Is anyone else having lots of problems with an 1850?

[RegL]

OK, I sent the town an email to get me in touch with Chris Zern (the guy mowing the dam).

I need to get the PT straightened out, even the big JD is too slow in the rough stuff.

Great! Be sure to post any good stuff you find out. They are only 30 miles from me but I haven't got over there to check out that PT, or even if they still have it.

 

[J_J]

Just posted treadle cable problems bought 2003 have had problems since new!!!bad design??power trac changed design to hydro unit in 2004 and say nobody else is having problems???well see

Has anyone tried to retrofit the old Hydraback to the newer hydraulic treadle?

Is there anyone that can explain how the hydraulic treadle works, and show pictures.

My assumption is that when you push on the treadle, you are actually pushing on a hydraulic cylinder, and the force is transfered back to another hydraulic cylinder which moves the lever on the tram pump. These cylinders could be equal in displacement or one or the other could be smaller and could move the larger cylinder but slower. Sounds simple enough, but is it so?

 

[MossRoad]

J_J,
The treadle is a valve. The hoses go directly into the variable volume pump from the treadle assembly. No visible cylinders.

 

[weaver]

Starter problems.

Almost a year ago, I had similar starting problems on my 1445. Replaced the ignition switch, checked out the neutral switch, cleaned battery terminals. Replaced battery. When I selected start, the starter would try and motor , or just barely turn. I fixed my problem with a new wire going from the start terminal on the ignition switch to the start terminal on the starter. I haven't had any problem with the starter since.

Do a seach and look at almost had a sedgewood that may help I had duezt starter problems and wired all new The starter is like $600 with shipping

 

[AltavistaLawn]

The Paul Hart was nice enough to email me back..quick too. I have the contact ph number for the MDC, I'll call tomorrow.

Mine is operational again...but has a flat tire, hopefully I can fix that today.

 

[RegL]

I was traveling thru Barkhampsted yesterday so I stopped to take a look at the face of that dam. That sucker is steep and it's a long way down to the bottom. I wouldn't drive anything short of a zepplin on that slope. The guys that mow that must get a lobotomy first. Makes me feel like a sissy, puckering up on the little hills that I mow. Anyway, while I was in the area, I found the garage and got a quick look at the old PT1850 with cab. Didn't get much info as it was quitting time and I didn't want to be a pest. Sure liked that cab. All I remember is that it was made in Canada somewhere.

By the way, where's that spell checker again?

 

[AltavistaLawn]

I haven't been able to catch up with Mike (Chris isn;t there anymore) we've played phone tag.

Meanwhile the nightmare continues. I'm replacing the tires with 10 ply, two soo far, I'm tires of flats every other day.

Yesterday, we pulled up to a jobsite (a power comp.) cranked up the 1850 and it poured hydro fluid, all over their driveway. It had no steering or hydraulics, only forward and rearward motion. Because it was an energy plant, management has to file reports on the oil spill..if it had made it to the ground, they would have been fined! More than likely, because of that piece of junk, I'll lose that account!

It is leaking around the spring and plunger on the little box mounted behind the left rear tires.

I think I'm going to find out what payoff is on it, and get out before I lose any more money.

 

[AltavistaLawn]

You can get some A/C in that PT also when you get the bugs worked out. These guys in Barkhamsted don"t mention all the problems some have.


http://www.barkhamstedhistory.org/Diary September 2003.htm

Mike called me this morning, a very nice man, he was really helpful. They use three other slope mowers for most of their work, which have liq. cooled yanmars, and Do Not Heat.

He said they get about thirty minutes before the AC shuts off and the cab heats up...then the engine over heats.
They've had electrical problems too.

I'm calling now to get pay-off of that piece of junk.

 

[AltavistaLawn]

Well, Pay Off is too high, so looks like I'm stuck!

Oh, and Mike's exact words were "WEll, now I know we're not the only ones having problems with this machine."
!

 

[RegL]

Well, Pay Off is too high, so looks like I'm stuck!

Oh, and Mike's exact words were "WEll, now I know we're not the only ones having problems with this machine."
!

Gee! I wonder if they want to sell it? Seems kind of dum to keep using a machine for 8 or 10 years if they are having that much trouble with it. I can tell you that their other tractor is not your Daddy's Bota. It's one big azz Kutquick ( or something like that.) and if I had the bucks for one of those I wouldn't be looking at a PT for mowing either. Trouble is I think the other brand is is only made to mow so I guess I would need both anyway.