Our new PT425. It’s new day…😊

[Modrob]

April 10 we took delivery of a new PT425. We drove down to Power Trac and Terry even run it up on the trailer for me. (As most of you know personally, he is a great fellow, and is a walking encyclopedia for Power Trac!) He took a lot of time with us on a couple of trips down there and was with us for every detail. Here are a few pics for now:

 

[Modrob]

More:

 

[Modrob]

And a few more:
In the bucket is the auger head and the 9” auger is pictured leaning against some other stuff.

 

[JeepHead]

What are your plans of use for this little dude?

 

[MossRoad]

When are you going to remove all of that good stuff from the new unit and install it in the old carcass?

Congrats!!!

 

[dodge man]

Very nice!

 

[Modrob]

When are you going to remove all of that good stuff from the new unit and install it in the old carcass?

Congrats!!!

Uh…I’d like to live a little longer (wife wouldn’t see it my way at all LOL)

 

[Modrob]

What are your plans of use for this little dude?

Honestly, don’t know just yet. Depends on what wife decides. (It was hers long before I came into her life )

 

[2manyrocks]

Did Terry say 50 hours of light break in for the seals, etc before going crazy?

 

[ponytug]

Did Terry say 50 hours of light break in for the seals, etc before going crazy?

What I have been told is at least 20 hours at a maximum of half throttle / speed and pressure is the general recommendation for hydraulic pumps and motors.

To my knowledge, Kohler is silent on break in procedures, and starts with a 100 hour oil change, though I know many who change the oil sooner than 100 hours on new Kohlers. I just would not use synthetic oil until the engine has run 100 hours on non-synthetic oil.

However, I defer to experts and learned spouses on these matters.

@Modrob congratulations again on the new tractor, and thanks for the photos.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Modrob]

Did Terry say 50 hours of light break in for the seals, etc before going crazy?

No but I kinda thought that something along those lines would be good.

 

[Modrob]

I got it out yesterday and used it for a little grading work and grab a couple of tree trunks. The grapple bucket worked great for the trees. So I’m working mostly sideways on a slight uphill grade. I was trying to dig out some on upper side and moved to lower side, just above a bank. This new machine is a hoss and the functions are crisp and quick. I’m used to the old wore-out one, and this one really worked me over. The pedals I first thought were really sweet with their ease but yesterday I would have liked to have had more resistance in them—in rough ground and me bouncing around so much, it made pedal operation erratic. Even trying to run slow helped, but still, at times I felt like I was bronc busting at a rodeo. The area is a bit tight so good control is important or I’d be over the bank or running against or over a tree stump. I’ll ask Terry if there is a provision for somehow giving more resistance in the pedals…

 

[ponytug]

I got it out yesterday and used it for a little grading work and grab a couple of tree trunks. The grapple bucket worked great for the trees. So I’m working mostly sideways on a slight uphill grade. I was trying to dig out some on upper side and moved to lower side, just above a bank. This new machine is a hoss and the functions are crisp and quick. I’m used to the old wore-out one, and this one really worked me over. The pedals I first thought were really sweet with their ease but yesterday I would have liked to have had more resistance in them—in rough ground and me bouncing around so much, it made pedal operation erratic. Even trying to run slow helped, but still, at times I felt like I was bronc busting at a rodeo. The area is a bit tight so good control is important or I’d be over the bank or running against or over a tree stump. I’ll ask Terry if there is a provision for somehow giving more resistance in the pedals…

FWIW Tip: keep both feet on the pedals at all times. That helps me with bumps, and not having the bump change spee or direction.

I guess I would also suggest slowing down on rough terrain, at least initially, again to help the wheel motors out.

I believe that the springs can be altered, but I have found the two foot driving technique to work for me, especially in tight situations.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Modrob]

FWIW Tip: keep both feet on the pedals at all times. That helps me with bumps, and not having the bump change spee or direction.

I guess I would also suggest slowing down on rough terrain, at least initially, again to help the wheel motors out.

I believe that the springs can be altered, but I have found the two foot driving technique to work for me, especially in tight situations.

All the best,

Peter

Yes sir, I always have both feet on ( but I have size 13 feet) and I tried my best to go slow…even throttled down. Maybe the bar tread tires contributes—our old one had turf tread and was a little smoother rolling. I’m gonna try and get the wife to run it some today and see how she does.

 

[MossRoad]

..

I believe that the springs can be altered, but I have found the two foot driving technique to work for me, especially in tight situations.

All the best,

Peter

What he said !
Call PT and see if they offer stiffer springs under the treadle or a way to adjust them. I know I read that somewhere here about 3-4 years after I bought my 2001 that has the hydroback cable treadle. The newer ones have the hydraulic treadle and folks were commenting that it was too sensitive and PT either added springs or offered stiffer ones or something like that.

I've got the big feet too! You know what they say about a guy with big feet, right?








Big shoes! Get your mind out of the gutter.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Nice ride. Looks like it would be fun to drive/use.

 

[MossRoad]

They are extremely enjoyable to use.

Many years ago this forum had an official test pilot!
I miss Mr. Bubenberg.

 

[BillCroasmun]

Congrats!

Also, thanks for the pics! I forgot how nice clean tires can look.

 

[m5040]

Congrats! Take in the "new". It happens only a few time in life.

I think what you are experiencing with the treadle control is the size of the restrictors in the lines for the tram pump. (I believe for ease of inventory, PT stocks/uses one part for all sizes of tractors if they can get away with it). If you take the lines off that shuttle the forward and reverse on the tram you will find each side has a been brazed shut and then drilled with like a 1/8" hole. I have multiple size tractors and the larger ones are smoother then the smaller ones, the PT180 is so quick it almost can't start without spinning a wheel. I think this is because the treadle is for a larger tram and sends a lot of volume which equates to very quick movements. I was thinking about brazing the fitting up and drilling a smaller hole, like 1/16" and if response is too slow, go bigger.

 

[Tchamp]

Another thing you can do is check tire pressures, make sure they’re not over inflated because if they are, it will give you a much different ride. I run 12-17 lbs on mine.