EH72 FI in new PT-425?

[Impulse]

I'm getting closer to ordering my PT-425, after a *few* delays, the old house went on the market today. I was reading another post where tmarks11 made a comment about sweet talking Terry into putting in the fuel injected model... so I did just that and gave him a call today.

He said "no way". They had made / sold 7 or 8 of them with the EH72 FI and that it wasn't a good fit for the machine. I mentioned the posts about people putting them in and getting around the heat issues, the thermistor or temp probe that was cutting off the engine, etc. Still a no-go. He insisted that the 25HP model was the best fit. I was raised to get the biggest engine available in anything you buy, so even with Terry's legendary status around here and my lack of knowledge, my gut still says to push to see about the bigger power plant.

I was hoping for someone to shoot me straight on this. Is it something worth a continued pursuit or should I just let it go? Anyone here that has had the 25 and upgraded to the 28, can you chime in on the difference you've witnessed? Terry said that when they offered it, the upgrade was $500.

Thanks!

 

[MossRoad]

I don't know, but at Jack's small engines, the 28 is about $110.00 LESS than the 25...

Robin/Subaru EH722DSF EH72 28. HP Horizontal Engine - Jacks Small Engines

Robin/Subaru EH722DSF51 EH72 25. HP Horizontal Engine - Jacks Small Engines

As for the Robin engines in general... I haven't heard of anyone that's completely happy with cold weather starting. It must not get cold in Tazewell.

I wish they'd start putting the Kohler back in them. But I've beat that dead horse so many times my stick broke.

 

[Impulse]

The 25HP you listed is propane. It wasn't listed on the site but I searched on the model for more info. I looked at another site and looks like 28hp is about $400 more.

Robin Subaru V-Twin Engine 28 HP EFI 1-1/8" x 4" ES #EH722DSF 28hp @ $1799
Robin Subaru V-Twin Engine 25 HP OHV EH72 1-7/16" x 4.37" ES #EH722DS5191 25hp @ $1395

 

[woodlandfarms]

Well, if you want the most engine get the 1850 or 1860

 

[Impulse]

I took it a few steps further than the 1850/1860... it gets here Friday.

Really though, I've got 1.5 acres and I think anything larger than the 425 is overkill (if the 425 isn't already). So rephrasing to "biggest engine in desired form factor".

 

[Marks481]

I think the problem is that PT doesn't want to tinker with their design. They started putting the 28FI in, and I suspect they had to eat engine replacements due to heat related shutdowns on the few models they sold with them. From the sounds of it, there will be no more 28FI coming from PT.

The 28FI has a temp sensor that will shut it down if the engine gets too hot, so you get immediate feedback that you have a problem (rather than an engine that doesn't always run well, which is what you get with the carbureted engine). Engine not run = immediate warranty return. Engine not work well after two hours of mowing? Some grumbling.

Ask if they would sell you the PT with no engine?

I am still rocking my 22 hp carbonated engine, but I definitely need an upgrade. Definitely not enough power for field mowing. Unfortunately, other than occasionally bad hot weather performance, the engine is still ticking.

 

[joshlee]

From all of the posts I read about the EH72 FI, I wouldn't get one myself. There's allot of posts on here about vapor locking with those engines. I'm not sure if anyone found the true reason why that happens with those engines? My regular 25hp Subaru never had any issues with that, or overheating, although I still put the fan and stuff on. Good luck with the new PT 425, with whatever size engine you decide to go with.

Josh

 

[Marks481]

Hey Josh, aren't you selling your PT425 (with an awesome fan and exhaust mod)? And here Impulse is looking for a PT425....

...maybe you guys should talk.... you are practically neighbors (at least by the way we consider it out West)....

 

[joshlee]

Well Tim, this could be your machine since your talking about a upgrade:laughing: This will cut that heavy brush for ya!

How many of you guys have PT's out there in WA? I used to be a logger out here in PA, but the logging out there is for a TRUE LUMBERJACK, haha. I always admired those guys that climb way up there and top those trees.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I live in a logging community, most of the coastal pnw is logging. Brutal job. But IMO those huge trees are long gone and most of the stuff is factory trees, 15 to 20 year growth max. And now it is very mechnical. Small operations still have a significant labor force but the big ones are very automated.