2019 GC1725M - New Tractor - bolts falling out of subframe / transmission !!

[Tori from Down Under]

Hi guys, this is my first post to this forum and I had hoped it would be under better circumstances.

I had been reading this forum a lot over the past few months, to better advise a purchase of a sub-compact tractor for use on my property.

I ended up buying a 2019 Massey Ferguson GC1725M about a week and a half ago.

All had been going really well, I have put about 17 hours on the tractor and it has done a great job around the place.

However, the other day I found a shiny new bolt in the grass out front of my property, and figured it could have only come from my 1725M.

I took a look over the tractor and discovered that a bunch of other bolts were about to fall out of the subframe / transmission housing at the rear of the tractor.

Please see this video for a complete description of the problem :

Has anyone else had this problem? If you own a 1700 series (in particular the 1723 or 1725) can you take a look under your tractor in the area where this problem occurred? Maybe you can offer some help to me.

I'm letting Agco and my local dealer know about this, hopefully it's an isolated case and that my tractor can get fixed up ASAP.

Cheers

Tori

 

[lpakiz]

Since at least some of the threads in the gearbox casting are compromised, a better fix might be to install “studs” with nuts and lock washers.
The studs should be inserted to the absolute bottom of the remaining threads, maximizing the “anchor” effect.
In addition, the twisting/pulling effect will now be born by the nut, not the compromised threads in the casting.
Really no excuse for shoddy assembly at the factory or final inspection at the dealer. I would insist that the dealer go over every fastener on that unit. Who knows what else has not been sufficiently torqued.
Best of luck with this issue....

 

[Nacademus]

Sounds like you didn't have a thorough pre-delivery inspection. That's awful. I'm sorry to hear this. This could have been dangerous. If any cast aluminum bits have stripped or galled threads, push them to replace the whole component.

 

[Roadworthy]

Thank you for making and posting the video. It was well done and quite informative.

 

[cglaser104]

Thanks for sharing. I have a 2015 GC1710TLB that I have had to re-snug bolts on my tractor that have loosened a bit after 300+ hours of use. (Which is normal). I have never seen anything remotely like what you're dealing with, however. Your dealer should have probably identified those prior to delivery with a good pre-sale checkup/inspection. Hopefully they'll make amends and do right and make sure you get the machine you paid for done right. Thank goodness you found it early before you suffered major equipment failure and were put in a position to be hurt.

 

[WranglerX]

Sounds like time to have serious conversation with your dealer and maintenance people.... Previous remark about replacing compromised bolts with deep seated studs has merit... Think I would walk into dealership with bolts in hand lay them on manages desk and state "you have a problem"...

Dale

 

[Tori from Down Under]

Thanks for the advice guys. I spoke with my dealer about this yesterday, and he was suggesting they would be able to tap-and-die rethread the cast part of the gearbox/transmission. Is this a good enough fix? I have sent the video link to AGCO and I hope they have a bit more insight into the problem also. I'm concerned other people might have this issue. Is my theory about the M10 bolts being too short, a good theory?

 

[irvingj]

Great video -- wish I could do that! (What sort of camera -- or was it "just" a phone??)

Might be interesting to measure the depth from the recessed bolt hole's shoulder to the bottom of the threads; I suspect you may be correct that those bolts were just too short to do the job. You want scary? I found similar bolt situations (fortunately only a couple) on my airplane!!

Please do keep us posted as to the outcome with dealer/Agco.

 

[Tori from Down Under]

Great video -- wish I could do that! (What sort of camera -- or was it "just" a phone??)

Might be interesting to measure the depth from the recessed bolt hole's shoulder to the bottom of the threads; I suspect you may be correct that those bolts were just too short to do the job. You want scary? I found similar bolt situations (fortunately only a couple) on my airplane!!

Please do keep us posted as to the outcome with dealer/Agco.

Great suggestion! Just measured as you suggested, and sure enough, I reckon the bolts are the incorrect length for the threaded part. Definitely a manufacturing/assembly error. See vid below :

 

[LouNY]

Looking at your videos the bolts go thru a heavy plate,
is that plate part of the sub frame for the backhoe?

Just a guess but if that is the backhoe sub frame it was installed, likely at the dealers and
my guess would be whoever mounted it used the original bolts not the longer ones that should have came with the sub frame.

Also the threaded holes will not have threads to the full depth, attempting to install bolts that long could result in broken castings.