New MF GC1723E owner. What next?

[thclimer]

Diesel fuel treatment for the northern climate is a must.

Everyone will have favorite brand. I like Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel.

 

[dj1701]

Is that your tractor in your avatar? If so, I assume you got the loader as well. If not, then that would be the first implement I would recommend you get. They are invaluable.

Dave

 

[GeneV]

Thanks for all the input folks. Like the lists a couple of you supplied. I'll be well prepared. Definitely see the recurring theme here on the shear pins. Going to find a good local supplier for those ASAP and always carry.

When I said I was a newbie, I mean even my first diesel anything I've owned. So one other question in my mind is will I need some kind of anti-gel fuel additive here in Northern MI? I see that talked about on here once in awhile. Is there a particular brand?

Wassup, welcome to the forum and to the GC set! *throws up MF gang sign* I get confused by the new GC model names, is yours with the backhoe?

Regarding fuel additives, here's what I do. I use Power Service year round, the white bottle in the winter, the grey bottle the rest of the year.
In either case, I toss 2oz of it into a 5 gallon fuel can. I also use a Biobor JF biocide, around 5cc of that into the fuel can.
I pour all that into the fuel can prior to filling it up, which in my mind helps mix it all up.

In the winters, when I'm filling up the tractor from a partially full fuel can, I use a Mr. Funnel which separates any water condensation that maybe formed in there. This thing: Amazon.com

Definitely have some spare fuel filters on hand just in case the fuel gels up, but I will also say that with me doing all that up there, that has never happened to me yet.

Here's where I get my filters: Massey Ferguson GC1700 Filter Service Pack.
If you're gonna change the hydro oil too, make sure to also add the filter listed near the bottom of the page.
As far as the o-rings listed there, I've done a full service a few times now, and I've yet to change any o-rings. But I suppose good to get them one time, so you have some on hand just in case.

As far as oils, I use Rotella T6 engine oil. For hydraulic oil, I use Amsoil (order direct from them).

I've got some Youtube vids related to my GC which you may find useful, you could check me out. Here's one for the Mr. Funnel:

 

[GeneV]

Oh yeh, regarding must haves for the Massey, really depends on what you're looking to do with it and also if you got a backhoe.

If you're gonna be going into places where a stick could wreck your hydro fan, you definitely want a skid plate down there as already been mentioned by Hube (I think). You could buy one, or make one. I made one, it's pretty easy to fab up a basic one.

A Ratchet Rake is a great tool for around 300 bux. It straps on your loader bucket and you could do all sorts of stuff with it.

Pallet forks are real nice to have, but also with the caveat that most of the ones out there have a much higher load rating than a SCUT could ever hope to lift...at the expense of being heavy themselves, which lowers your lift capacity yet more. I did quite a bit of research on that, and finally got these which I'm very happy with (both product and pricing): Standard Duty Pallet Fork Frame with 42″ 2,200 Pound Pallet Forks Fits Skid Steer Quick Attach – Black – Skid Steer Attachment Depot

If you have a backhoe, adding a thumb to it is a real nice addition. But I will also say that I modified mine (Bxpanded), and it's now way way more useful.

You got a bunch of grease zerks to hit on the Massey, and you'll get advice here to get a powered grease gun for that. My advice though is, unless you got some hand issues, save your money. I use an Alemite 555-E manual grease gun with a LockNLube coupler, was $90 total on Amazon. Works great and super easy to use.

 

[thbarrons]

That Rachet Rake looks like it would be useful on my wooded 15 acres, something to consider in spring.

A couple of you mentioned "skid plate" now is that this "Sentinel" link here...

Sentinel for Massey Ferguson Subcompact GC Tractors

In stock and ready to ship Only 7 bolts to install - no drilling required Will not interfere with the use of a mid-mount mower. Protects hydraulic filter and cooling fan

retailrems.com

And is there such thing as a new tractor smell? I got to really use it this morning, got 5" or so of snow so put it to work. Smell is not super strong but I get a whiff every now and then like a combination of maybe clean oil burning off of metal, like maybe new parts that had a coating, with a combination of like rubber or plastic that has been warmed up for the first time. I'm guessing this is my new tractor smell, it only has 2 hours on it now.

And I have to say using it this morning to blow snow was actually fun. It worked perfectly. I just hope that now wife doesn't find out I enjoyed it or that will change the dynamic of who does what chores.

 

[GeneV]

Yeh, that Ratchet Rake is one of my favorite tools for sure. You might wanna get some hooks on the loader bucket too, thems real handy.

 

[hube2]

Yes, Sentinel is the one I was talking about

 

[Pixguy]

Yeh, that Ratchet Rake is one of my favorite tools for sure. You might wanna get some hooks on the loader bucket too, thems real handy.

Yes ditto. I got the bolted on hooks which work great lifting anything with chains. I also have the ratchet rake which I use for cleaning out ditches from rocks and leaves.

 

[Skeletor]

Get a battery powered grease gun. I cheaper out for a while and after I bought one I felt stupid for not doing it right off the bat.

 

[irvingj]

...And OOPS!

Blew the fan shear bolt today... didn't see that 1" diameter piece of branch that blew down today. A 12" long piece, it was buried in the 3" of wet snow we got.

Realized I was wrong above -- they take a 1/2" wrench & socket, not 7/16".

For those who may be interested, here's the Kubota part number for the impeller shear bolt -- a fair bit less expensive than the M-F part, but identical.

Interesting that the Kubota part says MADE IN USA, but the M-F/AGCO part says MADE IN CANADA.

 

[MF RED in MT]

Yes that's the same as my MF snowblower shear bolts:

Grade 8 shear bolt (gold) 5/16" x 2.25" long

Grade 5 shear bolt (silver) 5/16" x 2.25" long

KC

 

[repair1]

I would suggest that you get a can or two of cheap 100% silicone spray and coat the inside of your blower housing, impellers etc.. this really helps when the snow is heavy and wet. Also don’t forget to do your maintenance on the blower after the season. Repaint rust spots where snow can stick And lube everything before next winter. Concerning diesel fuel, I would buy only from a place that sells a lot of fuel that has clean tanks. Any fuel cost saving will be offset by the cost of fuel filters. Also get a good quality funnel with a fine screen to catch the particles.
Good luck and try to stay warm!

 

[Doz]

When buying a shear pin make sure not to get a harden bolt and make sure you know what’s under the snow when and where you are blowing things can go bad in a hurry. If you plug the chute make sure pto is off and have a cut off shovel handle handy. Good luck have fun

 

[Dmacleo]

if snowblowing make sure you can always get a heat gun (or similar) on stuff if needed. I can power a cheap gun off rear 120v outlet in truck bed.
changing a shearbolt away from your own yard sucks when joints all iced up.

 

[LPowell1]

Just some suggestions...
I would recommend getting the skid plate, left step and grab handle from RetailREMS Massey Ferguson GC Accessories
In your other post you said you have some hills on your driveway, I would recommend getting a good set of chains for the rear 26-12-12 Tire Chains. The diamond pattern chains give a smoother ride. Get the studded ones if you'll be dealing with a lot of ice.
If you're going to put on chains you should think about adding as set of wheel spacers because there isn't a lot of clearance for the chains without them Bro-Tek
And for carrying tools a nice tool box ROPS Mounted Tool Box
You can find discussions about all of these things on the forums

I second the RetailRems skid plate and step. Well made and worth the price. I actually got left and right steps.

 

[Dmacleo]

yup I got the retail rems skid plate, step, and grab (link) handle.

to mount skid plate on 2010 GC2400 took some modification but directions for that were included. you use your org u-bracket and when ordering they ask you if you have org u-bracket, depending on year some did and some did not BUT they will work with you. at no extra cost.
I did have to do some extra trimming on skid plate for my 4wd shaft and mid mount mower shaft but once I saw what needed to be done that took very short time. now my filter housing and fan are protected yet there are air holes (unlike brotek) to assist with cooling.

I mentioned access to heat earlier, just had to adjust skid plates on blower. all iced up. heat gun fixed that in 5 minutes. very few think about ability to heat stuff in order to fix it.
keep that in mind.

 

[irvingj]

No worries here, mate... I've found NUMEROUS uses for my RC airplane plastic shrink covering heat gun over the years! (It is definitely NOT a hair dryer....)

 

[Dmacleo]

No worries here, mate... I've found NUMEROUS uses for my RC airplane plastic shrink covering heat gun over the years! (It is definitely NOT a hair dryer....)

yup this is true story.
hat blew off last year (I regained it) when blowing.
got back home thought would dry snow off my hair using heat gun, was cheap one thought not much more powerful than wifes hair dryer.
good thing I had planned on cutting my hair (I let it grow then cut all to 1/8" or so using #1 guide on wahl hair cutter) that week.
snow was all gone in hurry though.
I never said I was good at this stuff