Project PT1850

ToolcatWonka5610 · Mar 22, 2009

RegL said there's a PT1850 on ebay for $3,500 that had rolled into a lake

. It looks like it's missing 6 tires, and could use a new hood and some paint. I told my Dad about and if the Deutz Diesel engine isn't bad it sounds like not to bad of a repair

. Does anyone know what rolling down a hill into a lake could do to a Deutz Diesel? The seller said it had only 94 hours and it has a cab. If the Deutz is ok, fixing this up could possibly save you half price than buying a new 1850 or less. What do you guys think?
Power Trac 1850 Duetz diesel, 94 hours, new oem starter - eBay (item 260379399095 end time Mar-28-09 05:47:10 PDT)

SnowRidge · Mar 22, 2009

Do you know if it was running when it went into the lake? I would be concerned about thermal shock if it was.

Generally, when an engine is submerged, it should be left that way until someone is ready to work on it. When it is pulled out, it should be disassembled and/or flushed immediately. All the fluids need to be replaced, and the engine needs to be run to drive off any residual moisture.

Unfortunately, most of the time it gets pulled out of the water and sits around until someone gets around to working on it. In the meantime, corrosion is taking its toll. Not being run for a long time after being submerged probably means a rebuild.

woodlandfarms · Mar 22, 2009

My machine was restored as well. Not as bad as this one that is for sale but. Ksimolo, who is also on this board, rebuilt it. The engine was new, so it did not have to be replaced. Here is a link to a guy whos machine caught on fire and he rebuilt. A very good assesment of what you might face

My Power-Trac PT-1845

If you do the work yourself, and you understand hydraulic systems, you might be able to get out from under the project for 10, maybe 12K. The tires and rims alone are $300 each, times 8, 2400. Plus shipping? Deutz needs to be rebuilt - 1000. Hoses and hopefully not bad pumps - 4 to 5K. Electrical, 1K. Probably the cooler in the back engine compartment is destroyed, $1300. New compartment, who knows how much.

Also, I am not sure how old that PT is but it looks to me to be a 1990s system. If that is the case, the wheel motors probably need new gaskets from having sat so long (same with the pumps).

OK, so I am being negative. It can be done, and no matter what you put into it you will have it cheaper than a new 1850. And I LOVE my 1850 although I spend a lot of time fixing it. Also, PT systems are simple. So you do not have to be overly handy to fix things, just know which direction a bolt turns and some basic auto electrical will get you by.

If I had the time and money, I might take something like that on but it is a serious amount of knuckle busting you are looking at.

Bob999 · Mar 22, 2009

ToolcatWonka5610 said:
RegL said there's a PT1850 on ebay for $3,500 that had rolled into a lake. It looks like it's missing 6 tires, and could use a new hood and some paint. I told my Dad about and if the Deutz Diesel engine isn't bad it sounds like not to bad of a repair. Does anyone know what rolling down a hill into a lake could do to a Deutz Diesel? The seller said it had only 94 hours and it has a cab. If the Deutz is ok, fixing this up could possibly save you half price than buying a new 1850 or less. What do you guys think?
Power Trac 1850 Duetz diesel, 94 hours, new oem starter - eBay (item 260379399095 end time Mar-28-09 05:47:10 PDT)

Unless you are very familiar with the PT 1850--and understand the configuration of the specific unit--I think that the task of rebuilding one will be daunting.

First you probably don't have reliable documentation about the unit. One of the frequent complaints among owners, of which I am one, is the paucity of documentation. The manuals most owners receive with the unit are primarily partial parts lists and partial schematics of electrical and hydraulic. There have been many posts that the info in the manual doesn't describe the unit purchased. It will be difficult to identify what is missing without documentation unless you have experience with the unit.

Second, from the picture there are significant missing parts that are either available sole source from the manufacturer or will have to be custom built--I have in mind wheels, loader/quick attach parts. Also the brake components of the brake tender system look pretty corroded and if you have to replace them the same comments apply. The sellers statement that the engine will crank but not start suggests problems with the fuel/injector system. You might want to talk to a diesel repair shop to get some idea of the costs to repair this part of the system because my impression is that parts for the injection system can be very expensive.

I would also want to know when the unit rolled into the lake and what maintenance, if any, was done upon retreival from the lake. Another question is how was the unit stored after retreival from the lake. If it has been sitting outside for years you can be sure all rubber parts will have to be replaced and that includes many hydraulic hoses as well as motor mounts. Electical componets will probably also have to be replaced to have a reliable unit.

SnowRidge · Mar 22, 2009

Look at the 1850's specs carefully. It's loader capability is no better than a 1430. It's a whole lot more money for the same loader with a lot more power to damage it. Just ask WoodlandFarms about that part. It also can't get where the 1430 goes, and it weighs a whole lot more.

Needless to say, implements for the 1850 are a whole lot more expensive than those for the 1430. If you don't need the slope mowing capabilities, why would you want it?

ToolcatWonka5610 · Mar 22, 2009

One thing we like about the 1850 that it seems like a more dedicated Mower and Bushogger (which are our main tasks) and can do much of the same landscaping tasks as the 1430. Plus the area I'm from here in Michigan, we have a lot of slopes that'd be better to take an 1850 on than a 1430.

But were not sure about buying yet. First we have to find out all the damage, parts, repair, labor and cost and if it's worth it before we decide.

woodlandfarms · Mar 22, 2009

The 1430 is rated to 30 degrees. That is pretty darn steep. My built in meter fails around 30, and my tractor is rated to 45. I think that if you were to put the PTs on a platform you would find the roll over point much higher than stated. Probably insurance purposes....

The 1430 is no less of a mower, brush hogger than a 1850. It does not have quite the hydrualic power, so a narrower deck.

If I were in your shoes, I would consider a 1445.. That extra oomph goes a long way. They used to or still make a 1460 which maybe just an 1850 without the extra wheels.

As Bob said, there are no shop manuals. There may be a hydraulic schematic for that year (there is one floating around) but not for anything new.

Buying is not easy. Take your time if you can. The PT is not for everyone, but it is a way cool machine.

Also I do like the dual wheels, it really makes you feel a lot more secure on the slopes emotionally.

ToolcatWonka5610 · Mar 22, 2009

I've been thinking about the 1445 even since I've been checking out the 1430. The 1445 may be more suited to our needs since it's closer to an 1845 or 1850. I'm gonna do some checking to see if I can find a cheap 1845 or 1850 for sale.

Bob999 · Mar 22, 2009

The 1800 series units are designed with first priority as slope mowers. To get the steeper slope capability they give up something in the lift/loader capacity. Dual wheels are a part of the increased slope capability. Dual wheels are also, in my experience, an increased maintenance requirement and at least on my 1845 the mounting system for the outside wheels is a weak point. I have broken many studs that PT charges $6 each for and which are a pain to replace.

If you need the increased slope capability then the 1800 series are the way to go--the also have the automatic braking capability to immobilize the machine if you have a hydraulic failure.

On the other hand, if you don't need the extreme slope capability then the 1400 series units offer greater lift capability and don't introduce the problems of dual wheels.

There is also a variation in the types of mowers available for the larger units--the 1845 offers a finish mower but I don't think there is a finish mower offered for the 1445.

Gravy · Mar 22, 2009

I would bet next week's lunch money that it is scrap metal. It's 15 years old, it's been rolled into a lake while running (how else would you roll one into a lake?), it won't start, the wheels & tires have been cannibalized off of it. Most likely, if it was feasible to get it running, it would BE running.

The only way it could have been saved would be to quickly pull it out of the water and immediately flush the fuel system, lubrication system, hydraulic system, brake fluid, etc., and then repeat several times with numerous filter changes. Even then, it would be damaged. None of those systems benefits from water contamination. Neither do the electrical parts. I would bet that the lake water it ingested was not particularly clean after having a tractor roll down a bank into the water.

It's possible that it can be made to run again, given enough work and money, but you'd be way better off starting with a running machine.

I really doubt that it's worth $3500. I'd guess more like $350.

In your place, I'd be cruising Craigslist nationwide.

Good luck,

Gravy