Red Zebra
Silver Member
Ten years ago I joined this community after researching a do-all tractor for our little piece of property. My PT was delivered July 07 after a trip to Tazewell to see one first-hand and finalize the decision to buy. Overall I'm satisfied with the tractor as it is a true labor saver. The point of this thread is self affirmation and to show some of the mods/farkles that ended up on the tractor. Hopefully I can give back to the PT community as I am lousy at being a regular contributor.
Attachments: Forks, bucket hoe, brush cutter/finish kit, material bucket, cement mixer, auger, 60" finish mower, rock bucket, and small grapple. The only attachment that did not meet expectations was the 60" finish mower. Worked like a charm on flat ground with short/medium grass but bogged down in taller grass or slopes (see attachment mods below).
Mods (see pics): Steering wheel spinner knob, Quick Fists for hand tools, tool kit canister, exhaust heat shield, carry box, 2ft PTO jumper, fire extinguisher, water bottle holder, side tub/cage fan, 2" receiver hitch, and rear tub crank shaft access port. The access port added for ease of finding TDC for 500 hr valve adjustment. Not visible: Folding saw, large knife, hatchet, and BFH (BIG HAMMER) in the carry box.
Homemade implement/attachment mods: Small 4cf excavating style bucket, modified 3 pt. landscape rake (for manicuring gravel driveway), 22" hydraulic hedge cutter (we have about 1800 feet of hedges), and swapped in a White 2.5" motor on a 13" pulley for the 60" mower.
Current hours: 875. 725 actual running and 150 hours non running (I left the key on--doh!).
Maintenance: New air filter every year--regular cleaning every few hours when mowing. Oil/filter every 25 hours--10w-40 Syn. Hydro filter every year--or recommended 50 hour interval. Grease fittings every 5-10 hours depending on use. Dry lube joints every few hours.
Issues: Fuel line leak while mowing--no fire (see extinguisher mod for JIC). Engine fuse harness replaced when the factory harness developed a short. Bent one of the pallet forks--used heat and repeated application of a BFH to massage it back to spec (note: how it was bent is not relevant to you bunch of jokers ). Cut the RF tire with the brush cutter--I don't know how....but it never happened again after moving the deck out 2 inches using the adjustment holes on the deck. Repaired/reinforced brush cutter deck when stress crack developed at the leading edge/corner on each side (see previous deck adjustment). Broke one brush cutter blade (note: brush cutter blades take issue with trees over 4" diameter).
Not many hours on the tractor given the years but it has been a tremendous asset. Here's to another 10 years. :beer:
Jim
Attachments: Forks, bucket hoe, brush cutter/finish kit, material bucket, cement mixer, auger, 60" finish mower, rock bucket, and small grapple. The only attachment that did not meet expectations was the 60" finish mower. Worked like a charm on flat ground with short/medium grass but bogged down in taller grass or slopes (see attachment mods below).
Mods (see pics): Steering wheel spinner knob, Quick Fists for hand tools, tool kit canister, exhaust heat shield, carry box, 2ft PTO jumper, fire extinguisher, water bottle holder, side tub/cage fan, 2" receiver hitch, and rear tub crank shaft access port. The access port added for ease of finding TDC for 500 hr valve adjustment. Not visible: Folding saw, large knife, hatchet, and BFH (BIG HAMMER) in the carry box.
Homemade implement/attachment mods: Small 4cf excavating style bucket, modified 3 pt. landscape rake (for manicuring gravel driveway), 22" hydraulic hedge cutter (we have about 1800 feet of hedges), and swapped in a White 2.5" motor on a 13" pulley for the 60" mower.
Current hours: 875. 725 actual running and 150 hours non running (I left the key on--doh!).
Maintenance: New air filter every year--regular cleaning every few hours when mowing. Oil/filter every 25 hours--10w-40 Syn. Hydro filter every year--or recommended 50 hour interval. Grease fittings every 5-10 hours depending on use. Dry lube joints every few hours.
Issues: Fuel line leak while mowing--no fire (see extinguisher mod for JIC). Engine fuse harness replaced when the factory harness developed a short. Bent one of the pallet forks--used heat and repeated application of a BFH to massage it back to spec (note: how it was bent is not relevant to you bunch of jokers ). Cut the RF tire with the brush cutter--I don't know how....but it never happened again after moving the deck out 2 inches using the adjustment holes on the deck. Repaired/reinforced brush cutter deck when stress crack developed at the leading edge/corner on each side (see previous deck adjustment). Broke one brush cutter blade (note: brush cutter blades take issue with trees over 4" diameter).
Not many hours on the tractor given the years but it has been a tremendous asset. Here's to another 10 years. :beer:
Jim
Attachments
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