So, let's wait and see what Tori finds out from the dealer. Could be interesting!
I think she's right in not driving the thing at all until the bolts issue gets cleared up.
I spoke with Agco at length today, they were very helpful. It is indeed an issue with the bolts - they are the incorrect length. They should be 40mm thread length, whereas the ones on my tractor were 30mm thread length. This seems to be an isolated case, they haven't been able to see anything in their global workshop system thingy. However, they are investigating comprehensively, and are checking to see if other GC series tractors here in Australia have the same problem.
The 1725M is being picked up tomorrow, and taken back to the dealer. There are 10 bolts affected, that will need to be replaced with the longer bolts. For the 4 bolts that have stripped out a portion of the thread, AGCO suggested they could install slightly longer bolts - 45mm or 50mm threaded length, if there is enough thread to do so. If not, they will helicoil the damaged threads and then use the 40mm bolts.
They are very sorry this has happened, and are very motivated to fix the issue. Of course, I did send them links to the Youtube videos . . . which might have hastened their response? Anyway I'll be glad to have the tractor fixed. They are going to throw in a bit of merchandise and a grease gun etc, and I will be asking them for extended or lifetime warranty on the affected parts (those threaded castings).
AGCO asked me to take the Youtube videos down, which I understand, they could be quite damaging to potential sales. I'm inclined to keep the videos, and make the listing non-public - so that this forum still has access to the information but that also won't be too damaging to AGCO long term. Any advice on this? Another alternative is to make it a good news story, should AGCO get the tractor fixed up quickly and effectively, it could be a good story of a dealer/manufacturer supporting a client when things don't go as planned.
What do you guys think is best?