Warranty on work

[Bje56]

Hey everyone. My first post. I’ve been one of those selfish ones who sits back and takes but never puts anything in. Not who I am. More of a lack of knowledge to share. Hopefully one day something I’m a subject matter expert in will come up. Any way... bought a used 2005 GC 2300 with 89hrs on it approx 8 months ago. Great machine. The original place of purchase had shut down and then reopened between when it was bought and when I got it. I’m in Massachusetts. Turns out last October (2017)!the tractor went in for service as well as front axel seals, loose steering wheel (the previous owner apparently used it as a handle to pull himself up onto the platform, and fill the rear tires with fluid (not sure which fluid - I’ll double check printout). I found this out when I visited this dealership relieved I didn’t have to drive over an hour to get to a MF dealership. I spoke with gentleman there who ended up searching the previous owners phone number I still had and found the invoice of the work they did in October 2017. He printed a copy for my records. My question centers around the front axel seals. I have put 160hrs on it now. (251hrs total - wife had to do that math for me). I’ve switched everything over to Amsoil synthetics. I used gear oil (severe gear 75-90) for the front axel. (Daughter won’t mind skipping college so tractor can have the best) Over the 160hrs I noticed a small build up of oil/dirt by the front axel seals. I use the tractor, but don’t abuse it. I was hoping the build up was residual from before the tractor went into the shop. I cleaned it pretty well when I changed the fluids. I took off the platform and coated it with truck bed liner and added a usb charging port and some lights. (All ideas and knowledge from you people and this community so thank you very much). It’s been about 12 hours since and I now have more oil/dirt that again looks to be coming from the seals. I was hoping that switching from dealer permantran iii (per invoice) to the Amsoil severe gear any small leaking would slow or magically disappear. If the seals do need to be replaced am I wrong to point out to the dealer that they did the work and there’s only been a 160hrs Of use/1 year since this was fixed? Am I out of line to hope that they’ll help me out cost wise ok any further repairs? Assuming this is the same issue, which again from what knowledge I’ve gained here it seems like it is. I went above the budget to purchase this tractor hoping to avoid any major repairs for at least a few years. Any insight would be much appreciated. Thank you again for all the previous help again. Also to any fellow Veterans, happy Veterans Day.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate... I'm sorry but I couldn't finish reading the 'wall of text' that was your post. Could you break it up into paragraphs? Ta.

We had a very moving Remembrance Day here in St Helens. "Lest we forget."

 

[irvingj]

I thoroughly de-greased my 2310 a while back, and now can see some dirt/oil buildup around the right front axle. Somewhat disappointing, but it's not a lot... and I'm not worried about it...yet. Mine's a 2007, now with about 800 hrs on it. Attached pic is after about 5 hours of lawn mowing & leaf removal, pretty dusty, so the slight leak shows up nicely. Left side is still clean & dry. I take it your leak is worse? (maybe a pic?)

Observations:
1) Pretty unusual to have to change axle seals at only 89 hours!
2) I doubt you'll get any warranty out of work that was performed so long ago... but it may not hurt to ask, I guess.
3) ...and to have to re-build the steering wheel, again with only 89 hours... sounds like it may have been used pretty hard.. but these things are pretty tough. Great little tractors.

 

[DLTTrekkers]

I thoroughly de-greased my 2310 a while back, and now can see some dirt/oil buildup around the right front axle. Somewhat disappointing, but it's not a lot... and I'm not worried about it...yet. Mine's a 2007, now with about 800 hrs on it. Attached pic is after about 5 hours of lawn mowing & leaf removal, pretty dusty, so the slight leak shows up nicely. Left side is still clean & dry. I take it your leak is worse? (maybe a pic?)

Observations:
1) Pretty unusual to have to change axle seals at only 89 hours!
2) I doubt you'll get any warranty out of work that was performed so long ago... but it may not hurt to ask, I guess.
3) ...and to have to re-build the steering wheel, again with only 89 hours... sounds like it may have been used pretty hard.. but these things are pretty tough. Great little tractors.

No streem of oil....so no leak !

 

[ray66v]

The gear oil is about the same viscosity as the Permatran. So, unfortunately it will not fix leaks.

There should be a breather on these to allow for expansion. It's been so long since I messed with mine, I can't remember if the fill caps have a breather valve in them. I don't think they did.

If that valve is not working, or there is too much fluid, they could be the issue.

The dealer will no doubt, feel real bad, and "take care of you", on a redo, if you complain. But, I doubt they will do it over, no charge.

Front axle leakage is not unheard of, but not a big problem with these.

 

[LouNY]

If the "leak" is a minor seep I'd just check the level and keep it topped off.

 

[Bje56]

Thanks for the replies. Apologize for the in-depth, never ending post. Appreciate those who read it and replied. Appreciate those who read some of it and complained just as much! Seems like the don’t worry but watch method is the way to go. I might stop by with some pics and see how receptive the dealer is. I might be looking for a slightly larger with back hoe tractor down the line and there’s a kubota dealership next door and cub cadets across the street.

 

[flyerdan]

That type of seal is problematic at best for seepage issues, and synthetic oil in general has a habit of getting through gaskets where dino oil won't.
It wouldn't hurt to talk to the dealer about it, they might take you out to the shop and point out several examples that show it's typical.

 

[ray66v]

synthetic oil in general has a habit of getting through gaskets where dino oil won't.

That is one of the common synthetic oil myths.

From the link below:

"The myth is rooted in the idea that synthetic oil is slipperier, lower in viscosity, or not as compatible with seals and will therefore leak or leak more in places conventional oil might not. Again, completely untrue. "

What Makes Synthetic Oil Better? | United States

 

[JWR]

The gear oil is about the same viscosity as the Permatran. So, unfortunately it will not fix leaks.

There should be a breather on these to allow for expansion. It's been so long since I messed with mine, I can't remember if the fill caps have a breather valve in them. I don't think they did.

If that valve is not working, or there is too much fluid, they could be the issue.

Disagree. Permatran is standard MF transmission oil which is much lower viscosity than 75-90WT gear oil but I do not see that as an issue here. Your conclusion it (gear oil) will "not fix leaks" is certainly true. The main question for BJE56 is whether there is enough of a leak to matter and whether it is really a "leak" in the first place or just normal negligible seepage. Good point about a vent or potential lack thereof -- he should be able to just unscrew the filler and see if it seems to be under pressure. I suggest some photos from BJE56 if we are to be of any help to him. There may or may not be a problem.

I am a little skeptical of this whole situation -- someone replaces front axle seals at 89 hours ? Based on what? What for ? ... and the steering wheel is "loose?" A user could pull his weight up on to the tractor a few thousand times and never cause a "loose steering wheel." There is just too much fuzzy with this machine's history and symptoms. And yes, I read every word of the long text 3 times.