hill climbing ability

[Eaglepb]

I have been lokking at the PT Units for several months now. My dad bought a huntvee last Feb and likes it but for the fact it does not have any parking brake. This is a much needed item here in WV.
My questions is on the 1445 tractor (first unit with a braking system more then parking brake) how steep of a grade should it climb with bar tires and running a rough cut mower.
I thank you all for your input. Bob in Charleston,WV.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I am afraid any estimate would just be a guess. I have the 1845. It and the 1850 are actually marketed as slope mowers, at 40 degrees and 45 degrees respectively. I don't know if that is intended to mean that the machines will mow up the hill, or assumes that you will mow cross hill. My 1845, with single tires does get out of breath about the same time I lose traction mowing straight up the steepest hills, and I can go only at a creep. Sedgewood has reported that he mows a hill or two that his 1845 doesn't have enough power to climb. We both have taller tires than the duals. The 1445 has the same engine, but I believe torquier wheel motors and single tires, but heavier weight and a bit higher cg. It probably has the power to mow up a 35 or 40 degree hill, but will most likely have traction problems and be close to the limit of its power.
Frankly, however the machine(s) may be configured, I don't like to mow near the limits of traction, although the PT has minimal rollover risk. My 1845, and I'll bet the 1445, will mow up across or down any hill I have any interest in trying. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[SMJ]

I have a 1445 with turf tires and a six foot brush cutter. If the ground is dry I can mow going up a 30-35 degree slope. You need full throttle and low speed. An occasional wheel will slip.

SMJ

 

[J_J]

I really don't have any hills to test my 1445 on here in Fla, mostly flat land. It seems to do every thing I ask it to do. Mine is one of the older 1445's with the gas engine. The diesels are much louder than mine. I also have the three point hookup on all my implements. Quick attach is better.

 

[BobRip]

I have a 422. I would like more torque for getting up hills. There is a technique( wiggling) I sometimes use when going up a steep hill or stuck in the many logging ruts on my land. I turn the steering wheel back and forth (sometimes lock to lock) and apply power to the wheels. Until I learned this I was getting stuck quite often. Now I only get stuck when I go somewhere I really should not (like in the swamp). I got my Kubotoa stuck in the same places.
Of course the minhoe is great at pulling or pushing me out of a stuck place, if I have it with me. The bucket can also help, but not a well.
Is this technique commonly used? (the wiggle)

 

[Phils]

I had a 2WD Pug (also articulated for steering) and used that "wiggle" method many times to get unstuck.

So far, I've not even been close to getting this PT stuck so haven't had to use that method, but I do remember how and will if necessary.

 

[Rip]

Bob,

From experience I can confirm that my 1845 will work all day on 30 degree plus rocky slopes pulling and carrying logs and slash but I am not running a mower. I have foam-filled 26" turf tires and high-torque wheel motors set 4" wider overall.

The 1445 can be equipped with super wide turf tires instead of the standard loader tires which may be better for mowing operation.

Regarding your dad's HuntVee, the PJ-6x6 mining version is equipped with "automatic parking brake" which is probably internal wet-disc on two or more wheels similar to what the 1445 comes with. I would talk to Scott or Terry to find out if it would be possible to retrofit your unit with that system. I agree with your safety concern ragarding a unit without ANY parking brake. If you can not work something out with them, a good hydraulic or machinery mechanic should be able to rig up something similar.

Good luck and have a happy Thanksgiving!

 

[BobRip]

I'll send you a few loads of swamp and ruts. I had the tractor for six months before learning this. That's when I started carrying a winch and come along at all times. I hope more know about it now.

 

[MossRoad]

I use the PT wiggle often, especially when excavating. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[PowerTrom425]

Indeed, the PT Wiggle has gotten me out of a bind or two... The first time was shortly after I got it. I was pretty well up to the belly plates in wet sandy, marshy gunk, and the old reliable forward/reverse action that I'd used for years wasn't doing the trick. And I was getting in deeper and deeper. And wouldn't you know three neighbors were watching and talking and probably taking bets on the chances of my getting out....And then I turned the wheel a little and I was surprised that it almost climbed out (I am no longer surprised at anything Henry does /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ). So I turned it the other way, and Henry literally popped out of the hole. Needless to say, the neighbors gained some new respect for the guy with a painted on smile on the funny looking tractor /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MikeOConnor]

Howdy Bob,

I'm a hill-climbing nut case who just got an 1850 a couple months ago. I'm not sure how comparable it is to the model you're looking at, but it's darn nifty.

I have been progressing into ever more ludicrous locations, doing a lot of brush-cutting and tree-clearing. So far I haven't been able to make the PT break a sweat.

Here's a link to Marcie's latest blog entry that features the PT. It's a little hard to see how steep those hills are, but my guess is that they're in the 30-35 degree range. I mowed the areas on the right with the brush-mower, and carried all the birch trees out with the grapple bucket.

Hope that gives you a feel for the possibilities...

 

[Rip]

Mike,

Glad to hear the 1850 is working well for you.... I figured it would when you described your application. I noted that Marcie mentioned a bit of trouble handling logs with the PT grapple bucket.

I had mentioned that I have (and really like) an AnBo 5' Light Weight Grapple Rake on my 1845. The standard version however will grab a bigger "fist full" of brush/slash with each load. There are other brands made in this style which should work well also. These will also grab and carry a number of most any size/length logs without manual intervention.

If you buy direct from the manufacturer you can have PT send the correct mounting plate (and hydraulic fittings) directly to them and they will weld it on and paint it so it is ready to work when you get it.

You have a real nice piece of land there, and I can see you enjoy working with it. Hope you have lined up good local recources for the inevitable engine, hydraulic, and welding issues down the line.

Good luck with everything!

 

[MikeOConnor]

Hi Rip,

Yep, I remember your post about the grapple rake. It's darn nifty looking -- I just went back out to their site again -- here's a link to AnBo's page for those of you riding along.

The problem that Marcie was describing is the "sheesh, Mike just nudged another pile of logs and they all rolled down the dang hill" problem. <grin>

We solved that by deciding that since we have to pick up every log (either to put it in a pile, or load it in the bucket) we'll just load 'em in the bucket. These hills are fragile enough that if I use the PT to make log piles *AND* forward the stuff down the hill I'll dig up the ground too much. So this "pile the logs in the bucket" solution's working pretty well.

We view it as back-limbering-up exercise.

Regarding the need for hydraulic/welding help -- I had my mechanically-smart neighbor take a look at the PT a few weeks ago. He's entranced and has offered to teach me how hydraulics work when something breaks. And he's got a welding shop too. Good thing -- I've already used his shop to weld rings around the air stems on a couple of the tires after ripping them off whilst brushing. I figure I'll have a complete set in a few more months. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Rip]

Mike,

Glad to hear you have some good resources lined up for modification/repairs. I know what you mean about keeping the number of trips across any given area to a minimum, that's why you want to maximize the efficiency of each operation.

Before I got the PT, I made a small set of bucket forks for my NH out of scrap 3" C channel and bolted them to the underside of the HD bucket. They only extended about 16" but almost trippled the number of logs I could carry per load with the bucket curled to max.

I also bolted two 2 x 3/8" flat bars to the upper outside edges of the bucket (like drift cutters on a snowblower) to prevent any logs from rolling back down the loader arms into my lap if I did not pay attention or traversing bumpy areas. As it was, they never "saved the day", but did provide peace of mind.

In any event, sounds like you have a system going so enjoy all you can before the snow shuts you down for a while.