[Bill1031]

Well, a couple weeks ago I posted that I had gotten stuck and had to get my truck to get the tractor back up the hill. Ya,ll that posted and told me I was probably in high gear were correct.:thanku: I cut my grass this weekend and had no problems. I will see if I can post a picture of my tractor :greendr: along with a couple shots of my yard and you will see what I call slopes. The 2305 does a good job but I do need to take it slow and I keep it in 4wd for most of the yard. I did read in another post about wheel spacers and they may be something I will look into also. (Will they work with a 54c mower?). I do drop the bucket for the grass cutting, but left the arms on and the hitch. Tires are loaded. Thanks again Bill

 

[smeagol]

Looking good! I mow some pretty steep slopes as well, and from my initial feeling of the loader I wouldnt want it on when I'm mowing - it changes the whole dynamics of the tractor. I would definitiely drop the whole loader assembly off if I was you - I took mine off for the first time yesterday in about 4 minutes or so.

 

[Bill1031]

When the salesman delivered the tractor he made a point to tell me that the arms protect the tractor and should leave them on. He never showed me how to remove the mower deck but pointed what had to be done. I will do that the next time I cut grass just to try it and wash it off. Attaching a couple more pictures because I know everyone loves pictures:thThumbsU .

 

[smeagol]

Wow that is steep - be careful.

I learnt a couple of things the hard way: - as soon as the slope is wet everything changes!, and always stay in 4WD, you've got no braking on the front wheels in 2WD and beleive me even those big old tyres on the back will slide downhill on grass. Also, always go up and down rather than across.

I'd be very interested to see what our more senior members think of :

When the salesman delivered the tractor he made a point to tell me that the arms protect the tractor and should leave them on.

 

[slkpk]

Thanks for the pics is that a Work Saver QH on your tractor? slkpk

 

[JDFANATIC]

Bill,

Glad the range thing was sorted out. The spacers will work with any deck. You should take off the loader (not just the bucket) while you are mowing. You'll quickly get a more stable feel.

 

[x595]

Hi Bill , :Welcome1:

You live on a hill/mountain don't you , I agree with the other posters take
that loader off , :thanku: for the pictures ...

Later,x595

 

[Bill1031]

OK, Thanks JDF, I will take off the loader completely next time. Also I will stop by the local JD dealer Monday and check on those spacers. I am thinking I will do front and back. Any draw backs to that?
Slkpk, I bought the quick hitch on Ebay. I have a tow hitch attachment that fits great with some spacers I got from TS. The ballest box is another story. I need to either grind away part of the metal on the box so it clears the bolts on the top link or maybe try a pin on the lower part of the hook. I am just learning all these little things as I go.
A short story: I bought a zero turn toro before buying this 2305 (some ones expert advise). The hill by the patio, first time I went down that I ended up half way down in the deep grass.
On the JD the first time I went down I was in 2wd and slid almost to the high grass. Slow and 4wd...piece of cake.:thThumbsU

 

[WH401]

It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to leave the loader on. I don't know how you mow the slope in that 4th picture, which looks pretty steep by the way, but I figure you try to go up and down, rather than sideways. That's just a guess though. Anyway, the loader frame will give your more front ballast as I would be worried about it flipping backwards going up and down that slope. Another option would be a few suitcase weights on the front end, just to give you some extra, down low weight for stability ballast.

 

[smeagol]

I just used the ballast calulcator and a 'naked' 2305 - ie. no attachments or iMatch has approx 60/40 balance split between rear and front. Adding a 200cx with no bucket (155 pounds for the bucket) so 500 pounds and and iMatch comes out to a 50/50 distribution. the calculator marginally recommends rear ballast to be added at that stage.

I've gone up and down some really step slopes with my 2305 without anything on it, and I've never felt compromised in any way - different story going across! I have found situations where my rears will break away in grip on grass (especially going downhill) and I certainly wouldnt want to be taking weight off the rears.

 

[Bill1031]

WH401, I only go up in a couple spots and I would never take that part of the yard sideways. Even with a push mower at the steepest point it is hard to walk accross the hill. This week was a learning curve and it took me awhile to cut but I was trying to fiqure out the best way to cut it. I mainly drove around to gravel and then re-engaged the blades and went down the hill. Bill

 

[tripletap]

What are these wheel spacers and exactly what do they do add to the ability of the tractor /

 

[JDFANATIC]

Bill,

I run spacers on my front and rear wheels. Here is a couple of pics of the slope I mow:

tripletap,

The spacers widen the tractor stance by about 1"/side and make it more stable on slopes.

 

[tripletap]

Are they expensive - difficult to install?

 

[Bill1031]

JDF, Your yard is pretty typical of most of my yard except the part by the patio and were the grass is overgrown.It is just not worth doing that part.
My question is that with the spacers and a 54C mower will that hit (Scalp wheels) or not give me much overhang on my deck? Anyone using Spacers on a 54C?
Tripletap, They look simple to install and from what I have read they are under 300.00 for all four. Bill

 

[JDFANATIC]

JDF, Your yard is pretty typical of most of my yard except the part by the patio and were the grass is overgrown.It is just not worth doing that part.
My question is that with the spacers and a 54C mower will that hit (Scalp wheels) or not give me much overhang on my deck? Anyone using Spacers on a 54C?
Tripletap, They look simple to install and from what I have read they are under 300.00 for all four. Bill

Bill,

Good point on the 54" deck. The wheelbase will be 2" wider, so you might measure and see how much clearance/overlap issues there are. You could also upgrade to a 62C. That would cost a few $, but if you do a search, one of our posters here found a shell from a 62C and was able to use the hardware/gearbox from the 54 and adapt it, pretty easily if I remember correctly.

As for that area adjacent to your patio, I would be looking at some different landscaping to make it reasonable: i.e. cutting railroad tie or masonry tiers, rock garden, or some ground cover.

 

[Rodney in VA]

Are they expensive - difficult to install?

tripletap

Here is a thread about the spacers: :fing32:
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=70522&highlight=wheel+spacer+install

 

[Rodney in VA]

Bill1031

Fine looking tractor! Be careful on those slopes. :fing32:

 

[tripletap]

$300 - I'll pass and do my slopes with the hand mowermg:

 

[JDFANATIC]

I just sent Bob Sherwood a pm asking about the fit with the 54" deck.