Vulnerable hydraulic filter plate for MF GC1705

[Stefaniesdad]

I am a new tractor owner, Massey GC1705 - sub compact) which I use for my horse ranch here in the Sierra. I bought it brand new a month ago and have been using it for general ranch work (48 hours on it) which amounted to some pretty light duty during it's break in period.

Last weekend I decided to clear some brush on a hillside and after doing real well on a couple of my acres I heard a loud crunch and looked down to find I had skidded over a hidden boulder which collided with the hydraulic filter "protection" plate, which bent up and tore off the filter breaking the nipple which attaches it to the fluid reservoir.. of course all of the fluid sprayed out leaving me dead on the hillside with box scraper and rippers down and buried in the dirt.

I towed it back to the barn and took some pics of the damage. I don't think I can fix it myself, mostly because it looks like the nipple is part of the face plate (see pictures). Now I am talking to the MF dealer in Merced to see about fixing it and how much they will soak me for my stupidity - looks like a costly repair but I don't know yet. I'll post the estimate when I get it.

I needed a fifty hour service anyway but this is a heck of a way to get it..

Thoughts?

~Dave

 

[murphy1244]

Easy out time. At least it don't look too hard to get out if you do it yourself. Good luck.:thumbsup:

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Be prepared for all the GC fanatics to begin to jump all over you. "Clearly this is not a GC weakness like the BX's fan! Clearly it's operator error!" (just to be clear I'm being saracatic)
Looks like is could use better protection for sure.

 

[Stefaniesdad]

Hey Murph - Thanx for the suggestion. I will look at it more closely this weekend when I have time to attempt the work myself. I'm not sure but it still looks to me like the nipple is part of the plate and not a thread into the face plate.

If I can use an easy out on it and replace the threaded nipple it will save me a bundle!

Best,

~Dave

 

[Stefaniesdad]

Be prepared for all the GC fanatics to begin to jump all over you. "Clearly this is not a GC weakness like the BX's fan! Clearly it's operator error!" (just to be clear I'm being saracatic)
Looks like is could use better protection for sure.

It's ok Luke .. my skin is thicker than that skid plate.. in any case it is a lesson learned for me. After repairs are done I plan on fabricating a better skid plate for this area so it doesn't happen again.

I use my equipment for more then mowing the lawn so I get it that some GC folks will climb on me for actually doing tractor work here in the mountains with it.

Best,

~Dave

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Looks like you probably do more with it than 90% of subCUT owner's and in fact may have discovered the first of many compromises they present. (but I guess all tractors are a compromise of something aren't they? )

 

[s219]

Can't tell from the pic -- can you get a closeup? Most times these are threaded nipples, so you should be able to replace it if you can get the old busted stump out.

Remember, these little subcompacts have limited ground clearance -- one of the trademark limitations of subcompacts -- so you have to be very careful when venturing off smooth ground.

 

[Stefaniesdad]

Can't tell from the pic -- can you get a closeup? Most times these are threaded nipples, so you should be able to replace it if you can get the old busted stump out.

Remember, these little subcompacts have limited ground clearance -- one of the trademark limitations of subcompacts -- so you have to be very careful when venturing off smooth ground.

Solid advice and much appreciated Sir. I will climb my big self under the machine this evening and see if I can get a close look at it.

Best,

~Dave

 

[wrangler6831]

Heres a write up that one owner did to a GC2300 on building an HD skid plate, pretty close to the same as the 1705. I've been lucky and only just dented the filter on mine, but everyone I have changed has been dented.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-filter-skid-fan.html?highlight=gc+skid+plate

 

[Stefaniesdad]

Heres a write up that one owner did to a GC2300 on building an HD skid plate, pretty close to the same as the 1705. I've been lucky and only just dented the filter on mine, but everyone I have changed has been dented.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-filter-skid-fan.html?highlight=gc+skid+plate

Thanx Wrangler! I took a look at his modifications and got some great ideas. I particularly like the pre-fabrication out of cardboard and then transferring the specs to metal. I'm guessing I can keep myself busy building the armament to protect my little new born a bit better~!