OP
ToolcatWonka5610
Gold Member
Another thing I've been wanting to ask Peter. I know the 1845 and 1850 have overheating Problems, one thing were not to crazy about. Does this happen on the 1445?
A PT-1445?
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woodlandfarms
Super Member
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Ummmmmm Nooooooo the 1845 and 1850 do not have overheating issues. The way the Deutz is implemented by PT is what has the overheating issues. So, the 1430 to the 1850 all suffer the same overheating issue.
There are two oil systems on the PT. One for the engine (which cools the engine as well as lubricates) and one for the Hydrualics. the engine creates a lot of heat and IMO has an inadeqate cooling system for a dusty environment.
The Hydraulics can overheat on all the systems but they have a large radiator and an autmotive grade fan that seems to keep that portion of the system cool, near as any of us can tell cause other than Ken Simolo, I don't think any of us have a way to monitor our Hydraulic temps.
Also, please remember that the 1845 and 1850 are technically mowers first, and are generally purchased by contractors with large crews. So, by being mowers first they tend to work in dustier environements. And by being owned by contractors, they tend to be poorly maintained.
There are two oil systems on the PT. One for the engine (which cools the engine as well as lubricates) and one for the Hydrualics. the engine creates a lot of heat and IMO has an inadeqate cooling system for a dusty environment.
The Hydraulics can overheat on all the systems but they have a large radiator and an autmotive grade fan that seems to keep that portion of the system cool, near as any of us can tell cause other than Ken Simolo, I don't think any of us have a way to monitor our Hydraulic temps.
Also, please remember that the 1845 and 1850 are technically mowers first, and are generally purchased by contractors with large crews. So, by being mowers first they tend to work in dustier environements. And by being owned by contractors, they tend to be poorly maintained.
Bob999
Platinum Member
I agree with Woodlandfarms comments.
The problem is that the radiator PT has chosen to use on the Duetz engines is designed for a clean environment. Duetz actually makes a radiator that is designed for a dirty environment but PT doesn't use it in their tractors--several years ago there was a poster who investigated getting the radiator designed for dirty environments but it was very expensive and taller so that it would have required modification of the deflector mounted above the radiator if it would have fit at all.
In my experience the cooling is very adequate so long as the radiator is clean. Simply installing screen over the rear of the tractor--where air is drawn for engine cooling--significantly reduces the amont of chaff that gets into the radiator and extends the interval between required cleaning.
Mowing is particularly stressful on the cooling system because it tends to put a lot of chaff in the air that gets drawn into the engine radiator.
The problem is that the radiator PT has chosen to use on the Duetz engines is designed for a clean environment. Duetz actually makes a radiator that is designed for a dirty environment but PT doesn't use it in their tractors--several years ago there was a poster who investigated getting the radiator designed for dirty environments but it was very expensive and taller so that it would have required modification of the deflector mounted above the radiator if it would have fit at all.
In my experience the cooling is very adequate so long as the radiator is clean. Simply installing screen over the rear of the tractor--where air is drawn for engine cooling--significantly reduces the amont of chaff that gets into the radiator and extends the interval between required cleaning.
Mowing is particularly stressful on the cooling system because it tends to put a lot of chaff in the air that gets drawn into the engine radiator.
OP
ToolcatWonka5610
Gold Member
Sorry Carl and Bob. I meant the engine. The machine itself I imagine is fine.
I saw (I think AltavistaLawn used it) 1 or 2 addition fans on the engine, the kind that comes standard on the top of the hood. How does this work?
Bob999
Platinum Member
I have no experience with extra fans but I don't think they will help with the engine cooling issue caused by a blocked radiator.
woodlandfarms
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I think Alta was chasing some bigger demons. He had problems for sure, but they were many, and it was unclear what was causing all of his grief.
Mostly what you hear here is that the engine sucks in chaffe very quickly. But that there are lots of fix ideas. We all just wish PT would
#1, listen to our complaints
#2, make some changes, most of us feel the bottom line would not be effected.
Mostly what you hear here is that the engine sucks in chaffe very quickly. But that there are lots of fix ideas. We all just wish PT would
#1, listen to our complaints
#2, make some changes, most of us feel the bottom line would not be effected.
OP
ToolcatWonka5610
Gold Member
Yeah I agree. Another thing, this is for the 1445 owners out there, I've been wondering for a while, can you get a 1445 with the 26x12.5 tires instead of the big Skid steer type tires?
I'm not in a good mood BTW. I heard YouTube's going under.
I'm not in a good mood BTW. I heard YouTube's going under.
SnowRidge
Elite Member
OP
ToolcatWonka5610
Gold Member
Yeah I don't believe. Their saying it's supposed to change in a few days. That was a few WEEKS ago.Ah, the Internet rumor mill.
Pay no heed. It's not true.
Though if this happens, I'm joining the fight to bring it back.
I post all my equipment videos on there and me and my friends are going to start a YouTube series.
But enough about YouTube. Back to Power-Trac.
26x12 tires on a 1445. Could it happen?
ponytug
Super Member
You can get them with turf tires, 31-15:50x15, but if you ask nicely and pay, you can get pretty much anything. e.g. wider tires, lashing hooks... They don't make each machine to order, but they are happy to make machines to meet customer needs.
On the overheating issue, yes it happens to 1445s, you need to put on screening or keep a really close eye on your temperature gauge. That said, I have only gotten my machine beyond its normal 200-220F once, when mowing brush with dandelion like seeds. It took surprisingly little time for it to be an issue.
Frankly, I would keep an eye on it. If it turns out to be an issue for you, add the screening, move the PT hydraulic fan on to the side to blow cool air into the engine compartment and buy a larger fan (e.g. 18-20", with a relay) to replace the PT hydraulic fan. Its cheap, and a win-win-win solution.
All the best,
Peter
On the overheating issue, yes it happens to 1445s, you need to put on screening or keep a really close eye on your temperature gauge. That said, I have only gotten my machine beyond its normal 200-220F once, when mowing brush with dandelion like seeds. It took surprisingly little time for it to be an issue.
Frankly, I would keep an eye on it. If it turns out to be an issue for you, add the screening, move the PT hydraulic fan on to the side to blow cool air into the engine compartment and buy a larger fan (e.g. 18-20", with a relay) to replace the PT hydraulic fan. Its cheap, and a win-win-win solution.
All the best,
Peter
MossRoad
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Regarding overheating and mowing... even conventional tractors overheat due to the radiators getting plugged with chaf. When I had my International 2500b and was brush hogging, the hydraulic cooler would get plugged very easily, especially if the weeds were as high as the grill. The nice thing was all you had to do was open the grill, brush off the front of the hydraulic cooler, remove a wing nut, swing the hinged hydraulic cooler out of the way and brush off the engine radiator. PT should have done a better design on the cooling on the bigger units.
RegL
Platinum Member
I find carrying a good hand held leaf blower, while mowing in hot weather, to be handy for blowing out the coolers and blowing off the whole tractor. Even when away from the truck or house it's not to hard to find a place to strap it on to the tractor.
MossRoad
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Our PT425 gets tons of debris stuck in the left front wheel motor as well as the engine compartment when mowing or brush hogging in heavy growth. I also use a leaf blower to clean it out. I clean it out after every use and sometimes hourly when out in the brush. I think I posted some pictures here of the accumulation once. I'll look for them.
MossRoad
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Here they are.
woodlandfarms
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One mod I keep thinking of is putting a metal plate across the front. I have had a number of occassions where stick will come in and jam things up. Something bolted on, maybe 3/8 thick, that would shield that sensitive area on the PT...
BobRip
Elite Member
All other things being equal, having the mower on the front and then driving through the dust and debris has got to be worse than having the mower behind and driving away from the debris.
woodlandfarms
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On this whole junk in the front conversation, anyone ever have a stick come through the cuttouts in front and jam the treddle in forward or reverse?
I did. THat was the craziest experience ever. It is amazing how fast you can back up, and how long it really takes to hit the engine kill... Must have looked totally comedic if you had been watching from a distance...
I did. THat was the craziest experience ever. It is amazing how fast you can back up, and how long it really takes to hit the engine kill... Must have looked totally comedic if you had been watching from a distance...
MossRoad
Super Moderator
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Can't say that has ever happened, but I have pushed my forks into a brush pile so far that a branch has pushed the joystick backwards, lifting the load, which pushed the joystick further back, which lifted the load even higher, etc... until I realized I had to reverse the heck out of there or be speared by brush.
SnowRidge
Elite Member
Can't say that has ever happened, but I have pushed my forks into a brush pile so far that a branch has pushed the joystick backwards, lifting the load, which pushed the joystick further back, which lifted the load even higher, etc... until I realized I had to reverse the heck out of there or be speared by brush.
Forced reverse? Self rising loads? What are you guys cooking (with)?
woodlandfarms
Super Member
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I cook with the good stuff, and I have had the magic lifting FEL as well. You just stare at it, going what the heck is now wrong with my PT??? You feel like there is a ghost in the machine...
