Called Tazewell today to schedule a visit to see a 425. Scott said that I can visit but they're all out of PT-425s and won't have anymore until end of June. And when they do, they will have changed to the Robbins engine. I wonder if they'll do any other changes?
425 to get Robbins Engine
- Thread starter pairodime
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SnowRidge
Elite Member
Perhaps this explains why they show a Robin engine on the PT-425 web page. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I wonder if they'll do any other changes? )</font>
Sell less of them?
According to the Robin Engine web site, their biggest engine is only 22HP, That's three less than the Kohler CH25 that it seems to be replacing.
Considering all the problems people have had with Robin engines, it seems a strange move to me.
SnowRidge
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I wonder if they'll do any other changes? )</font>
Sell less of them?
According to the Robin Engine web site, their biggest engine is only 22HP, That's three less than the Kohler CH25 that it seems to be replacing.
Considering all the problems people have had with Robin engines, it seems a strange move to me.
SnowRidge
Charlie_Iliff
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I think they have up to 25
Robin
As I read the feedback here, the cold/hard start problems are mostly cured, and there hasn't been any other recurring complaint. (Scott Fechtig, I hope your current problem isn't
recurring for you or anyone else.)
Kohler, Robin, Briggs and other small manufcturers have all had problems now and then, but are mostly pretty reliable. I hope that PTs move is to improve performance and reliability, not save cost.
Robin
As I read the feedback here, the cold/hard start problems are mostly cured, and there hasn't been any other recurring complaint. (Scott Fechtig, I hope your current problem isn't
recurring for you or anyone else.)
Kohler, Robin, Briggs and other small manufcturers have all had problems now and then, but are mostly pretty reliable. I hope that PTs move is to improve performance and reliability, not save cost.
toolz_not_toyz
Gold Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Sell less of them?
)</font>
Maybe they're hoping to offset price increases for steel. Robin could be offering their engines at more competitive prices or if this has to do with volume...if Power-Trac puts the same engine in more models their volume will go up and their prices will go down. Just a couple of theories.
)</font>
Maybe they're hoping to offset price increases for steel. Robin could be offering their engines at more competitive prices or if this has to do with volume...if Power-Trac puts the same engine in more models their volume will go up and their prices will go down. Just a couple of theories.
We have installed a few Robin engines in some speciality eguipment, including the 22 & 25. I think the Robin feels more powerful than Kohler, although they are good engines. Our engineers seem to think we get about 10% more torque. I know the charts on both engines do not show that, but the dyno shows only 22.6 hp on Kohler and 24.9 on Robin. The engineers at Generac have reported the same results. The Generac 30 hp tested in the 425 has a lot of power, I tried it last year. If Generac would get their exhaust issues concerning Teir II straight I think PT would consider their 30 hp standard in the 425. I'd like to see that. Always more hp!!!
EB
EB
smartguyz
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Has anyone ever retrofitted a Honda engine into a PT425?
-Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
-Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
SnowRidge
Elite Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Has anyone ever retrofitted a Honda engine into a PT425? )</font>
Now that would be my choice.
I used to attend a routine morning coffee get-together with a bunch of--being polite here--elder gentlemen. One day we tired of solving the world's problems, and the talk got around to small engines and the things they typically power.
There was much talk about how this or that brand was "a piece of junk,' with the notable exception of Honda. Everyone seemed to agree (a first on any subject, as far as I know) that Honda engines were the most reliable out there. "When I go to start one, it just runs--always," is how one fellow put it.
Other than a small diesel, a Honda would be my first choice for PT-425 power.
SnowRidge
Now that would be my choice.
I used to attend a routine morning coffee get-together with a bunch of--being polite here--elder gentlemen. One day we tired of solving the world's problems, and the talk got around to small engines and the things they typically power.
There was much talk about how this or that brand was "a piece of junk,' with the notable exception of Honda. Everyone seemed to agree (a first on any subject, as far as I know) that Honda engines were the most reliable out there. "When I go to start one, it just runs--always," is how one fellow put it.
Other than a small diesel, a Honda would be my first choice for PT-425 power.
SnowRidge
SnowRidge
Elite Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think they have up to 25
[references Robin America link] )</font>
Hmm, Google refused to give up the U.S. home page. I looked at Robin's Japanese page, and there the 25 was not shown.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( As I read the feedback here, the cold/hard start problems are mostly cured, and there hasn't been any other recurring complaint. (Scott Fechtig, I hope your current problem isn't
recurring for you or anyone else.) )</font>
My opinion is based on two things. The first is the above mentioned problems that Robin powered PT owners have posted about--especially the inordinate difficulties they seem to have encountered in getting them properly resolved. It is all to the good if that has been taken care of.
The second thing was the adamant stance that Tazewell took when we inquired about purchasing a PT-422 for our mowing application. They flat stated that the machine would not hold up to that kind of use--in large part due to the Robin engine, according to them. They also indicated that Robin engines' HP ratings were not as conservative as Kohlers'. Perhaps that was just sales talk, but I am not convinced it wasn't.
If the Robin powered PT-425 proves itself over time, then I will change my opinion, but for now I remain skeptical.
[references Robin America link] )</font>
Hmm, Google refused to give up the U.S. home page. I looked at Robin's Japanese page, and there the 25 was not shown.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( As I read the feedback here, the cold/hard start problems are mostly cured, and there hasn't been any other recurring complaint. (Scott Fechtig, I hope your current problem isn't
recurring for you or anyone else.) )</font>
My opinion is based on two things. The first is the above mentioned problems that Robin powered PT owners have posted about--especially the inordinate difficulties they seem to have encountered in getting them properly resolved. It is all to the good if that has been taken care of.
The second thing was the adamant stance that Tazewell took when we inquired about purchasing a PT-422 for our mowing application. They flat stated that the machine would not hold up to that kind of use--in large part due to the Robin engine, according to them. They also indicated that Robin engines' HP ratings were not as conservative as Kohlers'. Perhaps that was just sales talk, but I am not convinced it wasn't.
If the Robin powered PT-425 proves itself over time, then I will change my opinion, but for now I remain skeptical.
smartguyz
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
Other than a small diesel, a Honda would be my first choice for PT-425 power.
SnowRidge
)</font>
You bet!
Honda really knows how to make a great little engine! I'd be interested in putting THIS into the PT, if and when the Kohler gives up the ghost.
What do you guys think?
Sincerely,
Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Other than a small diesel, a Honda would be my first choice for PT-425 power.
SnowRidge
)</font>
You bet!
Honda really knows how to make a great little engine! I'd be interested in putting THIS into the PT, if and when the Kohler gives up the ghost.
What do you guys think?
Sincerely,
Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
SnowRidge
Elite Member
It looks like it will take a front pump. I suspect that you would have to weld up a custom muffler, and the engine and rear pump mounts would probably require extensive reworking.
You would have to check the front coupler mounting point to rear coupler mounting point dimension very carefully. It would have to be equal to or less than the Kohler's. There is <font color="red"> NO </font> extra room. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I was surprised to see that the Honda, though giving up one HP to the Kohler, was that much cheaper. Northern shows a CH730-0040 for $1649.99
I suspect we will wear out our Kohler before yours needs replacing, so I may end up owning the "test bed." /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
But you know, I don't know if I could live with myself if I went with <font color="blue"> less </font>HP. <font color="red"> More </font>HP, now that is a different story. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
SnowRidge
You would have to check the front coupler mounting point to rear coupler mounting point dimension very carefully. It would have to be equal to or less than the Kohler's. There is <font color="red"> NO </font> extra room. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I was surprised to see that the Honda, though giving up one HP to the Kohler, was that much cheaper. Northern shows a CH730-0040 for $1649.99
I suspect we will wear out our Kohler before yours needs replacing, so I may end up owning the "test bed." /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
But you know, I don't know if I could live with myself if I went with <font color="blue"> less </font>HP. <font color="red"> More </font>HP, now that is a different story. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
SnowRidge
