Power Vac Bagger weight compensation - counterweight, spring kit, or bar leveler?

[CarlSpackler 0]

Hello, I recently picked up a power bagger recently for my 520-H. It was mostly complete but it was missing the deck mounted counter weight listed on the parts diagram for it. I've read through a number of posts and comments in various places and saw that there are actually 3 different "solutions" for the weight of the vac blower possibly making the deck uneven:

 

1. Deck mounted counter weight : Toro 98-3096 WEIGHT 

2. Deck bar leveler :  Toro 92-0981 Bar-Leveler

3. Spring kit: Toro Spring kit 94-1592 (or other DIY spring/cable tension)

 

I can't seem to find that specific deck counterweight though could find a makeshift weight. The bar leveler looks to be available on the auction site for about a bill which is more than I was hoping to spend on this solution. The Spring Kit doesn't look available anywhere but I could certainly rig up a spring or cable tension system like it. My question is which of the 3 solutions actually works the best? Is one solution just way better than the other or are they all about the same effectiveness? Is the bar leveler so good and hassle free that it's worth picking up at a higher price than the other two?

 

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

88' 520-H with 48" deck

79310 - Toro 48" Vacuum Bagger (I know it says for the Xi, guy I got it from said he ran it on his 520-H no issue, though I wasn't going to get it mounted it before the end of mowing this season so I haven't checked everything yet on fit.)

 

 

[grinchsr 626]

I have one of those weights if you decide to go that route.  

[cleat 5,910]

I use the spring.

That said, once the deck is running in operating position with the rear wheels on the ground is really makes no difference.

 

The spring or weight just helps it lift more evenly.

 

[CarlSpackler 0]

> That said, once the deck is running in operating position with the rear wheels on the ground is really makes no difference.  

 

I had heard of people complaining about uneven cutting due to the imbalanced weight with the blower. 

  

  

>  I have one of those weights if you decide to go that route.    

 

What would that cost and how much would shipping be to Cincinnati? Seems like it would be more than a couple of stamps.