my latest project tractor: a 2003 McCormick GX50H

[dfkrug]

Well the McCormick is back together and running. Most (or much) of the time spent on this project
was dealing with electrical interlock problems. There are more than 20 relays, and some are bad.
Cascaded relays are easy to damage while testing in that you can fry the coils with a 12V battery...
you need to limit the current. To get this unit running, several relays have been jumpered. The
electrical diagrams in the manual are the worst I have ever seen, automotive, tractor, M/C, or ATV.

Anyway, the driving experience is excellent: the servo-controlled HST has a built-in delay when
switching directions. No sudden stops/starts like some HSTs.

Currently for sale locally, asking $9800.

 

[George2615]

Great work troubleshooting and getting it going.

 

[dfkrug]

I tried to order a new intake filter cartridge from a McCormick dealer, and I was told that I needed to
buy the whole assembly....for about $300. Hunh?

So, I made a new intake filter from some stainless steel mesh I bought, epoxied into the end caps
removed from the old filter cartridge.

I am uncomfortable (as others are) with anything more than a mesh in the intake to the HST.

(Thx, George.)

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Wow what a headache. I would have blown a fuse in my head. Good work.

 

[advantagesulky]

I tried to order a new intake filter cartridge from a McCormick dealer, and I was told that I needed to
buy the whole assembly....for about $300. Hunh?

So, I made a new intake filter from some stainless steel mesh I bought, epoxied into the end caps
removed from the old filter cartridge.

I am uncomfortable (as others are) with anything more than a mesh in the intake to the HST.

(Thx, George.)

Hi, I have got a Landini Mistral 50 HST system that is the very same. picked it up as a non runner at auction. It was missing one of the foot control hoses. replaced the hose and transmission works. but unable to hardly steer it. took pressure test on steering pump and had max 50BAR of full RPM. removed the pump and inside gears and housing destroyed. no problem to change out but just now draining the oil out lots of metal chips and many 3mm ball bearings. I looked at all your photos to see what would have a bearing in that would be that small. I did not see anything. Would you be able to recall what they would be from? It has been apart at some time I can tell from the paint off the bolts. I don't want to split it if I don't have to, it looks like a nasty job as mine has the full cab. Thanks Dave
PS yes very hard to find and parts list or info on this thing

 

[dfkrug]

Hi, I have got a Landini Mistral 50 HST system that is the very same. picked it up as a non runner at auction.

Condolences on the "new" tractor. 6 years ago for me, wow.

I suspect you may have blown a small bearing in the steering column. I very recently fixed a Kubota B20 power steering system, and they used a very small needle bearing on the steering shaft, inside the seal.

Does the steering wheel spin freely without any binding or looseness?

If you are in Italy, maybe there are more dead Landinis there to scavenge. Very sad how these tractors, often less than 15y old, have crapped out.

 

[advantagesulky]

Hi,
I am in Ontario Canada.
I had the steering column out as that was really the only place I could get the pressure tester on to check the pump. everything in the valve feels fine to me. I looked at all the drawings I can find of the transmission and do not see where there would be such a small bearing. If it was the steering valve the parts should have been trapped in the filter. Maybe some one dumped in used oil from some other machine that had the balls in. I will just flush it out for now and give it a try. maybe add a filter the inlet side to protect the new pump
replaced almost every seal on it to stop the oil leeks, nothing on it is very service friendly at all.
Thanks for your time

Condolences on the "new" tractor. 6 years ago for me, wow.

I suspect you may have blown a small bearing in the steering column. I very recently fixed a Kubota B20 power steering system, and they used a very small needle bearing on the steering shaft, inside the seal.

Does the steering wheel spin freely without any binding or looseness?

If you are in Italy, maybe there are more dead Landinis there to scavenge. Very sad how these tractors, often less than 15y old, have crapped out.

 

[dfkrug]

...nothing on it is very service friendly at all.

I agree with that!

I thought you found the small balls when draining oil from the sump. If you found them in the pump, then those could not be sucked in past the inlet screen, as you say. Strange.

The GX50H had another problem after I returned it to the owner, and this time it was with the PTO. Servicing so much of this tractor requires removal of the sheet metal floor and fenders, which is a very laborious exercise. So to fix that PTO problem, I used a cutoff wheel and hacked the body in half!