What have you done with/to your GC Series 2300, 2400, 1700 Tractor TODAY

irvingj · Nov 30, 2019

UHMWPE is tough but flexible... but for serious shaping, it needs to be heated. I used a small propane torch: just as the material BEGINS to get clear, it can easily be bent to shape... but then hold it in position for 15-20 minutes to allow it to cool. Once it's cool, it will return to its normal milky-white appearance. It really retains heat well and will definitely burn your fingers if touched too soon!

MF RED in MT · Nov 30, 2019

Imold said:
Is it due to time or is that plastic just hard to shape and attach ? Be nice not to get snow build up in the chute when done. 8-15 inches of snow expected for us between now and Saturday late afternoon plus high winds.

It's just me that any project takes 4 to 10 times longer to do.

UHMW, like irvingj said is easy to work with, I just cut it with tin snips (left and right handed aviation snips) and the radius slotted hole I drilled a hole at both ends and used a jigsaw then a file.

I heated my UHMW with an electric heat gun in one hand and a infrared thermometer gun in the other to check the temperature, once it's heated to about 160 to 180 degrees I then clamp it to the chute, let it cool and it stays to that shape.

what style tire chains did you order?

KC

(next update about this project, see post #35)

Imold · Nov 30, 2019

I just bought some medium duty 2 link chains off eBay for under 100 dollars for 26-12-12 tires and the reason I did it like this is I do not plan to use my 1705 for snow removal at this time but if I do take it out I do not want to get stuck having the R4 tires on back, I have read that they(the R4s)get hard in the cold and have little to no traction so chains are a must and down the road if I get a cut with a snowblower I will invest in some heavy duty v bar chains but for now I have my Polaris Ranger with heated cab and plow, the Husqvarna 48 with snowblower and a Yard King walk behind snowblower so I am covered for snow. I sit in my Ranger and my sons use the other equipment hahaha.

Imold · Nov 30, 2019

We are in a storm now with snow accumulations of up to 12-15 inches so in the morning I will be busy. Have about 3-4 inches right now.

I will eventually look into the UHMWPE later on, would work nice on the blade to keep snow build up off it, put like a 12 inch x 60 inch piece on the blade.

ePlastics seems to have a good price on this product.

MF RED in MT · Nov 30, 2019

Imold said:
I just bought some medium duty 2 link chains off eBay for under 100 dollars for 26-12-12 tires and the reason I did it like this is I do not plan to use my 1705 for snow removal at this time but if I do take it out I do not want to get stuck having the R4 tires on back, I have read that they(the R4s)get hard in the cold and have little to no traction so chains are a must and down the road if I get a cut with a snowblower I will invest in some heavy duty v bar chains but for now I have my Polaris Ranger with heated cab and plow, the Husqvarna 48 with snowblower and a Yard King walk behind snowblower so I am covered for snow. I sit in my Ranger and my sons use the other equipment hahaha.

Oh man, you do have many snow removal tools in your tool box.

I thought about lining the MF 2340 Dozer Blade, but I have not used it much in 11 years, it still has most of the MF paint job on it, which is pretty slick still, and I just spray it with 2 heavy flood coats of "Super SLICK SLICK Stuff" in the summer and let it sit for a few days in between coats.

I am still working on lining the snowblower, right now I am working on the 3 fan blades and the little discharge area just below the chute.

Here are a couple more pics of my slow progress:

(next update about this project, see post #67)