GC 2310 one year later

[Max2310]

Since you guys are talking about this then here are my experiences after almost a year and 255 hours.

Went twice to the shop:
First time:
- 50 hours service (done @ 80 something they (dealer) recommends it @ 100 hours)
- Replacement teeth for the back-hoe (changed it myself later)
- Replace a dented hydro filter and got a skip plate installed (dealer took care since it should have been installed in the first place but they forgot)
- Straightened the brake lever under the tractor
- Replace the plastic fan -- I cut a root and it went right up there while backing up. Careful with that!!! Dealer replaced it no charge must have been because of the missing skid plate
- Re-installed grease fitting (broke a few and still doing it)
- Got touch-up paint

Second time:
- 150 hours service (or probably more)
- Replacement teeth for the back-hoe (spare ones yup, rock digging!)
- Straightened the brake lever under the tractor (again)
- Replace a back-hoe cylinder main bolt (was touching the side of the boom and was wearing out factory defect forgot to mention at the first visit)
- Got a shop manual
- Got some rear tire chains installed (some kind of studded chain $$$ but awesome!)

I must be forgetting few things but I can say that I like this little beast and have no regrets! Spending too much time on it was painful for the butt and especially for one knee. Yes, it is possible to spend too much time on it in a day, ask my girlfriend!

 

[FredWalter]

purchased Bro-Tek mechanical thumb (not on yet...)

If you don't mind me asking, how much did the thumb cost?

 

[irvingj]

As I remember, it was around $393, including shipping.... somewhat higher than the thumb for the BX Kubotas, as it's "a bit heavier" to quote Bro-Tek, and it comes with an adjustable top link that's thicker than the one that comes with the 3PH on the 2310, to fit the thumb (1" dia. pins).

 

[jaybrad]

As I remember, it was around $393, including shipping.... somewhat higher than the thumb for the BX Kubotas, as it's "a bit heavier" to quote Bro-Tek, and it comes with an adjustable top link that's thicker than the one that comes with the 3PH on the 2310, to fit the thumb (1" dia. pins).

Interesting. I got mine as part of the deal when I bought my tractor, and it uses the same top link as the 3PH.

I used it to lift and move some massive stumps and rocks to rebuild wall last summer and now can't imagine being without one. It's a winner in my book.

Jay

 

[irvingj]

I'm really looking forward to using the thumb-- seems it's the one "most valuable" add-on for SCUTs. Got a lot of dead trees around my property, hoping to turn them into firewood.

Here's a coupla shots of the parts-- it's almost impossible to get a pic of the 2310's top link with the BH on, and I'm not takin' it off just now-- but I believe the pin diameter on the 2310's 3PH are 3/4"; you can see the relative size of the top link Richard @ Bro-Tek sent with the thumb.

The whole thing seems very well constructed, and the top link in particular very rugged. Even came painted red!

 

[jaybrad]

I'm really looking forward to using the thumb-- seems it's the one "most valuable" add-on for SCUTs. Got a lot of dead trees around my property, hoping to turn them into firewood.

Here's a coupla shots of the parts-- it's almost impossible to get a pic of the 2310's top link with the BH on, and I'm not takin' it off just now-- but I believe the pin diameter on the 2310's 3PH are 3/4"; you can see the relative size of the top link Richard @ Bro-Tek sent with the thumb.

The whole thing seems very well constructed, and the top link in particular very rugged. Even came painted red!

You're right - the 2310 pin diameter is 3/4", and it's the same on my Bro-Tek thumb. I just take the top link off when I attach the BH and it rests nicely on the platforms where my feet rest when I'm using it.

Wish I could find some pictures of the rocks and stumps I picked up and moved thanks to the thumb, they were impressive.

All this talk of digging stuff is really giving me serious Spring fever. Sadly, the ground is still very, very frozen....

 

[pathman]

well JMynes,happy anniversery, I'm celebrating the first year also. 150hrs, lots of rocks and landscaping last summer, not nearly enough snow this year (just for play purpose othe then that there's always too much)
in the first month, lets's see: scraped the right flasher light against the house,(way too close!), first week end trying the BH scraped the front bumper of my wife's car,(She laughed and tells the story all the time) grease zert was broken (repalced withoutcalling the dealer ) oh yah 1 more thing.. Always smiling when I work. love the machine, want a bigger one for no reason, and love helping out the neighbors.

 

[JMynes]

I forgot to mention the white plastic HST cooling fan. I managed to break all but two blades off of it. If you hear a hellacious grinding noise under your tractor, it's probably something attacking your fan.
Ordered from the dealer, not too expensive. I spent too much time trying to change it from under the tractor. I ended up loosening the floor pan and raising it in the back about 2 inches which made it easy.

 

[DannyLobster]

Been over a year, but...

I lost one of my orange lights on a tree.
My stabilizer arms on the 3PH have bent pretty severely from using my box blade, no matter how careful I am backing up, I seem to hit and they bend.
Lost the adjustable stabilizer arm sometime when I had the BH attached. I take them off now.
Learned a lot about hydraulics, dirt, balance
Founds Lotsa helpful folks on TBN.
Never enough time in the seat.
Dan

 

[jaybrad]

Been over a year, but...

My stabilizer arms on the 3PH have bent pretty severely from using my box blade, no matter how careful I am backing up, I seem to hit and they bend.

This happened to a friend who has a BX Kubota, but thinks it is a Caterpillar bulldozer. He straightened the arm out with some heat and a hammer, then welded a steel plate to the bottom that reinforced the arm. It is now *very rugged* and he has used his blade a lot since this modification and there is no hint of a problem.

I think he posted some pictures on TBN - you could search for his posts: TBN handle is "Dyer, retired".

Jay