GC2300 - Creep & Towing while Mowing

JDKu · May 15, 2010

Today is my first day of mowing with the GC2300. I have the 60" mid mount deck, and a 60" Swisher offset mower that I pull behind.

Has anyone found a way to fix the "creep" on this machine? When I take my foot off the pedal, it continues to go forward. While this is OK doing loader and tiller work, it is not acceptable for mowing with the offset. I'm trying to get within inches of posts at 5 MPH, and if I see I'm going to hit one, I need the tractor to stop right now. I don't have time to try and lift the pedal with my toe, or tap it backwards. It has to stop when my foot comes off the pedal. I can't see any grease nipples. I see a spring in the linkage. It looks like it can be adjusted a bit further to put more force on the pedal. Does this help? Or does extra force just bind the linkage more?

My 2nd question is related to towing. With the mower deck down, the 3 pt hitch arms also descend. As a result, I am unable to turn very sharp with the tow behind mower before it's hitch starts binding with the 3 pth arms. I'm quite surprised I noticed this before I bent something! I tried tieing the arms up and out of the way, but when I do so, the mower will not descend to it's proper cutting height. There doesn't appear to be easy ways to remove the arms. Any thoughts on what I can do?

Thank you,
Chris

VigII · May 16, 2010

Regarding the creeping issue, I've read on this forum that there is a technical fix for the issue issued by AGCO. Read around, you'll be sure to find it. Some dealers are picking up and others have you drop them off for the fix. Can't help with your second problem. Good luck and happy searching.

irvingj · May 16, 2010

Because my three-point arms would dig into the ground at the base of my steep slopes (when the mower was lowered), I just removed it. Not that hard to do. Remove a few bolts, slide the shaft out.... Found a box that the parts fit in, stored it safely away.

JDKu · May 16, 2010

I have attached my solution to the towing problem. I was inspired when mustangsallysdad told me he had a hitch as part of his quick hitch.

I cut four acres and it seems to work well. The Swisher mower is not very sentive to the tow bar's height.

I also tightened up the spring in the foot pedals linkage to limit the "creep". I think it helped, but I may just be deceiving myself. It certainly didn't solve the problem altogether. When the tractor is off, the pedal always seems to return to neutral. But when it's running, it's another story. I wonder if there isn't hydraulic force applied inside the hydrostatic that impacts the ability of the foot pedal to return to neutral?

Thank you,
Chris

blackd · May 17, 2010

JDKu, please call the local MF dealer to get the tech fix. there is a recall on it. My GC2400 was done this Spring. Mine wasn't that bad, but the other one on the truck when he picked up mine was really bad.

porky69 · May 26, 2010

When pulling my Swisher 60inch Towmower behind my GC2400 (don't have a MMM) with a drawbar on my quick hitch I have found that with the mower in the offset position the extra swing of having the hitch point that much further back (from the factory drawbar) helps to swing the mower around posts/trees/etc.

If I have the mower offset to the left, when approaching the object I need to go around, I turn hard to the right when the steering tires are even with the object and keep them turned until the back tires are even with the object and then crank it back hard to the left until the tractor is back in position to continue mowing in a straight line, the mower will just nicely miss the object.

It takes a little practice but after a few practice passes( and a few misses) I can mow close enough that it is hardly worth getting the Weedeater out.

MFRED · May 26, 2010

The 2300 was not affected by the recall. You can try to get the parts to fit, but that single pedal system on the 2300 is different than the 2400& 2600 2 pedal system. The 2300 probably just needs a neutral adjustment done, maybe some lube as well.

JDKu · May 27, 2010

I took the "shock absorber" out of the foot pedal linkage. It seems to have made a slight improvement. Even with it removed, the tractor will travel at least one of it's lengths before it will come to a stop after I remove my foot from the pedal.

I am curious how common this problem is on the GC2300? If everyone has it, and no one has a fix, I guess I'll drop the subject and I'll learn to drive slower. But if mine is unique, I would like to fix it.

Chris

henrysMFGC2310TBL · May 27, 2010

Sometimes my 2300 stops right on, other times it creeps, so far all I have read is to take it to the dealer. Does someone have a service manual that would give us a fix? I am looking for a manual for my 2300.

irvingj · May 28, 2010

Mine also will creep, especially if cold or I slowly lift my foot off "forward" position.

When warmed up, if I remove pressure from the forward position quickly, it will go right to neutral and slow to a stop in a few feet. Guess I've just learned to live with it, knowing that it will not return to neutral every time. I just keep my heel ready to tap reverse if necessary.

Maybe more hours will help- I'm at 150 now.