Description

GEHL 170 Operators Manual – Factory Specs for the Mixall Grinder Mixer

You’re working on a GEHL 170 Mixall grinder mixer and you don’t have the factory book on your bench. I’ve seen too many guys guess at auger speeds or torque on the hammer mill rotor bolts, and end up with a thrown chain or a cracked housing. This 97-page Operators Manual is what GEHL shipped with the machine. It’s not a reprint of something some third-party threw together – it’s the actual document from the manufacturer, containing every spec you need to operate, adjust, and maintain the 170 without burning up a bearing or getting hurt.

Let’s walk through what’s inside and why you want this on your tablet or printed out in the shop.

Specifications and Checklists – Page 3 and 5

Chapter 2 gives you the hard numbers: capacities, PTO speed ranges, weight, tire sizes, and overall dimensions. I don’t care how many seasons you’ve run one of these – you’ll need those numbers when you’re setting up a new unit or ordering replacement parts. Chapter 3 is the pre-start and daily checklists. On page 5 there’s a list of items to verify before you even crank the PTO. Missing a shield? Loose belt tension? The checklist catches it before you’ve got a flying chunk of metal.

Safety Section – Non-Negotiable Reading, Page 12

Page 12 kicks off a full chapter on safety. This is the part most owners skip because they think they know how to run equipment. Thing is, the GEHL Mixall has a specific sequence for engaging the discharge auger and the hammer mill. Get it wrong and you can over-speed the rotor or plug the inlet. The manual puts those warnings right in front of you, with decal locations mapped out in Chapter 16. I’ve seen a farmer lose two fingers because he bypassed the shield interlock. Read this section.

Controls and Operation – From Startup to Shutdown, Pages 18 and 30

Chapter 5 covers the control levers, gauges, and safety equipment. You’ll find where the PTO engagement lever should be at idle, how the magnet separator works, and what the warning lights mean. Chapter 6 takes you through operation: starting the engine, engaging the mill, regulating feed rate, and stopping. If you’ve never run a 170, this section is your training course. If you’ve run one for years, you’ll still pick up a nuance you forgot, like the proper way to clear a plugged auger without tearing up the drive chain.

Troubleshooting and Adjustments – Pages 44 and 69

Problems happen. Chapter 7 (page 44) shows you how to adjust belt tension, set the hammer-to-screen clearance, and adjust the clutch linkage. Chapter 13 (page 69) is the troubleshooting flowchart. “Auger not feeding” – check the shear pin, look at the drive belt condition, verify the hydraulic remote flow if equipped. It walks you from symptom to fix without guesswork. I’ve used these steps more than once on a rental unit that someone else had jacked up.

Torque Specs – Inside Back Cover

Flanged head bolts on the hammer mill rotor need specific torque; so do the wheel lug nuts and the PTO adapter. Most aftermarket specs are pulled from a generic chart that doesn’t account for this machine’s hardware grade. GEHL’s inside back cover lists standard hardware torque specifications for Grade 5 and Grade 8 bolts in Imperial units (ft-lbs). That’s the number you want when you’re retightening something that sees 540 PTO RPM. Don’t trust a random internet forum.

Who Needs This Manual

If you own, rent, or maintain a GEHL 170 Mixall – farmer, feedlot operator, equipment dealer – this manual belongs in your toolbox. The beginner will learn how to start and stop safely. The experienced technician will get the specific adjustment values and decal placement to certify a machine after service. No more hunting for that one page you borrowed and lost. This is the whole 97-page document.

On the subject of authenticity: this file is scanned from an original GEHL publication, Form number 907084. It has the actual warranty terms, decal layouts, and OEM part numbers. I refuse to use aftermarket manuals because they always miss something – a torque footnote or a safety warning that’s buried in the factory text. Stick with genuine factory data. For related documentation, check the GEHL 170 Roller Mixer Parts Catalog”>GEHL 170 Roller Mixer Parts Catalog for breakdowns of every nut and bolt. If you need newer model specs, the GEHL RS10-44 2009 Operators Manual – Factory Specs & Procedures”>GEHL RS10-44 2009 Operators Manual covers a different chassis but similar drive concepts. And the GEHL RS10-44, RS10-55, RS12-42 2011 Operators Manual – Factory Specs”>GEHL RS10-44, RS10-55, RS12-42 2011 Operators Manual gives you the latest controls. For understanding the PTO driveline fundamentals, refer to this Wikipedia article on Manual Transmission”>Manual Transmission basics and another external resource on Manual Transmission”>Manual Transmission.

FAQ – Common Questions About This Manual

Does this manual include wiring diagrams for the electronic controls?

No. This is an operators manual, not a service manual. Wiring diagrams are not part of this document.

Can I use this manual for a GEHL 170 that has been modified with aftermarket components?

GEHL’s specs apply to the factory configuration. If a previous owner replaced the auger drive with a different hub or changed the PTO shaft, you’ll need to cross-reference the torque specs with the hardware you have on hand. The manual gives you the original values.

What page has the shear pin size for the feed auger?

Shear pin specifications are listed in Chapter 2 (Specifications) on page 3, and again in the Troubleshooting section on page 69.

Is this manual still relevant for a 1990s model 170?

Yes. The manual covers the 170 Mixall produced during the years this form was current – GEHL didn’t redesign the whole machine every year. The safety, operation, and torque data apply to those models.

Access the Factory Manual now so you have the book on the bench instead of guessing. When you’re threading bolts on the hammer mill or setting the discharge auger clearance, you’ll thank yourself for having the OEM numbers in front of you.