Congratulations to all PT Owners

[bbabineau]

For the last several months I have been reading postings under the PT banner as well as those of Green, Blue, Orange and other colors.

My intent is to decide which machine I will purchase to maintain and complete my retirement property.

While all of the forums have interesting information, the PT forum stands alone in the number of postings that are about the wonderful accomplishments that have been achieved with the help of the PT.

Most of the forums seem to be only about failures or problems and ask if anyone can help. Sure there is some of this in the PT forum and it would be expected, especially since there really is no dealer to deal with the service problems.

Which brings me to my quandry! I'm not sure that I am capable of assuming the repair and maintenance duties of a PT on top of learning how to make the best use of its capabilities. I need some encouragement with these duties before making the leap and would appreciate your comments.

However, keep up the good work in posting your successful projects and the good times that you have with your PT's.

I also love reading about the creative minds at work thinking up new attachments. Most other forums will spend pages of posts deciding where to put a bucket hook or how much weight is necessary in the tires to pick up a bucket of gravel.

Thanks for all the insightful information.

 

[pajoube]

This is a concern all of us have had. I keep coming back to the issue of maintenance on any type of tractor whether it be orange, green, blue or whatever. All will need maintenance at some point beyond the normal preventative type. Then I started thinking about what I would do if I had bought an orange machine, could I do maintenance on it beyond the normal greasing and oil change? Yep, to some degree but for all else I would be taking it into the local dealer. Well, my PT425 has the same issues, I can do the normal preventative greasing and oil change. When more is needed I take it into the local repair shops which have no problem that this machine is green and not of the other names. All parts of my 425 are off the shelf of each of these repair shops with no one having stated that they don't know what to make of this green machine. In fact everyone stands around looking at the COOL machine and lets get it fixed so they can try it out.
Your concerns are normal, keep reading TBN and the PowerTrac forum, we are here to help you as a family member.
PJ

 

[MossRoad]

I agree with Paul's comments. Make sure there are reputable engine and hydraulic shops in your area as well as a good welder. For the gas powered units, a good, non-denominational lawn mower shop would be an excellent resource.

 

[FOURTEEN]

<font color="red"> Compared to 'regular' CUTs there are so many things that you can't have trouble with: NO clutch, transmission, gear shift, radiator, water pump, transfer case, gear range, front differential, rear differential, universals, steering gear, tie rods, brakes, sheet metal or plastic body parts, etc, etc!!!!

Engine: Any Kohler or Robin small engine service center.

Hydraulics: Any hydraulic shop.

Broken metal: Any welding shop.

Unique repair parts: Power Trac.

How to diagnose or repair: Power Trac and TBN.

With a little care and common sense you should rarely need more than routine maintenance. A Power Trac is not "Fix Or Repair Daily"!!

</font>

 

[MuncyBob]

I was in the same position as you just over a year ago. I must say that I do not regret taking the PT plunge at all!! I have average mechanical ability(and so far have not really needed to be much of a mechanic) and this too concerned me...but the above comments ring true....have a local person you can rely on for those tasks you don't want to attemnpt and use this forum for a wealth of advice and knowledge. My only regret is that I didn't know about these machines 12 years ago when we moved out here!

 

[SnowRidge]

<font color="blue"> For the last several months I have been reading postings under the PT banner as well as those of Green, Blue, Orange and other colors.

My intent is to decide which machine I will purchase to maintain and complete my retirement property.

While all of the forums have interesting information, the PT forum stands alone in the number of postings that are about the wonderful accomplishments that have been achieved with the help of the PT. </font>

A great deal of that probably stems from the lack of local dealers and the fact that an owner rarely has a neighbor with a Power Trac. For example, I also have a Branson, which is not the most well known brand, yet there are three of them on my road alone. The closest Power Trac is at least 40 road miles away.

The TBN PT forum provides the social equivalent of the back yard fence for Power Trac owners, and I think that is the primary reason for the difference in the tone of the forums.

<font color="blue"> Which brings me to my quandry! I'm not sure that I am capable of assuming the repair and maintenance duties of a PT on top of learning how to make the best use of its capabilities. I need some encouragement with these duties before making the leap and would appreciate your comments. </font>

OK, here are the things that you will likely have to do at least once in awhile, some more often than others:

Change engine oil and filter.
Change air filter.
Clean air filter pre-filter.
Service battery.
Change hydraulic filter and bleed air from system.
Grease pivot points, which range from easy to difficult.
Spray lube ball joints.
Deal with a mower flat, if you have a mower.
Change/sharpen mower blades, if you have a mower.
Deal with a main wheel flat, especially if you brush hog or field mow.

Less likely, but possible things you may have to do:

Pull and repair/replace a hydraulic motor.
Pull and repair/replace a pump.
Pull and repair the engine.
Replace a hydraulic hose.
Replace an oil cooler fan.

It is hard, in general, to predict how much maintenance or repair any given PT will require. Power Trac's QC seems to be, well, variable. In my opinion, an owner needs to be a fair general mechanic, with the ability to self teach on new systems he may be unfamiliar with, such as hydraulics.

<font color="red">From 14 -- Engine: Any Kohler or Robin small engine service center. </font>

To misquote Yoda, "ROFL, I am."

Sure--as long as you have the engine tucked under your arm.

If the engine is dead, you have to get the machine to the shop, which in itself will be difficult, and a lot of small engine shops aren't equipped to pick up something like a Power Trac, not to mention they probably will have no idea how to handle it with a dead engine, or how to deal with its unique (to them) hydraulics, which if not done just right can destroy the drive pump.

You really need a shop that can handle something like Toro Dingos, but they will likely have to learn on your equipment, time, and money, or you can take the engine alone to the shop of your choice, which means you need to be able to pull it yourself or have someone available who can do it for you.

I've already been down that road. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I recommend you take a good look at your requirements and compare them with the Power Trac's unique abilities and liabilities versus those of a conventional CUT.

You may find that a small Kubota--or similar--is a better choice. For the same money you will have something with a water cooled diesel, which, is far, far more desireable than an air cooled gasoline engine--assuming you are considering one of the gasoline powered PTs.

It would also have a standard 3 point hitch, which means cheaper implements and the ability to pull something like a plow, which a Power Trac can't do (the potato plow doesn't count), and you might be able to borrow a neighbor's implement or two, plus it would have local parts and service.

In short, don't base your choice on the tone of the TBN forums, and please realize that some of those posting unrealistic "rosy scenarios" regarding their particular brand and or model choices are doing nothing more than justifying their own decisions.

But if in the end you decide a PT is the way to go, welcome to the club and best of luck.

 

[mlhunter]

I agree with those that recommend finding a good hydraulic shop. When I broke a couple of hoses, I took them to a hydraulic shop to get new ones made. They told me I can bring them hydraulic parts to fix or I can bring them the whole tractor to fix if I prefer doing that. Further investigation of this company found them to be an established and reputable company. While I hope I never have to use them I feel good about having them in my "back pocket" of ever needed.

My $0.02 worth.

 

[Piedmont3]

I have had several problems with my PT-425.
I have replaced the key switch/starter switch, /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif the fuse located in the extreme bottom of the engine compartment, /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif 1 hydraulic hose, /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif and had an oil cooler line on the engine explode, /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif the mechanic first thought it was the main seal. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I still wouldn't trade my PT for my neighbors big Red "Real" tractor. (his words), because he always comes to ask if I can help when he needs something done in the backyard(48" gate) /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif or when he needs a hole dug, (I have a mini hoe) /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. because I spent less than him and can do many more things than he can /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. Except mow 10' at a time. He has a big drag behind finish mower. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

<font color="red"> Don't get me wrong! A Power Trac is not perfect! It can break! It can have problems! I have made several improvements to mine!

BUT! All things considered, there isn't a tougher, more reliable, more versatile, owner friendly, CUT out there!! The only thing worse than owning a PT is owning anything else!! (But if you want to plow a field, buy something else! Most other jobs are easier with a PT!)

If the engine dies on any CUT, you face the same problem of getting it to a shop for repair. Usually an engine gets sick before it dies, and can help load itself for transport.

Most parts on a PT are just relatively simple bolt-ons. Try pulling the engine, transmission, or an axle out of a Kubota or John Deere to change it or take it in for repair!

A Kubota or JD is certainly no easier to move or repair with a broken or inoperable engine, clutch, transmission, transfer case, gear range, front differential, rear differential, universal, axle, steering gear, tie rod, or brake than a Power Trac with engine or hydraulic problems!!

A Kohler Service Center works on Kohler engines. It really doesn't matter much to them what tractor, or mower, or tool that engine is attached to! In most cases removing the engine is not necessary or desirable!

In the unlikely event that transport is needed, a U-Haul trailer, pickup, or snow mobile trailer is all that is needed to get the PT to a shop. A PT-425 only weighs about 1500#.

Most homeowners will never wear out an air cooled gas engine, and the money not spent on a diesel will easily pay for an overhaul, or replacement, if one is ever needed!! (After 29 years the Kohler engine in my Power King tractor runs as sweet and clean as it ever did!)

Worrying about possible, but unlikely, major problems is letting the tail wag the dog!! Buy the best CUT to do the jobs you need done! If the unexpected happens, then deal with it!! Don't use an axe just because you can't easily repair a chainsaw!! (Even axes get dull and break handles!!)

</font>

 

[SnowRidge]

<font color="blue"> If the engine dies on any CUT, you face the same problem of getting it to a shop for repair. Usually an engine gets sick before it dies, and can help load itself for transport. </font>

It is hardly the same problem. If you can't haul it yourslef, on any CUT with a local dealer, in most cases, you can call the dealer, and he will come out and get it. The dealer sends out two important assets: A roll-on transporter with a winch and someone who knows how to load a dead tractor without damaging it. This may or may not cost the owner depending on the warranty situation and the manufacturer and dealer's policies.

With a Power Trac, you are pretty much on your own, which is fine for some people, not so fine for others.

Banking on the engine dying a slow death instead a sudden one, so that it can help load itself is bizzare.

<font color="blue"> A Kohler Service Center works on Kohler engines. It really doesn't matter much to them what tractor, or mower, or tool that engine is attached to! </font>

I have visited or called every authorized Kohler repair joint for at least twenty five miles at every point on the compass. Virtually all of them are primary dealers for some sort of branded power equipment. The few that aren't look like the inside of a scrap heap, and it's pretty clear while nobody will let them sell their OEM stuff--and I won't let them touch my engine.

Most of the good ones are up front on their priorities. Around here it goes like this:

1. Regular commercial customers who buy their equipment at the shop.

2. Warranty service for anyone else who bought their equipment there.

3. Non-warranty service for anyone else who bought their equipment there.

4. Everyone else.

Yes, they do care what is attached to the motor. They care very much.

<font color="blue"> In most cases removing the engine is not necessary or desirable! </font>

Only routine service is possible on a Kohler installed in a PT-425--and it is not even possible to do all of it that the manual calls for. As with virtually any air cooled engine, the cooling shroud has to be removed for anything but the most minor service. For that, the engine has to be removed.

<font color="blue"> Most homeowners will never wear out an air cooled gas engine, and the money not spent on a diesel will easily pay for an overhaul, or replacement, if one is ever needed!! (After 29 years the Kohler engine in my Power King tractor runs as sweet and clean as it ever did!) </font>

The advantages of diesels go far beyond longevity. There is no way that your 29 year old Kohler could be legally manufactured today. The EPA and CARB rules have engines running much leaner and hotter than they have previously. They aren't going to last nearly as long.

These are facts that any prospective PT owner should keep in mind. Sugar coating the potential service issues does a disservice to those considering a PT.