New GC2400 Owner

[walhondingMF]

I just purchased a used 2012 gc2400 with 660 hours. I want to do all of the fluids and filters. I have been doing some research on what to use. The one I am having a hard time with is the hydraulic fluid. I have found several different filter numbers and it looks like they all work. The mechanic at the dealership said to stick with the permatran but others have said there are alternatives like amsoil. I know those 2 options are good options but are either pricey or I need to go tot he dealership to get them. What are my options for hydraulic transmission fluids.
Also, I have seen that the front drives use the same as the hydraulic transmission but have also see that they use 80/90 gear oil. I am not sure what to use here.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Dmacleo]

I have a 2010 gc2400. filter wise I just take the easy (lazy) way. I grab from dealer.
for fluids, since I am WELL out of warranty, I use STP multitrac which meets permatrec (massey fluid) milspecs and is made for hydro drives. its, on a 5 gallon bucket, approx 20$ cheaper.

 

[JWR]

Hyd filters are usually very expensive (compared to similar looking oil filters, etc.) In your shoes I would change the filter but not the fluid. Considerable expense and I doubt it accomplishes anything to change it. Some tractors you can remove/replace the hydraulic filter without much loss of fluid (cup or two) while others may be pesky. I changed the filter on my larger MF 2660 without changing the fluid at a lower number of hours but only when the red blinking light warned me of flow problems. I've seen recommendations to use 80/90 gear oil in the front axle on Kubotas which seems to lessen minor seepage, etc. Probably applies in your GC case too.

 

[Dmacleo]

Gc series uses hydro fluid in front axle.

 

[rcio7684]

I was due to change the hydraulic fluid/filter in my 1723E this past Fall. I researched the forums to see if substituting a different hydraulic oil instead of the the Permatran 821XL was acceptable. I stopped by my dealer and spoke to the service manager asking for the appropriate fluid. He said they use "ARGuard Premium Universal Fluid" from the American Refining Group. He also said it meets all specs for use in the GC1723E. He also went on to say that "We use this in all our equipment" (they sell Massey, Kioti and several other lawn care brands, plus rent heavy equipment).

The back label of the container notes it is recommended for Agco-Allis Power Fluid 821XL (and several other brands hydraulic fluid), plus it was $74 for 5 gallons a significant savings over the Permatran.

 

[walhondingMF]

I think I will check the quality of the hydraulic fluid before I change it then. I am at least going to change the filter and clean the screen filter. I do not have a maintenance manual and plan to find one online, but for convenience, what it the change interval for the hydraulic fluid?
I think I am going to get to the engine oil and filter first. Probably 5w30 full synthetic diesel of a quality brand.
I will plan to use the hydraulic fluid in the front gears but what do I use in the mower gear box?

 

[JWR]

Mower gear boxes I own are all John Deere or Kubota or Bush Hog in the case of rotary mowers (4 and a spare) but they seem to all universally call for 80-90 weight gear oil in the mower gear boxes.

 

[Dmacleo]

gc2400 mtx schedule

link to tractor and engine service manuals

https://macleodweb-my.sharepoint.com/:u:/g/personal/david_macleod_macleodweb_net/EVB599nVsj9Oo-nhG3Bfs8YBzXeBCEWpQe3vC3NSMP04gw?e=SlktVQ

don't have actual copy of owners manual but this should help

 

[Pixguy]

I've always used the oem filters and Kubota hydro as there's a Kubota dealer close to me.

 

[walhondingMF]

Thanks everyone. I am going to continue to have more questions. Very informative forum. I have become a big fan of forums over the last few years..

 

[walhondingMF]

Is there a place to buy permatran online? I can’t seem to find it unless I go through a dealer.

 

[JWR]

Is there a place to buy permatran online? I can’t seem to find it unless I go through a dealer.

I don't find any source online for Permatran brand (AGCO) hydraulic/transmission oil. I personally do not think it matters so long as one of the major sources/brands claims it's product to be compatible and equivalent. Put another way, no piece of AG equipment should ever be sold that was so sensitive to lubricant brand that it would ever make a difference. People have habits and comfort zones of sticking to a brand (or to the original manufacturer's) just for their own satisfaction that they are living right. Ok by me. They are paying the bills.

 

[hube2]

Is there a place to buy permatran online? I can’t seem to find it unless I go through a dealer.

AGCO 79037107 OIL

Buy AGCO Permatran 821XL Semi-Synthetic Oil in a 1 gallon bottle at Lindstrom Equipment. This high-quality fluid works as transmission and hydraulic oil.

www.lindstromequipment.com

 

[JWR]

AGCO 79037107 OIL

Buy AGCO Permatran 821XL Semi-Synthetic Oil in a 1 gallon bottle at Lindstrom Equipment. This high-quality fluid works as transmission and hydraulic oil.

www.lindstromequipment.com

Well, yeah, but Lindstrom Equipment is just another dealer. WalhondingMF was looking for non-dealer sources.

 

[hube2]

Well, yeah, but Lindstrom Equipment is just another dealer. WalhondingMF was looking for non-dealer sources.

Ya, guess I missed that part.

I've never found it anywhere but at a MF dealer. If you don't want to go to the dealer then you need to use something "equivalent"

 

[DMW]

The GC and other SCUTs run hotter than larger tractors. Heat really degrades the hydro fluid. Do noy try to save a few bucks by buying an oil that "meets specs". The hydro takes 11 liters, the front axle 4 liters. A 5 gallon pail looks great until you try to pour it in a long neck funnel by yourself. Do your self a favor and use smaller containers, buy just what you need. My recommendation is Kubota SUDT2, available in 1 and 2.5 gallon containers. That 5 liters left in the 5 gallon pail will sit for years, wasted, unless you develop a bad leak. It is a better choice than Agco fluids according to the specs. Resistance to heat and water emulsifiers to stop comtamination are a huge part of it.
Order from a dealer, saves a lot of running around. Massey Ferguson gc2400 filter service pack MFFLTKITD, along with the hydro filter gives you everything you need for a fluid change. You are not paying for the name with the Kubota SUDT2, you pay for what you get, a quality fluid, widely available throughout the world. For the engine oil, a diesel rated semi/full synthetic 5W40 works very well. With the price of fuel, getting stuff delivered sometimes makes more sense than picking it up yourself.

​

 

[walhondingMF]

Yeah I'm in the boat of just not having a ton of time to use in driving the 2 hours to get the fluids from a massey dealer if I can have it delivered. I defiantly do not want to use a TSC or rural king oil. I just don't trust that they are even what the label says.
From what I am seeing, other quality brand hydro oils will work just as good as the permatran. There are all kubota, case/IH and yanmar dealers all just in town. Maybe I will just stop at one of them and pick up what I need. I m sure southeastern equipment (they sell large construction equipment) will have a good GL-4 oil.

 

[MoMower]

Not a fan boy, but have run Amsoil in my 2014 GC1710 and now my 2019 GC1723e with good results, about 1200 hours combined.

One of the major benefits is being a preferred customer makes the price not horrible and it is delivered to my door.

 

[ray66v]

The hydraulic transmission fluid is the life's blood of your tractor.

This is no place to save a few bucks.

Yes, it's all basically 30W oil. But, the additives are what you are paying for.

It has to perform many different functions, besides moving the hydraulic rams. To do those functions well, it needs those additives.

I would use Permatran, Amsoil, or another Manufacturers fluid, if they are the only close dealership.

 

[blackd]

A word of advice! Get the GC2400 rear skid plate. If it is not already installed, this ~$250 investment can save you a larger ~$2,000 potentially long delayed repair. The transmission fan and filter are vulnerable to sever damage. A common result is the filter broken off the transmission taking the spin-on nipple with it. BTW, loss of the filter results in no FEL, 3 point, steering, and movement. Don't let this happen in a inaccessible area.

Don't ask how I know. ;-)