Just got my 2020 MX5200 HST (520 hrs) with FEL (LA1065) and backhoe (BH92) on Friday (1/24). This is my first tractor, I rented B21/B26 a few times. Previous owner had the backhoe installed by the dealer and never took it off. The PTO and 3 PH have never been used. Got the dealer to add 2 hydraulic remotes to the back. Will probably install a 3rd function kit myself eventually.
Tractor is step 2 of the pre-retirement plan. First step was a metal roof on the (soon to be permanent home) log cabin on 50 acres up in central Quebec. The tractor will be mostly used for snow removal (300 m driveway), forest trail improvements (700 m to the river) and logging (about 10 000 spruce/pine plantation and 35 acres of natural forest to groom).
So, after the dealer delivered it late Friday, I spent about 30 minutes fooling around with it before I had to get back to work and wrap things up for the week. We don't yet have a heated garage for it and temperature was a frigid -24 C (-11 F) on Saturday morning. It started after plugging the block heater for 3 hours. I tried after 1 hours and then after 2 and got lucky after 3. After about 45 minutes using FEL to clear the driveway, it would not move anymore while hydraulics were still doing fine (it would start stalling when using the HST pedal). Came inside and came on this site for some clues. Became quickly evident that the OPC switch was to blame so, per advice from an older post, I took a blow torch and gently warmed the switch until the white lever would spring back up on its own again. Success!
Now, today with much milder conditions (-5 C, 23 F) same issue occurred 3 times. Actually, the first time it occurred, just heating up the switch casing did not fix the issue even with the lever springing back. After spending more time on OTT, my son (19) found a thread where it was suggested to add some thickness underneath the seat bracket to make sure contact was made. We taped about 1/4 in thick piece of wood un the underside of the bracket and it worked, for a while... I had to heat up the switch casing 2 more times before I gave up and parked the tractor.
The whole switch design is very bad and over complicated (aerospace engineer here). The simple seat contact switch on my Cub Cadet L1045 mower is much simpler and more robust.
I'm reluctant to bypass the OPC switch. Is there hope in getting a new switch installed as I suspect moisture got into the switch casing and will remain a persistent problem going forward?
Access to the OTT community's fantastic historical knowledge has kept us going over the weekend. It'll definitely remain my primary go to resource for all things orange!
Sorry for the long introduction...
Tractor is step 2 of the pre-retirement plan. First step was a metal roof on the (soon to be permanent home) log cabin on 50 acres up in central Quebec. The tractor will be mostly used for snow removal (300 m driveway), forest trail improvements (700 m to the river) and logging (about 10 000 spruce/pine plantation and 35 acres of natural forest to groom).
So, after the dealer delivered it late Friday, I spent about 30 minutes fooling around with it before I had to get back to work and wrap things up for the week. We don't yet have a heated garage for it and temperature was a frigid -24 C (-11 F) on Saturday morning. It started after plugging the block heater for 3 hours. I tried after 1 hours and then after 2 and got lucky after 3. After about 45 minutes using FEL to clear the driveway, it would not move anymore while hydraulics were still doing fine (it would start stalling when using the HST pedal). Came inside and came on this site for some clues. Became quickly evident that the OPC switch was to blame so, per advice from an older post, I took a blow torch and gently warmed the switch until the white lever would spring back up on its own again. Success!
Now, today with much milder conditions (-5 C, 23 F) same issue occurred 3 times. Actually, the first time it occurred, just heating up the switch casing did not fix the issue even with the lever springing back. After spending more time on OTT, my son (19) found a thread where it was suggested to add some thickness underneath the seat bracket to make sure contact was made. We taped about 1/4 in thick piece of wood un the underside of the bracket and it worked, for a while... I had to heat up the switch casing 2 more times before I gave up and parked the tractor.
The whole switch design is very bad and over complicated (aerospace engineer here). The simple seat contact switch on my Cub Cadet L1045 mower is much simpler and more robust.
I'm reluctant to bypass the OPC switch. Is there hope in getting a new switch installed as I suspect moisture got into the switch casing and will remain a persistent problem going forward?
Access to the OTT community's fantastic historical knowledge has kept us going over the weekend. It'll definitely remain my primary go to resource for all things orange!
Sorry for the long introduction...
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