Mowing 413 Rotary Mower on a 2305 Subcompact

[C-Range]

Thanks for the reminder, Labrat, I noticed the shaft looked fully collapsed when the deck was lifted. I'll check it again carefully once I get everything reconfigured correctly.

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On a separate note, I'm also concerned about the fact that the 2305 has no belly shield. I'm planning to cut down some pretty nasty brush with this mower, not just tall grass. We have some tree seedlings about 1/2" diameter in the path of destruction. I guess I'll have to back up and lower down onto them, otherwise my hydraulic oil filter is a prime target for anything passing under the tractor. I can't understand why JD didn't put a belly pan under there, at least where the filter is anyway. Even my old 318 has one.

 

[JiminGa]

I've seen posts where some folks have built skid plates for these tractors, if you don't have a mid mount mower that's probably a good idea. my only concern would be to make sure you still have good air flow because of that goofy plastic fan for trans cooling.

 

[Willl]

What I learned when shopping for a RC a while back was to get the biggest the tractor could pick up via 3pt. As long as your not doing wheelies, your OK.

Sounds like your there.

 

[Willl]

get the biggest the tractor could pick up via 3pt.

What I mean is, you'll hit lift capacity before you'll hit HP capacity. Make sense ?

 

[C-Range]

I do have a 54" MMM, Jim, though I wasn't planning to have to use it as underwear. I have the mulching kit installed under it and it's not the most robust assembly of parts but rather just rotation molded polypropylene balloons held in place with a few winged locknuts on carriage bolts (I was a little disappointed with its construction upon installation last year, especially for the ~$200).

In fact, I'm afraid to remove the kit because the carriage bolt's anti-rotation lugs engage against molded pockets in the plastic balloons, a very poor design if you ask me. I'm now remembering that some of them did spin in the pockets during installation and it wasn't fun finishing the job. I think I had to press the carriage head firmly against one side while tightening the wing nut. (see image) But that's a subject for another topic.

I have a good size piece of galvanized sheet metal lying around. Maybe I'll whip up at belly pan of my own.

 

[C-Range]

What I mean is, you'll hit lift capacity before you'll hit HP capacity. Make sense ?

Gotcha Willl. I think I managed to nail that one. My steering wheel is as easy to turn as any 1970's Chrysler with that mower hanging off the back though I've yet to see how well the tractor cranks the mower.

Right now, I'm going through the mower with a fine tooth comb and checking everything out. I'll definitely be getting some new blades at the very least. Some nitwit in the past sharpened them with a belt sander from the bottom of the deck so the bevel is all screwed up and of course they are as dull as a Joe Biden press conference.

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Back to my original question, the 413 rotary mower requires 14.5 to75 HP (at the PTO) to run. I bought an owners manual and it just came in the mail.

 

[JCB]

En,

Got it. Three is the floppy link I was talking about. It costs an extra bolt, but put bolt 1 through 8 and 3 only. Then another bolt through 2, 3, and 4 only. Moving link #3 (plates really) between 2 and 8 still give you some flex for mowing rough terrain and the front stays rigid so you can easily hook up with a quick hitch. Without a quick hitch, you probably still want link 3 up front for your top link.

Life is easier with a quick hitch.

Correction: Life is easier - a year later once you've modified all your equipment - with a quick hitch.

Joe

 

[C-Range]

OOOOOOOOh, I get it. Thanks a lot for taking the time to clarify, Joe. That makes a lot of sense and I will definitely keep it in mind.

I was looking again at a quick hitch the other day but at ~$230-250, it just doesn't rank at the top of the list right now. A landscape rake is next up and won't come a moment too soon after the 'bleep bleep bleep of a bleeping' winter we had this year in my area. Heck, we still have snow in our yard that just won't go away.

Then I need to sell my single axle trailer for a dual with brakes. It's 14ft long and still too short for the 2305 with the 413 on back. Oh, and then comes a bigger truck to pull said trailer, etc etc etc.

...All this to wipe out some poison ivy so m'lady can take walks in the woods...Ah the selfless sacrifices we men make for our women. See, it's because of THEM that we have to buy all this tractor equipment!