Mowing 62C mower deck won't lift or drop

[chipsndust]

The turnbuckles I'm talking about isn't the single one on the right lift arm that controls left, right tilt, but there is another set (both sides) that control the left right 'sway'. If these aren't adjusted right, the 'tab' that's supposed to lay over the left lift arm won't and the mower won't go anywhere.

I'm with Orlo on this one, found out when I removed the "spreader bar" that came with the tractor.
This is explained in the Mower Deck Attaching Kit Installation Instructions. (LVU14819 C3)
The "tab" Orlo mentioned is called the bellcrank. It's an upside-down "L" shaped part that sits on top of the left draft arm of the 3-point hitch (3PH). You need a spreader bar or 24" draw bar to keep the left and right draft arms spread apart. Also need to adjust the 3PH using the turnbuckles on the left and right draft arms such that when you raise the 3PH, the left draft arm makes contact (comes up under) the bellcrank. If this is not adjusted properly, the left draft arm will pass by the bellcrank and the deck will not lift.

 

[gtrman]

howdy folks ... I found this thread and read it with great interest, as I too am having problems with the 62C Mid-Mount Mower on my 2305 Deere.
Has any other 2305 owner had problems with their 62 Mid-mount Mower not raising?
My mower deck started raising really slowly, as if the hydraulics were struggling. (The hydro fluid level is fine on the tractor, and the 3-point hitch raises and lowers flawlessly.) The deck finally "froze"; would not raise at all ... and the 2305 made a trip to the dealer, who blamed the problem on debris (dirt & grass) around the height control knob.
Now, the tractor is back, and still struggling to get the deck up. So, I'm sure it's just a matter of time before it's stuck again.
This dealer does not seem to be very thorough or competent in solving service issues. I am really tired of hearing that everything is "up to spec", when it obviously is not. The only way mine could be "up to spec" is if the 2305 is not supposed to effectively raise and lower the mower deck!
I noted all the discussion about the 3-point hitch in this thread; and I admit that I am confused about the relevance of the 3-point hitch adjustments/settings in relation to the Mid-Mounted Mower deck.(?)
So, thanks in advance for any further clarification of that 3-point hitch info; or any more input about height control solutions for the 2305/62c combination.

 

[megotatractor]

let me throw this in... when my 2210 was new (same setup as 2305) my 62c would get stuck in the full raised position when I put the height adjust wheel in LOCK. this was I suspected due to a burr on the cam that is underneath and you can't harly see, and my height wheel would not turn and I could not raise or lower the deck. what I had to do was to take hold of the left side of the deck with one hand and rock it while trying to turn the height knob with the other. while the knob may not necesarily be showing LOCK on the sticker is your showing "5" or higher? cause that sticker isn't real accurate. this was a break in problem on mine and after the first few months of ownership and some leveling adjustments to the deck the problem went away.

 

[stuarth]

Anyone wanting to trade the 62 deck for a 54 deck I would be the one to ask. The 54 is lighter and I am told my new Protero grass catcher & blower would fit with the 62 deck better than the 54 I have. My 2305 has 25 hours and has mostly been used for FEL work. Two cuts with the deck so far and I have only an half acre.

 

[gtrman]

I have not experienced any problem with the mower deck getting stuck in the "full up" position. The problem has been getting it to raise to the full up position in the first place.
I don't want to get rid of the 62C deck; because it mows like a dream ... I just have to figure out why my 2305 is struggling to pick it up.

 

[orlo]

Hi:

Other than the height adjustment knob sometimes being a little bit hard to turn, I've had no problems. Is your max height adjustment possibly out of adjustment (The bars would hit the stops underneath the 2305.).

Not much should stop it from raising, the 3pt hitch has enough force to bend deck components if they are out of adjustment so 'debris' shouldn't stop it from raising.

 

[gtrman]

The "bars" don't come anywhere near the frame stops. At this time, when the mid-mount mower is as high as it will go, the bars are at least an inch away from the frame stops.
I don't pretend to understand the inner workings of the height control knob, and it is really concealed from view. I can't help but wonder if there is some flaw there that is fighting the deck when it is trying to raise?
If that's not it, it really acts like that particular hydraulic function is weak.
The 3-point hitch on the rear works fine ... I have been using a rotary tiller there, and it raises and lowers with ease. But, the tractor really struggles to raise the mid-mounted mower deck.

 

[megotatractor]

I am suspecting Orlo is on to something, sounds like maybe that the push rod which connects the L shaped paddle in the rear to the mower lift mechanism may need to be lengthened a bit. adjust this very carefully or damage may result.

 

[gtrman]

thanks guys.
can you detail the location of that "pushrod" and "paddle" a little more, so I will have a good idea where to look for that?
and also the location of the "bellcrank" mentioned earlier?

 

[megotatractor]

does the 2305 have the hyrdraulic control knob on the front of the seat just above the height adjust knob?? Is it possible this valve is closed or nearly closed? this would cause the deck to rise and drop VERY slowly. this is used when you use a roto tiller to keep it from dropping too fast. If you forget to open it again when you drop the tiller off then the arms and the deck will not hardly lower. if this valve is closed the rear arms will not raise either.