Just ordered a PT-180, wanted to introduce myself

[ponytug]

Congratulations on your new tractor!

I always drive with the two foot method. It keeps bumps from affecting the motion of the tractor. I had too many surprises trying to drive one footed, but I am not so hot with the old Rub your tummy, while patting your head coordination.

The hydraulic connectors are Stucchi IRV Fastner interchange series; Power-Trac may be the easiest source for the covers. They are an obscure connector.

More information here. Be careful to check that the covers fit the IRV FA interchange series, not the IRV series.

All the best,

Peter

 

[m5040]

My PTs came with standard tractor quick connects, same as my Kubota. The factory might have changed at some point. After you run the tractor for a few hours you will get more used to the treadle operation. Interesting (at least to me) I just called Terry to see if the 180 had any treadle adjustments. The 1430 has a buffered treadle operation to the point I have gotten on the tractor and my foot accidentally floored the treadle, I immediately let it back up, tractor didn't even start to move. I called Terry and asked if the 180 had an adjustment to be more like the 1430. He said there was no adjustment and that is the way they are.
If you find the spring update let me know please. I put a suspension seat on it and it made it even worse, using two feet corrects it, until one slips off the pedal.
The PT180 treadle is so snappy, I end up spinning the tires on direction changes if I am too much of a hurry.

 

[ponytug]

That is great to hear that the factory has changed. My apologies for the bum information.

All the best,

Peter

My PTs came with standard tractor quick connects, same as my Kubota. The factory might have changed at some point. After you run the tractor for a few hours you will get more used to the treadle operation. Interesting (at least to me) I just called Terry to see if the 180 had any treadle adjustments. The 1430 has a buffered treadle operation to the point I have gotten on the tractor and my foot accidentally floored the treadle, I immediately let it back up, tractor didn't even start to move. I called Terry and asked if the 180 had an adjustment to be more like the 1430. He said there was no adjustment and that is the way they are.
If you find the spring update let me know please. I put a suspension seat on it and it made it even worse, using two feet corrects it, until one slips off the pedal.
The PT180 treadle is so snappy, I end up spinning the tires on direction changes if I am too much of a hurry.

 

[m5040]

Got it, yea need to go grab a grease gun. Manual says 20 hours, then every 100 after that. Terry never said anything about it, so my plan was to follow that.

I went and got my manual just out of curiosity, page "iv", number 5, second bullet point list "Grease the two grease fittings in the center section and the two grease fittings in the rollover arms (PT180doesn't have roll over arms) every eight hours of operation""Lubricate all moving parts of cylinders and ball bushings with a multipurpose lube every eight hours of operation". Then it goes on about the 50 hour fitting.

Can you double check yours?

While we are at it, my serial number is 20822, what is yours? (just wondering how many PT180s they sold in the past 11 months)

 

[James23]

I went and got my manual just out of curiosity, page "iv", number 5, second bullet point list "Grease the two grease fittings in the center section and the two grease fittings in the rollover arms (PT180doesn't have roll over arms) every eight hours of operation""Lubricate all moving parts of cylinders and ball bushings with a multipurpose lube every eight hours of operation". Then it goes on about the 50 hour fitting.

Can you double check yours?

While we are at it, my serial number is 20822, what is yours? (just wondering how many PT180s they sold in the past 11 months)

Ahh sorry yea I thought we were talking about Engine oil changes, which I think is a 20 hour then 100 hour. When I get to the cabin this weekend I will check the serial number.

I will just order some kubota / john deer dust caps and see if they fit, they don't seem that expensive.

I also just noticed they raised the price of the 180 from $6500 to $8200!, so I'm thanking my lucky stars I didn't wait.

I will call Terry in a few weeks here and see if I can order some springs. Still trying to decide how annoying it is. But 2 feet are definitely necessary, otherwise it literally chug chug chugs and bounces fairly violently

 

[m5040]

That sucks on the price increase, it was a steal at $6500. The worse part is some of the attachments went up too.

 

[woodlandfarms]

On the grease gun. I live my battery powered one. I find myself much more inclined to grease if I don’t fight pumping while greasing.

 

[m5040]

I hate doing the roll over arms, it seems once you do it, grease keeps seeping out for days getting all over the quick change hoses/fittings. Thats why I love using the Super Lube on all the other joints, and if it works, what's the down side?

 

[PowerTracManiac]

Congrats on your new PT! And welcome.

 

[larrydman]

Congratulations and welcome. Some of these guys on here are PT and hydraulic gurus and always willing to help, and worth their weight in gold for new owners and non-mechanics like me. Of course I guess you've already seen that.