Recent content by Gravy

Where does the mower deck go?

I have a chunk of steel that is way too big, a chunk of some kind of brass that is a bit less too big, a Southbend Heavy 10 with banana shaped ways and a spindle that chatters, a completely unidentifiable Rong Fu RF-something clone mill drill that is also wore slap out, and very nearly zero...

I called PT for the replacement part. $275. No, not $2.75. Yeeeoow! Keith was unsurprised when I didn't buy it. There's still some drag interfering with the spool returning to center, so I have more work to do. I may try to make a new piece. It's not terribly complicated, I've got a lathe, a...

Thanks! I don't think it's quite centered. There's some drag that keeps the spool from snapping back to the neutral position. I'll have to see if I can adjust that out. But I was able to do my mowing before the rain chances increase this afternoon, which would have been a problem without working...

My PT425 started having weirdness with joystick operation and float a couple of days ago. On inspection, the housing that the float detent is in had broken off. It's held on by screws through two ears, both of which had broken off. I performed a "field expedient" repair today and got it working...

Tire update: we had a couple inches of snow. Plowing snow straight ahead on the driveway, these tires did not slip on the asphalt when the pile of snow in front got pretty big. I'd say they did somewhat better than the All Trails, although it wasn't much of a test. They definitely have more...

I think a 2425 is quite different from my somewhat modified 435. But I have had tires stiff enough to drive on for a bit. These may be stiff enough for that.

Tire review after a few weeks: They do better out on the wooded hillsides than anything else I've tried. Think loose rocks on soft soil under a thick layer of dead leaves, going up slopes that challenge the wheel motors and sometimes win. They leave more visible tracks on the lawn than any other...

I may not have been thinking only about about mobile equipment.

I have found quite a few better lubricants, depending on where it's being applied. But that one may be particularly good for the ball linkages on our PTs

Also, after doing the tire change, I have vowed that I will never again liquid fill tires. What a freakin' mess! I did it with a Harbor Freight changer for the experience, but I'd be a lot less sore if I'd had it done with a real tire machine.

I found it interesting that the tires are also labeled with an automotive size. They ride noticeably stiffer than the All Trails, despite both being 4-ply.

My wife had similar issues and had to go through the same sort of time wasting nonsense. But about 6 months ago she had back surgery with decompression and fusion. It was very successful and the leg pain is completely gone.

Somebody with a 3D printer might be able to help you if there is appropriate filament available.

Oldish thread, but have you considered mechanically attaching a flange, somewhat like the way the filler neck is attached? Or a metal bulkhead fitting with Viton seal?