How many hours can you expect on a gas engine Power Trac?

[m5040]

With proper maintenance and no abuse, how many hours have people experienced with the gas engine models of PT? What is the weakest link and what to watch out for when looking at used tractors?

 

[CADplans]

The number of hours is totally dependent on what the duty is,,
A woodsplitter encounters almost no dust,, the oil stays clean,, L O N G engine life.

I ran a 14HP Kohler powered garden tractor mowing for a few years,,,
It was obvious that the oil was capturing large amounts of dirt that the mower was throwing into the air during a drought.
The engine oil would stay clean when there was some moisture in the soil,,,

So,, what will the engine be doing??

 

[4570Man]

I’d say if it makes 2,000 hours on the motor you’ve done pretty good. I’ve seen a lot of the Kohlers that didn’t make it that far.

 

[RickB]

I’d say if it makes 2,000 hours on the motor you’ve done pretty good. I’ve seen a lot of the Kohlers that didn’t make it that far.

I’d have to agree. I’ve seen lots of Kohler and Kawasaki twins on zeroturns that were heading for being used up at or before 2000 hours.
As many or more than what were strong and sound at 2400 hours.

 

[m5040]

I am just looking for an average life expectancy. Most tractors I would guess get a pretty spread out work load from mowing to loader work with the worse thing being trencher work. I see a lot of commercially used tractors for sale with around 2000-2400 hours and was thinking maybe there is a reason for that.

 

[MossRoad]

I've got about 700 on the PT425 Kohler Command Pro 2001 model year.

Hopefully Bob will chime in. I think he's got the highest hour PT on this forum.

There's a lot of variables. Dirt, dust, load on the engine, preventative maintenance, etc...

Here's what's failed on mine in the past 18 years that's even remotely engine related:

- I'm on my 2nd Kohler starter. Starting a gas powered PT is very hard on the starter, especially in cold weather, as it's pushing all three pumps in addition to the compression. Kinda engine related, but not the engine itself
- Mechanical fuel pump failed about 1-2 years ago. It's built into the valve cover and $$. So I gutted it and installed a cheap vacuum pump fed off the old mechanical housing. There's a thread on it here somewhere. Cheap and easy repair.
- Valve cover bolt broke when removing cover to get to fuel pump issues. Not a fault with the engine.
- Exhaust stud broke when I was removing manifold to change battery. Stupid design, no longer an issue with current designs, and hardly an engine failure issue.
- Choke cable seized up due to heat from exhaust about 2 years ago. Again, not a fault with the engine. Changed the throttle cable while I was in there.

I believe I'm still on my original spark plugs. I may have changed them one time.
No carb adjustments.
No valve adjustments.
2nd air cleaner.
14 engine oil filters @ 50 hours per filter.

That's about all I can think of.

 

[MossRoad]

I am just looking for an average life expectancy. Most tractors I would guess get a pretty spread out work load from mowing to loader work with the worse thing being trencher work. I see a lot of commercially used tractors for sale with around 2000-2400 hours and was thinking maybe there is a reason for that.

Back around 1990 I purchased a very used International 2500b. It had a 4 cylinder gas engine. 50hp PTO, hydro tranny, tractor loader with PTO. Full cab. It was very abused and had well over 4000 hours when I bought it and the hour meter wasn't working. I put at least another 500 hours on it over the next 10 years. It was still running strong when I sold it.

Industrial gas engines are not like air cooled small engines, so it's not a good comparison.

Remember, these gas powered Power Tracs are nothing more than a lawn tractor type engine driving hydraulic pumps at near constant 3600 RPMs. They don't get revved up and down. It's actually detrimental to run them at lower RPMs because it doesn't power the cooling fan and doesn't lubricate the engine as well. They are designed for 3600 RPMS constant. At an average of 50 hours per year, 20 years is not unreasonable for 1000 hours. They are inexpensive to replace all things considered.

 

[m5040]

Roger that. I will have a problem as I hate to rev engines to their governors. But you are right with the 20 years going by... Maybe someday a small diesel will be available for repower.

 

[MossRoad]

Roger that. I will have a problem as I hate to rev engines to their governors. But you are right with the 20 years going by... Maybe someday a small diesel will be available for repower.

It's not needed on this size machine. The larger PT's, any model over a PT425, are diesel. Oil cooled Deutz engines.

 

[4570Man]

It's not needed on this size machine. The larger PT's, any model over a PT425, are diesel. Oil cooled Deutz engines.

Maybe not necessary but it would last longer and burn less fuel.