1400 Series on hilly terrain?

[Charlie_Iliff]

Weedpatch:
I'd sure like to hear some details of the turnover, such as how the log was connected, how far it was turned, etc. I've often picked up one wheel of my 1845, but not yet two on the same side. The engine problem sounds like a runaway on lube oil, although this is the first time I've heard of one on the PT Deutz.
Sorry to hear you've had mechanical troubles. Any pattern?

Incidentally, I see you raise show ponies. What breed(s)? My mother, and now sister, have been raising Welsh since the '40s, with occasional Shetlands and Arabs.

 

[IrTxRx]

Weedpatch,

Would you consider posting a separate post titled "my problems with my 1430." I have Pm'd you in the past when you first bought your tractor and things weren't going to well. I thought that that would probably all work itself out, but it sounds like it didn't. I thought the 1430 was the tractor for me, but with relatively few posters on TBN owning the 1430 I would like all good and BAD feedback from those who do own them. Also, maybe the other RED owners could comment wether they have had similar issues.

Thanks (if you feel like weathering all the PTers telling you that you must be mistaken /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif)

 

[menchhofer]

Sorry to hear your 1430 has not worked out for you.

I have 1430 and love it. Have not had any major problems...only neutral switch was replaced and the treadle cable. I have 250 hrs on the machine and use it on a regular basis both at home and in my business. I would purchase another one if I had the money.
I do not mow with the machine tho as I do not want the extra hours on the unit. I would also like to know how your turnover happened. Very unfortunate.

 

[RegL]

Hi weedpatch, I do quite a bit of field mowing and brush hogging with my 1430. Mowing is probably the toughest work you will do with a tractor. The PT's do not like running hard in hot weather. I see that you are in Florida so I can imagine your 1430 must get cooking while trying to mow 15 acres. Especially, if you have any slopes. I really in joy doing the late season field mowing this time of year. Both the pt and I are nice and cool and perform better. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

<font color="red">The PT's do not like running hard in hot weather. </font>

RegL: I have been able to mow at full speed in 95 degree weather without a problem. To do so, however, I've covered the engine compartment with insect screen. Without it, the oil cooler fills with chaff quickly and the engine overheats. Even with the screen, I do have to clean out the cooler thoroughly with compressed air each day, which requires removal of the top baffle and inspection with a light. It is difficult to get all the chaff out, but if you do not, the engine overheats after a while, even when it is only partially blocked.

 

[RegL]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="red">The PT's do not like running hard in hot weather. </font>

RegL: I have been able to mow at full speed in 95 degree weather without a problem. To do so, however, I've covered the engine compartment with insect screen. Without it, the oil cooler fills with chaff quickly and the engine overheats. Even with the screen, I do have to clean out the cooler thoroughly with compressed air each day, which requires removal of the top baffle and inspection with a light. It is difficult to get all the chaff out, but if you do not, the engine overheats after a while, even when it is only partially blocked. )</font>


Charlie, I think the extra ponies in the 1845 has to help it not have to work as hard as the 1430 in extreme conditions. ( What kind of sentence is that?). I'm not putting down my 1430 cause I love it but think it could use more power for the kind of tough mowing I do. I have to check out one of those 1845's some day. Sedgewood is close by, Maybe he will let me come over and take a peek at his. Hint!

 

[toolz_not_toyz]

Not to make light of the situation or anything but it's important to remember that when using any heavy equipment certain tasks require more concentration than others. It's when people become over confident in their (and their equipement's) abilities that accidents happen and inevitably these types of accidents are categorized as operator error.

The PT Pucker has been discussed in this forum many times in the past. And although we have a brand-specific name for this particular weakness it is actually a problem that afflicts all articulated vehicles with a short wheel base and relatively low weight. When you turn, you shorten the wheel base on one side and create a vertical pivot point. Combined with the exhertion of force, the laws of physics can take over and find the path of least resistance. Pulling a heavy tree (never underestimae the weight of trees) and turning is a mistake. It is easier for the PT to flip over on that pivot point than to pull back.

While regular (non-articulated) tractors don't exhibit this particular evil trait they do roll over on occasion as well and I'm sure there are a few people in this forum that can attest to that. They wouldn't equip modern tractors with roll bars if they weren't necessary.

Finally, it is also a testament to the durability of these machines that they can survive a rollover relatively unscathed. If I recall correctly, someone else in this forum rollowed down a hill or an embankment on a PT 425 not too long ago. Just imagine the 425 was a 422 which does not come with a roll bar included. The outcome would have been quite different.

As for the engine. PT could add an engine kill switch that is activated when the operator's weight is removed from the seat. In my experience, however, most folks find these things a pain (not sure why, just means they have to think less about what they are doing) and disable them.

But even with all of the safety protection in the world, and countless hours of training, accidents will still happen. So be careful.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

<font color="red"> Charlie, I think the extra ponies in the 1845 has to help it not have to work as hard as the 1430 in extreme conditions. </font>

For mowing, I'd certainly prefer an 1850, until they come out with one with even more power. Can't have too much power.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sedgewood]

<font color="red"> Charlie, I think the extra ponies in the 1845 has to help it not have to work as hard as the 1430 in extreme conditions. ( What kind of sentence is that?). I'm not putting down my 1430 cause I love it but think it could use more power for the kind of tough mowing I do.</font>

The extra ponies in the 1845 would help it not have to work so hard - if it didn't have more work to do with the larger mower. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

As it is, it's working right flat out with rough-cut mowing. And like Charlie, I have a constant battle keeping the chaff out of the cooler.

<font color="red"> I have to check out one of those 1845's some day. Sedgewood is close by, Maybe he will let me come over and take a peek at his. Hint! </font>

He just might. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Sedgewood

 

[wasabi]

Hey Sedge,

As it turns out,, our older model 2445 actually has the T12 quick attach system, so PT informs me that the 1430 is the machine with which we could swap our existing implements.

This leaves in something of a quandry...do we settle for a slightly underpowered mower for maintaining about eight acres of hilly fields...or perhaps convince PT to put a T12 onto a 1445....or consider an after market retro-fit ourselves...

PT has sent me a tilt meter to measure some hills. They say they can then better guage whether the 1430 will work. That is fine and well, but I value actual operator experiences..

More input regarding performance of 1430 on hills?

Sabi