. Specifically, although you may have close to 6 inches of mowing height when in the locked up position, you have a lot less one notch down. That said, with a lot of mowing in 14 years and 1300 hours, I'm relatively happy with it. The 62D deck seems to be bulletproof. I mow some pretty rough lawns and the only repair needed was one belt replacement.

I typically mow around the 3” mark. As long as I can get it close to there I’d be happy. But even with this “all the way up” I barely could get there and it hits everything as I’m driving around since it’s so close to the ground. I’d like to be able to actually get it up and out of the way.

Apparently JD has an updated part for the linkage rod that connects the 3 point to the lifting arm of the deck. Original was a fix length rod while the new part is adjustable in length. This should allow for more adjustment in lifting the deck. I’m going to try one.

KennyG · Oct 8, 2024

Here are some pictures of the original parts and the modified ones I made. I have the independent lift system, not the three point, if that makes any difference.

It was a nuisance to have to do this, but it's worked out OK. This is the only issue I've had with the tractor, other than changing out the engine driveshaft u-joints to make them easier to grease. If you bought the tractor used and don't know if the u-joints were greased regularly, I would suggest checking them very closely. If they let go it's quite expensive.

Zackwbutler · Oct 8, 2024

KennyG said:
Here are some pictures of the original parts and the modified ones I made. I have the independent lift system, not the three point, if that makes any difference.

It was a nuisance to have to do this, but it's worked out OK. This is the only issue I've had with the tractor, other than changing out the engine driveshaft u-joints to make them easier to grease. If you bought the tractor used and don't know if the u-joints were greased regularly, I would suggest checking them very closely. If they let go it's quite expensive.
View attachment 1472968
View attachment 1472969
View attachment 1472970

Thanks! I may go that route. Trying the updated adjustable rod that goes from the 3 point to the deck lift. If that doesn’t work I’ll try some arm fab work. It appears the style you originally had (also what I have) was an updated hook from original.

This is what the original was