Larger Hydraulic Oil Cooler

MuncyBob · Jun 16, 2004

I have been using my 422 for a lot of mowing lately...running 2+ hours at a time.....no problems yet, but since I don't have a temp gauge I have no idea how hot the oil is getting. Fourteen raises a good question...one that I had from day 1....why is PT saying to use engine oil in hydraulics vs actual hydro fliud????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif....and why does my owners manual say to use a certain weight oil but yet there is a sticker on the resevoir that says to use a different weight? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Charlie_Iliff · Jun 16, 2004

my Radio Shack buzzer is barely audible. 
If I get back into modification mode, one of the things on my list is a little strobe wired to the alarm sender. I think an effective audible alarm on the 1845 would have to be so loud that it would kill my remaining hearing just starting the engine.

Charlie_Iliff · Jun 16, 2004

why does my owners manual say to use a certain weight oil but yet there is a sticker on the resevoir that says to use a different weight? 
An oft-asked question that has never been answered. PT engineers report through Terry that Amsoil synthetic THF (Tractor Hydraulic Fluid) would work fine. It's expensive.
The reason given for using motor oil is that it is available everywhere, inexpensive, and works fine. I'm not sure that the machines would last longer with hydraulic fluid, but one additive is anti-foam which may have something to do with the power-loss with heat problem. Just guessing. I really don't know why motor oil would foam more when hot, but it would explain the problem.
We have a Jacobsen hydraulic mower that loses power when hot. Our suspicion is that the pump needs rebuild, but not sure yet. It has always had hydraulic fluid.

dannygw · Jun 16, 2004

( Could all PT owners who have no trouble with oil temp please make a very boring post saying all is OK with their machine )

I have a PT425 with about 26 hrs on it and have not had any overheating problems yet. I am very happy with my purchase and with the performance of my 425. I would do it again in a second. I wish I would have known about PowerTrac a lot sooner. I did quite a bit of research before deciding on PowerTrac and I can truthfully say that everything about my PT425 is better than expected, with the exception of the rotary tiller, which is only adequate.

MossRoad · Jun 16, 2004

Could all PT owners who have no trouble with oil temp please make a very boring post saying all is OK with their machine
Thanks 

All is OK with my machine. 150 hours on the clock. (time for a filter change).

IrTxRx · Jun 16, 2004

MR and Danny,
Thanks, I feel jitters easing already. Just called PT and found out that a 72" brush cutter will soon be available for the 1445. I asked tham to tell me specs and guestimated cost of the 10 ton tree shear, but they didn't have any info yet. doesn't matter, i've sworn i won't purchase anything until next year (189 days and counting)

Sedgewood · Jun 16, 2004

Oil at 180 when it should not be above 160... who cares. Oil at 200, 220, 240 with everything appearing to be in proper working order makes me a little worried. 

Let's be careful we're not mixing apples & oranges here. My statement about 180 being the upper limit refers to HYDRAULIC FLUID temp and the point at which hydraulic system components start loosing life expectancy. The 240 referenced is the high point on the 1845/2445 ENGINE OIL temp gage and also its alarm buzzer trigger point.

Sedgewood

IrTxRx · Jun 16, 2004

Thanks sedgewood,

I went back and reread yardscapes post about his dash alarm/gauge and saw that you noted it was engine oil temp. However, what about Clarke's post with measure hydraulic temps of 220, that doesn't sound good. Also, regardless of the temp, both clarke and yardscape said that they lost power from viscosity changes due to oil temp. being in the medical field i kind of think of this like cholesterol, if you had a heart attack, it doesn't matter what your cholesterol is, it's too high. Likewise, it the PT's are losing power, it doesn't matter what the temp is, it's too high /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Out, out damned jitters

Clarke · Jun 16, 2004

I never said I lost any wheel power. I have not run the machine in any situations I would notice that although that may be an issue. I am seriously thinking of installing a temperature gauge that measures tank temperature and log what happens with different power settings with my attachments. I am also going to measure the temp. drop across the heat exchanger on a hot day at full power to see if it even works and has fluid flow through it. The 220 f temps were measured on a 89 f day after mowing with the 60" deck for 1.3 hrs. at full power settings. If my machine is operating as designed I would think all 425s are running these temps. There are a lot of machines with many reliable hrs. out there most likely running these temps. Blackwell seems to have the most hrs on his machines maybe he can comment.

sg

bryce · Jun 17, 2004

I would love PT to incorporate a 2 speed wheel motor design operated from a hydraulic solenoid that would change the range. Other hydrostatic manufacturers have hydraulic heat issues as well, but having 2 or 3 speed ranges maintains tractive torque. 

Do any companies make such a motor? Would it be a wheel motor, or pump on the engine?
Robert /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif