Big DIY Repair GC2310-wish me luck

[timbrehse]

1st - The auto log-off on this site is a bit of pain
I wrote a new thread post and when I went to preview, I had to log in again & it was lost.
So this time I'm writing it on a text app & will then copy & paste.
A "keep me logged in " option might be nice.
Just a thought.
Anyway, starting over:
My early serial # GC2310TLB has been well maintained and has a little over 450hrs on it.
Was digging a trench when all hydro stopped working. I could drive the tractor but the bkhoe & loader were dead.
After going thru the checklist of easy solutions w/ my fingers crossed, it became apparent this wasn't going to be an easy fix.
Since my dealer is 40mi away, and more importantly, backed up 5-6wks on repairs, he suggested I suit-up & dive in.
I'm not really a wrench-newbie, I'd previously been in as far as the tranny cover to do the drill/tap/kubota nipple fix when I broke off the hydro filter and nipple pre filter guard.
After much swearing and physical contortions, I was able to remove the gear pump having only removed the engine cowling and the floor pan.
As suspected, the last 1" of the pump's splined shaft was pretty distorted. And, as I was told, the shaft is stronger than the gear, in looking past the bearing in the case, I could see there were pieces of the gear's teeth missing. Having sold and serviced scores of these machines, dealer said he's only seen this happen 3 or 4 times before. Lucky me.
We all know these machines are made up of components from many different manufacturers. As it happens, the Co. that makes the gear pump doesn't offer a replacement shaft so I've ordered:
New Gear pump
2 Bearings & Gear
All related O rings.
I also ordered new suction tube O rings and while I was at it, loader control relief valve O rings (to fix an annoying, barely perceptible leak)
Parts should be in mid next week.
As I still have a new tranny frnt cover (held on to it too long to return before I came across the kuboto nipple solution) I'll be installing it this time around.
In prep today I have to:
hoist & secure the bkhoe boom
hoist & secure the loader bucket - I'm thinking maybe a tow chain wrapped around the grill guard and hooked to the top lip of the bucket.
So I can push the tractor into the garage where I can start my methodical remove/clean/bag&tag routine.
(An archaeologist - like process that's served me well over the years.)
I've had one tip so far relating to installing the new bearings on the gear shaft. Dropping the bearings in some heated oil to warm them makes it easier to slip them onto the gear shaft.
I'd appreciate any further words of wisdom or, short of that, words of encouragement.
I'll post progress next week as I proceed.

 

[bobzap]

Just some info, my TBN stays logged in all the time so I seldom have problems posting. Now that sounds like a big job! Are we going to see lots of pictures? Good luck in advance.

 

[carpenter383]

Just click the "remember me" box when you sign in....... I'm guessing your warranty is out, right? Sounds like the pump/fluid must have over heated, possibly from holding it at relief pressure for extended periods of time?.......Good luck!

 

[timbrehse]

Thanks, Thought I had ticked "remember me".
bobzap - I'll try to remember to take some pics - a bit tuff when you're up to the elbow in hydro slick. Make a mess of my iPhone.
carpenter383 - I'm not sure what <<from holding it at relief pressure>> means. Dealer said there was no rhyme or reason the gear fails..... but if I'm operating improperly - causing fluid to overheat, it'd be a good thing to know & correct.
BTW- I'm running Amsoil Synth Hydro. Only drawback is it's clear & it's difficult to see it rise in the sight glass when filling. Almost need a second person to stare at it. Anyone ever heard of a safe dye additive? Someone had suggested mixing in a little ATF but I'm not real comfortable w/ that idea.

 

[ScottAW]

Only drawback is it's clear & it's difficult to see it rise in the sight glass when filling. Almost need a second person to stare at it. Anyone ever heard of a safe dye additive? Someone had suggested mixing in a little ATF but I'm not real comfortable w/ that idea.

Might be worth giving Amsoil a call and asking....they might even sell something. Let me know what you find out, I run the same fluid and also noticed it was difficult to see.

 

[carpenter383]

Thanks, Thought I had ticked "remember me".
bobzap - I'll try to remember to take some pics - a bit tuff when you're up to the elbow in hydro slick. Make a mess of my iPhone.
carpenter383 - I'm not sure what <<from holding it at relief pressure>> means. Dealer said there was no rhyme or reason the gear fails..... but if I'm operating improperly - causing fluid to overheat, it'd be a good thing to know & correct.
BTW- I'm running Amsoil Synth Hydro. Only drawback is it's clear & it's difficult to see it rise in the sight glass when filling. Almost need a second person to stare at it. Anyone ever heard of a safe dye additive? Someone had suggested mixing in a little ATF but I'm not real comfortable w/ that idea.



What I meant was if you hold the joy stick in any position when the cylinder isn't moving or is barely moving. This causes the pump to be at maximum pressure the whole time. The maximum pressure is set with a relief valve. This would cause the pump and hydraulic fluid to over heat

 

[jeepcj7]

Your new gear has more spline engagement

 

[timbrehse]

Yes the gear is wider at the spline.
But wow- $700. worth of parts!
Pump
Pump gasket
Gear
2 new bearings
Associated O rings to do the job
Only extras I bought were 2 sets of O rings for the controller relief valves and new O rings for the suction tube.
I ordered thru my nearest MF dealer.
I checked the list of parts on Jack's Sm Engines-would have saved maybe $100.
That dinky little Japanese - non repairable pump is $400.!
Makes Ferrari parts seem cheap.
Anyway- Tractor was out in the field. Used a ratchet strap around the ROPS to raise & pin the Bk Hoe.
Pulled the plow truck up & strapped the loader bucket to the V plow(set in flat position).
Was able to (slowly) tow the tractor back & push it Bk hoe first, into the garage.
Gotta use a little ingenuity working alone.
Tomorrow- up on stand jacks, pull the rear wheels & go to town.

 

[amkfken]

If the dealer had seen this 3or4 times before with no explanation of why/, try getting Massey to declare a defective part!

I shelled out the front ring and pinion on my 2300 with about 400 hrs, completely out of warranty, ordered parts fron dealer (not the dealer that sold me the tractor), asked to send parts back to Massey, dealer said wait for our monthly visit of the Massey tech.

Got everything back together, got a call from dealer that there was NO charge for the gear and assoc.parts, factory defect (soft metal in gear set), had happened before--Massey does not let everyone know of possible quality problems!!

Try this approach, may be the same type of problem--get some of your $$ back??

 

[irvingj]

Wow, timbrehouse-- just saw this, and it's been a week! Sorry to hear about your problems- have you tried --or do you think it would make it any easier if you did-- to remove the BH?

Sounds like amkfken has a good idea there; certainly can't hurt to ask...

Where are you? If you were nearby I'd offer to help. I understand about the "greasy photos"-- but anything you could get and post would be very welcome.

Did you get any idea of how much the dealer would charge for this work (how much you're likely to save by doing it yourself)?

Keep us posted and good luck!