GC2300 guide wheel welds

rjblair · Nov 9, 2004

We've now broken the welds for the second time this season. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif The unit was purchased new in May 03 and made it through the first summer fine. This spring I noticed the welds broken on the front guide wheels. Took it in, they welded it and "showed" me how to level it correctly. Although they could not explain to me how to actually use the height adjust and would never actually say to run it on the wheels. I had not checked them for several weeks now, but Sunday the left wheel broke off, went under the deck and did who knows how much damage. I visually checked it and although it appeared ok and no noticeably bent shaft or blade, it was vibrating badly.

Is anyone else having this problem. I used search and turned up one thread, and the dealer said "we've not had this problem before".

thanks,
Roy

jrlichina · Nov 11, 2004

I believe that the GC's MMM is like the BX MMM in that the rollers are anti-scalp and not designed to support the deck like other "ground contact" mowers. The BX manual says to adjust the wheel about 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the ground. The height adjustment knob is used to adjust the cutting height. But since you need to manually adjust the anti-scalp wheels for different cutting heights it's kind of a pain in the butt. I usually set them up high enough that I can cut at the 3 or 3 1/2 settings on the knob. Check you MMM manual and se what it says for adjustment. I hope this helps.

rblair · Nov 12, 2004

The manual does not actually say how to run it. It gives about a paragraph about how to set the wheels according to the height you want to cut, and maybe another one on setting the height adj but never says the wheel should or should not contact the ground. However, I got it back from the dealer and he called Massey. According to him Massey is "aware" that this happens and stated that the deck is designed to run on the guide wheels and that the undercarriage is not designed to carry the deck. The solution? Either replace a pin in the right arm with a bolt so that it carries it level, or weld extra support into the wheel supports.

Some solution for a $10,000 piece of equipment. If I only had a kubota dealer that wasn't such an idiot!

ChemEng · Jan 31, 2005

I believe that the GC2300 can run on either the wheels or float under the tractor. The wheels are designed to carry the weight of the deck, but I prefer to let the deck float under the tractor. I am afraid that the heavy deck riding on the four wheels will really track up the yard. I set the wheels so that they are about 1/2" off the ground when I have the deck down. I use the deck height adjustment knob on the floor board of the tractor to adjust the height of the deck. If the deck wasn't designed to mow while floating under the tractor, then what is the height adjustment knob for? FYI You can't turn the height adjustment know while the deck is lowered. The heavy deck puts to much pressure on the adjustment knob. I adjust the knob while the deck is up and the pressure is off.

I did notice when I received the tractor from the dealer the deck didn't seem to be level when it was lowered to mowing height and floating under the tractor. The deck was level when raised up, however. I noticed when the deck was lowered one side would continue to lower a little after the other side stopped (can't remember which side). I simply adjusted the lower side up until it was level when lowered and hanging off the bottom of the tractor. The causes the deck to be slightly unlevel when raised, but who cares? You only need it level when it is lowered and mowing. It mows great now.

sgtteh · Mar 31, 2005

Hello, just brought home a new 2300 and was playing in the yard and attempting to set up the mowing deck. Have you decided whether or not the guide wheels are to be on the ground or for anti scalping?

skivt · Apr 1, 2005

I seem to remember my dealer telling me to put the wheels on the ground.

loulblades · Apr 5, 2005

After getting my 2300, doing some mowing and reading a previous thread about this, I made my adjustments as follows:

- Removed pins from wheels
- Adjusted mowing height by setting knob
- Leveled mower by adjusting bolts
- Adjusted wheels so they were about a 1/4 to 1/2 " off ground.

I don't like having the wheels on the ground because the rear wheels do not turn with the tractor. If the wheels are on the ground and you make a sharp turn, it does a nice job of tearing up the turf.

Now that I just said that, I was thinking maybe adjusting the wheels so the front ones are on the ground (since they turn) and rear are not if there is an issue of the full mower load on the undercarriage. Just a thought.

Just starting to get mine ready for the mowing season. Good chance snow is done, I think.

What a blast I am having with this thing.

DougM · Apr 6, 2005

(((I don't like having the wheels on the ground because the rear wheels do not turn with the tractor. If the wheels are on the ground and you make a sharp turn, it does a nice job of tearing up the turf.))))

I wonder how hard it would be to Place another set of front wheels on te back of the mower deck.. It would make changing the DECK a lot easier...???

DougM

sgtteh · Apr 6, 2005

As the debate continues, it sounds like the majority are saying the wheels should be off the ground. I will give that a try. My yard is pretty much one big hill, has anyone had any problems with the 2300 mowing up fairly steep hills, like horsepower, sliding problems???

skivt · Apr 11, 2005

Not sure about mowing up a steep hill, but I drove up a very steep hill this weekend with no issues. I carefully popped a stump on the way up. Key is to use 4 wheel drive going up and down and resist the temptation to go across.