PT1445 20 hrs, Lost steering!

[BobRip]

I would love pressure gauges, but watch if you have to run extra hose. My neighbor had an oil pressure sensor (for a light) fail and allow all of the oil to drain out of the engine and basically destroy it. The engine had 250,000 miles on it so she got her money's worth. However, to have the device that was designed to monitor you engine fail and destroy the engine seems silly. There has got to be a Murphy's law in there somewhere. Let's see "The device intended to protect your system will fail and destroy that system".

 

[PT1445Farmer]

I am considering installing a float ball in the tank that will trip an alarm or indicator when the oil gets to a half way point in the tank. Since it will be full by default, this will not give me false alarms and will not interfere with the operation of the system in any way. Essentially, when the ball contacts its half way marker point, it will complete a circuit with control voltage, and trip a relay setting off anything I can think of to alert me. Digital - either nothing or red alert. Simple, cheap, and easily installed.
Will be tackling the PT repair in earnest starting Tuesday morning. Already bought 10 gals of oil. Terry isn't sure if it requires 10 or 15 gals.

Is it alright if I mix 10w40 and 10w30 or 15w40? My belief is that it will not make much difference ...and I have a load of 10w30 that I will not use for anything else.

 

[ponytug]

There is no problem in general about mixing oils, but you might want to watch the overall weight of the oil. 10W30 is probably going to be on the thin side for someone using the tractor when it is warm.

Lots has been written on oil here, and I would suggest that you search on 10W to find the threads if you are interested.

Just a thought.

All the best,

Peter

I am considering installing a float ball in the tank that will trip an alarm or indicator when the oil gets to a half way point in the tank. Since it will be full by default, this will not give me false alarms and will not interfere with the operation of the system in any way. Essentially, when the ball contacts its half way marker point, it will complete a circuit with control voltage, and trip a relay setting off anything I can think of to alert me. Digital - either nothing or red alert. Simple, cheap, and easily installed.
Will be tackling the PT repair in earnest starting Tuesday morning. Already bought 10 gals of oil. Terry isn't sure if it requires 10 or 15 gals.

Is it alright if I mix 10w40 and 10w30 or 15w40? My belief is that it will not make much difference ...and I have a load of 10w30 that I will not use for anything else.

 

[Bob999]

There should be a sticker on the machine with the recommended oil viscosity rating. I wouldn't use oil with a lower number for the high temperature rating. A lower number for the low temperature rating would be good.

For example, on my machine the sticker says 10W40 or 15W40 so I would not use 10W30. I do use 5W40 for make up oil.

 

[MossRoad]

I am considering installing a float ball in the tank that will trip an alarm or indicator when the oil gets to a half way point in the tank.

Just be sure the components you choose can stand the heat.

 

[BobRip]

There should be a sticker on the machine with the recommended oil viscosity rating. I wouldn't use oil with a lower number for the high temperature rating. A lower number for the low temperature rating would be good.

For example, on my machine the sticker says 10W40 or 15W40 so I would not use 10W30. I do use 5W40 for make up oil.

I switched from 5W30 (recommended by PT on my 2000 year model machinery) to Mobil 1, 15W50. There was a big improvement in hot weather performance. It is hard to start when cold, so I keep it in a heated garage. I would not go below whatever is on the sticker. Bob999 is right on target.

 

[PT1445Farmer]

The time is fast approaching for installing and testing what is left of the hydraulic system for my PT. Am going to run half 10w40 and half 15w40. From what I know of pumps, they will work without a hitch on either or both.
Feeling lucky that this will turn out not to be a case of cooked tram pump flambe. Then I can invest my time turning a pretty handy tractor with overheating issues into a cool running reliable tractor.
More photos and updates shortly. Off to the field I go..

 

[toy]

I am considering installing a float ball in the tank that will trip an alarm or indicator when the oil gets to a half way point in the tank. Since it will be full by default, this will not give me false alarms and will not interfere with the operation of the system in any way. Essentially, when the ball contacts its half way marker point, it will complete a circuit with control voltage, and trip a relay setting off anything I can think of to alert me. Digital - either nothing or red alert. Simple, cheap, and easily installed.
Will be tackling the PT repair in earnest starting Tuesday morning. Already bought 10 gals of oil. Terry isn't sure if it requires 10 or 15 gals.

Is it alright if I mix 10w40 and 10w30 or 15w40? My belief is that it will not make much difference ...and I have a load of 10w30 that I will not use for anything else.

I would make sure that the oil filter was full of oil when I started trying to purge it, the less air you have to purge is the better for the pumps.

 

[ponytug]

Agreed!

I asked Terry at PT once why the manual said install a half full filter- "because it is easier to install..." I now add fresh oil to the new filter before I start removing the old one, and then top the new filter off with oil to the top of the threads. It makes the purging go a lot faster.

Other models may not have the room that the 1445 does, but a full filter helps speed up the purging on a 1445.

All the best,

Peter

I would make sure that the oil filter was full of oil when I started trying to purge it, the less air you have to purge is the better for the pumps.

 

[MossRoad]

On the PT425 I put several paper towels on the bottom of the engine compartment, then I stick a quart zip lock bag around the old filter, then remove it. That catches most drips. I always fill the new filter, let it settle, fill it again, let it settle, etc... a few times until it won't take any more oil. Then I install it. I spill a few teaspoons of oil, but the paper towels catch it. After that, I install the bleeder hose, remove the spark plug wires and crank it to bleed.

How do you guys bleed the diesel units, since they don't have spark plugs? What keeps it from starting?