Help! GC1705 Hydraulics out

[AxleHub]

With all due respect to those talking about the sight glass going back in . . . I casually looked at my sight glass last night and it rather appears there is a metal retaining ring that surrpunds the sight glass andis potentially threaded on its sides to attach to the area. Now I could be in error . . But it sure doesn't make srnse it is merely glued into the opening does it? Becausr what would it be glued "to" ?

And isn't it likely there is some sort of pressure involved ?

But even more importantly . . If its going to be a warranty claim (5 years on the driveline system and 2 on the whole unit) . . why would you risk even starting it up unless it was the dealer turning the key ? And if there was some loctite or glue on the metal or on the sight glass . . Wouldn't that complicate the warranty claim ? And believability ?

 

[rider7767]

With all due respect to those talking about the sight glass going back in . . . I casually looked at my sight glass last night and it rather appears there is a metal retaining ring that surrpunds the sight glass andis potentially threaded on its sides to attach to the area. Now I could be in error . . But it sure doesn't make srnse it is merely glued into the opening does it? Becausr what would it be glued "to" ?

And isn't it likely there is some sort of pressure involved ?

But even more importantly . . If its going to be a warranty claim (5 years on the driveline system and 2 on the whole unit) . . why would you risk even starting it up unless it was the dealer turning the key ? And if there was some loctite or glue on the metal or on the sight glass . . Wouldn't that complicate the warranty claim ? And believability ?

All valid concerns. There is only the pressure of the oils setting in the common sump behind the glass. There is little to no pressure. Honestly, I have much more experience on the Kubota tractors in this size. The transmission cases are almost identical; however, on the Kubota tractors that I have worked on, they did not drill and thread it for a sight glass. It is blank. My tractor looks to have a fine threaded hole, and the parts manual is just showing the sight glass. As far as the warranty, I am not suggesting gooping it on. Only applying a small amount of the appropriate sealant to the threads. This is just me and what I would do. Everyone has their own comfort level. It never hurts to build a relationship with the dealer. I would for sure, let them know what happened, by email and face to face.

 

[rider7767]

On a plastic sight glass? Regular Loctite will eat most plastics in short order!

I just can't help myself, how do they keep the loctite thread lock in those plastic bottles?

 

[AxleHub]

Just curious . . if there is no retaining ring that holds the sight glass in the case . . Then are there threads on the edge of the sight glass ?

My point is . . Looking at the sight glass is the clear display of the hydro fluid. So if no retaining ring exists holding the piece in place and the piece is all clear and fluid is there . . . It would need something threaded or merely "gluing the edge" would seem incredibly weak fir something this important.

Makes me not want to rub ir clean that sight glass if that were the case lol.

 

[ChrisInKY]

I'll post pics of the sight glass shortly. It's just black plastic with some ridges, and it pressure fits into a machined hole in the tractor, no threads, no snap ring etc.

Called Massey 800#, they told me to work with dealer first, but not to do anything to tractor, push/pull it on a trailer as-is.

Called dealer, they will look at it for me, have father-in-law coming to help get it trailered this morning. They said they'll call Agco to figure out how to proceed on teardown vs just refilling and testing pressures.

I truly hope they'll at least replace the pump for me, or extend the drivetrain warranty if not. I've babied this thing thus far and had the dealer do the service, so there is 0 reason for this to happen this early in the tractor's life...

C

Just curious . . if there is no retaining ring that holds the sight glass in the case . . Then are there threads on the edge of the sight glass ?

My point is . . Looking at the sight glass is the clear display of the hydro fluid. So if no retaining ring exists holding the piece in place and the piece is all clear and fluid is there . . . It would need something threaded or merely "gluing the edge" would seem incredibly weak fir something this important.

Makes me not want to rub ir clean that sight glass if that were the case lol.

 

[ChrisInKY]

More photos, including the sight glass from multiple angles. I thought the black plastic had ridges, it does not, it just press fits in. You can see that it looks like the gray paint from the tractor was stuck on it and came off on the ring and left bare metal on the tractor as if it was what was holding it in place....

Shared album - Chris Storer - Google Photos

 

[AxleHub]

Chris . . the pictures gelped a great deal. You'd say it was black while mine is clear and no retaining ring.

So seeing your pictures I now understand that it wasn't just a clear little circular window that came out . . Its actually the window plus the surrounding retaing ring for the clear window.

Now it makes sense how it could be a pressure fit or how it could be glued in place.

By the way as a suggestion . . when going to see the dealer . . think in terms of what would be your optimum "fix" . . and let the dealer and Agco talk you down . . rather than stating what would be your minimum desire lol.

 

[rider7767]

Just curious . . if there is no retaining ring that holds the sight glass in the case . . Then are there threads on the edge of the sight glass ?

My point is . . Looking at the sight glass is the clear display of the hydro fluid. So if no retaining ring exists holding the piece in place and the piece is all clear and fluid is there . . . It would need something threaded or merely "gluing the edge" would seem incredibly weak fir something this important.

Makes me not want to rub ir clean that sight glass if that were the case lol.

I agree. I have always worried about backing up and poking it with a stick.

 

[rider7767]

Chris . . the pictures gelped a great deal. You'd say it was black while mine is clear and no retaining ring.

So seeing your pictures I now understand that it wasn't just a clear little circular window that came out . . Its actually the window plus the surrounding retaing ring for the clear window.

Now it makes sense how it could be a pressure fit or how it could be glued in place.

By the way as a suggestion . . when going to see the dealer . . think in terms of what would be your optimum "fix" . . and let the dealer and Agco talk you down . . rather than stating what would be your minimum desire lol.

Wow; it is pressed in like a wheel seal. I don't like that. It looks like it had some sort of sealant on it. I will be watching mine closely. Thank you for sharing. Let us know the results.

 

[ChrisInKY]

Will keep everyone posted, thanks for all tips both mechanical and dealing with the dealer. Personally I see plastic being press fit into metal as a long term reliability issue. I'm assuming as these tractors age that plastic will age, become brittle, shrink etc. I hope I'm wrong and not the first of many. Anyone with more engineering experience than I care to chime in? I would think that the metal heating/cooling and plastic heating/cooling is going to happen at different rates and not be a good long term solution. Anyone know how other tractors sight lasses are made or installed?