GC2300 hydrostatic issue

[cvananden]

Hi -

My father and I have a MF GC2310 that we’ve been using to do some small landscaping projects.

While using it today, after about 40 minutes of use we basically lost the ability to drive. The tractor wouldn’t go up a very slight incline and when pushing the pedal a high pitched noise would come out (sounded like near where the linkage connects to the transmission). The bucket and backhoe appeared to continue to work fine. We were also able to use reverse much better than forward.

After letting it sit and cool down for a while, it worked again, but as soon as it got warmer it went back to not driving.

I’m not sure where to start, does anyone have any ideas?


Edit - I have a short video.

 

[thclimer]

That doesn't look good.

You mentioned the FEL and backhoe seem to work fine, do they seem to have the same lifting and digging power?

How many hours on your 2310?

Are you the original owner?

 

[dicktill]

I agree with @thclimer that it doesn't look good, but have you checked the fluid level?

 

[cvananden]

The FEL and backhoe seem to have the same lifting/digging power, but to be honest, we didn't try to push it.

400ish hours

No, we purchased via a heavy equipment auction. My father was a diesel mechanic by trade and grew up on a farm, so he knows his way around machines. We've serviced it, replaced some hydraulic hoses, tested pressure etc. One VERY weird thing is the previous owner appears to have used RTV on one of the gaskets. We removed all of that and sealed it properly. We've changed the hydraulic fluid twice. Once to do an initial run through, and we found silicone bits in the filter, so we replaced the filter, and ran more through another two filters (reused the oil for the second flush). He's never ripped apart a hydrostatic, so he doesn't want to jump into that - which I get and appreciate.

Since I originally posted, we talked to one mechanic and he said it could just be something clogged inside because of the previous owners "work". Or maybe something with the transmission. Right now we have it scheduled to be picked up by a garage that works on Masseys, late next week, to have them diagnose it (same one that mentioned it's possibly clogged).

 

[oldnslo]

Were you trying to drive forward under heavy load when this problem occurred? If yes I would suspect the forward high pressure relief valve may have a piece of crud in it limiting pressure in forward since reverse still works.

The noise could be that relief chattering.

 

[cvananden]

It was running pretty solid for the 40 minutes or between using the hoe and FEL to help us reshape a steep slope. I'm not super familiar with tractors, but I'd say yes. It seems to drive great when its cold, and it would even make it further up the slope than I would have expected it to. The ability to use reverse was something that also confused my father.

 

[dicktill]

Were you trying to drive forward under heavy load when this problem occurred? If yes I would suspect the forward high pressure relief valve may have a piece of crud in it limiting pressure in forward since reverse still works.

The noise could be that relief chattering.

That's a good idea. You can pull the relief valves out without taking the hydrostatic apart or removing it from the tractor.

 

[DMW]

GC's are very heat sensitive. Is the hydrostat cooling fan intact? Did you change the hydro oil with a suitable tractor hydraulic fluid?

Other than that, the video seem like pretty normal operation. Turtle/2WD, you can see the rear tires torquing, then hear the relief valve opening. Too big a bite with the FEL. Pushing down further on the treadle produces less torque to the wheels, it does not make it push harder. It is not an accelerator, but a valve controller.
Things that can help, check rear tire pressures, engage 4WD when using the FEL, loosen material before trying to scoop up (it is not a bulldozer), the less you press the hydro pedal, the more torque that is produced.
If you really want to dig with the FEL, a tooth bar is recommended.

 

[cvananden]

GC's are very heat sensitive. Is the hydrostat cooling fan intact? Did you change the hydro oil with a suitable tractor hydraulic fluid?

Other than that, the video seem like pretty normal operation. Turtle/2WD, you can see the rear tires torquing, then hear the relief valve opening. Too big a bite with the FEL. Pushing down further on the treadle produces less torque to the wheels, it does not make it push harder. It is not an accelerator, but a valve controller.
Things that can help, check rear tire pressures, engage 4WD when using the FEL, loosen material before trying to scoop up (it is not a bulldozer), the less you press the hydro pedal, the more torque that is produced.
If you really want to dig with the FEL, a tooth bar is recommended.

We aren’t trying to dig with the FEL. We just can’t move it forward. The FEL has only been used to help level off some of the area as it’s either been hand dug or with the BH. It operates perfectly fine under a cold temperature.

Yes, fluids are proper. Yes the fan works.

 

[cvananden]

That's a good idea. You can pull the relief valves out without taking the hydrostatic apart or removing it from the tractor.

Where should I point him to look to pull the valves? We do have the service manuals and parts manual.

 

[not2old]

the less you press the hydro pedal, the more torque that is produced.
.


I learned something today

 

[dicktill]

Where should I point him to look to pull the valves? We do have the service manuals and parts manual.

They are right at the front of the transmission section, pages 05-3 to 05-6. Probably some photos later on.

Good luck!

 

[DMW]

We aren’t trying to dig with the FEL. We just can’t move it forward. The FEL has only been used to help level off some of the area as it’s either been hand dug or with the BH. It operates perfectly fine under a cold temperature.

Yes, fluids are proper. Yes the fan works.

I can replicate everything in your video with my GC2300 with underinflated rear tires. Your backhoe is about 200 pounds more than my counterweight, causing more traction/compression on the rear tires not allowing them to spin. The angle of the FEL is directed into the ground, not sraping off the top layer of dirt. If it only happens when hot, i would suggest the tractor fluid being used. That high pitch whine is indicative of poor fluid (at high temperatures) and not the relief valve.
I always cringe when someone says they are using a suitable fluid. Youtube channel Amateur Homesteading posted a 50 maintenance video on a GC1723. They thought it suitable to use a hydraulic oil, and not a tractor hydraulic fluid. They are not the same, but it will work for a while. Don't believe everything you see on the internet.

 

[irvingj]

Just a thought... has the suction strainer been cleaned?

 

[Dmacleo]

Just a thought... has the suction strainer been cleaned?

I wondered also but wouldn't that also affect FEL and hoe functions as well as steering?

 

[DMW]

One VERY weird thing is the previous owner appears to have used RTV on one of the gaskets.

If this was the pump assembly, it may have been from the factory that way.

 

[ray66v]

I wondered also but wouldn't that also affect FEL and hoe functions as well as steering?

There are two hydraulic pumps.

If I am remembering it correctly, there is an internal pump is for the drive train, and the external pump operates everything else.

 

[Dmacleo]

on my gc2400 the manual says steering pump is common with main pump, think that means main pump handles it.



this is all gc2400 service manual states about any pump in system



but with so many changes between gc23xx and gc24xx on wards who knows.

 

[ray66v]

on my gc2400 the manual says steering pump is common with main pump, think that means main pump handles it.

I could be wrong then, it's been a while.

The pumps were letting go now and then, about 20 years ago.

There was a factory defect, and they didn't do the right thing, and recall all the affected units.

 

[Dmacleo]

just as possible there is difference between gc23xx and gx24xx and we both are correct