Messed up my 425

[rlcowder]

Well, I think I made a huge mistake. Last week I found a great deal on a cozy cab new in the crate from the MFG and bought it. I paid $2300 including shipping. I drove the tractor last night for a few minutes and I hate it. I live in Johnstown PA and my yard is very hilly. It feels like it is going to tip over. I'm prepared for winter at this point with the 47 inch blower and 300# of weights on the back, chains on the tires. The cab added another 375# and I'm 300. This thing is having a hard time moving now. I'm afraid that if I remove the weights my center of gravity will just be higher and more likely to tip. I have 700 feet of driveway and we usually get a lot of snow. I can't imagine how slow this will be if I'm blowing snow and trying to go uphill. Has anyone else not been happy with a cab?
Roger /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Dutch445]

Roger,
Before you hate your tractor and cab, double check that there isn't a problem in your hydro pedals. Sometimes the bracket under the floorboard that holds the linkages for the forward and reverse pedals breaks, and the bracket drops so the pedal isn't up as far as it should be. When you push the hydro pedal, it doesn't go down as far as it should.
Another place to look, with that cab, I believe there is heavy padding that goes on the floor around the pedals to help seal the cab? Check that to see if it interferes with the pedal movement. You may not be getting your hydro pedal depressed as far as it can go, and may not be able to get the forward speed. It would affect reverse also.
One thing to try, is when you push one pedal, try to grab underneath the other pedal and pull up.. see if it helps...
I don't think the weight should be too much of an issue... yes, the cab is heavy, but the tractor certainly should handle that and the other weights.

Let us know what you find out..

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[rlcowder]

When I first moved it the floor pads were blocking the pedals so I removed them. The brake pedal rubber is hitting the cab and I can't get it lock into park. I will check it tonight and drive it some more, I hope it works out but I can always trade it in. This thing is a 2001, 465 hours, any idea on how I can find out what it's worth? Web sites?

 

[Dutch445]

You can search thru used equipment sites,, classifieds, ebay, etc to see what they are selling for. Where I am, it would bring about 4500-5000 for the tractor and deck, and the snowblower and cab about 3000. Used 47" 2-stage snowblowers are very hard to find around here, everybody is looking for them. The cab is a tough sell, you got a good deal, but they are expensive cabs.

 

[JDFANATIC]

I'll bet Dutch has hit the nail on the head; the pedals are somehow prevented from moving fully. I had a 425 and many times towed loads far in excess of 600# without slowing it down.

Good luck

 

[rlcowder]

I drove it again last night and it was all in my head. It works just fine. Thanks for the encouragement.

Roger /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[keeney]

Maybe it just feels slower when you are inside the quiet, windshield-protected cab vs. out in the open air.

Just like 20 MPH seems really slow inside of a car, but really fast on a bicycle.

- Rick

 

[bigpete]

I'll bet the perceived "height" of the cab makes it feel top-heavy, too. If it bothers you too much, you can leave it with me until March for a full analysis.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif