2006 Massey Ferguson GC2300 Tractor - Transmission Help

[luvmystang67]

Hey All,

I've got a 2006 GC2300 (22.5HP) Massey Ferguson tractor, with front end loader and a mid-mount mower deck.  Only has 395 hours on it.  I changed all the fluids, belts, blades on it over the weekend and noticed a TON of shavings in the joint transmission/hydraulic system.  Some of it was pretty bright and might have actually been aluminum, but the "blobs" did stick to a magnet, although kind of lazily, making me think that the oil was holding chunks of aluminum in with chunks of steel.

Almost all of it was on the primary screen mesh filter, but some did come out via the oil pan, and I'm sure there was some in the hydraulic paper filter.

This uses the fluid (spec'd as Permatran III, which is not currently available and has been replaced by Permatran 821XL)... I use Mobile Delvac Tractor Hydraulic Fluid which supposedly meets the spec.  I cleaned out the screen filter, replaced the paper filter.  I'd bet 95% came off of the screen filter, and I'd say it was nearly a tablespoon of filings/oil globs.  Tractor seems to run fine, drive fine, hydraulics are positive and seem strong.  I know nothing about hydrostatic transmissions...

Should I sell this thing and move on?  If its working should I just change it again in 50 hours and see what happens then?  Last hydraulic filter was replaced in 2017 at 195 hours, so its been 200 hours and not necessarily well tended to.

Clearly shavings are bad, but are they "sell it, tear it apart, etc bad... or just run it til it dies bad?"

-Stang

[Happy Gilmore]

When was the screen last cleaned? Buildup on a screen isn't unusual to the point of slowing the hydraulics

[Sandberm]

Not sure what to tell you but,...are these little tractors worth buying?

My 2 old guy neighbors bought brand new little tractors in the past few years. The fella with the Kubota had something go out and it dumped most of the hydraulic fluid on the ground. He got quoted $7000 to fix it. My other neighbor bought a John Deere a few years ago. Not sure what happened to it but he quit using it earlier this year.

[luvmystang67]

When was the screen last cleaned? Buildup on a screen isn't unusual to the point of slowing the hydraulics

Hard to say actually.  Since it is behind the wheel, I can see it easily being NEVER cleaned... someone could look at the main hydraulic filter and change the fluid and that filter and never think to check for ANOTHER filter.  If I hadn't watched youtube videos, that is probably where I'd be with it, so that is a good possible point.  I do know the paper hydraulic filter was last changed in 2017, 200 hours ago (at 195 hours), so I assume that is the most recent fluid change (manual quoted interval is 250 hours).  Maybe they didn't touch the screen filter and its 400 hours of material, including break-in.  That is a real possibility, which would be a lot less bad than I have in my mind.

Not sure what to tell you but,...are these little tractors worth buying?

My 2 old guy neighbors bought brand new little tractors in the past few years. The fella with the Kubota had something go out and it dumped most of the hydraulic fluid on the ground. He got quoted $7000 to fix it. My other neighbor bought a John Deere a few years ago. Not sure what happened to it but he quit using it earlier this year.

Hard to say if they're worth buying, but I was in a position where I could buy a riding mower and a separate quad to push snow and I'd probably have been into it at least $6k to do that.  With this little tractor I now get a bunch more capability, and only one engine to maintain.  Having the front end loader is pretty useful on a small property.  But if its a pile of garbage, maybe not?  We'll see.

[Happy Gilmore]

Bigger equipment has a metal hydraulic screen. Not totally familiar with your model. Was curious. My 30hp little Kubuta has two can filters is all.

Smaller tractors are indispensable and the hydro drives save an immense amount of work time. Mines paid for itself a few times over on jobs I've done and my own work.

They just won't last like an old stick shift iron tractor. But, those also Don't have the versatility so, a trade off.

[luvmystang67]

Bigger equipment has a metal hydraulic screen. Not totally familiar with your model. Was curious. My 30hp little Kubuta has two can filters is all.

Smaller tractors are indispensable and the hydro drives save an immense amount of work time. Mines paid for itself a few times over on jobs I've done and my own work.

They just won't last like an old stick shift iron tractor. But, those also Don't have the versatility so, a trade off.

Then I guess you could say that mine is "big equipment" 

It would have been super easy for someone to miss the screen filter, especially if they didn't do the recommended 50 hour change and only changed at 195 hours.  It would make me feel A LOT better if I knew it'd never been changed/cleaned.  I bought a new screen filter as some of the filings had vibrated a small hole in the existing one, which explains some of the shavings in the pan.

Here's the screen filter: https://www.amazon.com/LSSOCH-Hydraulic-Transmission-7069558M92-Compatible/dp/B0CLDWX4FY

It is a pain to have to take the tire off to clean/change it.

Thanks for your input.  It's going to be a handly little tractor if it stays running for me!

[luvmystang67]

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[luvmystang67]

I took the opportunity to upgrade the lighting when the front lenses were cracked. 


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[jrebel]

I’ve got a Massey 1736 shuttle shift and love it.  I expect your seeing very normal wear and it will never be an issue.   I’m having a valve issue right now on my loader or loader control, but like every piece of equipment…..there will be problems.  Fix them and keep working them.  Wouldn’t trade have a tractor for anything.   Great pieces of equipment for those who have a little property. 

[Angry Perch]

Bigger equipment has a metal hydraulic screen. Not totally familiar with your model. Was curious. My 30hp little Kubuta has two can filters is all.
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/Themes/GreenBeanForSMF2/images/bbc/bold.gif
Smaller tractors are indispensable and the hydro drives save an immense amount of work time. Mines paid for itself a few times over on jobs I've done and my own work.

They just won't last like an old stick shift iron tractor. But, those also Don't have the versatility so, a trade off.

100% agree. I've had a Mahindra Max26 for 5 years or so, and it's more than earned it's keep. Turns one guy into a crew.