2310 diff-lock broke again

[ronnierhino06]

I have a 2004 gc2310tlb and the locking rear diff has broken again, the pins on the locking ring have sheared off for the 2nd time and it takes all 3 parts to fix, $500 last time, anybody else have this problem or knows what causes this? I might weld up the 3 parts and have a locked rear all the time I'm all ways in the dirt.

 

[Sportsman762]

The number one cause of differential lock failure is applying the differential lock when one wheel is moving faster than another. This can happen when one wheel is spinning, or when making a turn. Differential lock should be applied before the operator enters an area where there is potential for the rear wheels to spin, while both rear wheels are moving at exactly the same speed. Another cause of failure is for the operator to run with the differential lock engaged all the time, this causes stress on the rear axle and can lead to breakage. Differential lock was designed to be used intermittently.
Having the differential locked all the time can lead to axle failure as the unit was not designed to handle the stress, this is an excellent way to grenade a differential, often the spider gears will self destruct.

 

[k0ua]

Here is a suggestion.. After you get it repaired this time.. stop using it. Use your split brakes instead. When you are stuck and one wheel is spinning, apply light brake pressure to that spinning wheel. This will cause the other wheel with the better traction to then start moving, thru the normal differential action. Apparently your differential lock is a "weak sister" and not well designed. Unless you have been abusing it as noted above. Just use your independent brakes to get yourself unstuck. In the "old days" that was what we had and it still works fine.

 

[Trails End]

When I purchased my Bobcat CT335, the dealer warned me not to engage the differential lock
while the tractor was in motion. To do so would result in expensive damage to the differential
lock mechanism.

 

[ray66v]

Just use your independent brakes to get yourself unstuck. In the "old days" that was what we had and it still works fine.

The problem with that idea is, he doesn't have independent brakes. It's a subcompact tractor.

I do agree with the suggestion to stop using the diff. lock though.

No, a broken diff. lock is not a common occurrence on these.

I suggest either trying chains on the rears, or get a bigger tractor.

The GC's are great little tractors, but they were intended as estate tractors. They were designed to maintain property.

You may be using the diff. lock improperly, or just pushing the tractor a too hard.

 

[k0ua]

The problem with that idea is, he doesn't have independent brakes. It's a subcompact tractor.

I do agree with the suggestion to stop using the diff. lock though.

No, a broken diff. lock is not a common occurrence on these.

I suggest either trying chains on the rears, or get a bigger tractor.

The GC's are great little tractors, but they were intended as estate tractors. They were designed to maintain property.

You may be using the diff. lock improperly, or just pushing the tractor a too hard.

Whoops! that will teach me to look it up on tractordata first..

 

[ronnierhino06]

KOua, don't make that mistake again! 10-4 on bad desigan, to weak, only has 450 hrs and only used form snow, wood, trail maintance and dragging super heavy huge logs. maybe as I drag or carry these heavy loads and move through the trees and around objects its twisting the diff pin off. has to be moving to get lock pedal to engage, won't go down sitting still.

 

[rjmack]

I stop, apply gentle pressure to the lock lever, gently apply hydro pressure and it drops in as soon as one wheel starts to spin. I have a little over 400 hours with much severe, 4 wheelin' type use, no issues with the diff lock.

 

[cdaigle430]

Same here-one wheel has to spin slowly before it will engage. 170 hours of moving 490 yards of loam, sand, gravel and silt. I use it all the time. If you use it on anything but dirt you will break it-I dont think its designed for rocky areas too.

 

[ronnierhino06]

u got about 30 hrs or so left till she blows. dealer says u can only go straight in diff lock and pedal should engage sitting still, maybe the 2410 has a better lock, 2310 not strong enough. I only drive on dirt. major project.

 

[JerryG]

I stop, apply gentle pressure to the lock lever, gently apply hydro pressure and it drops in as soon as one wheel starts to spin. I have a little over 400 hours with much severe, 4 wheelin' type use, no issues with the diff lock.

That is the way it should be engaged.

 

[fieldman12]

On big row crop tractors they seem to have a much better setup. You can use them all the time and seem not to have any issues. On utility tractors and smaller I know allot of guys wont use them because they seem prone to breaking. Im not saying you cant use them but often over time they just don't hold up well. All the small tractors have in common the mechanical activated type and I think that is where the problem starts because ever operator is a little different on how they use them. On the big tractors you simple push a switch or a button on the floor.

u got about 30 hrs or so left till she blows. dealer says u can only go straight in diff lock and pedal should engage sitting still, maybe the 2410 has a better lock, 2310 not strong enough. I only drive on dirt. major project.

View attachment 391703

 

[ronnierhino06]

I called the factory and they blew me off to the local dealer and the mf ers at MF said its me, no one has ever called about this before, they have never had to work on one, use the diff lock only in a straight line, never make a turn, never drive any more than a few feet at a time in diff lock, don't even look at the diff pedal or you will be sorry! it took all day to take apart, 1000 parts. It must cost a lot at the dealer

 

[irvingj]

ronnierhino, you're lucky you can do that repair; I'm not sure I'd even attempt it! I'll bet you've saved a ton of $$.

My 2310 is just coming up on 500 hrs, and I bet I've not used the diff lock more than a half dozen times since I've had it --just to get myself unstuck-- but never had any trouble with it, other than having to "tickle it" to get it to drop in, using the same method others have posted. OTOH, my tractor has had very little time in the woods.

Sorry you've had trouble with it, but it does sound like maybe you're asking more than these little tractors can deliver. I always figured the diff lock was only for emergencies.

Thanks for the great pics, however! Always enjoy any time I can look inside the thing to see what makes it tick. ijk

 

[punky333337]

I have a 2004 gc2310tlb and the locking rear diff has broken again, the pins on the locking ring have sheared off for the 2nd time and it takes all 3 parts to fix, $500 last time, anybody else have this problem or knows what causes this? I might weld up the 3 parts and have a locked rear all the time I'm all ways in the dirt.

View attachment 391206

View attachment 391207

I have a tractor massey ferguson GC2610TLB 2009

And I had the same problem as yours, the cost of the repair was $ 1500 parts and maneuvers without taxes.:furieux::furieux::furieux:

 

[punky333337]

I even had this problem on my tractor GC2610 2009 parts cost me $1600, and the work in all $ 2400
:furieux::furieux::furieux::furieux::furieux::furieux:

me have 900 hours

 

[Phillip w]

I even had this problem on my tractor GC2610 2009 parts cost me $1600, and the work in all $ 2400
:furieux::furieux::furieux::furieux::furieux::furieux:

me have 900 hours

My little 1531 massey ferguson tractor has a locking rear end feature. I have used the daylights out of it. I only engage it when back wheels are stopped. I never engage it whole the tractor is in motion or back wheels are spinning. So far I have had good luck with my locking rear end feature. I did see a Kubota with the locking rear end torn out about 25 years ago. I have been stuck quite a few times. If you have a loader on your tractor, a lot of time you can push yourself out backward with the front loader. Somtimes I give up and get a bigger tractor to pull it out. Please let me know how tough it is and what challenge you faced tearing into the rear end. My pto has shell again. Dealer cbarged 5500 dollars to rbuild it last time. Trying decide if I can do it myself.

I have a tractor massey ferguson GC2610TLB 2009

And I had the same problem as yours, the cost of the repair was $ 1500 parts and maneuvers without taxes.:furieux::furieux::furieux:

On big row crop tractors they seem to have a much better setup. You can use them all the time and seem not to have any issues. On utility tractors and smaller I know allot of guys wont use them because they seem prone to breaking. Im not saying you cant use them but often over time they just don't hold up well. All the small tractors have in common the mechanical activated type and I think that is where the problem starts because ever operator is a little different on how they use them. On the big tractors you simple push a switch or a button on the floor.

I have a tractor massey ferguson GC2610TLB 2009

And I had the same problem as yours, the cost of the repair was $ 1500 parts and maneuvers without taxes.:furieux::furieux::furieux:

I even had this problem on my tractor GC2610 2009 parts cost me $1600, and the work in all $ 2400
:furieux::furieux::furieux::furieux::furieux::furieux:

me have 900 hours

I even had this problem on my tractor GC2610 2009 parts cost me $1600, and the work in all $ 2400
:furieux::furieux::furieux::furieux::furieux::furieux:

me have 900 hours