Pimp my Massey: New GC1723EB

[polarred21]

Many thanks! A lot of good links for companies I did not have. Reading up on all this, more to come.

Oh yeah, how about the backhoe thumb? BXexpanded the best option over the factory one? I have not priced the factory one.

 

[dicktill]

Many thanks! A lot of good links for companies I did not have. Reading up on all this, more to come.

Oh yeah, how about the backhoe thumb? BXexpanded the best option over the factory one? I have not priced the factory one.

I do not have the BXpanded thumb, but kinda wish I did; I got the factory thumb thrown in with the purchase. Either thumb is a PITA without a hydraulic cylinder (which I added) though. The reason I think the BXpanded one might be better than the factory one is that it is concave while the factory one is convex, and it sometimes it slips off a log.

 

[WranglerX]

Convexed???....... What were the engineers thinking....

 

[dicktill]

Convexed???....... What were the engineers thinking....

And I should have mentioned that it is even worse on rocks than logs!

 

[polarred21]

View attachment 2907544

And I should have mentioned that it is even worse on rocks than logs!

So this is the factory thumb? Sounds like the BXpanded would be better?

 

[dicktill]

So this is the factory thumb? Sounds like the BXpanded would be better?

View attachment 2907550

My picture was the factory thumb. Your picture is the BX one and "is more better".

 

[polarred21]

Man those Bro-tek spacers are expensive as compared to others, and I didn't know that most all are aluminum.

What makes Bro-tek worth the extra money, and any issues with electrolysis?

 

[hube2]

Man those Bro-tek spacers are expensive as compared to others, and I didn't know that most all are aluminum.

What makes Bro-tek worth the extra money, and any issues with electrolysis?

Why did I choose Bro-Tek?

1. They are machined to exactly fit the GC, both the hub and the wheel. They bolt on the hub exactly the same as the wheel would and the wheel fits the spacer exactly as it would fit on the hub. I do not believe that anyone else makes spacers specifically to fit the GCs, but I could be wrong.
2. They are hub centric vs lug centric, most of the less expensive spacers are lug centric.

I had to look up electrolysis... unless you get a lot of salt on the aluminum or you live near a salty ocean where there'd be a lot of salt in the air, I don't see where this would something to worry about. But I can't really say, I haven't had my wheels off since I put the spacers on in the fall of 2020. I think about taking the wheels off every spring to check that the bolts are still tight, but then I look at the painted marks on the back of the hub and see that nothing has moved, I used loctite and I don't see a reason to deal with taking filled wheels off. I inspect the marks and what I can see of the spacers every spring and I have not noticed any corrosion.

I wasn't really concerned with the cost, I spent more to have custom skid shoes made for my blower than I spent on the spacers.

This is a picture of the underside where you can see the lines painted on the back of the hub and bolts.

 

[hube2]

I missed a point in my last comment.

3) Because of the other two points I made the weight of the tractor is on the hub and the spacer rather than being on the bolts and lugs that them on. Flat spacers that are not made to fit over the hub and into the wheel cause the weight of the tractor to be on the bolts.

 

[polarred21]

I missed a point in my last comment.

3) Because of the other two points I made the weight of the tractor is on the hub and the spacer rather than being on the bolts and lugs that them on. Flat spacers that are not made to fit over the hub and into the wheel cause the weight of the tractor to be on the bolts.

Many thanks for this insight! I have been in touch with Bro-tek. Guess what? They can't give you a price on shipping due to the looming tariffs. Said it would be next week before they can get this sorted out. Great

 

[polarred21]

I would like to have the spacers the style of Bro-tek with the machining for the center axle to provide the extra support as mentioned above. I wonder if there are other suppliers that make it this way. Here is my Bro-tek response from my order inquiry:

Hi ,



We would like to first thank you for taking the time to reach out to us.

For the past + 30 years, we’ve grown our business with the help of our customers. Over time, we are able to fabricate new & better products with your input. We love having Tractor Guys as customers, you guys are the best!

We pride ourselves on producing good quality products in a timely manner and to give the best service to our clients that we can offer.

With the current tariff, we will update our website to reflect these new changes. The update shall be completed next week. At that time, you shall be able to purchase/ checkout all items on the website. The update will be showing all the costs upfront, resulting in a simple one payment, with no COD or other charges/cost.

I would like to thank you again & appreciate your patience on these changes; we are looking forward to getting results for you by next week.



Richard / Bro-Tek@hotmail.com

For reference the differences:

 

[hube2]

I wonder if there are other suppliers that make it this way.

Bora

Wheel Adapters, Wheel Spacers, Hub Rings, and much more! | Motorsport Tech

Motorsport Tech is your absolute number one source for wheel adapters, wheel spacers, and hub centric rings. We manufacture the finest adapters in the world, and we do wheel polishing, chroming, powder coating, and color matching, as well as sell wheels and tires at WHOLESALE PRICES.

www.motorsport-tech.com

Made in the US, but more expensive, even if you have to pay a tariff and you won't get them any sooner. They won't make them till you order and I believe there is a 4 to 5 week lead time.

 

[polarred21]

Day 1
Got it home. Couple of glamor shots Feeling good.

 

[polarred21]

BXpanded Backhoe Thumb - ordered.
BXpanded Pirahna Toothbar - ordered.
Service Manual - ordered from the dealer as they could get it for $70 compared to the $172 on Agco website shared above. They didn't understand it either.

Hydraulic hose sleeve and spiral rap received for future projects and maybe add more hose protection. I've installed thousands of feet of these products in a production environment and they work well.

I came up with 47-3/8" tight measurement for the toothbar so I ordered 47-1/4"

 

[polarred21]

I cannot find a brand name or model number for this seat so I will take a chance and order the armrests as mentioned earlier, hopefully from someone that accepts returns.

 

[MF RED in MT]

Congratulations on your MF polarred21,

It appears you have invested a lot of research and thought into this purchase.

You probably already have a great grease gun, but if you don't I'd suggest a cordless grease gun.

I think I purchased mine about 14 years ago before they were available in all the different color flavors.

Mine is a Lincoln PowerLuber 12v with a Lock N Lube XL grease coupler.

I only have 1 battery and it's never given me any trouble, usually only need to charge it once a year.

KC

 

[polarred21]

Right now I plan to make the 2 hour road trip to Catawba attachments for the grapple. I was told $150 discount for local pickup.

The WR Long true 3rd function is the most popular, but I cannot find a pic where anyone has installed this huge solenoid valve in tucked away location. Sticking up on top of the loader arm is not going to happen.

Has anyone installed this WR Long kit on this tractor?

 

[polarred21]

Congratulations on your MF polarred21,

It appears you have invested a lot of research and thought into this purchase.

You probably already have a great grease gun, but if you don't I'd suggest a cordless grease gun.

I think I purchased mine about 14 years ago before they were available in all the different color flavors.

Mine is a Lincoln PowerLuber 12v with a Lock N Lube XL grease coupler.

I only have 1 battery and it's never given me any trouble, usually only need to charge it once a year.

KC

Many thanks! Yes I need to up my game with a cordless.

 

[tacticalturnip]

You're going to have a lot of fun with the Piranha bar.

 

[polarred21]

On the Massey FB group, guy from Australia fabbed this up. Best one I've seen for a GC.