new GC2610 hydrostatic transmission question

[OhioHank]

Two weeks ago my new GC2610 was delivered and I have 11 hours on it so far. I really love this thing. I've mostly used it to move brush around, and push/drag logs.

I first noticed that, when in high gear, I would go to push a log with the FEL and the transmission would just humm. The wheels don't spin and the engine doesn't bog down hardly at all, but nothing happens. So I figured I should probably be doing this sort of work in low gear. The tractor definitely has more power in low gear, but the same thing happened again when I was trying to stab into a pile of mulch with the FEL, in low gear. My foot will have the petal all the way down and I just hear a humm, but not really any engine bogging. So I have to back off and go to a softer section.
Im not sure if I am just seeing the normal limits of the transmission, or if something needs adjusted? Some videos on youtube show people doing the same sorts of things, but usually the wheels break traction if the load is too much.

Can anyone comment about the transmission power and noises it makes when under load? Thanks!!

 

[ray66v]

It's hard to say for sure, but I think your assumptions are correct.

You should be able to hear the engine RPM's drop some, and the tires should at least occasionally break loose, if your trying to dig with the FEL in the low range.

You should not do this kind of work in high range, because it can lug the engine, and that is hard on the bottom end, (crank, rods, bearings).

I wonder if the hum could be a bypass valve that is not allowing the pressure to build properly?

 

[OhioHank]

Hi Ray! Since you said there is such thing as a "bypass valve" I feel better. I'm pretty sure that bypass valve is being activated.

Up until this point, I have only had experience with geared and not hydrostatic transmissions. With the geared versions, and under similar load, the engine will bog down to the point of stalling or the clutch will slip. So I wasn't sure if the hum I heard (along with the wheels not spinning) was a normal condition for hydrostatic transmissions. I have nothing to compare it with.

Everything seems to work normal otherwise. It doesn't lack power as far as I can tell and this only happens when I push it pretty hard. I just wanted to make sure something wasn't wrong. I don't want to feel like the woman who drives 10 miles on her flat tire's rim and says "I thought the road was a little bumpy...".

When I noticed these things, I was on VERY compacted hard ground which is probably why the wheels weren’t spinning. We've since had some rain so I'll try it again with softer ground. I bet the wheels will break loose then.

 

[ray66v]

Like I said, it's hard to say from here.

Yes, just like hydraulics normally have a bypass to relive the pressure when it reaches the designed limit point, a hydraulic transmission will too.

Hopefully it is performing as it should, and there are no problems.

 

[WilliamBos]

Had a similar issue with our 1523 when blading some gravel. Tractor stopped dead in its tracks, lifted the blade sightly, and it took off again.

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[tx2310]

Something doesn't sound right. I was digging and moving virgin ground yesterday with the FEL on my wimpy 600 hr. 2310 . When I would dig in I could pull down the motor to the point of showing black smoke and was getting full buckets. High gear is really only for going to and from and not to work. It sounds like the bypass is set to low. Are you using full throttle or low throttle when you are doing this ?

Doug

 

[OhioHank]

Doug,

I was pushing a pile of brush mixed with dirt in the 2000-2200 RPM range and in high gear. It stopped pushing the pile and so I looked at the wheels to see if I was loosing traction and they were not spinning. The engine bogged down a little, but it didn't sound like it was trying all that hard. Thats when I switched to low gear and tried again. It pushed the pile just fine then, so I thought it was just the gear range. Like you, I've started using the low range for all the work and high gear for transport. But then it happend again just going into a fresh 7 yard load of mulch, in low gear. It just seems like the engine should work a liitle harder before the bypass kicks in. Think I should call the dealer?

 

[tx2310]

You might try full RPM and see what happens. It will not hurt the motor. The difference between the 24xx and the 26xx is the RPM range to make the extra power. You have to go above 2600 RPMs to get the extra power the 26xx has over the 24xx. They like full power to work in heavy stuff. 2000-2200 RPM is a little low and may not make enough power to pull down the engine.

Doug

 

[ray66v]

I agree, use full throttle.

 

[OhioHank]

Thanks guys I'll give it a try today (if it stops raining) or this weekend and report back.