FEL Removal

Buckeye Chuck · Jul 13, 2013

New guy here with a new to me GC2300. I need to know how to remove the fell so I can let my teenage daughter do her mowing chores and not run into things like the house or cars. It is a 2350 loader any help would be a life saver (the daughters)

Don87 · Jul 14, 2013

Raise the loader, drop the legs(1 on each side), lower loader to the ground(keeping bucket level with ground).

Remove the 2 pins(1 each side on uprights back by loader controls. raise the back portion of fel arms out of the cradle using loader controls(you should be able to make them go forwards a little also to clear the cradle).

Shut tractor off, move loader control stick to all angles to remove pressure. then disconnect lines from loader control at the 'quick disconnects'.

Do this on a hard level surface(makes it easier), and keep tractor at an idle only while removing or installing FEL.

EDIT: If the loader sits in the sun, the oil inside will swell, causing pressure build-up that may make it hard to re-install the lines. If this happens, you can either push in on the balls in the center off the connectors, or loosen the connector a tad to relieve the pressure to get the lines back on. And before reconnecting the loader hoses, be sure to shut the tractor off and work control lever to relieve pressure there also.

bakerg · Jul 14, 2013

This thread link may help you out.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/massey-ferguson-owning-operating/285641-gc-series-videos.html

irvingj · Jul 16, 2013

I've also found that a flat dolly under the front of the bucket aids in removal (on a concrete floor).

With the "legs" of the FEL down and FEL lifted, I curl the bucket downward to around 45 degrees or so, then lower the front lip onto the dolly and shut off the tractor. From there, pressure in the system can be relieved as the bucket, with a combination of "lower" and "curl" can be lowered flat onto the dolly; the dolly will roll forward as this happens.

When all that's done, the FEL legs just touch the floor and all pressure is off the retaining pins, so they can easily be slipped out. Once the pins are out, I restart and use the curl control to rock the tops of the arms forward. This will put some strain on the hydraulic hoses, so be careful not to go too far. Shut off tractor, move controls around to relieve pressure, disconnect hydraulic lines.

At that point, I find it easiest to lift the FEL arms, one at a time, up slightly and out of their cradles so they rest just ahead of their normal positions, and then back the tractor up and away from the FEL.

With the dolly under the bucket, and standing between the two arms, I can then grab both arms, lift slightly, and roll the FEL/dolly to wherever I want it.

Takes longer too explain than to do....:thumbsup:

(Oops! You may notice that, for this "photo session," I had forgotten to lower the FEL legs first... learning the hard way!)

Buckeye Chuck · Jul 21, 2013

Everyone thanks for your replies have only had the gc2300 for a week and still enjoying it. Have order the manuals for the loader and mower deck. Have removed the deck for practice and greased some fittings. Is there a trick on reconnecting the drive shaft back together? It took me about 5 to 10 mins to line up the spline. Once again thanks everyone.

Don87 · Jul 21, 2013

Buckeye Chuck said:
Everyone thanks for your replies have only had the gc2300 for a week and still enjoying it. Have order the manuals for the loader and mower deck. Have removed the deck for practice and greased some fittings. Is there a trick on reconnecting the drive shaft back together? It took me about 5 to 10 mins to line up the spline. Once again thanks everyone.

Yes, you have to hold your mouth with a little crook in the corner with the tip of your tongue sticking out:thumbsup:

Actually, it just takes practice and keep the controls in neutral to enable spinning the PTO shaft on the tranny a little to line it up.

Buckeye Chuck · Jul 23, 2013

Don thats how I did it. Atleast I wasn't doing it wrong. I use the same crook in the month when I fish.

irvingj · Jul 24, 2013

What I did on mine, as far as connecting the driveshaft to the MMM (although I do generally leave it hooked up during the summer): It really seemed to me that there was ONE way to connect the driveshaft to the splined shaft... maybe it's just me, but it seemed to slide right on easily if I had it "lined up" correctly... So what I did was to use a white-out pen to mark a line on the shaft and another on the sleeve. Line those up, and it goes right on.

As far as connecting to the Mid-PTO under the tractor (and not to slight Don87 in the least):I've found it helpful to put the tractor (engine off) in gear, so the Mid-PTO shaft doesn't turn-- that way I can slowly rotate the driveshaft (while the PTO splines stay still) until it slips on.

As you can see, you just have to practice and come up with what works for you-- have a great time with that great little tractor! Oh- and holding your mouth and tongue just so DOES help! :laughing: