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

[mgstevens]

Block heater works a charm. Cliffy started up like it was July. No clack, temp up in seconds flat. Looks like that is a good way to go for the season. I'm going to measure what kind of draw that block heater takes and might put it on a timer or just go out and plug it in a couple of hours from when I need to clear snow.

That said, I am also starting the hunt for a fresh battery. Looks like a Group 51 is the right size. It still has the original Delkor, which does not have the install date noted on the label. That brand is only used offshore, so it must be the original. I don't see a lot of group 51 batteries available online. I will take a look at my local auto parts outlets along with Walmart. Looks like the +/- orientation needs to be considered as well for a proper fit.

 

[mgstevens]

For anyone who might care, the block heater uses 300 watts of energy. I have a load/cost meter and checked it. Probably best to use it only when needed. Also, in my area, Group 51 batteries run $125-$160.

Does anyone know if these machines need the Group 51 or the Group 51R battery?

 

[MF RED in MT]

For anyone who might care, the block heater uses 300 watts of energy. I have a load/cost meter and checked it. Probably best to use it only when needed. Also, in my area, Group 51 batteries run $125-$160.

Does anyone know if these machines need the Group 51 or the Group 51R battery?

I believe this is the battery that I got, a Duracell Ultra BCI Group 51 with 450 cold cranking amps, that replaced the original battery, ( Duracell Ultra Battery for 28 Massey-Ferguson GC-241 Tractor w/ Loader and Backhoe Farm Equipment - SLI51 at Batteries Plus Bulbs ) , it's a group 51, not a group 51R (Group 51R battery has the positive terminal on the right hand side looking at the battery with the terminals closes to you).

Yes, I forgot, I use a heavy duty timer mounted on the wall for my 1 hour max block heater use, and when starting in the cold it does not have the rattling sound.

And my original battery is still in the garage showing "green" as good to go, but I know it does not have the horse power as 3 years ago.

Also it's 8 degrees F and still snowing tiny flakes (I call them dust flakes).

KC

 

[not2old]

I don't know what the model number of my new battery is, a yellow Optima. The terminals are supposedly backwards for this application, but do fit OK. All of my cold starting problems have disappeared.

 

[MF RED in MT]

I don't know what the model number of my new battery is, a yellow Optima. The terminals are supposedly backwards for this application, but do fit OK. All of my cold starting problems have disappeared.

Normal terminal location for the positive is on the left hand side and as I understand it the "R" is for the positive terminal on the right hand side.

Just make sure it's a Group 51 and most important is the size of the battery along with the terminal locations (9.375" long, 5" wide, and 8.75" high).

KC

 

[mgstevens]

Yes, I can see now that relying on a 10 year-old battery, particularly in a diesel (my old gas tractor had an older battery and it started it in any weather..) in the cold is not going to work very well.

Fortunately, Walmart has one of these for the same price KC paid for that Duracell, which is a great price up here!

 

[Imold]

I have 10 tenders going now(scut, snowblower, 2 Harleyç—´, 2 generators, 2 atvs, 2 UTVs) and then I have 5 batteries from boats that I just rotate a auto charger on in my basement, most times I just make sure my boats and lawnmower batteries are fully charged and I just disconnect the positive side, they will not freeze if they are fully charged and disconnected if itç—´ a good battery and they start right up in the spring, I plug my golf cart in about every 3 weeks to keep those charged but last year I did not charge or check them and 3 blew out their sides and what a mess, that was all my fault. I did warranty’s on Exide Batteries for 16 years when I was in the automotive field and got to learn a few things and when Gates(Optima) came out with their batteries it was a game changer for batteries and that’s about the time I got out of the automotive trade.

 

[MF RED in MT]

My UHMW MF 2360 Snowblower chute lining project is progressing slowly, but I know it will be done before I usually switch the MF 2340 Dozer Blade out for the Snowblower for the winter.

Today I am going to try to finish the chute lining, and then it's out to the unheated garage to work on lining the 3 fan blades.

It's -2 degrees F right now on the back deck and we are to get a little more snow later today.

Here are 2 more pics of the project:

(next update about this project, see post #32)

 

[Imold]

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.

 

[Imold]

Ordered a pair of tire chains for my 1705 Incase I decide to move snow with it.

 

[irvingj]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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)

 

[cglaser104]

My daughter and I hung Christmas lights and cleaned leaves out of the gutter.

 

[MF RED in MT]

My daughter and I hung Christmas lights and cleaned leaves out of the gutter.View attachment 630780

Pretty cool, it seems to work as good or better then a step ladder.

KC

 

[Imold]

My daughter and I hung Christmas lights and cleaned leaves out of the gutter.View attachment 630780

Nice! Hope my wife does not see this or I will have the tractor out hahaha.

 

[Imold]

What size UHMWPE half inch?

 

[Imold]

2:30am and here is my deck, it’s still snowing pretty good, think will hit the 10-12 inch mark by morning.