gc2300 power in reverse

massey driver · Sep 8, 2009

I'am kinda currious as to how much power does a massey gc2300 have in reverse compared to forward.I have a older massey 1655 with hydro and the power in reverse is the same as what its like in forward however I find that with the gc 2300 there seems to be a bit less power backing up.Eg: if I hook up with the back and pull it will spin the tires no problem in both 2 and 4 wheel drive.In reverse it has a harder time spinning the tires and in 4 wheel drive it doesn't seem to beable to.It's got lots of pulling power as I use it to move stuff out of the way to cut grass.I used it to pull my 54 chev 1 1/2 ton truck and it seemed to lack power while pulling back wards/ I know not supposed to pull with the front.But anyway is this normal for this tractor or is there a adjustment somewhere that needs to be tweeked?? I don't have anything to compare it too except my 1655 thats why I'am asking to see what others have found with there's.Not sure if there's a weak releaf valve for reverse or if this is how they work.Any in put will be welcomed.Larry

irvingj · Sep 9, 2009

I've found that to be the case, too... What I've discovered is that I really have to shift my foor around and mash the pedal on the rear with my heel --the one time I wish I had two pedals instead of the rocker--

It seems to take a lot of pressure to get it to "full reverse." Reverse gear IS slightly lower, however; perhaps that's why it's more difficult to spin the tires?

I also plan to check the reverse stop bolt position-- there's some adjustment there, and apparently things don't work quite to their proper specs if it's not set right. (Check "Massey hydraulic failure" thread)

massey driver · Sep 9, 2009

Good to hear that mine's working like that as well.Guess it must be the way it works.I had a Ford 125 LGT with a hydro just prior to buying the gc2300 and it acted like that as well so it they must set up the hydos like that.The massey 1655 has a sunstrand hydro where the old Ford had a eaton same as whats in the gc2300 so glad to hear thats how they work.I'll not have to be concerened about mina anu more.It works fine in all other aspects so guess I can stop thinking about it.Thanks for the input as always Larry.

jeepcj7 · Sep 9, 2009

Actual power between forward and reverse is the same, however the pedal travel in reverse is limited to 80% of the forward pedal travel (basically reverse will only go 80% as fast as forward)

massey driver · Sep 11, 2009

Ok guys used the tractor to do some loader work,digging into the dirt,gravel etc all sorts of power going forward.Now backing up its pretty sad.There's a hissing sound comming from underneath ?? and trying to back up with a bucket full it's pretty poor.When backing up a slight incline as well without a bucket full there's a hissing sound or oil by passing.Any ideas as to why its doing this.Like I say forward is fine backwards not so good.Is there a seperate relief valve for reverse or poppet valve.Need help in figuring this out.Thanks Larry

tx2310 · Sep 11, 2009

I have dug a basement with my 2310 most of the loads where done in reverse with full buckets and no problems. There is something wrong still. here are some pics showing the angle I has climbing. The bucket is not full in the one picture because the brakes would not hold with the bucket any fuller.

Doug

massey driver · Sep 11, 2009

wow if your able to backout of that hole with a full bucket full and with the backhoe on as well then there's still something wrong with mine.After posting this morning I called the hydro guy that did my hydro unit and explained to him what it was doing and he sugested that I swap the springs on the poppet valves to see if it makes any diff.I guess like he was saying if its weak in reverse then by swapping the springs it should be weak in forward.Anyway I didn't have a chance to do that today so hopefully I'll try that tommoro if I get some free time. Sure hope thats all it could be its easy to do that compared to pulling the hydro out again.Once I do that spring swap I'll post again letting everyone know how things went.As always Larry.

irvingj · Sep 11, 2009

Sorry, MassyDriver-- no other ideas (my experience with the 2310 is really limited) but it does sound as though something's not quite right! Although I have to really push on the pedal for max reverse, mine always does go. It also makes a hissing sound, perhaps moreso than when it's in forward, but it does still go-- at least it always has so far.... I suppose you've checked the fluid level? (sorry if you mentioned this already!)

massey driver · Sep 13, 2009

took a look to see if I could compare what the springs look like but not possible due to the front 4x4 shaft housing right where access is to take out one spring and valve.Any way I took the tractor into the ditch had to have it in 4x4 and in low range backed up the ditch but in high range had to full throttle and was barely able to back out,the motor was labouring like crazy and just about didn't make it.Yet doing the same thing forward its no problem in either high or low range and the motor didn't labour at all so just don't know what to think about that yet.It would be nice if I knew someone who has one so I could actually try there's to compare to mine.Guess I'll just live with it for now untill able to find more info on what could possibly be wrong.I don't want to pull it apart right now as have stuff to do and need to be able to have it doing stuff for me.So will just use it like this for the time being and maybe someone will beable to give me a bit more of a idea what to check out on it.Thanks for all the info so far,hopefully someone will beable to help me figure this one out.My old 1655 doesn't matter forward or backwards high or low range it's the same so thats why I figure this 2300 should work the same.As always Larry

Max2310 · Sep 15, 2009

Hi Massey Driver,

I understand your pain! I have a GC2310 and also wasn't impressed with the reverse. At some point, in very rare cases, I had to dump my load to be able to get out of the spot I was working in.

It definitivally doesn't have the same amount of strenght in forward than reverse. And you have to press hard on the pedal to get out.

Mine is a 2008 model.

That's my experience. But don't get me wrong, I love this little beast!
Max

edit: Having said that, sometimes I forget to release the stupid park brake and don't realise it untill I go in reverse

buckwheat · Sep 15, 2009

I concur that power in reverse is lacking. In high range, it is useless if backing uphill and/or through snow. In low it's never been a problem. I dug a 6' deep foundation to a sauna (frost line is deep up here), which required backing out of a very steep hole, and never lacked for power.

I'm also very unhappy about the amount of force on the foot pedal required to get full power in reverse. I don't consider myself to have bad knees, but the one time my right knee hurts is after a couple hours of plowing snow. I'm not sure if it is just me just unconsciously trying to channel enough power to move in reverse by pressing the pedal harder, or if it really is the amount of force required to press the pedal.

massey driver · Sep 16, 2009

well it looks like this is the way the reverse is on this tractor so guess me thinking of pulling it apart again will be a waste of my time.Guess I'll just need to get used to it working like what it does.Maybe this winter when there's more time I'll have to try and research this hyro to see if anything can be done to improve the reverse problem.Looks like Iam not the only one complaining and not happy with reverse with this tractor.Other then that I don't have any other complaints its a nice running unit and very easy and fun to sit on and use.Lets see if anyone else has had the same problem and if we get enough complaints maybe we can get some advice from either Massey or the hydro manufacturer to try to get this problem fixed so we can enjoy even backing up.As always Larry

tx2310 · Sep 16, 2009

I have done a lot of loader work with mine and it is not a problem in reverse. First high is not going to work for loader work, if you want to go faster then buy a bigger tractor! What engine speed are you trying to use? Today I was kind of loafing and was idled back to about 2100 and and noticed I didn't have the power I needed to do the work. Went to full throttle and every thing was fine.

Doug

massey driver · Sep 16, 2009

hey tx 2310 nice to hear from you.Guess like you say need to run the tractor full throttle to get better response out of reverse.To me it just doesn't make sense that in forward even on a idle there's power to do stuff so don't you think reverse should do the same.I know reverse doesn't have to speed that forward does but it will still spin the tires in forward on a idle or just above but reverse is almost useless.Guess thats my beef with this is why isn't reverse working the same as forward.There's got to be some explaination as to why this is.I'am happy with this little tractor and as for bigger I do have one plus a older 1655 with 20 honda and that old 1655 has just as much power in reverse as forward idle or full throttle,so what did they do now with how the hydro works now compared to what the older ones did.There's got to be a explanation as to why the power isn't the same forward,reverse,idleling or full throttle as always Larry

buckwheat · Sep 16, 2009

Were I to do it again, I would buy a bigger tractor. The Massey is what I have though. I'm making do with it, but the apparent lack of power in reverse would qualify as my biggest gripe. It doesn't make sense that it does okay in high range going forward, but not backward.

stardust01 · Sep 22, 2009

I have a 2005 gc2300; dug an old hog wallow out into a duck pond recently. You need to be in low gear for load work and running full throttle- thats how it's built to work. I had no problems backing out unless I was in the water or the clay was really wet, but that was just a traction issue; Rimguard in the tires and a Woods boxblade with 4' of railroad rail helped me dig in a little better. It's not fast in reverse, but then for safety it shouldn't be. There is an adjustable stop under the reverse side of the pedal, but I found the key to be moving your heel farther back to get full reverse travel on the pedal. Power definitely isn't an issue, though. When I'm mowing, I use high gear, and the reverse works just fine- plenty quick, any faster and it could be dangerous. You shouldn't be trying to do anything at idle, the manual recommends about 15-1600 rpm just for warmup if I remember correctly, and I wouldn't use less than 1800 for general driving around.

massey driver · Sep 22, 2009

Guess I'am so used to the old 1655 that I just assumed this 2300 would work the same way.However after reading what everyone has been saying about having to use higher RPMS thats what I started doing and it seems to work quite a bit better.So I'll just have to get used to running at a higher RPM and use it this way.Thanks for all the input from everyone who put in there two cents worth thanks again. I've started building a cab for winter use so been busy working on that for the last week and this week.actually was able to put some paint on it today of course ran short so will need to pick some more up tommoro and hopefully will have sometime to finish painting it either tommoro or the following day.As always Larry.