2310 Is this normal? and other Questions

[MatadorMkV]

Hello,
I just purchased a new GC2310. This may sound like a dumb question, but I've never owned a tractor with hydrostatic drive so I don't know if it's normal. Sometimes when I try to climb a steep hill, or if I am pushing into a load of dirt, the tractor will just stop moving forward. The motor doesn't really bog down or anything, the wheels just stop turning. It seems to help if I put the tractor in LOW and raise the RPM to about 2500. My guess is that it has something to do with the amount of hydraulic flow.

Are aftermarket filters readily available for the tranny and engine (like FRAM or NAPA) or am I stuck buying them from Massey? My closest dealer is almost an hour away.

What about the MF Permatran III for the hydraulics and tranny? What else if anything is comparable?

Thanks!
Russ

 

[DMW]

Your tranny is working normally in high. It makes the tractor go fast but has little power compared to low. Now I hope I get this explanation right. Hydrostatic does not work the same as the accellerator on a car. you get more torque to the wheels the less you depress the pedal. The more you press down, the amount of torque is decreased, but the tractor will try to move faster. So, going up a hill less pedal is better. 4WD also helps. Be careful of changing the range(high/low)selector on a steep hill. in neutral the tractor will start rolling very quickly, and the brakes aren't the best for bringing it to a quick stop.

AFAIK Napa has oil and fuel filters available, but not always in stock. Cost is close to that of the dealer. I don't think anyone makes a hydraulic filter.

NAPA Filters : Filter Look-Up
WIX filters, WIX oil filters, WIX air filters, WIX fuel filters, WIX Heavy Duty Oil Filters : Filter Look-Up

I always keep a full set of filters on hand. The price isn't that bad considering the intervals they are changed at, and problems always seem to be in the middle of a long weekend when everything is closed. If you haven't got a filter guard, or operate in very cold temperatures, it's nice to have a spare hydraulic filter.

IMO there are a lot of better THFs, but then the price is also higher. I wouldn't mix fluids from different manufacturers. Cheaper THFs are cheaper for a reason and would avoid. The Permatran is also used in the front differential. You can get a lot of different opinions, it has to do with the conditions of the area your in, and personal preferences.

Dennis

 

[ray66v]

The non-oem filters so far are not any cheaper. You can get oem at a discount here:Parts Search Database
Consider changing to synthetic at your 50hr. service. I use The following in my GC2310-
Engine: Amsoil Synthetic 10w30/SAE30 Diesel Oil (ACD)
Trans, and ft. axle: Amsoil Synthetic Hydraulic Transmission Oil (ATH)
I also use synthetic grease in all the greaseable fittings.
Most of their products cost around $5/qt. but, can be left in much longer if cost was an issue, making the price difference 0. (They last much longer than mineral oil products). I change at the regular intervals in the maintenance schedule.
Along with being able to handle extreme conditions better, there is an added benefit of greatly reduced warm-up times in cold weather.
There are tons of posts on these subjects, spend some time reading and you will find a wealth of information here.

 

[MatadorMkV]

Thanks guys,
Ray66v, I think I found one of your posts in a search. I've purchased things from Jack's in the past (all Briggs parts), but when I do a look up for a tractor filter, lots of Massey Compacts come up, but not the 2310 or the 2300. Guess it would help if I knew the part numbers for the filters, but they're not listed in my owner's manual.

Thanks again,
Russ

 

[ray66v]

GC2300/2310 OEM part #'s:
Engine Oil Filter:3609410M1
Engine Air Filter:3757472M1
Trans Oil Filter:4265229M91
Fuel Filter:3608255M1
Service Manual:4283003M1
Parts Manual:651743M92

 

[archerynut]

Hello,
I just purchased a new GC2310. This may sound like a dumb question, but I've never owned a tractor with hydrostatic drive so I don't know if it's normal. Sometimes when I try to climb a steep hill, or if I am pushing into a load of dirt, the tractor will just stop moving forward. The motor doesn't really bog down or anything, the wheels just stop turning. It seems to help if I put the tractor in LOW and raise the RPM to about 2500. My guess is that it has something to do with the amount of hydraulic flow.

Are aftermarket filters readily available for the tranny and engine (like FRAM or NAPA) or am I stuck buying them from Massey? My closest dealer is almost an hour away.

What about the MF Permatran III for the hydraulics and tranny? What else if anything is comparable?

Thanks!
Russ

Yep, its normal if you are in high and the tractor just stops. Just put in low, put in 4wd and then go. There isn't too much that would stop it then, you will lose traction first.
I am quoted someone else but I am not sure who but the footpedal is more of a gear selector that a accelerator as in a car. The farther you push the higher gear you are in on a hydrostatic tractor. The higher the gear the less power you will have to go up hills or push dirt.

 

[MatadorMkV]

I am quoted someone else but I am not sure who but the footpedal is more of a gear selector that a accelerator as in a car. The farther you push the higher gear you are in on a hydrostatic tractor. The higher the gear the less power you will have to go up hills or push dirt.

Thanks! That really does shed new light on how I'll think of that pedal from now on.

Going out tomorrow to pick up a removable toothbar I had made as well as a receiver hitch for the FEL.

This really is a great little tractor.

Russ

 

[MatadorMkV]

Well...got my toothbar on the FEL and it does make some difference. Worked for a couple of hours with the tractor today...still very new to it all...like only 8 hours.

I was really impressed with the backhoe...more so than the FEL. I managed to dig up some huge bolders today with the BH that were so large that they could not be picked up with the FEL.

As for the lack of power while digging into a bank with the FEL, I actually think I get more drive power in 2WD and the low speed setting as opposed to 4WD. 4WD doesn't seem to help much anyway, especially when the front wheels become unweighted...steering doesn't do much either in this situation.

Locking the differential seems to help more than 4WD as far as driving power goes. Now, here is another "is this normal:" My differential lock pedal has never gone down once from a stand still like the manual says it should. I mean, yes it does go down about half-way, but you have to move the wheels a bit to get it to go down completely and lock. It also seems to help if I turn the steering wheel a bit to allow the rear wheels to spin at different speeds...makes sense since it IS afterall a differential that I'm trying to lock. It just bothers me that the manual says that depressing the pedal while the tractor is moving can cause damage. Hopefully this just means that they don't want you to be moving along at speed and all of the sudden push down the pedal.

Back to the power thing, I guess I'm just use to machines that are gear driven and when they are having a tough time of it, you can hear the engine working harder. For me, it's very strange to hear the motor humming along at 2500 rpm while the backhoe or FEL won't move. Maybe it's best that the motor doesn't know what's going on...like knowing how big the rock or stump really is!

Hey, you guys that are in Southwestern Pa and Pittsburgh...where about in SW PA are you?

Russ

 

[DMW]

As for the lack of power while digging into a bank with the FEL, I actually think I get more drive power in 2WD and the low speed setting as opposed to 4WD. 4WD doesn't seem to help much anyway, especially when the front wheels become unweighted...steering doesn't do much either in this situation.

The backhoe puts more weight on the rears, and the front end light.

About climbing slopes, the GC2300 with FEL has an easier time going forward up slopes. The GC2310 may be better reversing up slopes. Forklift operation is "heavy end up hill", it may also apply here. 4WD would then help with traction.

Dennis

 

[Ray2310]

Hey, you guys that are in Southwestern Pa and Pittsburgh...where about in SW PA are you?

Russ,

I live aprox 4 miles south of Uniontown, PA.

Ray