Massey GC1710TLB - getting ready for winter

[jc21]

I couldn't tell from Ray's picture but do the GC's use an exposed fan underneath to cool the hydro like the Kubota BX's do? And if they do, would it be an issue in very deep snow or very high grass/weeds in the summer?

 

[AxleHub]

I couldn't tell from Ray's picture but do the GC's use an exposed fan underneath to cool the hydro like the Kubota BX's do? And if they do, would it be an issue in very deep snow or very high grass/weeds in the summer?

The GC units have a fan but it is not exposed the way the BX product is . . so there are two benefits created:

A. Much less likely of the fan being affected

B. If the fact does get effected . . Its significantly less expense to repair/replace.

 

[JWR]

If your drive is mostly level you likely won't need chains. I have a hill and I can plow down bur can't get back up without chains front and rear. Ed

I agree with pretty well everything irvingj said. I use a Kubota B2150 (older, 1990 or so) 4cyl diesel for snow removal in the mountains in WV. I use a 5ft rear mount Canadian-made snowblower and a front end loader. That way I can "do something" going both directions. View attachment 448582 I have added the FEL since this photo. Traction is definitely an issue. I swapped a set of ag tires onto the tractor shown here this summer and expect them to be better in snow than the original turf tires. Problem is that with very much snow you create instant ice under the tires the minute you spin some. Chains are best if you have a steep or challenging area. A creeper gear (which I do have on the B2150) is really good for snow blowing. I know a guy across the mountain from you there in Maine who uses a John Deere 23hp 4wd subcompact tractor with a front snowblower which has worked well for him but he is currently looking for a larger machine due to the deeper snow and traction issues. Here in Maryland I use a Kubota BX2200 for snow removal which is a lot more comparable to your GC1710. With it I use a small 4' blade in the rear and a front end loader. Again such that I can "do something both directions." Here we rarely have enough snow to bother plowing and when we do, I typically clean 10 or 12 driveways because most do not have the equipment.

I assume based on where you live you know to mix 50-50 kerosene with your diesel fuel when it is going below 10 degrees F. Also up there the block heater is really needed unless you keep it indoors. I know the front blowers are far better if you have high volume of snow removal to do BUT there are literally 10 times as many brands and source of universal rear blowers and FAR lower prices. I find that a FEL and rear blow combo works pretty well. Especially if you have a FEL on your GC1710 I'd go the cheaper route for a rear blower.

 

[JWR]

Ohbythe way, loading the tires will no good at all in my opinion. If your aren't spinning things are great. Once you do spin a little the snow turns to ice under the tires and it matters little how heavy the machine is. That's especially true with turf tires. Certainly a big variable is how much do you need to clear of snow ? Length of driveway, a long access road, hills or flat, etc. What is your task like?

 

[MJB62676]

I'm ready!

 

[Pixguy]

I'm ready! <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/massey-ferguson-owning-operating/448931-massey-gc1710tlb-getting-ready-winter-massey-blade-jpg"/>

That makes two of us.

 

[Clipse3GT]

x3

 

[irvingj]

My turf tires are by now worn down some (7+ years); I used to leave the backhoe on for traction --it works!!-- but my driveway has a steep upslope and I found the steering was just shy of totally non-functional going uphill, so I eventually took the BH off. That gave me back my steering (and made it much easier to maneuver) but necessitated the use of 4WD almost all the time, but hey- no problem there, either.

Only had to put chains on once, which was last year after a "freezing rain/wet snow/more rain, then temps dropping" event. Only time so far, and the chains certainly did the trick. Otherwise, I've had no trouble (well, maybe a little every now & then) with using the turf tires, with the blower clearing the road ahead of the tractor.

Still waiting for a set of blades from Jack's Small Engines for the MMM before I put that away for the season, then need to remove & store the FEL and get the blower back out & mounted-- but I'll be ready!

 

[MJB62676]

My brother and I spent the better part of Saturday putting the quick hitch/sub frame and glad together. Massey only shorted me one nylon plug, a set of instructions, and a couple of couplers for the hydraulics.

 

[irvingj]

One other thing, JWR-- up here, places that sell diesel have a "winter formula" that's used; percentage of kerosene (I assume) is gradually increased as temps fall, so it's already taken care of, so to speak. I also use some of the same additive my TDI uses, made by Stanadyne. I just make sure I buy my diesel at a truck stop that moves a lot of product.

Only problem can be if you have a load of "summer fuel," don't use it for a while, and then the temps fall.. But so far I've not had that issue. :thumbsup: