GC2300 Diff. Lock

[loulblades]

Well I am now faced with the first major issue with my tractor since acquiring it a few years ago. The diff lock won't engage.

When I push down on the pedal? stick? engager? it will not go down all the way. I had the tractor in for spring maintenance and told them I needed it back before this weekend but was told it was something internal and I would not be able to get it back when I wanted if they tore it down. So now I am using it without the diff lock (actually have been for the past 6 months but now I would like to have it to tackle some stuff if the mud).

So has anyone here opened up that differential and, if so, just how much work is it? I will be looking over the manuals tonight and maybe they will give me a feel about tackling this job over the weekend (after spreading 20 tons of top soil).

Bummer.

 

[MFRED]

Not something you'll tackle this weekend. Not something you want to tackle if you don't know what you're doing. Hopefully it is something simple and it won't need major repair.

 

[amkfken]

If the tractor is NOT moving, mine will not go down to engage either, must cause one of the rear wheels to spin either in forward or reverse to get it to fully engage. Been that way since new, don't kick it down under full throttle, just forward or reverse pedal slightly to get the either rear wheel to slip.

 

[loulblades]

I have used the diff lock many times playing (I mean working) in the mud and snow.

After referring to the shop manual, I have to agree with MFRED, this is no casual undertaking.

 

[ray66v]

If the tractor is NOT moving, mine will not go down to engage either, must cause one of the rear wheels to spin either in forward or reverse to get it to fully engage. Been that way since new, don't kick it down under full throttle, just forward or reverse pedal slightly to get the either rear wheel to slip.

Yes, this is how mine works also.

 

[fireguy1451]

believe the all knowing manual states a half rev on a wheel spinning will allow the diff lock to engage.

 

[loulblades]

That sounds about right. I know I could never engage it until I needed it (that is back when it would engage).

Still haven't decided if I will attempt this on my own because I will need it in the near future.

 

[JerryG]

On some models where the arm attaches on the shaft going into the transmission housing, it connects with a roll pin. The shaft will get stiff and then shear the roll pin. Have you checked to see if the shaft is moving when the pedal/lever arm goes up and down?

 

[loulblades]

Actually the pedal doesn't go up and down. It feels "jammed" not the "softer" feel like before when I pressed on it. Even if the diff. wasn't in position to engage, it had...well more give (ie: softer) but now there is immediate heavy resistance.

 

[loulblades]

I left the 2300 at my dealer for the last month while I went to Colorado to search for elk for 2 weeks and we waited for the parts to show.

Just got word from him that it is ready for pickup and he is only charging me for the parts. Says he has the old parts to show me and it looks like I tried to engage the diff lock while the tires were spinning. I thought I was pretty careful about not doing that.

Oh yeah, the parts are ~$860 . Guess I will be even more careful when I step on that particular pedal in the future.

 

[loulblades]

I know I started this thread some time ago but I thought I would include the latest info since it pertains to the same area of the tractor.

A couple weekends ago I was doing some landscaping (getting rid of the mulch and putting in river rock).

I started to hear a clicking sound when I would back up then go forward. Thought it might be the flap on the tiller that I had on for ballast until it started acting "funny". Sometimes wouldn't move when in 2 wheel drive.

Appears the rear differential has decided to go.

I am beginning to wonder if these foam filled ag tires are too much. Or maybe it's time for a new tractor.

 

[irvingj]

??? The differential? Ouch! Please keep us posted as to the outcome- this does not sound good!

 

[massey driver]

sounds like you're using your tractor to extreme's moving that much dirt,rocks etc: How many hrs on your tractor.You have to remeber these aren't industrial machines and if your using it as hard as you saying,your're going to expect problems like this.Even big units when used hard break down and wear out.Remeber it's just a littel fellow not meant for extreme useage.Once you get it figured out let us know what the problem was.Larry

 

[cdaigle430]

sounds like you're using your tractor to extreme's moving that much dirt,rocks etc: How many hrs on your tractor.You have to remeber these aren't industrial machines and if your using it as hard as you saying,your're going to expect problems like this.Even big units when used hard break down and wear out.Remeber it's just a littel fellow not meant for extreme useage.Once you get it figured out let us know what the problem was.Larry

I beg to differ, It's not the size that counts, it's how you use it.

 

[massey driver]

I beg to differ, It's not the size that counts, it's how you use it.

I stand corrected :ashamed: Larry

 

[ray66v]

It would seem to me, there is the potential an oversight occurred, when the shop rebuilt your rear end.

I also agree with massey driver.

The truth is these are glorified lawnmowers. That's right, I said it.

I refuse to make my backhoe suffer the embarrassment, of having to lug around a belly mower. But the fact is, they do make one for it.

These tractors are very capable, but they are not made for the kind of extreme duty some are being put to.

Although, a lot of the misuse occurs under the direction of first time owners, who have not yet realized their transgressions.

 

[loulblades]

I have about 450 hours on mine.

Maybe I have pushed it too hard and maybe should have went with a larger tractor. I did take it out of the mowing business early on and only used it as a utility tractor. I only have 2 acres to work but we did a good bit of removing trees, landscaping and gardening and such.

I did consider a MF 1530 (or 31) (BTW: it also has an available belly mower) when I purchased but thought the 2300 would be sufficient. Maybe I was wrong.

The weekend the diff. went out, I had moved about 20 ton of stone.

 

[cdaigle430]

It would seem to me, there is the potential an oversight occurred, when the shop rebuilt your rear end.

I also agree with massey driver.

The truth is these are glorified lawnmowers. That's right, I said it.

I refuse to make my backhoe suffer the embarrassment, of having to lug around a belly mower. But the fact is, they do make one for it.

These tractors are very capable, but they are not made for the kind of extreme duty some are being put to.

Although, a lot of the misuse occurs under the direction of first time owners, who have not yet realized their transgressions.

These are not glorified lawnmowers-get your facts staight . They are 100% a tractor as a 40 hp tractor is but smaller in scale. They have hydraulics, , diesal engines, cat 1 hitch, PTO md and rear, FEL, Backhoe and all the attachments a bigger tractor has.

As with even a 40hp tractor they can be used beyond there intended purpose and they can also be abused. You don't have to lug around a belly mower, you can get a rear PTO finish mower as well.

When you buy a tractor you have to look at what you need it for. If you intend on pulling alot of stumps and hauling alot of dirt then you buy a bigger tractor. if you just want to pull out a couple of stumps then stick with the smaller version and so on.

I have to laugh at people who own 1 acre of land or less but own 40 hp turbo diesal tractors that have heat and air condiitoned cabs. To me thats is so much worse than a person who push their smaller tractor a little above it's intended purpose.

 

[ray66v]

These are not glorified lawnmowers-get your facts staight . They are 100% a tractor as a 40 hp tractor is but smaller in scale. They have hydraulics, , diesal engines, cat 1 hitch, PTO md and rear, FEL, Backhoe and all the attachments a bigger tractor has.

As with even a 40hp tractor they can be used beyond there intended purpose and they can also be abused. You don't have to lug around a belly mower, you can get a rear PTO finish mower as well.

When you buy a tractor you have to look at what you need it for. If you intend on pulling alot of stumps and hauling alot of dirt then you buy a bigger tractor. if you just want to pull out a couple of stumps then stick with the smaller version and so on.

I have to laugh at people who own 1 acre of land or less but own 40 hp turbo diesal tractors that have heat and air condiitoned cabs. To me thats is so much worse than a person who push their smaller tractor a little above it's intended purpose.

You are entitled to your opinion and so am I. You do not have a right to get angry at me for having higher standards.

Look, if I put a FEL, and a BH, on my Bolens, (they are available out there), it has everything you mention, except the diesal engine, (btw, it's diesel), is it then a REAL tractor? No, it's still a lawn mower. You can call it a tractor though, if you want. Some people call them lawn tractors, or garden tractors.

My radio control helicopter, has every major part a full size helicopter does. Is it a REAL helicopter? No, but you can call it one.

I love my 2310, but I do not suffer delusions of grandeur, when I use it.

If you show up when the farmers around here get together, and tell them a GC2300 is a Real tractor. If they agree, (I already know they will laugh at you, because the laughed at me), I will stop calling it a glorified lawn mower. (btw, they are the ones who gave it that name, they all run with over 100 hp turbos.). Are you getting the perspective there? :thumbsup:

 

[cdaigle430]

You are entitled to your opinion and so am I. You do not have a right to get angry at me for having higher standards.

Look, if I put a FEL, and a BH, on my Bolens, (they are available out there), it has everything you mention, except the diesal engine, (btw, it's diesel), is it then a REAL tractor? No, it's still a lawn mower. You can call it a tractor though, if you want. Some people call them lawn tractors, or garden tractors.

My radio control helicopter, has every major part a full size helicopter does. Is it a REAL helicopter? No, but you can call it one.

I love my 2310, but I do not suffer delusions of grandeur, when I use it.

If you show up when the farmers around here get together, and tell them a GC2300 is a Real tractor. If they agree, (I already know they will laugh at you, because the laughed at me), I will stop calling it a glorified lawn mower. (btw, they are the ones who gave it that name, they all run with over 100 hp turbos.). Are you getting the perspective there? :thumbsup:

Sorry, didn't mean to come across angry-we are all entitled to our opinions. I grew up a farmer and we used 2 cylinder gas engine John Deer tractors with a live PTO so I know what I'm talking about. I also have a father who is an expert on industrial equipment and it is his opinions and expertise that I value not yours No one here has laughed at me yet and I don't expect them to.

A radio controlled helicopter is classified as a toy and should not be compared to a real helicopter, my 14 year old has toy helicopters so this comparison makes no sense at all. A better comparison would be a Robinson 22 two seater compared to a Bell 430, big difference in size but they are helicopters never the less.

Lets just agree to disagree here.