Schultz
Gold Member
Reversing the rears would add to your lawn striping effect!
Mowed the down slope pretty well
- Thread starter pequeajim
- Start date
- Views: 2939
Yes MR, as a matter of fact, I did. The tractor goes up the hill with no problem without the mower running. With it running, I have to take my time and keep my foot out of it or it will bog all the way up, but still make it ok.
It would stall if I stomped it.
I am pretty happy with the performance. My 31hp Ventrac would make it up the hill with some bogging, so I'm satisfied.
Now, if I could get a 35 hp motor in this puppy, it would be da bomb! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
It would stall if I stomped it.
I am pretty happy with the performance. My 31hp Ventrac would make it up the hill with some bogging, so I'm satisfied.
Now, if I could get a 35 hp motor in this puppy, it would be da bomb! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
FOURTEEN
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2004
- Messages
- 1,042
- Location
- Efland - Triangle of North Carolina.
- Tractor
- 2004 Power Trac PT-425
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I talked to Terry at PT, and got his (limited) approval for reversing the wheels for more safely mowing across the slopes. As you said, what a difference.
However, I should mention that Terry said not to leave the wheels reversed for general use, as it puts more load on the wheel motors and will eventually cause problems, even on the newest models with the upgraded motors. Dave )</font>
<font color="red"> After over 200 hours with Reversed Wheels, I can report "NO NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES"!! I have enjoyed the greater safety and performance now for well over a year!! If I ever do incur a problem, it will be a small price to pay!!
With all due respect to Terry's opinion, visualize that the footprint at the wide wheel setting overlaps the footprint of the narrow wheel setting by 67%, since the inner 7" of the wide setting sits on the same ground as the outer 7" of the narrow setting.
When sitting on a flat hard surface, there would be little, if any, added stress because the wide stiff tire would resist any slight leverage effect, and the position of the hub/wheel interface has not been changed.
Now visualize the tire riding lengthwise along a 1" diameter pipe. In this unique situation the wheel can rotate radially.
If the pipe was positioned under the shared 65% of the footprints, the hub would experience the same radial torque at either setting.
If the pipe was positioned somewhere under the outer 3.5" (35%) of the wide setting, there would be a slight increase in radial torque, but I doubt that it would be a significant amount, or that it would exceed the design limits of the motor.
This is a scenario that would seldom be duplicated in the real world, except, perhaps, riding over a small stone or root near the outer edge of the tire where the entire load was supported at that point, a condition which seldom occurs, and if it does, it is only of very short duration.
There are many factors which can increase the wear on, or reduce the service life of, a Power Trac, or any vehicle. I believe that the benefits of reversing wheels for SOME owners, in SOME situations, may far exceed any slight, if any, detrimental effects!! However, this is a decision, like many others regarding the use and care of a PT-425, which must ultimately be addressed by the OWNER for HIS machine being used by HIM in HIS situation!!
If you ever did experience wheel motor trouble, could you, or PT, positively attribute that trouble to having Reversed Wheels?? Would you tell PT to not honor their warranty because you reversed your wheels?? How else would they know??
PS: The nice part about owning a PT that is over a year old is that I don't, as if I ever did, have to worry about PT warranty coverage - it's over!!
PPS: There is no additional 'lawn striping effect' because the wheels follow the mower, wide or narrow track!!
PPPS: To minimize shock to the wheel motors inflate the tires with 11# Front and 7# Rear!!
Only reversing some of the wheels, or only reversing them some of the time, would be wimpy!! If you want, or need, Reversed Wheels - just do it!! You will not regret it!!!!
</font>
However, I should mention that Terry said not to leave the wheels reversed for general use, as it puts more load on the wheel motors and will eventually cause problems, even on the newest models with the upgraded motors. Dave )</font>
<font color="red"> After over 200 hours with Reversed Wheels, I can report "NO NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES"!! I have enjoyed the greater safety and performance now for well over a year!! If I ever do incur a problem, it will be a small price to pay!!
With all due respect to Terry's opinion, visualize that the footprint at the wide wheel setting overlaps the footprint of the narrow wheel setting by 67%, since the inner 7" of the wide setting sits on the same ground as the outer 7" of the narrow setting.
When sitting on a flat hard surface, there would be little, if any, added stress because the wide stiff tire would resist any slight leverage effect, and the position of the hub/wheel interface has not been changed.
Now visualize the tire riding lengthwise along a 1" diameter pipe. In this unique situation the wheel can rotate radially.
If the pipe was positioned under the shared 65% of the footprints, the hub would experience the same radial torque at either setting.
If the pipe was positioned somewhere under the outer 3.5" (35%) of the wide setting, there would be a slight increase in radial torque, but I doubt that it would be a significant amount, or that it would exceed the design limits of the motor.
This is a scenario that would seldom be duplicated in the real world, except, perhaps, riding over a small stone or root near the outer edge of the tire where the entire load was supported at that point, a condition which seldom occurs, and if it does, it is only of very short duration.
There are many factors which can increase the wear on, or reduce the service life of, a Power Trac, or any vehicle. I believe that the benefits of reversing wheels for SOME owners, in SOME situations, may far exceed any slight, if any, detrimental effects!! However, this is a decision, like many others regarding the use and care of a PT-425, which must ultimately be addressed by the OWNER for HIS machine being used by HIM in HIS situation!!
If you ever did experience wheel motor trouble, could you, or PT, positively attribute that trouble to having Reversed Wheels?? Would you tell PT to not honor their warranty because you reversed your wheels?? How else would they know??
PS: The nice part about owning a PT that is over a year old is that I don't, as if I ever did, have to worry about PT warranty coverage - it's over!!
PPS: There is no additional 'lawn striping effect' because the wheels follow the mower, wide or narrow track!!
PPPS: To minimize shock to the wheel motors inflate the tires with 11# Front and 7# Rear!!
Only reversing some of the wheels, or only reversing them some of the time, would be wimpy!! If you want, or need, Reversed Wheels - just do it!! You will not regret it!!!!
</font>
tracdoc
Platinum Member
So there!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Classic FOURTEEN style....."That's what I'm talkin' about."
Classic FOURTEEN style....."That's what I'm talkin' about."
Charlie_Iliff
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2001
- Messages
- 1,890
- Location
- Arnold, MD
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT1845, John Deere 2240, John Deere 950, John Deere 755, Jacobsen Turf Cat II
<font color="red"> If you ever did experience wheel motor trouble, could you, or PT, positively attribute that trouble to having Reversed Wheels?? Would you tell PT to not honor their warranty because you reversed your wheels?? How else would they know?? </font>
How indeed would they know that Fourteen's wheels are reversed???? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
How indeed would they know that Fourteen's wheels are reversed???? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Charlie_Iliff
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2001
- Messages
- 1,890
- Location
- Arnold, MD
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT1845, John Deere 2240, John Deere 950, John Deere 755, Jacobsen Turf Cat II
<font color="red">The slope is 25+ degrees at it's steepest. </font>
That is steep! My 1845 with duals is rated for 40 degrees, but I'll never try that. The machine may work, but the surface has to be strong enough to hold it.
I'm currently visiting my daughter in Wyoming. She was startled to hear what the PTs will do, since 25 degrees is getting into the range of serious avalanche risk in the mountains around Jackson Hole.
The pass over the mountain to Idaho has warning signs particularly for truckers. "Steep" 10% grades. That's less than 6 degrees, and for those who have driven it, you will agree it is steep. Glad to hear your PT 425 cuts what needs to be cut. I'll quit long before my PT does. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
That is steep! My 1845 with duals is rated for 40 degrees, but I'll never try that. The machine may work, but the surface has to be strong enough to hold it.
I'm currently visiting my daughter in Wyoming. She was startled to hear what the PTs will do, since 25 degrees is getting into the range of serious avalanche risk in the mountains around Jackson Hole.
The pass over the mountain to Idaho has warning signs particularly for truckers. "Steep" 10% grades. That's less than 6 degrees, and for those who have driven it, you will agree it is steep. Glad to hear your PT 425 cuts what needs to be cut. I'll quit long before my PT does. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Gravy
Platinum Member
I had another thought today about the reversed wheels issue. For the warranty period, I expect to follow Terry's advice, but after next Thanksgiving when my warranty runs out, I have a possible alternative:
It wouldn't take rocket science to make some spacers to go between the wheel motor housings and the body/chassis. It would probably require longer hoses or some additional hose extensions, but hoses are relatively cheap. This might be cheaper than risking wheel motor rebuilds.
This should concentrate any additional loads on the sturdy and easily reinforced plate steel chassis parts.
OTOH, for some of my work in the woods, I'm better off with the narrower track, so I may just work on streamlining the wheel reversal process.
I've got air tools, and the lift arms are capable of lifting the front end directly. I can always find a way to induce a pucker to do the back wheels without dragging out a jack. (Of course, I ALWAYS use jack stands).
I think a 5 minute swap is within easy reach, and could be cut to 2 or 3 minutes with a little practice.
I'll see how it goes, and try to remember to post my conclusions.
Dave
It wouldn't take rocket science to make some spacers to go between the wheel motor housings and the body/chassis. It would probably require longer hoses or some additional hose extensions, but hoses are relatively cheap. This might be cheaper than risking wheel motor rebuilds.
This should concentrate any additional loads on the sturdy and easily reinforced plate steel chassis parts.
OTOH, for some of my work in the woods, I'm better off with the narrower track, so I may just work on streamlining the wheel reversal process.
I've got air tools, and the lift arms are capable of lifting the front end directly. I can always find a way to induce a pucker to do the back wheels without dragging out a jack. (Of course, I ALWAYS use jack stands).
I think a 5 minute swap is within easy reach, and could be cut to 2 or 3 minutes with a little practice.
I'll see how it goes, and try to remember to post my conclusions.
Dave
Gravy
Platinum Member
Pequeajim,
I keep thinking the same thing - "I wonder if that 35hp Vanguard engine could be shoehorned in?" Then my wife tells me "if you blow up the Robin, you're welcome to try. But it had better be at least 5 years old by then." I think she's got a point...
Dave
I keep thinking the same thing - "I wonder if that 35hp Vanguard engine could be shoehorned in?" Then my wife tells me "if you blow up the Robin, you're welcome to try. But it had better be at least 5 years old by then." I think she's got a point...
Dave
tracdoc
Platinum Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( (Of course, I ALWAYS use jack stands). )</font>
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif tsk, tsk, tsk.....
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif tsk, tsk, tsk.....
BobRip
Elite Member
Since the rear wheels do not have as high a load on them at least during times when the bucket or other front load is being used, then you will only be reversing the "lightly" loaded wheels. So there may be a help with the over stressing of the wheel mortors if that is truly a problem.
This might be a good idea.
Bob Rip
This might be a good idea.
Bob Rip
