Mowing JD 2305 Belly Mower

x everything · May 21, 2011

Have a 54" belly mower with a Independent Lift Cylinder. Went I lift the mower up to transport position it will drift down to the lowest set position in a short period of time.
When I stop the machine and come back in about 15 minutes the deck is down.
There are no leaks on the cylinder. Have about 2 hours on this deck.
Is this normal?
Thanks
Chris

GLorman · May 21, 2011

Mine does the same thing. I think I read in another thread that it is normal. My old 420 didn't do it - it's kind of a pain.

bigtiller · May 21, 2011

Yes, unfortunately, it is normal.

kennyd · May 21, 2011

Welcome to the ILLC (independent lift leakdown club)

If you search you'll find tons of threads on this.

KennyG · May 21, 2011

I think the 2305 works the same as the 2320 with the knob for setting the height. If you bring it all the way up and put it on the lock position it will stay there and that's the actual "transport" setting. Using the hydraulic to pop it up when going over obstacles while mowing is handy, but it's not for transport.

jsb2b · May 22, 2011

KennyG said:
I think the 2305 works the same as the 2320 with the knob for setting the height. If you bring it all the way up and put it on the lock position it will stay there and that's the actual "transport" setting. Using the hydraulic to pop it up when going over obstacles while mowing is handy, but it's not for transport.

And the decal's lock position may be off by a couple of degrees. Mine is the line between the highest cutting position and the lock position. The deck will still drop about 1" from maximum up.

x everything · May 23, 2011

I had an X485 and didn't have this problem.

I know now that it is not a problem with the independent lift cylinder as I lifted the deck up and disconnected the hose. Deck didn't move down an inch.
As suggested by a person with knowledge of hydraulic systems and works in that industry we have a defective Selective Control Valve which is allowing hydraulic oil to leak by causing 'drift down' of mower decks, loaders & the 3 pt hitch.
I suppose saying it is 'normal' is a way of not having to deal with the problem.

bigtiller · May 23, 2011

x everything said:
I had an X485 and didn't have this problem.

I know now that it is not a problem with the independent lift cylinder as I lifted the deck up and disconnected the hose. Deck didn't move down an inch.
As suggested by a person with knowledge of hydraulic systems and works in that industry we have a defective Selective Control Valve which is allowing hydraulic oil to leak by causing 'drift down' of mower decks, loaders & the 3 pt hitch.
I suppose saying it is 'normal' is a way of not having to deal with the problem.

There is no problem, it is normal, there is nothing broken to fix. But you are right about the X485 not doing it. Neither did the 400 series before that or the 318 before that.

KennyG · May 23, 2011

I don't think it's a defective SCV because, while the mower deck bleeds down, the loader doesn't . Seems to be unique to the mower lift kit unless it is specific to single acting cylinders. In any event, I don't see it as a problem since I don't need the hydraulic to hold it up when I'm not mowing.