GC2300 rear PTO (2003 production year-specific question)

[44trxfun]

Hello Gents and Ladies,

I need your help if you have a GC2300 that was manufactured in 2003. Long story short is that the rear PTO shaft on that tractor apparently had a design flaw in that the machined groove that holds the yoke of a rear-engaging implement is only 1/2-inch from the outer end. Thus, it is not long enough to hold an implement's PTO shaft without it spinning off. (See the last few posts of mine on 10/25/11 here (http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/99073-push-button-power-take-off-2.html#post2560439) for the full story.

So here's the deal. Massey is thus far acknowledging the design flaw but their dealer rep apparently said because of the number of hours / age of the tractor, they won't make it right. In my opinion, age or hours on the tractor has nothing to do with it--Massey should pay to have the tractor split and the proper PTO shaft installed because as it is, it is non-functional and I was sold the tractor on the basis that the rear PTO would perform as expected.

I have the spec sheet that I downloaded from Massey's website in 2003 but I don't know that I kept the booklet I got from the dealer when I was shopping around. I'd like to use that as 'ammunition' with Massey to support my claim that the tractor was sold to me with their word it would do certain things, including powering rear-PTO implements.

If anyone has a copy of the 2003 booklet from Massey about the tractor and would be willing to scan and send it to me, I'd be grateful. Also, if you have a GC2300 from the 2003 production year and have had experience with this issue, again I'd be grateful if you'd respond to this thread so I can use it with the Massey rep.

Other than this experience, I've loved this tractor (OK, I have had an occasional electrical issue, but I'm willing to overlook that because the tractor has proven itself time after time, winter after winter for me!). Any other advice or suggestions would be welcome as well.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ray66v]

2003??? As per previous discussions, 2004 should be the first year for this model.

If I understand you correctly, a grove cut in the shaft is not long enough?

 

[cdaigle430]

The only thing I could add is to keep at it. Alot of people give up and end up doing the repair themselves simply because they dont want to waste any more time on it.

 

[44trxfun]

2003??? As per previous discussions, 2004 should be the first year for this model.

Well, you might be right. I bought it in August (I think) of '03. Maybe it is actually an '04 model.

If I understand you correctly, a grove cut in the shaft is not long enough?

Yep; you got it, but by "not long enough", it's too far out toward the outer end of the PTO shaft. Massey apparently issued a service bulletin to dealers, but didn't state they'd correct the issue.

 

[44trxfun]

The only thing I could add is to keep at it. Alot of people give up and end up doing the repair themselves simply because they dont want to waste any more time on it.

Good point. I doubt I'm going to get my fields cut before we get too much snow so I've got all winter to argue (respectfully, of course) with them...

 

[ray66v]

Yep; you got it, but by "not long enough", it's too far out toward the outer end of the PTO shaft. Massey apparently issued a service bulletin to dealers, but didn't state they'd correct the issue.

Have you thought about simply cutting the grove in farther?

 

[Don87]

Have you thought about simply cutting the grove in farther?

A half hour with a dremel tool should correct the problem.

 

[ray66v]

A half hour with a dremel tool should correct the problem.

I bet I could do it in a few minutes with a worn down cut off wheel, on a die grinder.