Has anyone ever converted a PT to liquid cooled?

[royalslover]

I am wondering how hard it would be to convert from a Kohler(I hate them) to- say a Kabota water cooled engine.

 

[woodlandfarms]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/112869-2004-model-pt-422-modified.html

 

[J_J]

I am wondering how hard it would be to convert from a Kohler(I hate them) to- say a Kabota water cooled engine.

You must have had a bad experience with Kohler engines. You would be in the .5 % of people that don't like Kohler engines. That change out to a Kubota engine is an expensive proposition.

I happen to have one of a small group of water cooled PT's. It is probably early 90's

It is a 45 hp Ford , 4 cyl, industrial engine. It runs very well and I have not had any trouble with it.

 

[MossRoad]

In my opinion, the smaller PTs (425 and under) do not have the room to install a water cooled engine. With the gas tank, battery, muffler, variable volume pump and two PTO pumps, they would have to make the unit larger to accomodate the engine cooling system. If the unit gets larger, that defeats the purpose of a small footprint tractor to get into tight spaces. I'm sure is could be done, but just don't see it as practical to the smaller line.

 

[royalslover]

I don't know how big the group of people is that hate Kohler, but I am definitely in that group. I have had horrible experiences with Kohler, especially the 25 horse. That's one of the things that worry me about PT.

 

[KentT]

I don't know how big the group of people is that hate Kohler, but I am definitely in that group. I have had horrible experiences with Kohler, especially the 25 horse. That's one of the things that worry me about PT.

Then go newer, and get the 25HP Robins instead of the Kohler.

Personally, I'd choose the Kohler over the Robins... and I'd rate only the Honda or Kawasaki equal or better than Kohlers in this size air-cooled engines. The Briggs Vanguard twins seem to be real contenders, but they don't have the proven longevity of the Kohler Command twins yet...

Another factor that hurts with water cooled, especially diesel, is weight. Diesels are heavier constructed because of the high compression ratios and this generally means HEAVY, in comparison...

A comparable water cooled engine would likely weigh 100-200 lbs more... not in all cases, I'm sure, but certainly if they were "industrial-type" engines.

 

[royalslover]

I was under the impression that PT used to come with robin engines and they switched to Kohler. Is it the other way around? when did they switch? From the pictures I've seen it does look like there's not a whole lot of room to work with.

 

[ponytug]

Hey, I know, how about a VW Mark IV? The originals put out 68HP, air cooled. You might have to cut the tub out abit, but you would have good cylnder cooling out there. Then you could turbocharge it and coat the cylinders and end up with a 240HP monster. Might cure Woodlawns' power and lifting issues.
Or you could go diesel, e.g. an older lister type.

Seriously, if you don't like the Kohler, buy one with a Robins, or buy a Kubota. My experience with small engines is that they all have issues, and if you are lucky, the factory was humming along the day yours was made. If it wasn't, well you have to rebuild it abit. But they aren't that complicated.

Like most things in life, it's a tradeoff. If you like the other attributes, you just have to decide that when it is worth it to you.

Many of the people here own PTs, but not all. Those who bought one did so because it made sense. Those who don't own them, their math told them it didn't make sense for them, or it no longer made sense for them.

I have steep slopes, and I can't afford the Swiss machine, so it was either buy a PT or walk. (who has the great story of using mules on steeps slopes here?)

I'm happy. Is the PT perfect? No, but it is perfect for me, because I can either fix or live with what I perceive to be its shortcomings.

BTW, until you have used one of these on soft soil, it is hard to appreciate how little impact they have and how well they turn. I'm not in the landscaping business, except for myself, but I'd think they would be a dream come true for getting access across lawns.

All the best,

Peter

Then go newer, and get the 25HP Robins instead of the Kohler.

Personally, I'd choose the Kohler over the Robins... and I'd rate only the Honda or Kawasaki equal or better than Kohlers in this size air-cooled engines. The Briggs Vanguard twins seem to be real contenders, but they don't have the proven longevity of the Kohler Command twins yet...

Another factor that hurts with water cooled, especially diesel, is weight. Diesels are heavier constructed because of the high compression ratios and this generally means HEAVY, in comparison...

A comparable water cooled engine would likely weigh 100-200 lbs more... not in all cases, I'm sure, but certainly if they were "industrial-type" engines.

 

[KentT]

I was under the impression that PT used to come with robin engines and they switched to Kohler. Is it the other way around? when did they switch? From the pictures I've seen it does look like there's not a whole lot of room to work with.

They switched from Kohlers to Robins around five or six years ago. I think there was one year when the 418/422 were Robins but the 425s were Kohlers, but I'm not sure. Now, all the gas engines are Robins...

 

[J_J]

I was under the impression that PT used to come with robin engines and they switched to Kohler. Is it the other way around? when did they switch? From the pictures I've seen it does look like there's not a whole lot of room to work with.

I don't think that your really want a PT. If you do, contact PT and see if they will sell you a PT with out an engine. Then you could put your favorite engine in and deal with all the mechanical complications that are sure to happen.

Did you happen to bid on that PT and tiller that was on Ebay last night, both were good deals.