20 year old PT425 - issues?

[spechols]

Who has a PT that is 20 years or older?
1,000 hours or more.
What were/are the problems?
What has needed to be repaired or replaced?
Not really asking for a friend.
Thanks

 

[spechols]

Hydrologic lines?
Fluid valves?
Seals?
Pumps?
Wheel motors?
Cylinder seals?
Metal fatigue?
Broken mounts?
Etc, etc, etc....
There must be some wisdoms to share here.

 

[ernemats]

My 422 is 20 years old with Subaru engine. New ignition coils at 1,400 hours, tram pump shaft, due to love joy coupler key way broke,lovejoy coupler 1,468 hours, new front hub and nut, 1487 hours, love joy coupler again at 2,012 hours, rebuild 3 wheel motors 2,686 hours, new shaft and pump repair 2,732 hours, changed motor at 2, 732 hours, currently have 3, 312 hours on machine and it runs just like new.

 

[m5040]

My 422 is 20 years old with Subaru engine. New ignition coils at 1,400 hours, tram pump shaft, due to love joy coupler key way broke,lovejoy coupler 1,468 hours, new front hub and nut, 1487 hours, love joy coupler again at 2,012 hours, rebuild 3 wheel motors 2,686 hours, new shaft and pump repair 2,732 hours, changed motor at 2, 732 hours, currently have 3, 312 hours on machine and it runs just like new.

Wow, thats fantastic. Lets see 3312 divided by 50, thats 66 hydraulic oil filter changes.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I am nearing 20 but not quite there. Oddly enough the ears that hold my steering cylinders are worn out. Going to have to put some time in removing the ears and putting new ones on this winter.

 

[MossRoad]

2001 PT425
- About 19 years old.
- About 1000 hours on original Kohler engine.
- 2 starters
- 3 batteries
- broke exhaust stud removing muffler to service battery (design has been changed since, I believe).
- exhaust valve rocker retainer bolt came loose on both sides around 950 hours (Kohler issue). No damage. Just retightened.
- broken valve cover bolt on both sides (Kohler issue).
- broken fuel pump diaphragm. (Kohler issue). Replaced entire fuel pump with $15 vacuum pump.
- cooling fan sensor died 3-4 years into it (PowerTrac issue). I just wired it to be always on when the tractor is on. No problems since.

So for me, it has been mostly engine issues only (knock on simulated wood grain plastic).

Hoses are starting to show wear on outer covers where they flex, but mostly the ones the go to and from the hydraulic cooler. Maybe heat related.

Implement problems:

48" brush cutter:
- deck cracks near front wheels (stress design issues Power Trac). Welded cracks closed. They didn't return. Will gusset if they do.
- blades are easily lost if bolt hits rocks (design issue Power Trac). Be wary. Keep people away.

Pallet forks:
- easily bent if used like pry bars (operator choice to abuse).

60" finish mower:
- A-OK! 1 belt in 20 years.

60" power angle snow blade:
- Blade lip shows wear and bending. I think it's because there is no trip mechanism. 20 winters. $450 total investment = $22.50 per winter..... I'll take that all day long.

Large material bucket and small rock bucket with teeth:
- A-OK!

Loading ramps:
- A-OK!

Summary:
I'd purchase again. Money well spent.

 

[m5040]

I am nearing 20 but not quite there. Oddly enough the ears that hold my steering cylinders are worn out. Going to have to put some time in removing the ears and putting new ones on this winter.

One reason I have been making sure the through-bolts are tight. Don't know if it will help, but I believe the ears should be squeezed to clamp the ball on the cylinder end, causing the ball to rotate inside it's housing and not to cause the bolt to rotate in the ears.

Anyway, before you cut off the ears, could you just get some hard spacers and longer bolts. Clamp one spacer on each ear, tighten the bolt, then weld to ear. Then you would have a precise hole again with minimal effort.

 

[cqaigy2]

One reason I have been making sure the through-bolts are tight. Don't know if it will help, but I believe the ears should be squeezed to clamp the ball on the cylinder end, causing the ball to rotate inside it's housing and not to cause the bolt to rotate in the ears.

Anyway, before you cut off the ears, could you just get some hard spacers and longer bolts. Clamp one spacer on each ear, tighten the bolt, then weld to ear. Then you would have a precise hole again with minimal effort.

That seems like it should work.

 

[SpringHollow]

They have grease fittings so it would be custom.

Ken

 

[m5040]

They have grease fittings so it would be custom.

Ken

Mine is last years model and has no grease fittings for the steer cylinders, I have to spray with super lube.

 

[SpringHollow]

Sorry, had a brain fart - I was thinking of the pivot point but you are discussing the steering cylinders.