My PT425 is posessed and trying to kill me!

   / My PT425 is posessed and trying to kill me! #1  

Clumber

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2010
Messages
368
Location
Northern Virginia
Tractor
Kubota B2601 HST Nov 2019
My troubles started in Dec 2017 in what I thought was a treadle valve issue: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/387716-pt-425-tredle-problem-i.html?highlight=#post4907088.

I had a couple of harrowing experiences where upon starting the tractor it would bolt forward rapidly without touching the treadle. Once it nearly took me through the rear of the garage, another time it took me through a wooden gate and a fence post before I switch off the ignition. Eventually, I sent the PT425 to Tazewell for repairs where they replaced a bad main pump -- $690 plus $300 shipping. The problem seemed to be fixed. But soon after I discovered that the fuel tank output bib was cracked and gas had leaked into the tub and the garage floor. After a few months of not using the tractor I finally just bought another tank from Power-Trac ($390) and that problem seemed to be fixed.

The tractor seemed to behave during winter plowing snow. However, a couple months ago I filled the tank and mowed with the brush cutter for about 30 minutes. When I returned to the garage, I raised the hood to turn-off the fuel switch and noticed the the tub was flooded with gas. Almost the entire 5 gallons had leaked-out while I was mowing. Apparently the fuel tube had come loose even though it was secured with two clamps. My neighbor and I added a third clamp to a slightly smaller fuel tube which seemed to fix it. However, I am now paranoid about using this tractor. I had visions of dying in a ball of fire if that gas had splashed on the muffler.

A few weeks ago the tractor started doing the same stuff it was doing in 2017 -- not wanting to stop when the treadle was released.. Two weeks ago I started it bolted backward and nearly took me backward down an embankment before I could get the switch off. It looks like the pump replacement only lasted about a year.

I am ready to sell or junk this thing. Perhaps I could find a Kubota dealer to take it in trade.... It only has about 450 hours on it.

  • :thumbdown:

 
   / My PT425 is posessed and trying to kill me! #2  
Sorry for your troubles. Man that has to be scary. if you have to start it again, can you set the brake first? Call Terry again and tell him just what happened. While I do not know the intricacies of the hydraulic treadle (mine's cable operated) one failure I can see. two of the exact same? probably not a coincidence.

How many hours on the new pump?
Did the new pump come with a new hydraulic directional section on top too, or did you reuse that?
How many hoses are connected to the hydraulic treadle peddle?
If you disconnect the treadle hoses can you operate the treadle manually and feel any hangups?
Did you notice if the treadle was down on one side after the incident?
 
   / My PT425 is posessed and trying to kill me! #3  
Yikes. I hope you get this sorted out. While you are testing it though... A seat kill switch will let you jump off and kill the engine... Set that brake.
 
   / My PT425 is posessed and trying to kill me! #4  
Clumber,

I sent you a private message. I may be able to help since I live in NoVA too.

Tom
 
   / My PT425 is posessed and trying to kill me! #5  
I think there are a series of these tractors with bad pumps. There is someone else with a PT2425 who has to keep replacing his pump and i do to as well. It is the screws that hold the swash plate on that break inside the main pump. I haven't had a pump last over 100 hours yet. You get stuck in forward or reverse. It is a very scary situation and the only way to control it is use your throttle and key because you are permanently stuck in one direction. Talking to terry they no longer use this pump and the new ones are different with different hose connection configurations. So we are basically stuck with them.
 
   / My PT425 is posessed and trying to kill me! #6  
Brian, this is the Bondioli & Pavesi pump, correct?

I was talking to Terry about this pump a few months ago and he was complimentary of the pump. Said it was very strong. Even so, I sent mine down for inspection (low power) and they found and fixed a significant problem with the case ($1500). In the meantime, I ordered a new one from Italy and am keeping the old one as a spare.

My original 425 (sold to neighbor) lasted to about 700 hours I think (will confirm) before a rebuild. It's the same pump Moss has...but I forget the brand and model. It's on here somewhere. It used direct control of the swash plate (cable) but I'm sure they have a hydraulic control model available.
 
   / My PT425 is posessed and trying to kill me! #7  
Brian, this is the Bondioli & Pavesi pump, correct?
I was talking to Terry about this pump a few months ago and he was complimentary of the pump. Said it was very strong. Even so, I sent mine down for inspection (low power) and they found and fixed a significant problem with the case ($1500). In the meantime, I ordered a new one from Italy and am keeping the old one as a spare.

My original 425 (sold to neighbor) lasted to about 700 hours I think (will confirm) before a rebuild. It's the same pump Moss has...but I forget the brand and model. It's on here somewhere. It used direct control of the swash plate (cable) but I'm sure they have a hydraulic control model available.

Yes, Bondioli & Pavesi pump. My tractor is a 2008 model I think. I am on pump 5 or 6 with 400 some odd hours on the timer.
Mine also has a strong pump but it still breaks. I cuss up a storm when it is broke but when working I love it. I just want it to have a more dependable pump.
Terry said they could put in one of the new ones but I would have to take in down there.
You will have to give use the model number of that pump so I can order one if it is one that I have on my PT.
 
   / My PT425 is posessed and trying to kill me! #8  
Mr. Clumber, when this happens are you sitting in the seat? Can you just use the treadle valve to shuttle to the opposite direction and control the tractor?

This has happened to me on my PT180 when I accidentally rested my foot on the treadle before starting the engine, oops. That is my error, but it wakes me up.
 
   / My PT425 is posessed and trying to kill me! #9  
You will have to give use the model number of that pump so I can order one if it is one that I have on my PT.

I provided that in your other thread....
 
   / My PT425 is posessed and trying to kill me!
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Clumber,

I sent you a private message. I may be able to help since I live in NoVA too.

Tom

marrt

Thanks, I replied via PM as well.

Patrick (Clumber)
 

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