Grind Lift Arms and Shave Tires

[DaveinVa]

Hello Everyone! I am new to this board and large tractors. I hope to learn a lot from this forum.

I recently purchased an Agco GT45 fwd w/cab. Funny looking tractor, but works hard. Picture attached. (I think.) To make the deal, the dealer told me that I could buy the R4 tires I needed when they became available in June. Needless to say, the wheels needed for the tire will not be available until November ....production delay. Dealer says I should shave my Goodyear radials to a less aggressive profile to suit my soil conditions. Should I?

Also, the dealer sold me Cat I equipment to go on my Cat II tractor. He says I should angle grind the lift arms and balls to make the quickhitch and equipment fit. Should I?

Thanks........Looking forward to your advice.

 

[rockinmywaypa]

Hi Let me be first to say welcome. The only reason I'd touch those tires is if you're planning on cutting your lawn with this tractor or if you're going into competition tractor pulls, both of which this would be a poor choice of tractor for. For general work around the farm I'd stick to what you have and save the money. As for the lift arms I'd use bushings on the pins to make them fit rather than butcher your arms. The bushings look just like a short piece of pipe the length of the ball.There should be a slide piece on the housing that can be turned to allow the arms to come into centre more. Hope this helps your decision.Looks like a nice tractor to ride in.

 

[markct]

i think by grind he means make the balls narrower, on cat 2 not only are the holes bigger but the balls are often slightly wider too, for example on a cat 1 toplink the width is inch and 3/4 and on a cat 2 it it 2 inch wide so most likely he has to grind the balls down, i would have a hard time doing this to a brand new tractor personaly, but then again i never owned much anything brand new!

 

[ZJ_HR]

Hey Dave,
Congrats on your new tractor. Actually you have SAME tractor, basically similar to mine, just with water cooled engine. What options did you get on?

I hope you'll like as I like mine /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JerryG]

Tell your dealer to replace all your hitch pins with cat. 1 pins and give you a reducer bushing for the third arm. Don't ruin a good set of radials, cutting on them. Then think about getting a different dealer.

 

[greg_g]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Then think about getting a different dealer. )</font>
My sentiments exactly. No reason in the world that you should have to compensate for his shortcomings.

//greg//

 

[DiskDoctr]

Dave,

If you have a TSC (Tractor Supply Company) nearby, go back to the hitches and equipment area. They have adapters (pieces of pipe) to adapt to a different category.

One piece of advice- take your old pins to check the sizes and lengths.

Have fun with your new tractor, and welcome aboard!

-JC

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I recently purchased an Agco GT45 fwd w/cab. Funny looking tractor, but works hard. )</font>
I hope that beautiful tractor wasn't looking over your shoulder when you JOKINGLY said this. I think it's a great looking tractor. I agree with those that say to get the adaptors, and a new dealer. If he knew much about tractors, he should have taken care of this for you instead of trying to push it off onto you. John

 

[DiskDoctr]

Several of you mention getting a new dealer. I agree the dealer's suggestion sounds a bit odd- not what we would expect from a dealer.

But what Jerry didn't say is what kind of a deal he got? If the dealer made him an insanely good deal because of the circumstances, maybe the dealer is okay.

Personally, if I saved $4k-$5k, I'd make/buy my own 3ph adapters and such. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Jerry- I'd like to hear more about those tires and what the problem is with the wheels. There are several suppliers who specialize in all types of wheels and parts, maybe if we knew more about your problem, we could make a suggestion.

-JC

 

[DaveinVa]

Thank you for all your suggestions.

The tractor with FEL, 4in1, drag harrow, hay spear and Quick Hitch for 3 pt. was $40,601.00. The issue with the tires is that lead and lag time on four wheel drive is very important. Has to do with rolling circumference. Agco has not manufactured the wheels yet and they are specific to the GT45. Agco Customer Service would not tell me the tire and wheel size needed. They did, however, notify the dealer. Need their wheels to maintain warranty.

The grinding has to do with getting the Cat I quick hitch to fit on Cat II lift arms. Bushings do not apply in that situation. I could weld Cat II pins on the outside of the quick hitch, but I think the dealer should have done that for me. They told me that I must take it to a machine shop.

I believe that I will bite the bullet and visit a new dealer tomorrow. I need a tractor that I can get parts for.