How are they on hills

[BobRip]

Bob you said somebody has,,JDBEACH,,had bigger motors put on at factory for wheels,and it helps on hills,,,wonder how much an upgrade like that would cost? I'm having a hard time just figureing this wheel motor thing out anyways,,don't know much about hydrolics,,motors,,what,a gear box of some kind operated by hydro,,or a hydro pump of some kind?And why would bigger ones help,,just more oil flow or something?
And the oil getting hot part and reducing power,,this is all strange to me,,,how much does it reduce power,,must be a good bit,,read about using thicker hydro oil,,does that help,,or does it hurt in winter?
As far as fitting in back of pickup,,looks like according to specs the 425 won't,[but I ain't planning on taking it anywheres really anyways,,and its just 2 hours to there,,so could get a rollback wrecker to bring it and bring it back if it needed a real mecanic,,for couple hundred or so I bet? But the 425 has got a wheel base of 56 inches it says,the 422 has a wheel base of 48 inches,or so page says.
Yeah,I'm getting into this pt tractor thing,,will read more of course.
Still interested in hearing from anybody who mowes up hills,,and about them motors on the wheels and anything else that you all wanta throw in about the 425,,,thanks,thingy

Here is the (http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/92907-425-big-wheels.html) link on the 425 big wheel. It was about $2500 extra. You still have the slope limitation on the engine oil intake, so it probably does not add to the slope capabilities.

The larger wheel motors have more torque and are designed for a larger machine. I think their biggest advantage is in sand and mud (like the swamp that I have). Some help on slope, but I think the top speed is reduced. I think it is about $2500 more.

The oil getting warm is not a huge deal, but it is noticeable. PT went to thicker oil after my PT was built and I have changed mine to Mobil 1 15W50 from 5W30. This has helped me a lot. Keep on reading, it is time well spent.

 

[ponytug]

I think only the 1445 and up have the wet disk brakes. The wet disk brakes have the feature that a hydraulic failure or an engine stall postively engages the brakes.

The slope mowers have the separate circuit (aka Brake Tender) that Charlie mentions, which is probably even safer, as it has a separate circuit, and both an electric and mechanical engagement.

All the best,

Peter

I am certainly no expert on the brake tender but the brakes are spring engaged and hydraulically released so they come on automatically if there is a major hydraulic failure. I believe all 4 wheels have the brake but I do not know that for a fact. What I am curious about is this - if you have a major hydraulic leak, the brakes will come on. There is a hand pump that can be used to release the brakes when the engine is off. Is the hand pump plumbed separately from the rest of the hydraulic system such that, if there is a major hydraulic line rupture, one can still pressurize the line to release the brakes?

Ken

 

[thingy]

2,500 more,man!,,that puts the 425 up there at about 12,500 dollars,,plus I'd have to buy implements,,,,speaking of such,,regular 3 point implements cat 1,won't work on these or will they,just assumed no, got all cat 1 three point things I need now,,thats 4 -5,000 thousand right there,,,I was kinda figureing starting with just a hog,and than blade,and etc,,,,
Maybe these hills I got are only 15 degrees! So,you mean they don't use aw32 hydro oil or the like in hydro? First I'll follow Kens advice,,and figure out at about what degree hill I got,,[thats the worst case,most of what I mow is not steep at all,some even flat,its just I'd like to mow later what I mow now],,,and tell you all,,but don't think I'd be up for a 2,500 price increase,,maybe 1,000,,but that would be about it,,, thanks again men,thingy

 

[SpringHollow]

You can get a 3 pt adapter for non-powered implements for $425. I have seen powered ones for about $1800 or you can add your own hydraulic motor to the implement. Hard to beat PT's prices for their hydraulic implements if you do not already own them (at least for the big stuff).

Ken

 

[thingy]

Thanks,yeah didn't think they would take regular 3 point stuff,,but thats just the way it is,,,would start slow,,get the 5 ft hog when I got the tractor,,and go from there,,read on there web site a spot that said used tractors,,I wouldn't want to buy tractor used but maybe an implement like a blade or something.,,I'll figure that degree out today and let you know,,,thingy

 

[thingy]

Well using Kens advice,,got me a drive way marker,[which is 4 ft] taped a level on it and got a yardstick and checked it out. Just shows you that if you've never really done something you might not have a clue,[me].
Worst I found on hills was about 20 degrees and that just for a short piece,maybe 20 yards of 17-20 degrees in different places on these hills I mow,,most of hills are 11 to 12 degrees or so.May have one hill that is about 150 yards long,,maybe two places on it about 18 degrees that just stay that degree for maybe 10-20 yards,than the rest is about 12 degrees,,,the place with the 20 degree spot is short,[just a hump you might say] with the rest being about 10-11 degrees.
So,whata all think,think that 425 will mow these going forward? Of course would not mow if its wet,,,grass on these areas is light,mostly broom sage,,gets tall but very thin.
Would I need bar tires,,kinda thinking now about mowing yard with it too,,those bar tires tear up yard like an ag tire on a regular tractor,or are they wide enough that they don't?
Yeah was thinking,[since I'll have to buy all new attachments],,to start slow,,maybe finish mower first,to mow yard and some flat fields with,,and a blade to clear drive way,,than go from there.
Speaking of blade,,will it push 1 ft of snow or so forward,,may need bar tires for that huh? they make chains I bet to fit too. So top speed is about 8 mph? Thats more than fast enough I think,,,going down a hill like I described,,will it pick up speed on its own? or will it hold at what speed you want and not run away with you,,that one hill is about 150 yards long or so,,and no good flat ending,,,[creek bank,barbed wire fence,and multi flower roses!],,,,,thanks again,,,thingy

 

[MuncyBob]

Now that we have a better idea on your slopes I can better relate to your terrain, sorta sounds like my place. Except for the steepest of hills that I have I can mow going forward or traverse the hills. Going down a hill you will normally come to a gradual stop (or very slow creep on the very steep hills) without any treadle pressure but I think the force of gravity will get you a slightly quicker speed at constant treadle pressure as compared to flat surface. I have never lost control going downhill, but I do take it slowly and very carefully. I never run at full speed cutting grass...just too fast for me and I think you get a better cut at slower speeds anyways(with full engine throttle to keep the pto at highest speed). I have only the turf tires and find the traction on grass and snow to be fairly good. Don't plow with it so can't answer you on a foot of snow, but after a few heavy snowfalls this year I was glad to have my bucket!

 

[RegL]

Thingy, From your description of your property it sounds like you don't have much mud so I would go for the turf tires. I have a set of each and the only condition that favors bar treads, that I have found, is mud. Anything else and the turfs are better.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks,yeah didn't think they would take regular 3 point stuff,,but thats just the way it is,,,would start slow,,get the 5 ft hog when I got the tractor,,and go from there,,read on there web site a spot that said used tractors,,I wouldn't want to buy tractor used but maybe an implement like a blade or something.,,I'll figure that degree out today and let you know,,,thingy

The brush hog for the 400 series is 48", not 60". That may increase your mowing time, too.

 

[MossRoad]

Speaking of blade,,will it push 1 ft of snow or so forward,,may need bar tires for that huh? they make chains I bet to fit too. So top speed is about 8 mph? Thats more than fast enough I think,,,going down a hill like I described,,will it pick up speed on its own? or will it hold at what speed you want and not run away with you,,that one hill is about 150 yards long or so,,and no good flat ending,,,[creek bank,barbed wire fence,and multi flower roses!],,,,,thanks again,,,thingy

I can push 1 foot of snow with my 2001 model PT425. I have a paved, flat driveway and the older, less torque wheel motors and turf tires. You should be fine with the newer, more torque wheel motors.

They do make chains that will fit the PT425 wheel size. Look at Tire Chains by Tirechains.com.

8MPH will bounce you around pretty good on rough ground. I find it a good speed for transport across our lawn when shuttling mulch from end to end. On our wooded property, it is too fast to be safe, so I rarely floor it out there.

I will not pick up speed when going downhill. It stays about where ever you keep your foot in it. If you let your foot off the pedal, it will stop itself. If you want it to stop faster, just push your left foot down on the reverse. Here's a picture from the operator's perspective.

You can see the left and right foot pedals. If you step on the right pedal, forward you go. The left pedal also comes up as you step on the right pedal. Tredle action. As you let off, the unit will slow down. The more you let off, the slower it goes until you let off all the way and the unit stops. If you push the left pedal down, backwards you go. That's it. It doesn't get any simpler.