GC1705 2 Week Impressions

[Blento]

Had my GC1705 /w FEL for a couple weeks and so far it is great. For my yard it is going to be the perfect tool for a 75 year old home owner. I have 2+ acres just north of Cleveland, Ga that is mostly rocks, mulch, asphalt and some gravel. It is also on a fairly steep incline. The FEL is great and I am getting much better at operation moving mulch where needed. For only 22.5HP this bugger has balls!

I found out that mine was pre Sept of 2017 so it had the 2 piece seat that was upgraded. Called my dealer and he said "no problem, just take the seat off and we will trade for the new seat".

I have to say that the dealer has been great, Kabe Cain at Cain Equipment in Clermont, Ga. deserves a little plug! (Home >> Cain Equipment) I traded a 1960 IHC 40HP gas with a loader that was a real beast and not running. He made me a deal I could not pass up.

I do have a few things that I am not happy with but can be fixed.
The brake, fwd & rev pedals are a little to far off the floor requiring lifting your foot off the floor and looking down to reach them. The fwd & rev were an easy fix, I reversed the pedal pads that are bolted on with one bolt

The brake pedal has a welded pad but it looks easy to remove and I am going to get my local repair shop to cut and re-weld it lower or I may just cut if off and drill a couple holes to re mount it lower.


I also added the brush guards to the rear lights for $50, MF Part#6253545M1. They fit almost all the present MF models. thought it was easier than moving them inboard.


I do not understand why MF does not provide a volt meter on the dash. For $7 from Amazon I got a digital meter and I ordered a small plastic box to mount it in. When I get it installed I will post a picture. The last thing I want is the battery to not charge and not know it. MF are you reading this????? I also added a 2 pin connector for my trickle charger as there is not cigar lighter on this machine.

I also took the pouch off the new seat, 4 plastic push pins, replaced it with a piece of 1/4" plywood and moved my SMV triangle to the seat.


Also mounted my hitch bar from Titan Products and got me a new multi ball hitch so I can move my trailers around.

So overall I am more than satisfied with my MF, the 4WD on my sloped acres makes it almost impossible to get stuck like my old 2WD monster.

 

[2ndhalf]

Yes, they are quite a capable little tractor for something so easy on the lawn and that takes up so little space. I have an older GC and really love it. Glad your enjoying yours!

 

[irvingj]

Ditto, they're quite capable for little tractors, surprising, even.

...Didn't realize Freightliner made ATVs! :laughing:

 

[fxdb96]

I can't believe they gave you a seat they want four hundred bucks from me for a seat I'm looking at the trading instead

 

[Blento]

Ditto, they're quite capable for little tractors, surprising, even.

...Didn't realize Freightliner made ATVs! :laughing:

That is my Club Car golf cart, bought it from my neighbor, he got it FREE when he bought his 1995 $150,000+ motor home. it was powered by a Freightliner branded Cummins engine.

 

[nickgindy]

Had my GC1705 /w FEL for a couple weeks and so far it is great. For my yard it is going to be the perfect tool for a 75 year old home owner. I have 2+ acres just north of Cleveland, Ga that is mostly rocks, mulch, asphalt and some gravel. It is also on a fairly steep incline. The FEL is great and I am getting much better at operation moving mulch where needed. For only 22.5HP this bugger has balls!

I found out that mine was pre Sept of 2017 so it had the 2 piece seat that was upgraded. Called my dealer and he said "no problem, just take the seat off and we will trade for the new seat".
View attachment 540299
I have to say that the dealer has been great, Kabe Cain at Cain Equipment in Clermont, Ga. deserves a little plug! (Home >> Cain Equipment) I traded a 1960 IHC 40HP gas with a loader that was a real beast and not running. He made me a deal I could not pass up.

I do have a few things that I am not happy with but can be fixed.
The brake, fwd & rev pedals are a little to far off the floor requiring lifting your foot off the floor and looking down to reach them. The fwd & rev were an easy fix, I reversed the pedal pads that are bolted on with one bolt
View attachment 540296 View attachment 540295
The brake pedal has a welded pad but it looks easy to remove and I am going to get my local repair shop to cut and re-weld it lower or I may just cut if off and drill a couple holes to re mount it lower.
View attachment 540297View attachment 540298

I also added the brush guards to the rear lights for $50, MF Part#6253545M1. They fit almost all the present MF models. thought it was easier than moving them inboard.
View attachment 540301

I do not understand why MF does not provide a volt meter on the dash. For $7 from Amazon I got a digital meter and I ordered a small plastic box to mount it in. When I get it installed I will post a picture. The last thing I want is the battery to not charge and not know it. MF are you reading this????? I also added a 2 pin connector for my trickle charger as there is not cigar lighter on this machine.

I also took the pouch off the new seat, 4 plastic push pins, replaced it with a piece of 1/4" plywood and moved my SMV triangle to the seat.
View attachment 540302

Also mounted my hitch bar from Titan Products and got me a new multi ball hitch so I can move my trailers around.
View attachment 540303
So overall I am more than satisfied with my MF, the 4WD on my sloped acres makes it almost impossible to get stuck like my old 2WD monster.

I've been looking at a Cain add on Tractorhouse. He has a gc1705 with a mmm, fel, tiller, and on a trailer for $16200. If that is the non cash price that is a heck of a deal and may end up causing me to drive 9 hours to purchase with him. My local dealer is about that juft for a tractor, fel, and mmm.