2006 GC2300 1 TBSP Metal Filings in Hydraulic Fluid Filter

[luvmystang67]

Hey, love the forum, first time poster, long time lurker.

I recently picked up a 2006 GC2300, reading 395 hours (I don't think its 1395... the last hydraulic filter read 2017 and 195 hours). Its in pretty good shape, looks well enough cared for.

I went through and changed all of the critical filters and fluids. It hast the 2350 FEL, and the 2325 60" mid-mount mower deck. I greased everything, changed the front axle fluid (used Mobile Devcon Tractor Hydraulic fluid, which supposedly meets Permatran III requirements). New air filter, fuel filter, transmission fluid and filter, oil and filter, new gear oil in the mower, new mower belt, new mower blades. Everything looked good EXCEPT the transmission fluid...

I found filings when I dropped the main pan oil... and a BUNCH in the primary filter behind the left rear tire. I'm going to say nearly a tablespoon of filings... I don't know if it was all magnetic, but when the blob of filings was held together by oil, it did stick to my fridge magnet. It wasn't a firm stick, so I think perhaps it was mixed steel/aluminum, held together in a glob by the oil.

The tractor seems to operate fine and did before I changed everything. What am I looking at here? Should I ditch it before its a problem? Is it something simple enough like a hydraulic pump or something? I'm decent with motors, but I haven't dealt much with hydrostatic transmissions. All of our old Ford tractors never had hydraulic issues like this.

Total side note, but once I pulled the dipstick and cleaned it off, it was very wobbly and didn't seem to seal right, so I added a few o-rings. Anyone have an eye to replacement dipsticks?

Thanks in advance...

 

[cdaigle430]

Have you checked the inline screen for filings and debris yet? I think its the same as my GC2410, behind the wheel on the left (looing from rear).

The gC2300 could be a concern if its from the spline. It could also be from the rear axle lock mechanism.

 

[luvmystang67]

I did notice that the differential lock button seemed difficult to engage, but is probably not very required with the 4wd on a tractor this small. The inline screen is where the majority of the filings came from, it was pretty loaded. Combined across all sources it was about a tablespoon, but 95% of that was from the in-line screen filter. I didn't disassemble the paper filter. It looks like there's a small hole in the screen filter, probably from the shavings vibrating on that over time. I ordered a new one and will change it out when I change the transmission oil in 50 hours to check progress.

Those things sound repairable without being a 5000 bill... maybe even self repairable. Curious if one of them has a tendency to break more often than another. I do find it interesting that the tractor seems to function fine (for now).