I'm Backkkk ! My old new 1425

[ponytug]

Faint knocking...here are a couple of ideas that spring to mind in rough order;

1. A loose wheel- have you removed the wheels, checked for dirt/rust, and then retorqued the lug nuts?
2. Something caught in the wheel hub (like the old bicycle with a playing card clipped to the frame.)
3. A brake pin/rotor that is out of alignment (what kind of brakes do you have? The 425 pin style?)
4. An out of round wheel hub
5. water in the hydraulic oil degassing as it warms up
6. A failing (bad) bearing

My bet would be #1.

I would also be open to the possibility that the sound is refracted from somewhere else. i.e. the engine. You might need to be running this engine on 89, rather than 87 octane, give the age of the engine and the changes in fuel.

All the best,

Peter

 

[J_J]

Ok got a chance to go out and drive the ol 1425 around the yard this morning. Noticed going up a steep hill there is a faint knocking noise under load coming from the front. Treadle is pretty stiff. And creeps in forward position until I back it off in the other direction then it stays in place. I had planned on taking the console off this weekend and checking everything out.

Looks like the machine can use some cleaning up and greasing.. Pretty sure this is a cable operated hydra-back so hopefully just some adjustments.. Anyone chime in about the faint knocking under load. The brake is off.. I didn't really notice it when I went to drive it. Other than that, the old machine runs very strong.. Like I said it's going to take me a while to get back up to speed with a power trac...Thanks in advance..

I was going to mention about the brakes which have slots in them, but if the brake puck is pulled back it should not be a problem.

Have you checked for loose wheel nuts?

Gently push the PT against a tree and see if the knocking is still there.

To adjust the Hydroback, raise all wheels off the ground.

Call Terry about how many threads should show on the Hydroback for neutral.

To clean the tub, spray some Dawn detergent in the tub and let sit for a while, then use a stiff paint brush and scrub away and then flush out with a pressure washer.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Knocking could be bypass (pressure builds up, then releases)

Something like that, unless you walk around with a stethescope, is going to be a wait for it to fail and then deal with it problem

 

[woodlandfarms]

Just saw these responses, didn't see it was related to the wheel motor. Forget what I said.

As for the cleaning, at least on my machine, I put on rubber gloves and have to remove all the debris in the tub, lots of oily grass in the bottom all the time.

 

[MossRoad]

Take it to a remote corner of the property open everything up and hit it with a leaf blower for the initial cleaning. I've had great luck with Simple Green cleaner mixed 50-50 with water in a pump sprayer for an initial cleaning. Its biodegradable. Dawn is great stuff too, as J_J mentioned. Then some engine degreaser for heavier crud. Just be sure not to drown it with water when spraying it off. Leaf blower works good for drying it off, too.

 

[Marks481]

Just be sure not to drown it with water when spraying it off

I have never had a single issue with hosing everything off when I am done mowing. YMMV. I would even use a pressure washer wand (although would give it time to dry off before moving it).

 

[Barryh]

Well thanks for all the responses, keeps me from having to search through all of the old threads and will save me time. Great check list to start out with. Haven't been home since I bought it, so this will be the first weekend I've had free to actually go out and observe.

I drove it around for about 30 minutes last night when I got home. Quick observation the light knocking sounds like a wood pecker. As in a hollow sound. It does not speed up or slow down with the machine.. It is intermittent briefly comes and goes. As the PT warms up it all but disappears. Sounds like it it's coming from the front still thinking wheel motor or motors. or maybe a bad valve. It's not the engine, it runs smooth and strong.

Took J.J.s advice drove up and pushed against a tree and no knocking sound the wheels break loose and spin in place. By the time I had put it back in the garage, the sound was pretty much gone. Seems to do it more when it's cold. Brakes are the pin style. Per the suggestions I will take the wheels off and check brakes, everything closely. Is there a torque spec for the wheel nuts? Will of course look in my manual before then.

Other observation the treadle is hard to push down and very stiff. Will have to take the console off and see if there is dirt, rust etc in there. But when you push it down hard the PT really really takes off.

Well looks like I have a lot of work to do this weekend. Will clean out the tub I found a black widow spider in there yesterday after having my hands down in the machine the day before. That was fun .. Will go with Dawn, I've always liked the grease cutting power. I have a good leaf blower pressure washer and compressed air so between the three she should come out nice and clean.

I knew when I bought the older 1425 there would be some work to do.. That doesn't bother me, I know Power tracs are solid machines and I like working on things in the garage great therapy. This will be the last tractor I plan to buy as long as I can locate parts. I really missed the little 180 so when I went to see this one, it was love at first sight. Before it's all said and done hopefully I'll have it upgraded and running like new. With the help of this forum it will be fun learning how the hydraulic system really works.

 

[KentT]

I'm sure you've run across this old info on PT's site:

Spring 96

Interestingly, it shows a PT-1425 with dual wheels - a mini-slope mower:

 

[Barryh]

Yeah I have the link on the second page of this thread..

I wish there was more info out there on the differences old and new. I find it interesting. Would like specific info as in who builds the pumps etc. I bet Terry won't tell me if I call. But I know in time I'll have to find out.

I had the luxury of the PT-180 being new. With the 1425, I'll need to get down to the nitty gritty and learn exactly how the system works and every part in it. That's not a bad thing, I bought it knowing the guys on here will chime in if I get really stumped. Without the support of this forum. I would have just went ahead bought another regular tractor.

Now I need to save up and buy a Rop's don't like driving it around or into the woods without one. Had a small tree come down on top of me with the Kubota the Rop's saved my *** big time. I do have this 1418 to look at. I will be using his diverter valve idea somewhere down the road.. tractor ..

 

[woodlandfarms]

You might want to post a want to buy ad about the rops at PT Site. you never know, people do take them off.

I doubt much, if anything, has changed given pt's history