Snow How do I mount an MF 2340 Dozer/Snow blade on a GC2300

[MisterMike650]

I recently purchased my first subcompact tractor, a used 2004 MF GC2300. It is in incredible condition for a 2004 and only has 325 hours on it. One of the reasons I purchased it was that it came with a 2340 quick attach dozer/snow blade. Attaching the mount to the blade is pretty straight forward, but mounting the mount to the front of the tractor is not (or at least doesn't appear to be although I haven't tried it yet because I don't want to remove the loader or the mower deck just yet). I actually have the operating manual for the blade, but it doesn't really get into mounting it to the tractor. It may end up being simpler than I think, but won't really know that until I actually try to do it. If anyone has any pictures or videos or basic instructions, I would really appreciate it. I have downloaded some pictures I found online, but they don't really show anything up close. My other option is to go to my nearest MF dealer (a little over an hour away) and get a look at a newer model (probably the GC1705) or get some instruction from the dealer if they are willing.
Thanks
Mike

 

[irvingj]

The dozer blade may require the use of the front Quick Attach assembly, as both the front-mount broom and the front-mount snow blower do. It mounts to the frame's front cross member, after the grille guard has been removed.

Middle pic is the rear of the snow blower, showing the "socket" which slips over the QA shoe part. Hydraulic cylinder for lifting stays with the front QA assembly.

If you don't have one of those you can get one, but it'll be pricey -- it's also where the mid-PTO driveshaft hooks up for the blower & the broom.

 

[blackd]

As irvingj pointed out the MF Quick Hitch is different than what you showed. Do you have this part, and does your blade have the shoe that slips over the hitch? If not you will have to buy, build or modify something else to fit your blade.

If you do have the MF Quick Hitch it is a very easy install. Just remove the grill guard and slip it over the front member. Then tighten the big T handle against the front member. EZ PeeZee!

 

[MisterMike650]

I believe I have the complete Quick Attach assembly. It very much looks like the third picture. I originally thought I could connect it to the lower part of the grill guard, but measured it and it is not long enough. Like blackd said below I think if I remove the grill guard , slip it over the hitch and tighten the T handle, that may be all I have to do. I won't say it is EZ PeeZee until I actually do it successfully. All of that is, of course, after I remove the grill guard, the loader and the mower deck and linkages. I am going to try to upload a couple of pictures. If I am successful, you will see what I mean.

Either way...thanks to you both for your help.

 

[MF RED in MT]

Welcome to TBN MisterMike650 and congrats on your new tractor.

I have attached a photo from my MF Quick Hitch and SubFrame Owners Manual that shows how it attaches to the tractor.

I have attached an additional photo from my MF 2340 Dozer Blade Owners Manual showing placement of the "trip spring lockout bracket", which I noticed was missing from your photo, this is not a problem if you plan on using the dozer blade in the non-locked out position.

The last photo I attached is from my MF 2340 Dozer Blade Hydraulic Angling Kit Owners Manual, which I noticed you have with your dozer blade, this is a great add on to the dozer blade.

I hope this helps you out with your installation, KC

 

[MisterMike650]

Great instructions to have. Thank you very much. That's one of those things when buying used...you don't always have access to the original instructions. I did end up with a number of manuals, just not much on the blade. The previous owner was very meticulous in maintaining the tractor and the manuals (they were kept in plastic and looked brand new). All of that to my benefit. Hopefully I can carry on that tradition. Thanks again.

 

[irvingj]

Interesting -- that's the quick-hitch assembly, but apparently designed specifically for the blade: note the lack of the mid-PTO driveshaft carry-through like mine has (first pic in my above post) -- but I see it does have the extra hydraulic cylinder for angling the blade.

There's a welded-on 3/4" square solid bar at the top of the quick-hitch -- that actually hangs on the top edge of the frame front cross-member. Just be sure to have the T-handle loosened up quite a bit so the tightening mechanism will clear underneath, and the whole assembly will hang there on the cross-member. When you tighten that T-handle, it will draw up that silver 1" thick block of steel onto the underside of the frame cross-member to hold it in place. Don't be afraid to use a small hammer on that T-handle to get it tight!

On those earlier models, there most likely is NOT a hydraulic filter guard --they were added on later year versions -- but you probably ought to put one on if the PO hasn't already done that. Also, check the ground strap/cable -- again, on the 2300-series tractors, they tended to be a tad short and would eventually break off due to the natural shaking of that 3-cylinder diesel. (When that happens, everything electric works... except for the starter!)

PS-- some of those steel 4-wheel tire dollies (again, like in my first pic above) will make removing the front-end loader MUCH easier, assuming you have a smooth floor to use. After lowering the storage legs, you can drop the FEL onto the dolly, pull the pins, start the tractor back up and use the lifting control to push the arms forward (away from the locking pin holes); shut tractor off, relieve residual hydraulic pressure by moving the joystick around, and then the the hydraulic lines can be disconnected. The tractor can then be pulled back away from the FEL; you can grip & lift the two arm cylinders and roll the FEL into storage position pretty easily. I've had some practice, but it only takes me about 7 or 8 minutes to drop the FEL.

Yer gonna LOVE that little tractor!!

 

[MisterMike650]

Regarding the T-Handle, the instructions provided by MF Red in MT makes a big point of checking and tightening the T-handle initially after every 4 hours of operation (probably due to loosening caused by impact or vibration). You are correct about there not being a hydraulic filter guard...I will look into that. Online I saw a number of homemade versions, but I don't have access to metal fabricating tools (nor do I know how to weld...at least at this point) so I will do a bit more research to see what might be available commercially. Interesting idea about the truck tire dollies for the FEL. I am going to look around to see if I can get some used. I already invested in some clamp-on pallet forks. I am storing the blade on a pallet in front of my garage so I plan on using the forks when winter come around so I can do the attaching outside on flat ground. It will also make it easier to put it back at the end of the winter.

 

[MF RED in MT]

MisterMike650 here's a couple of pics from the owners manuals regarding maintenance MF suggests for the Quick Hitch and the Dozer Blade.

irvingj sorry to confuse the issue regarding the Quick Hitch assembly for the snowblower, but that pic in post #5 above was the best one for showing the Quick Hitch installation, and here's a pic from the previous page of the owners manual showing the snowblower parts for the Quick Hitch.

Sorry if the previous pics are blurred as I snapped them with my cell phone, but now I remembered with the help of the wife to scan them from our printer to my computer, old age I guess, KC

B.T.W. the scanned pics sure do upload faster.

 

[MisterMike650]

Am I correct in assuming at least the first and last pics are for a tractor with a front PTO for attachments such as a snowblower (which uses the same quick hitch assembly)? My GC2300 only has a mid and rear pto. My blade is fully hydraulic (four hoses just like the FEL). The quick hitch would appear to be the same (when I first looked at it, I was wondering why there were circular cutouts at the bottom which from your pics appear to be for the PTO linkages (which I don't have on my model).