Sub compact new vs used advice

[Rookie22]

You're welcome. I bet it is nothing, but lets find out exactly.

Now Be Safe. No fair turning the tractor over... or working on it with unsupported parts suspended in midair. And I hope you have somewhere flat and level.

A pair of jack stands for usine under the axle is $30 at HomeDepot, Walmart, etc....although some use a couple of sturdy blocks of wood & that is fine for most tractors - and certainly for a subcompact.

AND you will want a "front end loader lift arm cylinder safety prop" if yours does not already have one built into it as part of the loader. Some do and some don't, but all should.
Here is a photo; frankly the online price seems high but I include it to show you what it is.
You end up using that safety prop more than you think. It makes opening the hood to check and clean engine filters and such so much easier.

It is common to have a prop on only one cylinder. The prop can be a simple piece of angle iron or channel iron cut to length and a couple of straps to hold it to the extended cylinder rod. I'd say to go with something thicker than 1/8" wall iron just to be sure. If lighter, use one on both lift arm cylinders. Even a piece of strurdy lumber would be better than nothing. It does need to be strapped into place against the cylinder rod or risks popping free.
To use, raise loader to about 3/4 full height, insert prop, turn motor off, lightly feather the control to allow the loader to come down slowly until it traps the prop. Then examine what you have with a critical eye. Yes, one end of the prop often rests on the end of the cylinder...that's OK, just make it miss the seal.

Now you can examine that front end.
rScotty

Thank you Rscotty

You're welcome. I bet it is nothing, but lets find out exactly.

Now Be Safe. No fair turning the tractor over... or working on it with unsupported parts suspended in midair. And I hope you have somewhere flat and level.

A pair of jack stands for usine under the axle is $30 at HomeDepot, Walmart, etc....although some use a couple of sturdy blocks of wood & that is fine for most tractors - and certainly for a subcompact.

AND you will want a "front end loader lift arm cylinder safety prop" if yours does not already have one built into it as part of the loader. Some do and some don't, but all should.
Here is a photo; frankly the online price seems high but I include it to show you what it is.
You end up using that safety prop more than you think. It makes opening the hood to check and clean engine filters and such so much easier.

It is common to have a prop on only one cylinder. The prop can be a simple piece of angle iron or channel iron cut to length and a couple of straps to hold it to the extended cylinder rod. I'd say to go with something thicker than 1/8" wall iron just to be sure. If lighter, use one on both lift arm cylinders. Even a piece of strurdy lumber would be better than nothing. It does need to be strapped into place against the cylinder rod or risks popping free.
To use, raise loader to about 3/4 full height, insert prop, turn motor off, lightly feather the control to allow the loader to come down slowly until it traps the prop. Then examine what you have with a critical eye. Yes, one end of the prop often rests on the end of the cylinder...that's OK, just make it miss the seal.

Now you can examine that front end.
rScotty

I really appreciate your advice thank you

 

[Rookie22]

Hi @Rookie22, welcome to the forum, and welcome to the Massey Ferguson GC series "group".

There is an extensive thread in the Massey Ferguson Owning/Operating sub-forum called "What have you done with/to your GC Series 2300, 2400, 1700 Tractor TODAY" which may be useful when you have the time to read it.

Regards, Dick

Appreciate your advice thank you

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

You can measure the actual camber like this. Mine has about 3 degrees.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Any update on the dealer response?

 

[akadave]

Sounds like a good deal to me. A lot of guys buy little tractors when they retire or just reach the point where they can afford one without any real need for it. Always wanted a tractor so they get one. They usually take meticulous care of their new toy and don't do much more than pull the wagon full of grandkids around the yard. At some point they decide they want a different toy so they get a Corvette or a motor home. Some pass away and their wife sells it. Whatever the reason you get a great tractor without the usual depreciation hit.

 

[edgarrian]

I purchased a 1705 new in 2016. Front end loader, box blade, under belly mower, bush hog, and tiller. I live on 8 acres of all woods. I use my tractor for everything and most of all for cutting wood as we burn a lot during the winter months. I have used my tractor for installing driveways, building small building pads, backfilling and so on. Ive been around equipment all my life so im pretty good at running it. When it comes to running the front end loader. Just take ur time. It will take a bit to get use to running the bucket without gouging out areas when your moving material.

A few things to remember. I believe your hydraulic filter is located underneath the tractor. IF so they make plates to protect it if you find yourself working in the woods. Unprotected a stick could puncture the filter and you would be SOL. When connecting anything to the PTO. Make sure the PTO is in neutral so its free to move. Just slide the PTO from implement to ur shaft until it actually slides on (maybe an inch or so). Then pull back on the shaft to release the locking machoism to slide it all the way on. IT should lock back on the PTO shaft. Once you have it hooked up. Pull back on it to make sure its locked. A lot of folks who are new try to pull back on the mechanism and slide it on. This makes for a very frustrating experience. Finally when moving a pile of dirt or stone. Make sure bucket is flat and at the bottom of the pile. Go into pile but you dont need to spin your tires. Just lift the loader and curl the bucket while going slightly forward. If you spin your tires it just makes it rough when you come back to get more. This will take you a bit to get use to.

Most of all just enjoy it. Grab a beer and do your tractoring.