Help! GC1705 Hydraulics out

[oldnslo]

My tractor has a dip stick, both in the tranny and on the seat

BMW motorcycles uses a similar style window and the have also had some issues with these being blown out. I believe they have now changed designs so that these pass in from the inside and there is a lip on them to prevent them from being pushed out.

 

[ChrisInKY]

Update:
Dealer ordered new sight glass and "glued it" in. They are letting it sit 24 hours to set, then will pull suction filter and check if, if that looks ok they'll fill it back up and test all pressures as advised by Agco and we'll go from there.... If all they do is refill/test I'm REALLY hoping they'll extend warranty or something because I'm sitting at 200 hours and fearful I'll have issues (out of warranty) down the road.....

The gluing of the sight glass also has me worried for long-term reliability. Wonder if we could get something machined out of metal that might work/fit better? Plastic to metal seems to be asking for trouble IMO....

 

[SteveM70]

Could you find out what they used to glue it in?

I doubt if any damage was done but man, that sure seems like a bad set up to me. You stated that you were vigilant about checking the fluid level so I assume there's a good chance that there was no leaking before it popped out.

 

[ChrisInKY]

Yep - when I first got the tractor I had a leak, took it back to the dealer and it turned out they had overfilled it. So I've always watched it really careful since. He did mention they were going to have him check the vent also to ensure it wasn't some sort of pressure that forced it out... Will ask what they glued it in with when I get it back. I'll likely also order a spare sight glass juuuuust in case.

Could you find out what they used to glue it in?

I doubt if any damage was done but man, that sure seems like a bad set up to me. You stated that you were vigilant about checking the fluid level so I assume there's a good chance that there was no leaking before it popped out.

 

[Ooklaa]

wow the things we as paying customers have to deal with. I would get it in writing on what was the failure was and how the factory designed it/installed it! This is a huge defect from the factory. Then in writing i would have them state what did they do specifically to fix it.

 

[rider7767]

The fill tube cap is the breather for our tractors (GC17XX). Looking at mine, it only has a small hole on the side of the cap to vent pressure as the temp rises and falls in the transmission. It works just like a plastic fuel can setting in the sun. When it gets hot, the air inside expands. That pressure is vented out of the cap. I don't know about the groups tractors, but my fill/vent cap is in very tight. Tight enough, if the vent hole gets clogged, it is possible the pressure could push the sight glass out. I have seen clogged vents blow seals many times. It is going out the weakest link. I am not overly worried, because I have never heard of this before, but I will ensure my vent is cleaned each service.

 

[ChrisInKY]

So the verdict is in: They replaced the sight glass, said all pressures from the hydrostat are within spec, and it's moving about just fine. So a refill is all they've done. Haven't heard back from the rep on anything else warranty wise yet.

While it was there I had them do the 250 hour service, and also had them do the mower deck lock fix. The guy wasn't sure if they'd pay for that or not. There are apparently 2 new parts for the mower deck that will keep it locked in lock mode. I took the tractor in when almost new for this, so IMO it should be free as thats how the thing should operate, but I don't know what the rep told the mechanic (he's off today). Should hopefully get it back tomorrow (they were waiting on a fuel filter).

I'm hoping they'll do something warranty wise because I'm pretty nervous about things after having operated it low, then pretty much empty if even for a short time due to a manufacturing defect.

I'm also thinking that once I'm out of warranty, I'll replace the sight glass with a metal freeze plug and fashion some kind of dipstick to check fluid. I don't trust plastic glued into metal.

C

 

[SteveM70]

IMO, pressure building in the case, even if the vent was plugged, should have popped the fill cap off before popping the sight glass out.

 

[rider7767]

IMO, pressure building in the case, even if the vent was plugged, should have popped the fill cap off before popping the sight glass out.

I disagree. My fill cap is super tight. I would guess 20lbs of pressure to get it out. It is probably different for each of us.

 

[rider7767]

So the verdict is in: They replaced the sight glass, said all pressures from the hydrostat are within spec, and it's moving about just fine. So a refill is all they've done. Haven't heard back from the rep on anything else warranty wise yet.

While it was there I had them do the 250 hour service, and also had them do the mower deck lock fix. The guy wasn't sure if they'd pay for that or not. There are apparently 2 new parts for the mower deck that will keep it locked in lock mode. I took the tractor in when almost new for this, so IMO it should be free as thats how the thing should operate, but I don't know what the rep told the mechanic (he's off today). Should hopefully get it back tomorrow (they were waiting on a fuel filter).

I'm hoping they'll do something warranty wise because I'm pretty nervous about things after having operated it low, then pretty much empty if even for a short time due to a manufacturing defect.

I'm also thinking that once I'm out of warranty, I'll replace the sight glass with a metal freeze plug and fashion some kind of dipstick to check fluid. I don't trust plastic glued into metal.

C

How will you keep up with your fluid level?

 

[SteveM70]

I disagree. My fill cap is super tight. I would guess 20lbs of pressure to get it out. It is probably different for each of us.

LOL, Definitely different! Mines tight but not that tight but still, the sight glass "should" be secured well enough to withstand more pressure than the fill cap IMO.

 

[rider7767]

LOL, Definitely different! Mines tight but not that tight but still, the sight glass "should" be secured well enough to withstand more pressure than the fill cap IMO.

I agree!

 

[Wacky]

There are glues specially designed for plastic, fiberglass, pretty much any composite to metal. Corvettes are built using the same technology to hold parts of their bodies to the frame. 3m makes the stuff we use, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. We even use it for putting bedsides and doorskins on vehicles. Check it out...3M Panel Bonding Adhesive 8115. You could buy another one and see if your local bodyshop would install it for you. A tube is like @45.00.
Good luck!

 

[JerryG]

Good luck. I'm sure you won't have any problems with it now.

 

[ChrisInKY]

Final update. Everything refilled, pressures checked and I've got it back. Seems to operate fine. I was worried about warranty, thinking I only had till 250 hours, but turns out its 5yrs/2000 hours. So I'm set lol.

They did replace the piece with something different, mechanic didn't know if it was a replacement part #, but did say that "thats the sight glass on all the others" not sure if he meant newer tractors, bigger tractors or what.

The most important thing to me is this new sight glass has a black rubber seal much like an axle seal, I think it will work better long term. Picture attached.
https://goo.gl/photos/pwcAPcRZZ2EQ9nF3A

No more H/L mark....

So for now all seems well.

I had them do the 250 hour service, and I picked up some hydro fluid juuuust incase.

Also of note, the mower deck adjustment (not locking in up position when using 3pt) there is a dealer knowledge object, and 2 new parts. They installed at no charge and that's resolved that issue as well.

Mowed for an hour or more last night and speed seemed fine and had no issues. Fingers crossed.

 

[irvingj]

Interesting; that looks just like the one on my old 2310. Apologies for the horrible pic- but mine, under the gray paint, also appears to have that same rubber seal there. And yes, I can just make out some numbers there, just like a wheel bearing/axle seal.

 

[Stache]

I'm aware this is an old thread, but I had a similar issue with my 2017 GC1705, and I don't see "my" solution listed here, so here's the story:
I was blowing snow with my rear-mounted snowblower, and after I had pulled forward (about 50 feet) to start the next pass, noticed a stream of oil.
I shut down, found the hole where the sight glass should be, back-tracked and found the glass. Called the dealer, he had me pull the fill cap and examine the vent in it. The vent had glazed over with ice, which resulted in enough pressure in the housing to blow out the sight glass. He had me pull one of the bolts next to the sight glass, and get a fender-washer just large enough to catch the edge of the sight glass, it is now locked in place and can't possibly blow out again.
[ On my own advice, I reamed out the vent hole a tad larger, and added a second vent hole on the other side of it. ]
-I only lost approximately a half-gallon of hydraulic oil, so there was no damage to the tranny.
There was no loctite or other sealant on the sight glass, it is just a pressure fit.