A couple things I noticed underneath my GC1710

GeneV · Aug 30, 2019

I was under there looking for zerks to hit with the grease gun, noticed 2 weird things, well 3 actually.

First is, the manual says there's a brake pivot to lube, but I just couldn't find that zerk. Is there one for that or do I just smear some grease on there?

Also, the zerk I did find on that side was farther back, I guess it's pivot for the 3-point, and it's in a ridiculous spot...there's no way I can get my grease coupler on it because it's almost butting against the pivot housing, plus it's in tight spot a normal coupler couldn't get to anyways. How are you guys greasing it?

Another strange thing is on the hydro pedal side. There's a hydraulic hose routed over the linkage, and the linkage is brushing against it with every push of the pedal. Is that normal? The hose has that fabric sleeve, and you could actually hear it scraping against the sleeve when I was moving the pedal back/forth with my hand. I smeared a bunch of grease on the sleeve over there hoping that would help.

Oh yeh one other thing, unrelated to all this. This tractor has like 75 hours on it, had the 50 hr service, oil seemed good a few days ago. I pull the oil dip stick today, the oil is dark. How is that possible? I've been clearing a bunch of brush and working the tractor in the dirt, digging out root balls with the backhoe and leveling dirt. Is that really enough to gunk up the oil that fast?

DMW · Aug 30, 2019

GeneV said:
Oh yeh one other thing, unrelated to all this. This tractor has like 75 hours on it, had the 50 hr service, oil seemed good a few days ago. I pull the oil dip stick today, the oil is dark. How is that possible? I've been clearing a bunch of brush and working the tractor in the dirt, digging out root balls with the backhoe and leveling dirt. Is that really enough to gunk up the oil that fast?

Diesel engine oil goes black almost immediately. It's normal.

4570Man · Aug 30, 2019

Maybe a right angle grease coupler would help you.

GeneV · Aug 30, 2019

Man, for real?!! I'm new to diesel, I was thinking oil change next on the list.

GeneV · Aug 30, 2019

4570Man said:
Maybe a right angle grease coupler would help you. View attachment 619167

It's real close to the wall too, though. Only a thin walled coupler would fit, and do they make those? It's not all that noticeable, I wonder if many people ignore it.

DMW · Aug 31, 2019

GeneV said:
It's real close to the wall too, though. Only a thin walled coupler would fit, and do they make those? It's not all that noticeable, I wonder if many people ignore it.

The earlier GCs don't have one to my knowledge. Its not in an area that gets washed out, or under any significant strain/repeated use. Get a can of Fluid Film, give it a spray once a year to stop it from rusting. You'll eventually need a spray lube for the 3pt top link, the threaded section on the lift arm (usually rusted up when you need to adjust it), and the ball couplings.

The hose that is rubbing. Any way to zip-tie it out of the way? It will take a long time (years) to wear through the mesh. Vibration will probably cause more wear than the linkage rubbing.

irvingj · Aug 31, 2019

Oil turning black: Diesel engines produce soot (think --mostly years ago-- of a big truck getting started from a stop); the oil is designed to capture & hold that soot in solution. That's why it gets black so quickly.

Wagtail · Aug 31, 2019

GeneV said:
Man, for real?!! I'm new to diesel, I was thinking oil change next on the list.

Nope. As DMW said, diesel engine oil goes black fairly quickly. You're good until the next change recommended in your Owner Manual.

That grease nipple (zerk) that's hard up against the pivot housing is, indeed, in a bugger of a spot... that can't be normal. I'd definitely bring that issue up with your Dealership and I'd document it for any future potential problems arising. Fair dinkum, that's a manufacturer's design fault and needs to be rectified.

That being said, the GC1710 model started in 2013 and small improvements have occurred over the years... which do not get entered into the Owner Manual. Again, ask your Dealership about the discrepancies that you find (making a note, in pencil) in the Manual.

Generally, I'd snug/tighten/torque every nut that I can access; grease every nipple that I can see and, if it moves but doesn't have a nipple, spray it with a lanolin lubricant.

WranglerX · Aug 31, 2019

Yes there are two zerks on brake pivot rod, not exactly where MF manual shows where the " one" is (at least on my 1715) ...

Have not noticed hydraulic hose rubbing on anything... Maybe just tie it up with zip tie or something to avoid contact....

Dale

GeneV · Aug 31, 2019

DL Meisen said:
Yes there are two zerks on brake pivot rod, not exactly where MF manual shows where the " one" is (at least on my 1715) ...

Have not noticed hydraulic hose rubbing on anything... Maybe just tie it up with zip tie or something to avoid contact....

Dale

Ok, I need to look more thoroughly for those zerks I guess, for the life of me couldn't find it/them there.

As for that hose, it's pretty tight up against that linkage, I could hardly budge it out of the way to get my finger in there with a glob of grease. I don't know which hydro line it is, this is where it attaches (the left one) farther back.