An Introduction and Thank You!

Incline · Jul 6, 2018

Hi - I wanted to introduce myself to this group after about a month of reading the forum.

I feel as though I know some of you already! From Moss Road's suggestions, humor, and homepage, to JJ's succinct and focused comments, FOURTEEN's dare to be different, Peter's (ponytug) willingness to talk me through a couple of questions on the phone (we're local) - and the clincher was reading one member (Frank I believe) being "walked through" an entire engine swap out by lot's of members on here. Pretty reassuring given the lack of local dealer support.

So thank you.

It was partially due to the collective wisdom and helpfulness of this forum that I chose to purchase a PT-425 .... and took delivery today. What a perfect fit for my needs. I have 2 1/2 acres and about 20 sq. ft of that is flat. This machine can turn around in an amazingly tight area and holds a hill well.

Seems many like to see the most recent versions coming out of PowerTrac so I'm attempting to attache some pics here (but I'm not sure I've done it correctly).

The 425 came with a Kohler Command Pro CH730-3205 - it is now rated for 23.5 HP though it was rated at 25. Same 725 cc engine so I'm not sure if they actually tuned it down or the regulators enforced some kind of "keep it honest" policy.

I got the LMB, 4:1, post hole auger, forks, boom, 2 plates, backhoe w/thumb. brush mower (I presume I need to flip the front wheels around?? Nothing noted about that). The only complaint I could make has been commented on by this group repeatedly - the parking brake is a pain. I'm going to have to re-review some of your posts for a corrective solution.

Anyway, lots of words but thanks again for each of your contributions!!

Andy

MossRoad · Jul 6, 2018

Welcome to TBN! :thumbsup:

Nice looking package, and yes, you'll have to turn those wheel mounts around and slip the shafts up through the bottom. Mine didn't come that way 17 years ago.... and, man, you've been reading a lot! :laughing:

A note on the brush cutter.... don't flip the PTO switch with the engine running much past an idle. It'll shake and shudder a bit and smooth out nicely in a few seconds once the blades seek their natural positions. Then run up the throttle to full and off you go. But be sure and keep everyone/pets away. It can fling rocks a hundred + feet no problem. I'm sure you've read about it, but be prepared. Also, plan your paths so you aren't cutting towards houses, cars, etc... if possible.

It's the most dangerous tool I own, maybe just slightly more dangerous than the chainsaws.

Incline · Jul 6, 2018

MossRoad said:
Welcome to TBN! :thumbsup:

Nice looking package, and yes, you'll have to turn those wheel mounts around and slip the shafts up through the bottom. Mine didn't come that way 17 years ago.... and, man, you've been reading a lot! :laughing:

A note on the brush cutter.... don't flip the PTO switch with the engine running much past an idle. It'll shake and shudder a bit and smooth out nicely in a few seconds once the blades seek their natural positions. Then run up the throttle to full and off you go. But be sure and keep everyone/pets away. It can fling rocks a hundred + feet no problem. I'm sure you've read about it, but be prepared. Also, plan your paths so you aren't cutting towards houses, cars, etc... if possible. It's the most dangerous tool I own, maybe just slightly more dangerous than the chainsaws.

Thanks for the PTO/idle tip, I wouldn't have known that and also for confirming I'll need to flip the wheel mounts. Duly noted on the danger of that implement. I used to juggle chainsaws and now I drive one handed so point well made! (just kidding, but still, point well made)

Is there a way to reply to posts without the "Quote" function?

Incline · Jul 7, 2018

Never mind.....how about just hitting the "Reply to Thread" button. I'll be better in the morning.

MossRoad · Jul 7, 2018

yeah, my browser view on the ipad have a Reply button and a Reply With Quote button.

I took mine out last weekend in about 95 degree weather and cut brush for about 3.5-4 hours. It is truly a beast. Some more things to watch out for...

When you get a chance, lift the brush cutter up to full height and curl the joystick all the way so you can look under the cutter without getting under it. You'll see how the blades are attached by just a bolt. There's a hole in the blade. There's a bushing in the hole. The bolt goes through the bushing.

You can see that the lowest point on the cutter is the bolt head. Therefore, those bolt heads get damaged easily on rocks, or, sometimes, the blade will swing past the stop bolts, or knock the stop bolts off, and then the blade will hit the other blade's mount bolt.... you'll get the picture when you look under there.

If the bolt head gets knocked off, the blade flies off. Usually doesn't go too far, but who knows if it bounces off of something. So get into the habit of checking those bolts before each use, anytime you hit something really hard, and even every hour or two of operation. I can't count the number of times I've checked them and found damage. Then I've replaced them before I've tossed a blade. They are not easy to get off once they are broken. You'll have to dismount the motor, remove 5 lug bolts and drop the entire hub assembly down and slide it out from underneath.

There's several threads in the forum about this. Some of us have devised easier ways of removing the broken bolts. And some of us have drilled a hole in the top of the deck to access the backside from the top without dropping the hub.

You'll also find that after hours of use, those bushings will start to wear. If the blade starts to wobble a lot on the bushing, it's time to replace it. I never used to lubricate those bushings until last year after reading about lubing them. So now I spray them with the same spray grease that I use on all of the ball joints, and it has really made a difference.

So, with that long-winded intro to the brush cutter, I'd suggest getting half a dozen spare bolts, and at least that many spare bushings. I made my own bushings from DOM tubing and a bandsaw. Others have used black iron pipe.

If you own an air compressor and an impact wrench and impact sockets, that's a plus. It's not necessary, but it sure helps. :thumbsup:

have a good weekend and enjoy getting to know the new machine.

MossRoad · Jul 7, 2018

Oh yeah, goes without saying, but once you shut off the PTO, the brush cutter will spin for a good 30-60 seconds, so don't get off the seat until you can see the motor has stop spinning. :thumbsup:

Gale Hawkins · Jul 7, 2018

Incline said:
Hi - I wanted to introduce myself to this group after about a month of reading the forum.

I feel as though I know some of you already! From Moss Road's suggestions, humor, and homepage, to JJ's succinct and focused comments, FOURTEEN's dare to be different, Peter's (ponytug) willingness to talk me through a couple of questions on the phone (we're local) - and the clincher was reading one member (Frank I believe) being "walked through" an entire engine swap out by lot's of members on here. Pretty reassuring given the lack of local dealer support.

So thank you.

It was partially due to the collective wisdom and helpfulness of this forum that I chose to purchase a PT-425 .... and took delivery today. What a perfect fit for my needs. I have 2 1/2 acres and about 20 sq. ft of that is flat. This machine can turn around in an amazingly tight area and holds a hill well.

Seems many like to see the most recent versions coming out of PowerTrac so I'm attempting to attache some pics here (but I'm not sure I've done it correctly).

The 425 came with a Kohler Command Pro CH730-3205 - it is now rated for 23.5 HP though it was rated at 25. Same 725 cc engine so I'm not sure if they actually tuned it down or the regulators enforced some kind of "keep it honest" policy.

I got the LMB, 4:1, post hole auger, forks, boom, 2 plates, backhoe w/thumb. brush mower (I presume I need to flip the front wheels around?? Nothing noted about that). The only complaint I could make has been commented on by this group repeatedly - the parking brake is a pain. I'm going to have to re-review some of your posts for a corrective solution.

Anyway, lots of words but thanks again for each of your contributions!!

Andy

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Welcome and that is an awesome tractor and equipment.

Wagtail · Jul 7, 2018

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site.

cqaigy2 · Jul 7, 2018

Welcome aboard!

joshlee · Jul 8, 2018

Thats a nice looking machine Incline! And its nice to see how you got it with the Kohler engine! I had a Steiner at one time which had the CH 750 Kohler ,and it was great working machine.