425 or 1430?

[toy]

Have you looked on this forum for the pt owners by state that pajoub started maybe there is one listed on that. The folks at pt in Tazwell might be able to give you a name of a owner near you. hope this helps you find someone.

 

[Gravy]

Joel,

We've sent you a couple of PM's. Have you gotten them?We're about 100 miles from Staunton, just off 81. You're welcome to try our 425.

Dave

 

[SnowRidge]

<font color="blue"> "I posted this picture recently which I consider tall grass." </font>

You call that tall grass??? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The stuff that I was mowing varied from grass about that high to three foot tall weeds, but was mostly pasture grass gone to seed. We ain't mowing no lawns here folks....... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

To clarify what is happening and what I think is being read into some of the posts.......

I mow Xmas tree plantations. We have been advised not to mow as often as we did with our initial planting for cost containment reasons. We had been using a finish mower, but the second plantation is on rougher ground, which caused a bit of difficulty, so we sprang for the brush mower.

The brush mower worked fine until we got into the tall, wet grass situation and the front wheels started jamming. This happened with the factory wheels (which got the usual PT mower flats right away) and continues to happen with the replacement split rim wheels.

Mower bogging is not an issue, except when I lowered the unit to try and prevent the wheels from jamming. With the mower set high and proceeding at a reasonable speed for the amount of material being consumed, it does fine -- until the wheels jam.

The problem seems to be with the design of the casters. There is very little clearance between the sides and top of the caster bracket and the tire. The sides are especially tight. It is made worse by the single spindle design which throws cut grass forward and to the right. It actually comes out in all directions, but a significant amount comes out from the right front.

It seems to me that PT just took a set of finish mower casters and stuck them on a field mower. Since they are out front and have to contend with anything that might come into contact with them, I think a lot more thought should have gone into their design.

I am considering going to a slightly smaller tire to increase the clearances. That will mean another set of rims, and will probably run about $80 for a pair, including shipping. Right now it is just a consideration, but I am going to have to do something. The current situation is not tenable, and waiting for dry conditions is not really an option here with the almost daily thunderstorms in the summer.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to clear up this jamming, I would love to hear them.

 

[KentT]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If anyone has any suggestions on how to clear up this jamming, I would love to hear them.
)</font>
1. A relatively cheap experiment -- try a couple of inexpensive, narrow non-pneumatic lawnmower wheels on the front -- just to see if more clearance solves the problem...

2. Consider adding chains or a heavy-duty rubber skirt to the front of the deck to prevent the grass from coming out the front...

 

[SnowRidge]

<font color="blue"> "I wonder what it means by 3 blades with 4 cutting edges, each" </font>

I noticed that too. I wish they showed the undersides in the brochures.

I understand that some pro lawn care folks are putting a second blade on each spindle to get the + arrangement. This is supposed to give a finer cut. I can't figure out why you'd do this on a field mower, though.

Of course, it could just be a typo.

 

[pequeajim]

If you do not want to use the pneumatic tires on your mower deck, you can request the solid rubber tures from PT. Terry replaced mine and I have not had ANY issues with the wheels since.

I also have my front a tad bit higher than the rear and have very little if any windrowing.

Here is a pic of our RC flying field after cutting with the 425. The grass was quite high before the cut due to all of the rain that we had i one week, but I cut a 1000' x 300' field with no problems.

 

[SnowRidge]

Can you post a picture or two of the PT supplied solid tires and rims?

Thanks.

 

[SnowRidge]

Thanks, Kent. We are thinking along the same lines.

After seeing the chains in the Ventrac brochures, I plan to measure and see how long they could be on the brush mower without getting into a blade. Finding a big enough narrow lawnmower wheel with the right bore proves to be a challenge. but I think I've found some on line.

As soon as I get a chance, I'm going to experiment and see if the wheels jam without the mower running. It ought to be entertaining for the neighbors.....

"Man, that's the worst cutting mower I've ever seen!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[KentT]

Instead of chains, how about a chunk of a truck tire carcass bolted across the front, with slits cut in it so that portions of it can fold back as necessary? They're free for the taking along the side of the interstate....

 

[MossRoad]

I think chains would hit the blades on the brush cutter. I think this, because if I drive up against a small tree the blades will put knicks in the bark. From that point on, if I just push the treadle pedal just a tinsy winsy bit forward, the tree trunk explodes and usually jumps off its stump. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The blade is RIGHT AT the front of the unit. Any mounting point thingy would have to be cantilevered out in front of the unit and long enough so that the chains couldn't be swung back into the blades. It would also have to be mighty strong. I think this might be a good option for cutting long field grass but would severely limit the brush cutting abilities.

 

[BillCroasmun]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Man, that is TALL and THICK stuff! )</font>
Jim, That's what I thought! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif And nice RC field by the way! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Dude, I just got a whole lot of new respect for the 180. )</font>
Marrt, Me too! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Charlie/Snowridge, That was the tallest thick grass I mow and I do mow down taller thinner weeds (waist high) but it sounds like you guys cut down thick and wet stuff that is probably just as tall as my weeded areas. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Snowridge, You may want to fasion yourself some wheel pants. Check the attached picture. They are used on planes and ultralights for the wind but the same thing shouldn't be too hard to make for your grass problem. Cut some thin flexible plastic in a football shape then cut two holes for your forks. If the shape is "fat" enough you might be able to then pin the sides down near the axle.

Joel, Thanks for starting an informational thread and good luck no matter what you decide! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[BobRip]

I live in Powhatan near Richmond. I will be home this Saturday. I will leave you a private message with my telephone number.

Bob Rip

 

[pequeajim]

Here is a pic of the new PT tire for the front of your deck.

There is also a thread talking about this tire ad relating info.

Click here for link

EDIT: Shortened long link.

 

[BobRip]

Joel, I got permission from my neighbor to mow a little of his grass. If you come down, you can mow as much as you want. He has a 10 acre field with about a foot of grass in places.

Bob Rip

 

[SnowRidge]

Thank you.

 

[BobRip]

Thanks for coming buy the house today. Why don't you let us know your decision now that you have actually mowed with a PT422.

Bob Rip