GC Series Owner Upgrades And Modifications

The kid · Dec 16, 2013

With the exhaust ported outside in a unisulated garage. I seriously doubt there is a thread of carbon monoxide buildup while he warms up the tractor. A detector if he doesn't have one wouldn't be a bad idea though because he is burning a wood stove out there as well.

cdaigle430 · Dec 18, 2013

I would love to do this but because my garage is attached to the house I am a little aprehensive.

cgood · Dec 29, 2013

This is my solution to having a tool box on my little GC 2310.If you peel of the seat cover off there is a bracket with threaded holes in it(sorry no pics). I simply bolted some 1 X 1 angle to those holes and welded two more pieces on as level as I could eyeball. I then bolted a 30 cal. ammo can on and there you go.The seat rotates for the BH with no trouble at all.

I also added a piece of 6" pvc,attached by a homemade bracket using existing holes.It can hold way more chain than I need. It also holds small tools.It's not as nice as most of the modifications posted here,but they serve my needs.

dnw64 · Mar 26, 2017

ray66v said:
The first is the addition of a glow plug light for early models that do not have one.

MF RED in MT said:
#1) My first best cheap upgrade to list is because of ray66v great idea, and I urge everyone to INSTALL A GLOW PLUG ACTIVATION INDICATOR LIGHT to light up when the glow plugs are activated, :thumbsup:.

bakerg said:
-One thing I am going to look into doing is to install a light for the glow plugs, excellent idea.

bakerg said:
Finally got around to installing an indicator light for the glow plugs

OK, I get that lots of people think this is a great idea, but I haven't figured out why. Is it just the "cool" factor? It's not like you can accidentally leave them turned on, at least on my switch.

Also, on my (2006 GC2300) panel there is a dash light with a glow plug symbol on it. It lights up when the ignition is put in the Run position (presumably as a reminder to run the GP?). If you wanted a GP indicator it seems like the ideal solution would be to energize the existing lamp.

bakerg · Mar 26, 2017

dnw64 said:
OK, I get that lots of people think this is a great idea, but I haven't figured out why. Is it just the "cool" factor? It's not like you can accidentally leave them turned on, at least on my switch.

Also, on my (2006 GC2300) panel there is a dash light with a glow plug symbol on it. It lights up when the ignition is put in the Run position (presumably as a reminder to run the GP?). If you wanted a GP indicator it seems like the ideal solution would be to energize the existing lamp.

I have moved to town and sold my GC2400 but if I remember correctly, you would turn the key part way to turn glow plugs on and then all the way to start. Indicator was just to let you know you had turned the key far enough to turn glow plug on.

dnw64 · Mar 26, 2017

bakerg said:
I have moved to town and sold my GC2400 but if I remember correctly, you would turn the key part way to turn glow plugs on and then all the way to start. Indicator was just to let you know you had turned the key far enough to turn glow plug on.

The 2400s and probably 17xx work differently (I tested a 2400 but can't remember exactly how it was - I was thinking it was a push button). On my 2300 you actually turn the ignition CCW from Off to operate the GPs, then go CW back past Off and Run to crank the starter.

bakerg · Mar 26, 2017

I know it wasn't a push button on mine, pretty sure it was turn key to right for glow plugs, all the way right to start. That was the reason for the light.

ray66v · Mar 26, 2017

The early 2300 series, gives no indication whatsoever, when you rotate the ignition switch counterclockwise, to activate the glow plugs.

The glow plug light tells you they are energized, and verifys there is power to operate them.

Pixguy · Mar 26, 2017

bakerg said:
I know it wasn't a push button on mine, pretty sure it was turn key to right for glow plugs, all the way right to start. That was the reason for the light.

The 2400 series was that way and that's how I start it every time although I have no light, just the rattling of the glow plugs being heated. (if I understand them correctly)

piercedtiger · Mar 26, 2017

I added a few things to my 2600.
-3 chain hooks to the bucket
-forward facing 20" LED bar with 2 rear facing 4" LED pod lights on the ROPS
-forks made from 4x4 posts
-quick hitch from Harbor Freight
-rear tires loaded with 10 gal of washer fluid, about 80 lbs each (local rimguard dealer wanted $250 for all 4 after taking the tires to them, washer fluid was $40)
-wooden bucket expander for light materials, soon to be replaced with a custom bucket (5ft wide, 33" deep, 25" high with an expanded metal top) for snow, compost, barn clean out, leaf gathering
-upping hydraulic pressure to 2100 or 2200 PSI thanks to this thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/.../350009-how-adjust-pressure-relief-valve.html

dnw64 · Mar 26, 2017

bakerg said:
I know it wasn't a push button on mine, pretty sure it was turn key to right for glow plugs, all the way right to start. That was the reason for the light.

That makes sense.

dnw64 · Mar 26, 2017

Pixguy said:
The 2400 series was that way and that's how I start it every time although I have no light, just the rattling of the glow plugs being heated. (if I understand them correctly)

I believe you are hearing the fuel pump.

dnw64 · Mar 26, 2017

piercedtiger said:
-wooden bucket expander for light materials, soon to be replaced with a custom bucket (5ft wide, 33" deep, 25" high with an expanded metal top) for snow, compost, barn clean out, leaf gathering

When we used to have to load shavings manually we had a bucket made for our forklift. It was most of a 275 gallon oil barrel with the top and part of one side removed. Worked great compared to the garbage cans we were using by hand before. But not nearly as good as what we replaced that with: a secondary blower that is connected directly to a trailer; completely hands off.

Quite the upgrade on lighting! I have (2) 18w LED pod lights I had bought for a project and never installed. I intend to put them facing backwards, and then a 20" or so light bar on the front of the cab. Probably overkill, but we all know that anything worth doing is also worth overdoing :drink:

Pixguy · Mar 26, 2017

Thanks for the education guys. :thumbsup:

piercedtiger · Mar 26, 2017

dnw64 said:
When we used to have to load shavings manually we had a bucket made for our forklift. It was most of a 275 gallon oil barrel with the top and part of one side removed. Worked great compared to the garbage cans we were using by hand before. But not nearly as good as what we replaced that with: a secondary blower that is connected directly to a trailer; completely hands off.

Quite the upgrade on lighting! I have (2) 18w LED pod lights I had bought for a project and never installed. I intend to put them facing backwards, and then a 20" or so light bar on the front of the cab. Probably overkill, but we all know that anything worth doing is also worth overdoing :drink:

Thanks! The lighting sure helps. Seems like I keep finding myself doing one form of work or another at a friend's house with minimal exterior lighting (I even paid extra for the puddle lamps and spotlights in the mirrors of my new truck just for those occasions.) The factory headlights are useless unless the loader is above them, and with a heavy load it can be unstable so i don't use them for more than visibility to others. I wasn't sure how much light I would need TBH. I found a good deal on the 20" on Amazon and ordered it with the pods and a wire harness/switch. I wanted more light than just in front of me so if we had to do other work the tractor could be a mobile light platform. Previous owners of this house must have never gone out after dark as there's ZERO exterior outlets, no lights on the back porch, none on the deck, and nothing on the barn until you walk in the main door and fumble for a light switch that controls every outlet and light in there.... Only lights were above one side door near the driveway and front door. If I need like to finish work or make some emergency repair the tractor is the easiest source of light right now.

dnw64 · Mar 26, 2017

I've thought about using the pods as front-quarter lighting, pointing basically at the front wheels so I can see what I'm about to engage. But I suspect the light bar will be plenty, since it will be at the front of my cab, not on the ROPS. I'll mount the light bar first and see how it works, the make the final plan from there.

To make a "moving sun" I was thinking about light bars front and rear, and then pod lights on each of the four corners...

piercedtiger · Mar 26, 2017

dnw64 said:
I've thought about using the pods as front-quarter lighting, pointing basically at the front wheels so I can see what I'm about to engage. But I suspect the light bar will be plenty, since it will be at the front of my cab, not on the ROPS. I'll mount the light bar first and see how it works, the make the final plan from there.

To make a "moving sun" I was thinking about light bars front and rear, and then pod lights on each of the four corners...

This might give you a better sense of overall light, keep in mind it looks darker than it really is due to the cellphone camera.