NEW 2610!

[SwampKing]

I took the plunge, traded my 2310 for a 2610. It should arrive this week, I'll post some pictures and first impressions when I get the chance.

I loved my 2310 and am psyched about a new and improved tractor, can't wait to get it dirty!

[northwoodpower]

Congrads on the new tractor! You should be happy with the new features.

[SwampKing]

Thanks Rick, I am very happy with the new features, which I will now attempt to cover for those that are curious. I have attached some pics of the features described. Also the loader and backhoe are the new models but I haven't used them yet-so no report. I will say that the backhoe now has a third hydro line which is a direct return to the sump, presumably for faster operation.

Starting from front to back as compared to my 2005 GC2310:

FRONT END
-New brush guard design, with spring loaded pin similar to those on those on the MMM. The guard now has a built-in stop so it can't travel too far forward when you drop it to open the hood.
-New grille and headlight design, 4 headlights instead of 2.
-New hood design does away with the wrap around trim and gray plastic side vents. Also when the hood is open it has a rod to hold it in place just like some car hoods.
-Engine appears to be the same Iseki (E3112) that was in my 2310, no apparent differences on the outside, engine sticker lists top RPM as 3220.

OPR PLATFORM
-The Dash is a HUGE improvement! Now has large auto style gauges for Tach, temp and fuel-They are also back lit, very nice for working in the dark!
The dash has a circuit board underneath where all bulbs are easy to get to.
Key moved from the top to the front side facing operator.
-Throttle lever has a longer grab handle
-Joystick control is completely enclosed in plastic, also the stick itself is on a much longer rod not so you don't have to stretch to reach it. There is also a lockout "switch" to prevent the stick from being accidentally operated.
-All the hydraulic connections moved from the joystick to the frame on the right front side.
-Pedals are now separate for Fwd and Rev, both on right side. Brake is now on the left with an easy to reach and engage parking lever lock-big improvement on the old setup!
-The rest of the platform is pretty much the same except its a little wider.

REAR BODY/FENDERS
-The rear portion of the body is now all plastic and there are two large grab handles on each rear fender. I expected them to be flimsy-but they easily support my weight getting on and off without a hint of flex. The plastic is pretty thick and seems very sturdy. At least it won't rust!
-With the plastic rear, the taillights have been replaced by reflective stickers.
-Turn signals on the ROPS now have integrated red brake lights that replace the old body mounted ones.
-ROPS lights now have a built in metal frame guard to give them some protection.
-There is now another nut/bolt combo under the take down pin for the foldable ROPS, it seems to put tension on the takedown pin. Whether this is another safety feature or just designed to eliminate the rattle that plagued my 2310 I don't know, but I like it!
-3PT hitch, no changes that I found yet.

[archerynut]

Congrats on the new tractor, starting to get the bug myself, don't know why, just turned about 150 hours on the 2310, maybe its the new tractor smell.

[DougM]

Congrats on the new tractor..

I am also thinking about a new tractor and I also have a gc2310 mine
now has 410 hrs on it.
Please let us know after u put a few hours on urs if u like it...

DougM

[northwoodpower]

We deliver all over the NE!

[Airic]

Congratulations, and thanks for the informative info. Do you feel the 2610 has more capabilities the 2310? In regard to your comment on the ROPs and the 3 hydraulic lines for the BH, I have this on my 2310? Mine is a late 2007 model so these may have been model year upgrades. I wasn't all keen on the change from metal to plastic body parts for the 2400 and 2600 but, if they are as strong as you say hold up well it may be an improvement.

[Airic]

One other question. When removing the BH did the provision a place on the tractor to get the hoses out of the way?

[SwampKing]

My 2310 was a 2005 model so I guess that explains the BH hoses and ROPS differences with your 2007.

No, they still haven't made a holder of any type for the BH hoses when you're running w/o the BH. I continue to do what I used to do: Pull them up between the gas tank and body and run them along the seat. Only takes a minute and it keeps them out of harm's way.

As for capabilities, well I noticed a big improvement when using the BH, which could be due to the new (to me anyway) third line OR could be due to the increased RPMs I'm running at. I'm running btwn 2750 and 3000 all the time since the manual says to run at full RPM for the first 50hrs.

Aside from performance, the new rounded knobs are more comfortable to work with than the old straight style I had on the 2310.

For my first project I decided to un-bury a tree that died so I could cut it down below grade. Didn't really need to be done, but it was the perfect test for the new FEL/BH. The dirt that had to be dug out was WET, consistency btwn clay and peanut butter and very heavy. I can say that the performance of the BH and to a lesser extent the FEL was noticeably better than with the 2310. One thing new on the FEL is the fast drop position on the joystick (far right). If my 2310 had this,, I never found it.

I had a blast digging this out with the BH and moving it with the FEL, won't be as much fun filling it in again....

Bottom line- I am thrilled with the 2610, no complaints. Its a very nice upgrade from a 2005 2310, those with newer models, maybe not so much. Oh yeah, the cruise control is nice too.

[MrSteve]

Nice tractor, as I can see you love it.

My God that tree is "down" there isn't it. Tell me, that must be a man mad hill that the tree is in (tree was already growing when hill was in place)?