Is anyone else having lots of problems with an 1850?

[Bob999]

After two hours of pressure washing today, I see yet another design flaw. I do not understand why PT didn't make the belly pan removable (like most equip., bull dozers, etc.) for cleaning and access.

Just an observation about the design--the Duetz engine mounts are mounted directly to the "belly pan" in my 1845 and the front of the pan is the bottom of the hydraulic oil tank. I suppose that a larger access hole could be cut in the pan than the existing small hole to drain the engine oil but a removable belly pan would require an entirely different engine mount system.

 

[Gravy]

AV & Charlie,

Yes, I was referring to the post about the Roanoke Duetz (Blue Ridge Injection?) mechanic's dismissal of alternate oil coolers. If a filtration system is workable, I'm all for it. If it's not, a larger cooler could work. Finding a way to mount & plumb it might be a serious challenge.

The belly pan may contribute significantly to the structural rigidity of the machine. It strikes me as a monocoque design. It's also very simple, which seems to be near the top of PT's design criteria list.

I sure hope these problems get worked out. In spite of it's imperfections, I'm delighted with my PT. I don't know of anything else in the marketplace that can touch it, even for a lot more money (which I don't have).

Wishing everybody a great holiday, whatever you celebrate!

Gravy

 

[AltavistaLawn]

We found the leak, I think. I haven't had enough time to really try it out, its pouring rain now.

I was very fortunate, my buddy's brother (who is a diesel mechanic) and his buddy (a HVAC tech.) came over with a big light and dye.

We dyed the oil, then slowly moved the macine on a down slope, started at the front and worked our way back , until we came to the V217 accumulator, it was leaking at the connection at the accumulator manifold, I replaced the o-ring and it seems to have stopped. I have no idea what this thing does, maybe its what locks down the hydraulics when the engines shut off??

My buddy's brother did make one observation..he said that things a "rat nest", it would be nearly impossible to find a leak in the front of the engine. He asked why in the world I bought something built like this; I said theres really nothing else on the market that will do what it will.

He gave me a good idea also, that I needed to get a good black light and keep dye in the fluid, and weekly inspect it for small leaks and try to keep it from getting so out of hand.

 

[J_J]

We found the leak, I think. I haven't had enough time to really try it out, its pouring rain now.

I was very fortunate, my buddy's brother (who is a diesel mechanic) and his buddy (a HVAC tech.) came over with a big light and dye.

We dyed the oil, then slowly moved the macine on a down slope, started at the front and worked our way back , until we came to the V217 accumulator, it was leaking at the connection at the accumulator manifold, I replaced the o-ring and it seems to have stopped. I have no idea what this thing does, maybe its what locks down the hydraulics when the engines shut off??

My buddy's brother did make one observation..he said that things a "rat nest", it would be nearly impossible to find a leak in the front of the engine. He asked why in the world I bought something built like this; I said theres really nothing else on the market that will do what it will.

He gave me a good idea also, that I needed to get a good black light and keep dye in the fluid, and weekly inspect it for small leaks and try to keep it from getting so out of hand.

The accumulator is designed to store fluid. It probably supplies hydraulic fluid to the brake set-up when you shut the machine down

As far as finding a leak at the front of the engine, that's where a small mirror and small black light comes in handy.

You must have skipped over my post about the dye and black light.

After you have found the leak. you need to wash the area with the leak, with with detergent until all traces of the dye are gone. You don't have to add more dye for a long time.

 

[AltavistaLawn]

Gravy,
I think you're exactly right.

JJ,
Yes, I failed to post it, but I am going to add dye to the hydraulic oil, after we get it cleaned out.

Looks like a very nice day today (temps near 70) to go get dirty.

Nope, I didn't skip over it.

 

[kmaz]

hey altavista, how far are you from power trac? I thought on another post it was mentioned that you were 4 hours away, is this correct? If so , why dont you take it there and have them go right through it. Im sure it would be in their best interest to make things right somehow with you.I know your frustrated with your machine now and no disrespect is meant with this post...I would just love to hear things work out a little better for you somehow and if thats what it would take...why not?

Kris

 

[J_J]

Altavistalawn, With all the troubles you are having, have you considered the possibility that someone that you ticked off is getting back at you. Is one person operating the PT, or is everyone playing with it?

When I was in the landscaping business, I had some of those on purpose accidents. Regular gas in a 2-stroke weed eater. Backing into, and hitting things. Run a machine into a lake. Sling rocks into glass window. Stealing blank checks out of the middle of the check book and much more.
You have to get rid of the bad ones.

 

[J_J]

Just an observation about the design--the Duetz engine mounts are mounted directly to the "belly pan" in my 1845 and the front of the pan is the bottom of the hydraulic oil tank. I suppose that a larger access hole could be cut in the pan than the existing small hole to drain the engine oil but a removable belly pan would require an entirely different engine mount system.

My engine and radiator assembly is bolted to two rails which sit on the belly pan. Even though the belly pan has holes, they do not match up with the nuts and bolts. It is a disign flaw. They could just as easily cut holes right under the lockdown nuts. It is a real pain to uncouple the engine from the frame. You actually need small hands and short wrenches. I have to do this to remove my tram and PTO pump. They left no room at the end to just umbolt and slide the PTO pump off.

 

[AltavistaLawn]

hey altavista, how far are you from power trac? I thought on another post it was mentioned that you were 4 hours away, is this correct? If so , why dont you take it there and have them go right through it. Im sure it would be in their best interest to make things right somehow with you.I know your frustrated with your machine now and no disrespect is meant with this post...I would just love to hear things work out a little better for you somehow and if thats what it would take...why not?

Kris

Yes, I've seriously considered it. After each break down and fix, I say maybe this time it will hold up better. The alternator problem, they will say is a Deutz problem.

 

[AltavistaLawn]

Altavistalawn, With all the troubles you are having, have you considered the possibility that someone that you ticked off is getting back at you. Is one person operating the PT, or is everyone playing with it?

When I was in the landscaping business, I had some of those on purpose accidents. Regular gas in a 2-stroke weed eater. Backing into, and hitting things. Run a machine into a lake. Sling rocks into glass window. Stealing blank checks out of the middle of the check book and much more.
You have to get rid of the bad ones.

I operate it about 75% of the time. Then its only Calvin, a buddy of mine who has been with me for years (it was his brother who came out Christmas Eve to dye it)...
Now the trimmers, and small tools are a different story; thats why I don't complain about Stihl ...but we always have some two stroke equipment down.