Hydraulic noise

[tlb]

I don't know if this is a problem but my PT425 started making loud noises yesterday that I had not heard before. I bought it used with 246hrs and now have 266 hrs. The noise is most noticeable when running at high forward speeds and appears to be coming from either the front wheel motors or lift hydraulics. When I first noticed it, I was driving down a level path at about half max speed with a LMB on the front and the bucket was empty. The noise sounds like a clack-clack-clack. When I slow down to 1-2 MPH it seems to go away or is reduced in amplitude that makes it hard to hear over the engine noise.

Has anyone had this occur and could/is it an issue?
-Sundown

 

[Bob999]

Could one of the parking brake pins be dragging? Clack is not a sound I would normally associate with hydraulics.

 

[Rip]

Could be parking brake rod(s) not fully disengaging.

First check that control lever is fully retracting the rods. Note that there are springs involved.

Pull front wheels off and check that rod ends are not bent and thus not fully retracting.

Good Luck

 

[tlb]

Guys,
Thanks for the quick response. I didn't think of this since I rarely use the brake, but I do use it occasional (yesterday) and it is alway hard to move the level to engage or disengage.

Another (dumb) question. I have never removed tires on the beast. What is a godd, safe way of jacking the thing up. I only have a small 2-ton hyd jack. Can this be used safely or is there a better method?
Thanks,
-Sundown

 

[Rip]

Sundown,

First of all, you can lift and/or support a PT from anywhere on the belly plate... it's all quite strong. Just block other wheels and work on a fairly level area since the belly plate is slick.

Since you would be pulling the front wheels, you can use the down pressure of the lift arms (even with bucket attached) to raise the front end up off the ground and then block it up. The center pivot may allow the front end to tilt to one side or the other, but it is not hard to deal with.

The Parking Brake on your model is very much like the Park position on an automatic transmission in that you must be at a full stop before applying it, and often may have to apply a bit of "opposite power" to achieve "full stop" and/or to relieve pressure on it to release it.

It only works on the front wheels, and once either side gets bent or otherwise in a bind from rust or debris it will not fully retract. There is a good chance you can free it up, or in worst case may have to get replacement parts from PT.

When working on hilly terrain, you will have to get used to playing "footsie" with the treadle to smoothly control your possition since these models do not have a "service brake" and the machine will still creep forward or back on a slope with the treadle in "neutral" (more so with hot oil and as the wheel motors age).

If the tractor creeps under power in one direction on level ground, you may need to adjust the cable at the hydro back assembly on the main variable displacement pump. See your manual for this procedure.

Good Luck and enjoy your "new-to-you" machine.

 

[Bob999]

<font color="red"> What is a godd, safe way of jacking the thing up. I only have a small 2-ton hyd jack. </font>

If you are referring to a 2 ton bottle jack it should work to lift the tractor. However, I would strongly recommend that you use jack stands or solid wood blocking to support the tractor after jacking it up. This is good practice with any jack but with a bottle jack I would be very concerned about tipping when the tractor is raised with a single jack.

 

[tlb]

Guys,
Thanks very much for your response! Very good inputs from both of you. I'll let you know what I find out.
-Sundown

 

[FOURTEEN]

"" What is a godd, safe way of jacking the thing up. ""

Forget the jack!!!

Get a couple of 2X6s or 2X8s. Cut them into pieces nearly the full width of the belly pan. Nail together TWO stacks until each is an inch or two higher than the bellypan.

Now raise the front of the PT as high as possible with the bucket. Slid the first stack under the belly pan until it contacts the belly pan just ahead of the rear wheels. Slid the second stack under the front belly pan near the front wheels. Lower the PT with the bucket. The rear will pivot on the first stack to raise the rear wheels off the ground! The front will sit on the second stack with the front wheels off the ground! Quick, safe, and sound!!

PS: If you intend to remove the wheels, loosen the lug nuts before putting the PT up on the stacks!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[smartguyz]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What is a good, safe way of jacking the thing up. I only have a small 2-ton hyd jack. Can this be used safely or is there a better method?
Thanks,
-Sundown )</font>

I highly recommend using an ATV jack - I originally purchased one for my JD318, but it works really well with the PT425! They are widely available, and not too expensive.

-Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tlb]

Ok, I feel like a dunce. My 5 year old son had been playing on the PT425 (key removed of course) and pushed the brake handle up about halfway between on and off positions. Once I moved it back down to off the "hydraulic noise" went away. However, I found that after a couple of hours of working on the tractor, I started hearing the noise again, albeit very faint. I check the brake handle again and it had creeped up slightly from the off position. I pushed it back down and the noise went away. I either bumped it accidentally or it moved up on its own from all the vibration.
-Sundown