HDS2165 Deck Springs for raising/lowering

[bcormel]

I just finished rebuilding my Cub Cadet HDS2165 - with a 48" Deck. The deck lowering and raising system has 2 sets of springs to balance the lifting handle user strength load - one is on the handle itself - which is adjustable, and 2 springs that connect to the deck on one end and to tensioning handles/levers on the other. The issue i am having is the 2 on the deck dont allow the deck to drop all the way down. It floats on the springs instead of dropping to wheels on the ground. And other than you have to put those connection handles under the frame at the rear end to lock them, there is no adjustment. Am i missing something? Any advice would be great.

[jsoluna]

You are not missing anything. The 48" deck is not quite heavy enough to overcome the springs at full extension (when deck is near the ground).

The springs are there to provide assistance to the deck lift system that is not robust enough to really handle the shock loading of the larger decks. You can remove one of the springs to help you get the deck closer to the height you want, but I would advise that you take care not to drive the machine and let the weight of the deck bounce against the lift handle mechanism. You could also try some different springs with less tension.

In short, it's a design flaw. The 48" is not as heavy as the 54", so the 54" will drop to the ground fine with the springs at full extension.

[bcormel]

Thank you.
Makes sense. Not that they used the same springs for the 54" and the 48", but it makes sense. The odds of finding springs that will work properly are close to zero. I could take one off. Or maybe i just make a minor metal clip or use some kind of metal rings, or a chain master link to extend the "spring lengths" a little bit. That might also work.

[jsoluna]

It looks like Cub used the heavier spring on models that were produced even before the 54" was available, which is probably what you have there. I don't think the 54" was even an option in that year.

The light duty spring was meant for the 46 and 44, but after browsing multiple models, it appears the 48 could have been equipped on tractors that came with either spring.

I see a description for the light spring that calls out the specs, you may be able to compare to what you have and see which spring set is installed:

1.0 OD x 6.42 Lg, 43 Coils

[bcormel]

Mine are the .91" OD x 7.33 Lg, 45 Coils. Though i measure 46 coils. So i have the heavy springs (732-3126 or 932-3126). $30 a spring for the light duty springs (732-3120A). Not cheap. I'll try a slight extension to the spring or remove a spring and see how either of those works out. I'll let you know.

[Radioguy41]

Doesn't that lift handle have an adjustable helper spring (#19) on each side of the frame behind the rear wheels? If those springs are too tight they won't let the deck go all the way down.

[Ozcub]

I am a little perplexed as I cannot see any springs that are involved in any deck operation apart from removing the weight from the deck handle when adjusting the deck height on my GT2550
These springs can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of weight/resistance on the deck lift handle

Oz