Limits on reverse speed

[JD-Beach]

I know that I'm a little inexperienced, but every time I get on my PT I go too fast in reverse. I often get concerned that I'm going to back into the deck or into the house and not have time to catch my mistake before the damage occurs. I allowed my Kubota buddy on my PT for a test run and he did the same thing.

... So ... I added a limiting device on the treadle to limit the travel distance of the treadle and, in turn, limit the top speed of the reverse direction. I used a 5/16 threaded fastener and turned it onto an existing bolt. ... wala. .... success! ... my reverse speed is limited to something reasonable no matter how hard I step on the reverse side of the treadle.

I had to cut approx 3/16 of length off of the threaded fastener to get the correct limits. Now I'm confident that whenever I'm in the seat, ... or whenever I have my friends operate the PT we'll have plenty of time to react to what may otherwise have been a bad decision.

 

[DieselPower]

That's a good safety feature you added there. Kind of makes you wonder why they don't do that at the factory.

 

[MossRoad]

My PT425 is a 2001 model with the treadle cable and hydroback unit. I think yours has a hydraulic valve attached to the treadle. Many owners seem to imply that the treadle is too sensitive on the units with your setup. That is why PT came out with the spring kit for the treadle. It makes the treadle stiffer. You may want to look into that spring kit if you do not have it installed already.

Personally, I would never give up my full reverse speed. It is just to handy to be able to go the same speed forward that you can do in reverse. I frequently run my PT at full throttle and full speed (8mph) forward and reverse. When I am transferring material from one place to another I just push into the pile, crowd the bucket full and stomp it down to the floor in reverse all the way to where I'm going. I don't have to waste time turning around I find that traveling in reverse at full speed with a full bucket is much safer than forward because if the bucket hits something going forward, you get roughed up or stopped suddenly. If you skid the bucket over something in reverse if just slides over it. I also use the armrests when traveling in reverse. I just lean on them like a train engineer and I can look in either direction.

 

[jfh28]

LOL! Memories of my first days on the pt. First thing I did was almost take out our rear deck when reversing.

That's a nice solution for your problem. I have since learned I work best by keeping both feet on the treadle so I can apply opposing pressure.

Jack



I often get concerned that I'm going to back into the deck or into the house and not have time to catch my mistake before the damage occurs.

 

[ddonnell]

JD,

That's one of the nice things about a two pedal hydrostat. You don't have to "center" the treadle or fight your right foot with your left. It seems to me that PT could eliminate the treadle design and use a two pedal system on the right side only to accomplish the same thing. I guess it would involve a brake system though. Maybe that's why they don't do it.

Dave

 

[Clarke]

With seat time your brain and feet will synchronize and the reverse restriction and even the springs will not be necessary.

sg

 

[KentT]

With seat time your brain and feet will synchronize and the reverse restriction and even the springs will not be necessary.

sg

I agree with Clarke -- though mine has the earlier cable-type treadle, I think with time you'll get used to it, and appreciate having the pedals arranged the way they are.

With one foot on each pedal, it's easy to very, very precisely put the machine in a specific location, then hold it there against the pull or pushing forces of the implement you're using -- even if you're using it on a slope. It also allows you to very, very smoothly change direction when you're doing repetitive maneuvers... like turning the machine around in very tight quarters, or in doing loader work...

It just takes some getting used to -- kind of like the hydraulic "joystick" control for lift and tilt. I thought it was too sensitive also, until I got used to it... Now, I like it the way it is.

 

[J_J]

JD,

That's one of the nice things about a two pedal hydrostat. You don't have to "center" the treadle or fight your right foot with your left. It seems to me that PT could eliminate the treadle design and use a two pedal system on the right side only to accomplish the same thing. I guess it would involve a brake system though. Maybe that's why they don't do it.

Dave

I don't particular like the treadle arrangement on the PT. I would much prefer the arrangement as on my Kubota hydro stat. One pedal for fwd and reverse, right side. Push forward to go forward, and heel down to go in reverse. The brakes are next to the pedal for braking, and can be used for single or dual braking.

It makes more sense to have a separate brake pedal used by the left foot for dedicated braking . It also seems like a lot of wear and tear on the hydraulic motors to be jerking them back and forth to control some action.

My golf cart has a neat braking arrangement, push down to brake, and push even harder to lock the brake

The brakes on my 1445 is a joke. They are only good for parking the machine , or transport. They use a pin in a slotted disk .

In my opinion, in the neutral position, a hydraulic brake should be applied and not released until a pilot valve is activated by applying forward of reverse operation.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I don't particular like the treadle arrangement on the PT. I would much prefer the arrangement as on my Kubota hydro stat. One pedal for fwd and reverse, right side. Push forward to go forward, and heel down to go in reverse. The brakes are next to the pedal for braking, and can be used for single or dual braking.

It makes more sense to have a separate brake pedal used by the left foot for dedicated braking . It also seems like a lot of wear and tear on the hydraulic motors to be jerking them back and forth to control some action.

My golf cart has a neat braking arrangement, push down to brake, and push even harder to lock the brake

The brakes on my 1445 is a joke. They are only good for parking the machine , or transport. They use a pin in a slotted disk .

In my opinion, in the neutral position, a hydraulic brake should be applied and not released until a pilot valve is activated by applying forward of reverse operation.

I suspect that each of us prefers one setup or the other, but I found that the more I used the PT (and the less the JD and Kubota hydrostats) the more I liked the PT setup. It still takes a little attention because of the muscle memory from cars and other machines, but I really like the sensitivity of the rocker system. I don't slam it back and forth, and no longer jump backward, as most of us have when first using the machines. Holding in position for the auger or post driver would not work as easily or precisely with separate pedals for the same foot. The 1845 brake is for parking only, so centering the treadle is used to stop. I can do it more smoothly with both feet than with one, but I suspect I like it because I'm now used to it.

 

[MossRoad]

I drove a Kubota with treadle and brakes on same side. Yikes. How can you use the brakes without taking your foot off the treadle?

My old IH had foreward and reverse pedals on left foot and brakes on right foot. That was a nice setup.