PT 425 mods

kmaz · May 8, 2007

Like some others have mentioned in the past my PT also jumps out of float when mowing. I mow a heavy 3 acres and the terrain is less than ideal. So I simply drilled and tapped a 5/16" hole precisely under the steel base of the joystick(when in the float position) and put a float lock knob. All thats required is a half turn after I push the joystick up and its locked. It also works the other way. If Im strictly doing bucket work not needing float I screw in a half turn and it locks me out of float.(Im rather new so it keeps me from overzealously pushing it into float by accident). I used a strong compression spring to always keep it under tension and beneath the spring is a piece of clear tubing to act as a stop to tighten to.
Back to my less than ideal lawn... it really rattled the quick attach around. It was actually embarasing how much noise it made so I drilled and tapped three 3/8" holes on top of the mowers quick attach...No more noise and yes the quick attach still works albeit a little fussier.
Gosh I love this thing!!!
Also wanted to thank this community just for being here, not a day goes by that I dont read these forums.
This is my first post with pics so i hope it works.
Kris

KentT · May 8, 2007

Niiiiiiiiiiiiice mods and great pics! Thanks!

I especially like the mod to lock float in or out. I haven't done a whole lot of mowing yet (either finish or rough-cut) to experience the problem but I just might have to try this one...

I'm still trying to figure out how to quieten the clanking on my QA when using the minihoe, but so far haven't come up with anything that I think would work long-term. You use a lot of down-force on the minihoe, so those "set-screws" you used wouldn't work, but when you lift it back up it clanks... gets annoying at times, but I've lived with it.

kmaz · May 8, 2007

Hey Kent Heres what im planning on doing to my hoe. I believe The "set screws" will work you just have to put them at different spots. Along the bottom edge of the QA on whatever implement you choose drill and tap three 1/2" holes about 1 1/2" up. Mount implement and tighten bolts until QA tabs are snug then tighten locknut. What do you think?
Kris

KentT · May 8, 2007

kmaz said:
Hey Kent Heres what im planning on doing to my hoe. I believe The "set screws" will work you just have to put them at different spots. Along the bottom edge of the QA on whatever implement you choose drill and tap three 1/2" holes about 1 1/2" up. Mount implement and tighten bolts until QA tabs are snug then tighten locknut. What do you think?
Kris

That would probably work great -- but it would no longer be a QUICK attach, though still nothing like using a 3PT. Geez, are we spoiled or what?

MossRoad · May 8, 2007

I think I'd try an stuff a piece of inner tube rubber into the quick attach plate and hope it acts as a bumper.

kmaz · May 8, 2007

Hey Kent the QA would still work the same. all you would effectively be doing is taking up the excess space in between the two plates(creating a wedge) when you tighten the bolts(set screws) and set the nuts. Tighten the bolts until the QA tabs snug up to the tab slots in the implement QA. Once its set you can put it on and take it off ...nothing changes.
Kris

KentT · May 8, 2007

MossRoad said:
I think I'd try an stuff a piece of inner tube rubber into the quick attach plate and hope it acts as a bumper.

That would certainly be a worthwhile experiment. If it quietened it down, you could then try to find something more durable...

My problem is I think of all these things I'd like to try but my PT is 900 miles away.

And with gas $3.00 a gallon, I likely won't be towing it back and forth very much...

MossRoad · May 8, 2007

When I mow, I wear headphones and don't notice the clanking too much. However, after I shut the mower off and tram back to the garage, the noise IS embarrasing!