GC2300 Mid mount mower disengaging

Wayne165 · May 23, 2006

Hello everyone: Just dicovered this site & am new to the forum from up here in Canada. Just a little Bio.We farmed for 25 years & have had nothing but M.F. equipment. Our dealer says Massey paint runs in my veins.We have quit farming but do welding & maching out of our farm shop.When we quit farming we purchased a new GC2300 tractor to keep our 165 company. Have read a lot of posts but havn't seen anyone experiencing the problem we have with ours. I really enjoy this tractor but when cutting heavier grass all of a sudden the Midmout P.T.O. lever works it's way down to disengsge itself. Dealer changed lever that goes into trans thinking detent was not deep enough & faulty. Worked better for a while & now doing it again. Anyone else have this problem & how did you solve it.Thanks for now

Wayne165 · May 23, 2006

Hello everyone: Just dicovered this site & am new to the forum from up here in Canada. Just a little Bio.We farmed for 25 years & have had nothing but M.F. equipment. Our dealer says Massey paint runs in my veins.We have quit farming but do welding & maching out of our farm shop.When we quit farming we purchased a new GC2300 tractor to keep our 165 company. Have read a lot of posts but havn't seen anyone experiencing the problem we have with ours. I really enjoy this tractor but when cutting heavier grass all of a sudden the Midmout P.T.O. lever works it's way down to disengsge itself. Dealer changed lever that goes into trans thinking detent was not deep enough & faulty. Worked better for a while & now doing it again. Anyone else have this problem & how did you solve it.Thanks for now

JerryG · May 23, 2006

I haven't heard of that problem before. Is there anything that could be pushing or rubbing against the linkage?

JerryG · May 23, 2006

I haven't heard of that problem before. Is there anything that could be pushing or rubbing against the linkage?

Wayne165 · May 23, 2006

Thanks for the prompt reply Jerry but have been through that issue & nothing. It works fine in light grass but anything a little heavier & by putting hand on lever you can feel the lever being pulled out of engagement.

Wayne165 · May 23, 2006

Thanks for the prompt reply Jerry but have been through that issue & nothing. It works fine in light grass but anything a little heavier & by putting hand on lever you can feel the lever being pulled out of engagement.

3Leroy · May 24, 2006

( Thanks for the prompt reply Jerry but have been through that issue & nothing. It works fine in light grass but anything a little heavier & by putting hand on lever you can feel the lever being pulled out of engagement. )

The sales brochure says the Mid PTO is mechanical and it is 2000 rpm. On a Automotive application that would point to syncros. Too many or to few. Also the shift plate could be out of spec.

I'm investigating the GC2310 for a potential addition to my family. So far there have only been a few mostly leaking fittings. Random complaints can't be held against it unless there are too many. Can't wait for the fix on this one.

I'm thinking they will ask that you cut higher and cut slower and sharpen the blades???

3Leroy · May 24, 2006

( Thanks for the prompt reply Jerry but have been through that issue & nothing. It works fine in light grass but anything a little heavier & by putting hand on lever you can feel the lever being pulled out of engagement. )

The sales brochure says the Mid PTO is mechanical and it is 2000 rpm. On a Automotive application that would point to syncros. Too many or to few. Also the shift plate could be out of spec.

I'm investigating the GC2310 for a potential addition to my family. So far there have only been a few mostly leaking fittings. Random complaints can't be held against it unless there are too many. Can't wait for the fix on this one.

I'm thinking they will ask that you cut higher and cut slower and sharpen the blades???

loulblades · May 24, 2006

I picked up my GC2300 from my dealer last night after having some work done (leaking hydraulics) and the parts took most of the week to come in. Anyway it has rained a good bit here over the past week and with the tractor in the shop, I was unable to cut the grass when we did get a break. So with the rain and cool nights, I told my dealer I might need a brushhog to cut the grass. Well I have cut some high grass with my 60" MMM last night and during the past 2 years and have never had the PTO disengage (even when I knew the blades needed sharpening and I cut in high gear). Sounds like a detente is not working correctly. So my opinion is, your evidence points to a definite problem and don't let your dealer convince you otherwise.

I talked to my dealer last night about getting a service manual so I can delve into things like this as my tractor get older and he is going to let me know.

BTW: I looked at the new grill guard that allows the hood to be opened without dropping it. I might have to get me one of those.

loulblades · May 24, 2006

I picked up my GC2300 from my dealer last night after having some work done (leaking hydraulics) and the parts took most of the week to come in. Anyway it has rained a good bit here over the past week and with the tractor in the shop, I was unable to cut the grass when we did get a break. So with the rain and cool nights, I told my dealer I might need a brushhog to cut the grass. Well I have cut some high grass with my 60" MMM last night and during the past 2 years and have never had the PTO disengage (even when I knew the blades needed sharpening and I cut in high gear). Sounds like a detente is not working correctly. So my opinion is, your evidence points to a definite problem and don't let your dealer convince you otherwise.

I talked to my dealer last night about getting a service manual so I can delve into things like this as my tractor get older and he is going to let me know.

BTW: I looked at the new grill guard that allows the hood to be opened without dropping it. I might have to get me one of those.

Wayne165 · May 24, 2006

Talked to another dealer yesterday & he phoned service for us & they mentioned detent as well so being well off warranty we will investigate ourselves. They said detent spring may have weakened & shimming may be necessary. Have talked to a lot of people with this machine & nobody else having this problem. This is the only problem we have had with this unit. We have an extra set of blades sharpened at all times so change them fairly often for a nice cut & I am very fussy about cutting job & you will be hard pressed to find anyone more fussy in the maintenance department either. Other than this issue you will not find a nicer running more user friendly tractor in this size range. We would highly recommend this unit if it is large enough for your purposes. We have a 1972 165 with Perkins gas engine with industrial loader for the big jobs that people offer to purchase when they see it but will never be for sale. The only modification we made to out GC 2300 was to make a stick like the old MF 14 series which we own & are restoring. We wanted more gentle control when mowing around tight areas. This mod leaves the heal & toe pedal intact for large open areas or the stick for real close quarters. If anyone is interested I will try & post pictue of it. It is very simple & convenient & does not butcher the existing parts. Thanks for the replies & any more ideas welcome.

Wayne165 · May 24, 2006

Talked to another dealer yesterday & he phoned service for us & they mentioned detent as well so being well off warranty we will investigate ourselves. They said detent spring may have weakened & shimming may be necessary. Have talked to a lot of people with this machine & nobody else having this problem. This is the only problem we have had with this unit. We have an extra set of blades sharpened at all times so change them fairly often for a nice cut & I am very fussy about cutting job & you will be hard pressed to find anyone more fussy in the maintenance department either. Other than this issue you will not find a nicer running more user friendly tractor in this size range. We would highly recommend this unit if it is large enough for your purposes. We have a 1972 165 with Perkins gas engine with industrial loader for the big jobs that people offer to purchase when they see it but will never be for sale. The only modification we made to out GC 2300 was to make a stick like the old MF 14 series which we own & are restoring. We wanted more gentle control when mowing around tight areas. This mod leaves the heal & toe pedal intact for large open areas or the stick for real close quarters. If anyone is interested I will try & post pictue of it. It is very simple & convenient & does not butcher the existing parts. Thanks for the replies & any more ideas welcome.

keltonkrew · May 24, 2006

This is good news as I'm picking my GC2300 up on Friday! They had to order the ag tires for it. This will be replacing my stolen Bolens (Iseki) 4wd G174. I was hoping the mowing was a good quality!

keltonkrew · May 24, 2006

This is good news as I'm picking my GC2300 up on Friday! They had to order the ag tires for it. This will be replacing my stolen Bolens (Iseki) 4wd G174. I was hoping the mowing was a good quality!

loulblades · May 24, 2006

I currently have the foam-filled ag tires but ordered a set of turf tires last night. Can't beat the ag tires for the heavy jobs, most of which I have finished up around the house, but do leave lots of tracks when mowing on soft ground (which I have alot of since the rains came).

Good luck with your new tractor. Hope you have at least half the fun I have had with this thing.

loulblades · May 24, 2006

I currently have the foam-filled ag tires but ordered a set of turf tires last night. Can't beat the ag tires for the heavy jobs, most of which I have finished up around the house, but do leave lots of tracks when mowing on soft ground (which I have alot of since the rains came).

Good luck with your new tractor. Hope you have at least half the fun I have had with this thing.

jeepcj7 · May 24, 2006

wayne165 - would be interested in seeing a picture of the stick you installed if you are still willing to post it. tks

jeepcj7 · May 24, 2006

wayne165 - would be interested in seeing a picture of the stick you installed if you are still willing to post it. tks

Wayne165 · May 24, 2006

Yes I will take pictures & post in the next day or so of our shifter mod but machine shop is stupid busy right now so be patient. Thanks for now,Wayne

Wayne165 · May 24, 2006

Yes I will take pictures & post in the next day or so of our shifter mod but machine shop is stupid busy right now so be patient. Thanks for now,Wayne