Wondering about when my GC2410 was at the dealer

[ScottW]

I'm up to about 32 hours now on our GC2410. It has been a great help and a lot of fun to operate for building our new house and garden. I've used all the implements (well, except the snowblower) and even borrowed a Rankin RBT50 rear blade too to try that out on leveling the driveway (conclusion: too touchy, need finer control over blade tilt). My wife was so happy running the rototiller in the nice soil of the garden area. The loader and backhoe are getting the most work, and I've amazed at the large size of boulders the BH can pick up. I can't wait to get the rock wall building phase . . . Today it was loader time, moving sand as part of covering radiant heat cables in the house before concrete slab pour.

A thread about tractors sitting on the dealer lot a long time got me thinking about my situation. It was delivered with 8.9 hours on it. That seemed like a lot of time for a new machine that never left the dealer, but it looked spanking new, so I didn't think much about it at first. But then the 10 A Instrument Panel fuse blew at about 30 hours, and there were no spare 10 A fuse or plastic tweezers that were supposed to be in the fuse box, according to the mechanic at my dealer. That made me think that maybe the same fuse blew earlier, at the dealer. Also, the backhoe manual missing was missing (and 4 weeks after telling them, I still don't have one--why not make PDF versions available for free download, AGCO?). All these things make me wonder if LOTS of people test drove the tractor and really poked and prodded the thing before we came along. Maybe it's still nothing to worry about, but if the fuse blows again in the near future, I'll be wondering if we got a machine that went unsold for awhile for a reason other than the economy.

Won't be long until the 50 hour service. I bought all AGCO stuff for the first service with the tractor, but I've started checking on alternative sources for filters, oil, grease. Napa costs the same or more than my dealer for filters and grease where they had it. But Napa couldn't look up equivalent transmission/hydro or air filters. Is there a universal spec that goes with the trans/hydro oil (MF Permatran III)? It's not in the owners manual.

 

[irvingj]

I got my hydro fluid from NAPA-- if you look on the 5-gallon pail, it'll say "Meets or exceeds...." Look for Permatran III in the list.

Last time I checked, NAPA didn't list an alternative for the hydraulic filter. I won't need my second one for a while yet, but I think someone on this forum was able to find cross-references for most if not all of the filters. Perhaps a search would turn it up.

 

[ray66v]

If your not going to switch to synthetic transmission oil, I suggest you stay with the Permatran.

Some threads on this subject have reported minor issues like brake chatter, using "generic" or "other" hydraulic oils. Permatran really seems to be a better product.

I have a Toro fairway mower that runs cooler with Permatran in it, than it does with the Mobil hydraulic oil they spec'd.

Many are using the Amsoil synthetic product, none I know of are reporting issues. This is not the way to go if your looking to save money. It is about 2x the cost of the Permatran. Although, in theory you can extend the change intervals, so there is no additional cost.

Unless your going to be putting a lot of hrs. on the tractor, the cost savings with generic, could be minimal.

 

[Wacky]

Not to go off subject, but Scott, how do you like your Rankin thumb? Have you researched others. I am looking at the Bro-tek one. Just trying to compare before I buy.

 

[Jaylegger]

9 hours doesn't appear to be anything to worry about when you factor in the dealers need operate the tractor for customers or simply move it around the yard. The missing fuse, fuse puller, and backhoe manual sounds a little suspicious to me and likely a result of the unit being purchased but quickly returned to the dealer due to the same electrical problem you're now encountering.

 

[Wacky]

Is there any way to check the serial number to see if it has been sold before? Maybe call AGCO directly and voice your concerns, if the dealer is not helping you out.

 

[MF RED in MT]

A thread about tractors sitting on the dealer lot a long time got me thinking about my situation. It was delivered with 8.9 hours on it. That seemed like a lot of time for a new machine that never left the dealer, but it looked spanking new, so I didn't think much about it at first. But then the 10 A Instrument Panel fuse blew at about 30 hours, and there were no spare 10 A fuse or plastic tweezers that were supposed to be in the fuse box, according to the mechanic at my dealer. That made me think that maybe the same fuse blew earlier, at the dealer. Also, the backhoe manual missing was missing (and 4 weeks after telling them, I still don't have one--why not make PDF versions available for free download, AGCO?). All these things make me wonder if LOTS of people test drove the tractor and really poked and prodded the thing before we came along. Maybe it's still nothing to worry about, but if the fuse blows again in the near future, I'll be wondering if we got a machine that went unsold for awhile for a reason other than the economy.

I would be asking your dealer some specific questions about this 8.9 hours . It sounds like maybe your dealer sent this tractor out to someone for a few days of trying it out . Blowing fuses should be a warranty fix. As for your backhoe manual, tell the dealer you want a manual from another tractor he has on his lot, or if he has none on his lot, order one and send it to you overnight federal express, this is a safety issue if you were sold the tractor without the owners operators manual . Good luck, :thumbsup: KC

 

[ScottW]

Thanks all for your comments.

I guess for now I'll stick with the AGCO Permatran III for the trans/hydra fluid. At least while the tractor is under warranty. The dealer's parts pricing seems fair as far as I can tell so far.

Wacky, I didn't research thumbs before getting the Rankin model. Rankin is based in my state, and is the preferred supplier to the MF and Kubota dealers for lots of implements it seems. I just went with the dealer's recommendation. There are two, fixed settings for the UAT-50 thumb opening besides flat/not in use; I've only used the more closed one, which has been fine for the rocks I've been moving. The other, more open setting would probably be good for picking up a wad of vegetation.

The dealer person I dealt with when buying the tractor was the owner. He is an old-fashioned guy who doesn't use computers, has been an orchardist as well as equipment guy his whole life. He came across as an honest person. He told me the tractor never left the lot before I bought it, and attributed the hours to test driving. The guy who delivered the tractor thought that it was probably used for pushing snow around the lot last winter. I don't think the owner would have lied to me about the tractor's past, but I guess you never know. Is it possible that a potential customer would "borrow" a manual to look it over off the lot and not return it?

I just went looking for the tractor warranty and realize I blew it--I don't have it. The owner's manual just has the emissions system warranty. The inside cover says the dealer is supposed to provide a separate warranty at time of purchase. I didn't get it. I fully expect the dealer will make good on this and send it to me. Yet another worry to think about . . .

I will contact AGCO and see if I can find out anything about this machine's history. It seems like there are enough question marks to justify asking.

At the time I bought the machine it was the only one on the lot, but there may be more now, from which they can take the BH manual for me.

 

[ScottW]

Here's how it's turned out so far. You may recall I bought a machine that was delivered with 9 hours on it and was missing the following: warranty statement, backhoe manual, spare 10A fuse, and fuse tweezers. When a 10A fuse failed and needed to be replaced, it got me wondering if I'd bought a machine that was returned by someone else. Or worse, if I'd bought a tractor with an electrical problem.

Well, I've put only a few more hours on it since the fuse failure, so the long-term performance is still unknown. After several phone calls, I did finally get AGCO to verify that this machine had no ownership history registered with them. Unfortunately, they also said that it wasn't registered to me yet (4 weeks after purchase), so the dealer is slow about such things and could indeed have sold the tractor to someone else before me, and taken it back after a few hours. The AGCO field rep did vouch for the credibility of the dealer, saying they're one of the best and most honest in the NW. He also said there was a repair campaign on all GC tractors then at dealerships, involving the pedals, that would have used up a couple hours of run time.

I finally got the warranty statement and backhoe manual 6 weeks after purchasing the tractor. This was after 6 or 7 phone calls on the issue--ridiculous. Every call was needed to prompt someone to do something, none were simply nagging complaints/reminders. AGCO and the dealer are both to blame for inadequate service on this one. I pointed out this was a safety issue, but that didn't seem to get much extra traction for me. I will bring this up again in a follow-up letter on all my problems to both the dealer and AGCO.

I've had other problems with the dealer. Invoices that want to double-charge me, and being sold used equipment at new prices. The latest are some winter tire chains for the front wheels, delivered yesterday. They are dirty and have some rusty components, and cost $100.

I'm now going to suggest that they not charge me for hauling my tractor when the snowblower and subframe come in the fall and are ready to be mounted. Between all the problems I've had and the fact that they have the use of my money for the snowblower all these months before I actually get it makes me think that would be fair.

 

[cdaigle430]

Here's how it's turned out so far. You may recall I bought a machine that was delivered with 9 hours on it and was missing the following: warranty statement, backhoe manual, spare 10A fuse, and fuse tweezers. When a 10A fuse failed and needed to be replaced, it got me wondering if I'd bought a machine that was returned by someone else. Or worse, if I'd bought a tractor with an electrical problem.

Well, I've put only a few more hours on it since the fuse failure, so the long-term performance is still unknown. After several phone calls, I did finally get AGCO to verify that this machine had no ownership history registered with them. Unfortunately, they also said that it wasn't registered to me yet (4 weeks after purchase), so the dealer is slow about such things and could indeed have sold the tractor to someone else before me, and taken it back after a few hours. The AGCO field rep did vouch for the credibility of the dealer, saying they're one of the best and most honest in the NW. He also said there was a repair campaign on all GC tractors then at dealerships, involving the pedals, that would have used up a couple hours of run time.

I finally got the warranty statement and backhoe manual 6 weeks after purchasing the tractor. This was after 6 or 7 phone calls on the issue--ridiculous. Every call was needed to prompt someone to do something, none were simply nagging complaints/reminders. AGCO and the dealer are both to blame for inadequate service on this one. I pointed out this was a safety issue, but that didn't seem to get much extra traction for me. I will bring this up again in a follow-up letter on all my problems to both the dealer and AGCO.

I've had other problems with the dealer. Invoices that want to double-charge me, and being sold used equipment at new prices. The latest are some winter tire chains for the front wheels, delivered yesterday. They are dirty and have some rusty components, and cost $100.

I'm now going to suggest that they not charge me for hauling my tractor when the snowblower and subframe come in the fall and are ready to be mounted. Between all the problems I've had and the fact that they have the use of my money for the snowblower all these months before I actually get it makes me think that would be fair.

When I got mine it had 3.6 hours on it-what is supposed to come with this machine besides manuals and a few extra nuts and bolts? Come to think of it I didn't get any info on the warranty and I didn't get an extra fuse or fuse puller. I have to send it back for the hydraulic shudder to. The manual says something about PTO shaft covers and I don't have any. Also, my warning triangle was all scratched.