Gravy
Platinum Member
Looks like PT used a different pump on yours than they did on my 2004 model. Time to call Terry...
Gravy
Gravy
50 hour service for Robin PT 425s
- Thread starter toolz_not_toyz
- Start date
- Views: 3255
Gravy
Platinum Member
Looks like PT used a different pump on yours than they did on my 2004 model. Time to call Terry...
Gravy
Gravy
OP
toolz_not_toyz
Gold Member
Called service. Was told Terry would call me back. I believe Terry is famous for not calling people back. Been waiting 30 minutes. Just waiting to perform this service.....Waiting waiting waiting.
I also sent an email to Kristie last night detailing the growing laundry list of problems I've been having with my PT. Some of them are the kinds of problems everyone's had but I question why? Why do these problems continue??
1. improperly assembled mower deck
2. hydraulic hose leak
3. blades that continously fall off of the mower deck
4. hydraulic tank that leaks around the seal
5. gas tank that leaks around the flange
6. and NOW of course the leaking hydraulic tank (not the seal, but the tank itself)
Then there's the manual. Which at least in my case is not only inadequate but what's in there is also wildy inaccurate.
But the reply I got back implied that forums such as this one had good intentions but don't trust the information you get there. And Terry is the service manager and will call me about my problems. Looks like Terry tried to call at 7:30a.m. I'm on the west coast of course. Guess they missed that part.
Anyhow, just venting a bit. I wrote back to Kristie letting her know that if it wasn't for this forum and knowing I would find support here I would not have purchased a PT in the first place. And I bet that's true for a lot of people, maybe even the majority of buyers these days. I also pointed out that I got a response here within minutes of posting (actually, within 45, MR was bit slow this time /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) and that that was at about 9:00 pm Tazewell time. In lieu of a manual, a web site that could offer much more information (imagine, downloadable up-to-date manuals!), a 24/7 support line.....I'll take this site gladly!
I also sent an email to Kristie last night detailing the growing laundry list of problems I've been having with my PT. Some of them are the kinds of problems everyone's had but I question why? Why do these problems continue??
1. improperly assembled mower deck
2. hydraulic hose leak
3. blades that continously fall off of the mower deck
4. hydraulic tank that leaks around the seal
5. gas tank that leaks around the flange
6. and NOW of course the leaking hydraulic tank (not the seal, but the tank itself)
Then there's the manual. Which at least in my case is not only inadequate but what's in there is also wildy inaccurate.
But the reply I got back implied that forums such as this one had good intentions but don't trust the information you get there. And Terry is the service manager and will call me about my problems. Looks like Terry tried to call at 7:30a.m. I'm on the west coast of course. Guess they missed that part.
Anyhow, just venting a bit. I wrote back to Kristie letting her know that if it wasn't for this forum and knowing I would find support here I would not have purchased a PT in the first place. And I bet that's true for a lot of people, maybe even the majority of buyers these days. I also pointed out that I got a response here within minutes of posting (actually, within 45, MR was bit slow this time /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) and that that was at about 9:00 pm Tazewell time. In lieu of a manual, a web site that could offer much more information (imagine, downloadable up-to-date manuals!), a 24/7 support line.....I'll take this site gladly!
OP
toolz_not_toyz
Gold Member
Called service. Was told Terry would call me back. I believe Terry is famous for not calling people back. Been waiting 30 minutes. Just waiting to perform this service.....Waiting waiting waiting.
I also sent an email to Kristie last night detailing the growing laundry list of problems I've been having with my PT. Some of them are the kinds of problems everyone's had but I question why? Why do these problems continue??
1. improperly assembled mower deck
2. hydraulic hose leak
3. blades that continously fall off of the mower deck
4. hydraulic tank that leaks around the seal
5. gas tank that leaks around the flange
6. and NOW of course the leaking hydraulic tank (not the seal, but the tank itself)
Then there's the manual. Which at least in my case is not only inadequate but what's in there is also wildy inaccurate.
But the reply I got back implied that forums such as this one had good intentions but don't trust the information you get there. And Terry is the service manager and will call me about my problems. Looks like Terry tried to call at 7:30a.m. I'm on the west coast of course. Guess they missed that part.
Anyhow, just venting a bit. I wrote back to Kristie letting her know that if it wasn't for this forum and knowing I would find support here I would not have purchased a PT in the first place. And I bet that's true for a lot of people, maybe even the majority of buyers these days. I also pointed out that I got a response here within minutes of posting (actually, within 45, MR was bit slow this time /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) and that that was at about 9:00 pm Tazewell time. In lieu of a manual, a web site that could offer much more information (imagine, downloadable up-to-date manuals!), a 24/7 support line.....I'll take this site gladly!
I also sent an email to Kristie last night detailing the growing laundry list of problems I've been having with my PT. Some of them are the kinds of problems everyone's had but I question why? Why do these problems continue??
1. improperly assembled mower deck
2. hydraulic hose leak
3. blades that continously fall off of the mower deck
4. hydraulic tank that leaks around the seal
5. gas tank that leaks around the flange
6. and NOW of course the leaking hydraulic tank (not the seal, but the tank itself)
Then there's the manual. Which at least in my case is not only inadequate but what's in there is also wildy inaccurate.
But the reply I got back implied that forums such as this one had good intentions but don't trust the information you get there. And Terry is the service manager and will call me about my problems. Looks like Terry tried to call at 7:30a.m. I'm on the west coast of course. Guess they missed that part.
Anyhow, just venting a bit. I wrote back to Kristie letting her know that if it wasn't for this forum and knowing I would find support here I would not have purchased a PT in the first place. And I bet that's true for a lot of people, maybe even the majority of buyers these days. I also pointed out that I got a response here within minutes of posting (actually, within 45, MR was bit slow this time /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) and that that was at about 9:00 pm Tazewell time. In lieu of a manual, a web site that could offer much more information (imagine, downloadable up-to-date manuals!), a 24/7 support line.....I'll take this site gladly!
OP
toolz_not_toyz
Gold Member
Update. Had to call him back but finally talked to Terry about all of my issues. He tried to be as helpful as he could and insisted that the issues I described would be forwarded to engineering so that improvements could be made. We'll see. I will say that the current design is much cleaner than previous PowerTracs (if you compare the engine compartment pix from my 425, for example, with those of MR's).
I will post a photo later today about where the bleeder port is on these new PTs. It's NOT in the manifolds under the tram pump (although there are hex plugs there). Instead, it's on the left side of the tram pump under some hoses; it sticks way out and becomes really obvious once you understand that the pump in the manual (my manual) is not at all like the one installed. The new manuals will be updated.
The procedure for bleeding is the same as what MR documents on his site.
I will post a photo later today about where the bleeder port is on these new PTs. It's NOT in the manifolds under the tram pump (although there are hex plugs there). Instead, it's on the left side of the tram pump under some hoses; it sticks way out and becomes really obvious once you understand that the pump in the manual (my manual) is not at all like the one installed. The new manuals will be updated.
The procedure for bleeding is the same as what MR documents on his site.
OP
toolz_not_toyz
Gold Member
Update. Had to call him back but finally talked to Terry about all of my issues. He tried to be as helpful as he could and insisted that the issues I described would be forwarded to engineering so that improvements could be made. We'll see. I will say that the current design is much cleaner than previous PowerTracs (if you compare the engine compartment pix from my 425, for example, with those of MR's).
I will post a photo later today about where the bleeder port is on these new PTs. It's NOT in the manifolds under the tram pump (although there are hex plugs there). Instead, it's on the left side of the tram pump under some hoses; it sticks way out and becomes really obvious once you understand that the pump in the manual (my manual) is not at all like the one installed. The new manuals will be updated.
The procedure for bleeding is the same as what MR documents on his site.
I will post a photo later today about where the bleeder port is on these new PTs. It's NOT in the manifolds under the tram pump (although there are hex plugs there). Instead, it's on the left side of the tram pump under some hoses; it sticks way out and becomes really obvious once you understand that the pump in the manual (my manual) is not at all like the one installed. The new manuals will be updated.
The procedure for bleeding is the same as what MR documents on his site.
I appreciate the difficulty that you are having. I bought my PT-425 about 2 yrs. ago and experienced all the same problems. Continually finding some new ones. The improvements will help FUTURE machines, not yours or mine.
I just discovered a couple of months ago that they will no longer sell less than $50 in 'parts', so I can't even buy their overpriced hydraulic oil filters any more unless I buy a two year supply at one time.
Anyway, as you said, just venting, as I have now spent over $400 to fixed the part of the rollover linkage that has been 'improved', that is, the new one is much heavier.
They were kind enough to sell me the parts (I was only two months out of warranty) for full price plus exorbitant shipping. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
The engine (Kohler on my year PT) is the only thing that doesn't spew or leak constantly.
Mark H.
I just discovered a couple of months ago that they will no longer sell less than $50 in 'parts', so I can't even buy their overpriced hydraulic oil filters any more unless I buy a two year supply at one time.
Anyway, as you said, just venting, as I have now spent over $400 to fixed the part of the rollover linkage that has been 'improved', that is, the new one is much heavier.
They were kind enough to sell me the parts (I was only two months out of warranty) for full price plus exorbitant shipping. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
The engine (Kohler on my year PT) is the only thing that doesn't spew or leak constantly.
Mark H.
I appreciate the difficulty that you are having. I bought my PT-425 about 2 yrs. ago and experienced all the same problems. Continually finding some new ones. The improvements will help FUTURE machines, not yours or mine.
I just discovered a couple of months ago that they will no longer sell less than $50 in 'parts', so I can't even buy their overpriced hydraulic oil filters any more unless I buy a two year supply at one time.
Anyway, as you said, just venting, as I have now spent over $400 to fixed the part of the rollover linkage that has been 'improved', that is, the new one is much heavier.
They were kind enough to sell me the parts (I was only two months out of warranty) for full price plus exorbitant shipping. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
The engine (Kohler on my year PT) is the only thing that doesn't spew or leak constantly.
Mark H.
I just discovered a couple of months ago that they will no longer sell less than $50 in 'parts', so I can't even buy their overpriced hydraulic oil filters any more unless I buy a two year supply at one time.
Anyway, as you said, just venting, as I have now spent over $400 to fixed the part of the rollover linkage that has been 'improved', that is, the new one is much heavier.
They were kind enough to sell me the parts (I was only two months out of warranty) for full price plus exorbitant shipping. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
The engine (Kohler on my year PT) is the only thing that doesn't spew or leak constantly.
Mark H.
Phils
Platinum Member
Buy your hydraulic filters at any good auto parts store. I've seen the numbers posted here but can get them if you want.
Napa Gold has been mentioned. This is made by and identical to a standard Wix hydraulic filter. When I noticed that (at the Napa store, I use Wix but thought "Napa Gold" must be even better) the Napa guy said that the regular Napa filters were a cheaper line than the regular Wix. Wix has always had a lower cost line (ProTec) and that's what Napa was buying. The Napa Gold cost a little more than the comparable Wix. Either is just fine.
Background (for someone so totally bored to have read this far without dozing off): when I first started working at an auto parts store (16 years ago, lasted for 6 years) I had questions nobody could answer on filter construction.
The store let me buy as many filters as I could find and, in additon to the ones we carried, cut them all open. What a learning experience that was!! I had been refusing to use ProTec filters and instead spent more to get Fram. But that is where Fram's money goes: marketing to get people to buy their filters, not into the quality of the filter.
Now I'll use Napa, Wix, Amsoil (the new EA filters especially), and CarQuest (made by Wix). I won't use Fram. The worst at that time was one made by Purolator and marketed under the Bowles brand --- sold by trucks to the shops, and built so to allow "screened" oil (think VW beetle) unless the screen clogged, then it bypassed and washed the clog into the engine with more unfiltered oil. It was the only filter that bragged "full-flow" on the box and the ony one that didn't force the full flow of oil through the filter element.
I'll stop now before I nod off.
I just got my first parts order from PT today: new brush hog blades and bolts and spacers. $97, so it was easy to meet the $50 minimum order.
Phil
Napa Gold has been mentioned. This is made by and identical to a standard Wix hydraulic filter. When I noticed that (at the Napa store, I use Wix but thought "Napa Gold" must be even better) the Napa guy said that the regular Napa filters were a cheaper line than the regular Wix. Wix has always had a lower cost line (ProTec) and that's what Napa was buying. The Napa Gold cost a little more than the comparable Wix. Either is just fine.
Background (for someone so totally bored to have read this far without dozing off): when I first started working at an auto parts store (16 years ago, lasted for 6 years) I had questions nobody could answer on filter construction.
The store let me buy as many filters as I could find and, in additon to the ones we carried, cut them all open. What a learning experience that was!! I had been refusing to use ProTec filters and instead spent more to get Fram. But that is where Fram's money goes: marketing to get people to buy their filters, not into the quality of the filter.
Now I'll use Napa, Wix, Amsoil (the new EA filters especially), and CarQuest (made by Wix). I won't use Fram. The worst at that time was one made by Purolator and marketed under the Bowles brand --- sold by trucks to the shops, and built so to allow "screened" oil (think VW beetle) unless the screen clogged, then it bypassed and washed the clog into the engine with more unfiltered oil. It was the only filter that bragged "full-flow" on the box and the ony one that didn't force the full flow of oil through the filter element.
I'll stop now before I nod off.
I just got my first parts order from PT today: new brush hog blades and bolts and spacers. $97, so it was easy to meet the $50 minimum order.
Phil
Phils
Platinum Member
Buy your hydraulic filters at any good auto parts store. I've seen the numbers posted here but can get them if you want.
Napa Gold has been mentioned. This is made by and identical to a standard Wix hydraulic filter. When I noticed that (at the Napa store, I use Wix but thought "Napa Gold" must be even better) the Napa guy said that the regular Napa filters were a cheaper line than the regular Wix. Wix has always had a lower cost line (ProTec) and that's what Napa was buying. The Napa Gold cost a little more than the comparable Wix. Either is just fine.
Background (for someone so totally bored to have read this far without dozing off): when I first started working at an auto parts store (16 years ago, lasted for 6 years) I had questions nobody could answer on filter construction.
The store let me buy as many filters as I could find and, in additon to the ones we carried, cut them all open. What a learning experience that was!! I had been refusing to use ProTec filters and instead spent more to get Fram. But that is where Fram's money goes: marketing to get people to buy their filters, not into the quality of the filter.
Now I'll use Napa, Wix, Amsoil (the new EA filters especially), and CarQuest (made by Wix). I won't use Fram. The worst at that time was one made by Purolator and marketed under the Bowles brand --- sold by trucks to the shops, and built so to allow "screened" oil (think VW beetle) unless the screen clogged, then it bypassed and washed the clog into the engine with more unfiltered oil. It was the only filter that bragged "full-flow" on the box and the ony one that didn't force the full flow of oil through the filter element.
I'll stop now before I nod off.
I just got my first parts order from PT today: new brush hog blades and bolts and spacers. $97, so it was easy to meet the $50 minimum order.
Phil
Napa Gold has been mentioned. This is made by and identical to a standard Wix hydraulic filter. When I noticed that (at the Napa store, I use Wix but thought "Napa Gold" must be even better) the Napa guy said that the regular Napa filters were a cheaper line than the regular Wix. Wix has always had a lower cost line (ProTec) and that's what Napa was buying. The Napa Gold cost a little more than the comparable Wix. Either is just fine.
Background (for someone so totally bored to have read this far without dozing off): when I first started working at an auto parts store (16 years ago, lasted for 6 years) I had questions nobody could answer on filter construction.
The store let me buy as many filters as I could find and, in additon to the ones we carried, cut them all open. What a learning experience that was!! I had been refusing to use ProTec filters and instead spent more to get Fram. But that is where Fram's money goes: marketing to get people to buy their filters, not into the quality of the filter.
Now I'll use Napa, Wix, Amsoil (the new EA filters especially), and CarQuest (made by Wix). I won't use Fram. The worst at that time was one made by Purolator and marketed under the Bowles brand --- sold by trucks to the shops, and built so to allow "screened" oil (think VW beetle) unless the screen clogged, then it bypassed and washed the clog into the engine with more unfiltered oil. It was the only filter that bragged "full-flow" on the box and the ony one that didn't force the full flow of oil through the filter element.
I'll stop now before I nod off.
I just got my first parts order from PT today: new brush hog blades and bolts and spacers. $97, so it was easy to meet the $50 minimum order.
Phil