Hello

[MossRoad]

Pajoube,

What attachments do you have and how are you using them? I'm looking at using buckets/blades for moving gravel and maintaining about 300 yards of road and using the brush cutter on about 4 acres.

Have you ever tested your 425 to see just how much it will lift? If it would lift a and transport a bucket full of gravel for a couple hundred yards, that would be fine with me, but it would also be interesting to see how close you could get to the 800 lb stated limit. If I end up purchasing a PT 425, I know I'm going to run that test.

PJ is the poster child for PT425 excavating work. I think he has dug the largest hole for the smallest tractor using his mini hoe and bucket. :laughing:

As for the 800 pound lifting capacity, I think they measure that at the quick attach and I don't think it includes the weight of the attachment. With that said, I have hauled several 20 yard dump truck loads of moon dust (granulated limestone) around out kids' ball park over a two day period. The large light material bucket was over-heaping and the back tires were bouncing. I hauled it in reverse with the bucket low to the ground so it acted like wheelie bars while going the full 8mph in reverse! The little PT425 excels at hauling lots of loose material FAST! :thumbsup: The distances covered were around two diamonds and down the middle, so about 800 feet. That was the biggest workout I ever gave the machine and I was quite impressed.

 

[Ken AZ]

MR,

That is encouraging, even if you are a flatlander :laughing:. It's also good to hear about PJ's usage at a more reasonable elevation.

I'm going to do some more research, but I'm leaning towards pulling the trigger on the PT 425. One of the things I'm going to look at is - just how compatible the Robin 28 FI is with the 25 carb version in the 425 chassis and hydraulic system. If I felt that I could replace the 25 with the 28, that would be a good backup plan in case the 25 doesn't satisfy me. And you are right. It was my decision to live at a higher elevation - and decisions do have consequences.

No regrets,

Ken

 

[Phils]

MR,

No regrets,

Ken

Ken,

I do not live at an elevation above 1000' nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

I believe you would have no regrets with the 425. I have the 422 and have no problem lifting enough weight that the back-end lifts off of the ground (the "PT Pucker"). If you've calculated that you'd be the same HP as the 422, it will do all that you've described with ease.

Phil

 

[Clumber]

You could also add weight on the rear or fill the tires to achieve more lifting power if needed.

 

[American Bulldog]

I called PT and talked to Chris about the engine upgrade. Bottom line - no way.

That's too bad. I think the 28FI would be better suited to higher elevations than the 25 carb version - easier starts, more HP and better fuel efficiency.

I have been there before. That response is always disappointing. You could do the engine upgrade yourself, but it would involve a lot of work.

As far as hydraulic pressure, that doesn't have much to do with altitude. The hydraulic pressure can be adjusted (Beware - it voids the warranty, lol) Lack of power would be noticed when driving uphill, or mowing fast.

 

[BobRip]

I have a 422 and have lifted a big rock on the forks. The neighbor had a receipt for the rock that said it weighted 819 pounds. I had weights on the back plus the neighbor. You have to be careful because when you turn the moment arm of the weight drops and you will have the rear lift up.

 

[Marks481]

One of the things I'm going to look at is - just how compatible the Robin 28 FI is with the 25 carb version in the 425 chassis and hydraulic system. If I felt that I could replace the 25 with the 28, that would be a good backup plan in case the 25 doesn't satisfy me.

The 28FI is essentially the same engine as the 25, with the FI manifold instead of carburator. It is a drop in replacement, subject to the same minor modifications that PT had to make during their install of the original engine. You can check out specs at Robin's website:

Subaru Robin

Two members of our board have now installed 28FI engine in their PT422s (The 22hp engine shares the same engine block with the 25):

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/202389-pt422-engine-swap-completed-pics.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/2169397-post92.html

Please note what Clumber pointed out in the first thread above: Robin is cheating with their hp ratings, since the 25hp is achieved at 3600 rpm, and the 28hp is achieved at 4000 rpm. Running the hydraulic pumps at the higher speed might be a bad idea.

 

[Ken AZ]

I must say that this is a very active and friendly forum and I want to thank everyone for their great input!:thumbsup: As a result of that input, I feel a lot more confident about purchasing a PT 425. I hope to place the order in the very near future. I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks Again.

Ken

 

[Gravy]

It is my recent experience that the newer PT 425s with the Robin EH72D engine does not have the starting issues that plagued older machines. I bought one in Dec 2010. It was stored this Winter in an unheated garage. It would start on 2-3 tries at full choke and run smoothly quickly even at 15 degrees. I think the easier starting comes from being equipped with a larger battery, bigger starter, and hotter plugs.

PT still does not use the Fuel Injected Robin engine in the PT 425s. It is hoped that they will do so in the future.

I installed the bigger starter and hotter plugs back in 2005, and a bigger, better battery 2 years ago, and mine still struggles below 40*f.

I'd really like to know what else has been changed on the newer engines.

 

[Gravy]

28hp is achieved at 4000 rpm. Running the hydraulic pumps at the higher speed might be a bad idea.

FWIW, I did some research on this issue. PT removes the tags from the pumps, but all of the pumps I found that could possibly be similar were rated for 4000rpm. I think the 28hp Robin is a safe drop-in replacement.