New guy having a blast... (kinda long )

[jbman]

OK, please pardon my newbie exuberance. Let me just calmly express that... THIS THING IS GREAT!!!

I feel like I have discovered a new continent or something.

I am literally, no exaggerating here, cross my heart, able to do like a hunerd times more in a day with this kinda homely but really really useful machine. This was my 3rd weekend with my new 425 and I am starting to get the hang of it a little. The last couple weekends I worked on my driveway ditches, which have never been right, and cleaned up some old brush piles. Things I just couldn't do without the machine. But yesterday, in just one day, I started the day by moving a large amount of mulch to different areas of the yard - so easy!! Would have taken many many long hours over a few days to do the same with a shovel and wheelbarrow. Then, I had a load of lumber in the truck I had picked up Friday for a barn addition project. Wasn't looking forward to hauling it all out of the truck and putting it away until needed - but wait! The forks! Put a pallet down, loaded the wood.. changed the PT from the bucket to the forks, scooped the pallet up, and moved it - all in like a half hour! Fantastical! Was at the limit for the PT as the back wheels lifted a bit as I moved that wood. And, there was plenty more day left, and my back didn't even know work was being done. So, back to the shed with the PT, make the quick change to the mini hoe, and go dig some holes for some plants I need to move. All in one day! I love this thing. Almost as much as my motorcycle! Hey, there are limits to my love of work.

I'll take pics once I settle down and can stand the fact this thing has made my life sooo much easier. Right now, if it is out and running, I ain't getting off to take pics.

Again, sorry for my childish enthusiasm here.. but I think you's guys are the only people that might understand.

I do have one question for right now. The backfire/dieseling on shutoff problem. I have been reading the archives, but I don't see if there is a solution. I have a choice on shutoff of dieseling if I shutoff at low throttle, or backfire if I shutoff at higher throttle as recommended by PT... is there a solution? That backfire makes me wince every time I shut it off.

Thanks for helping to talk me into this machine folks.
Jim

 

[pajoube]

Great to hear from you and the fun of a new machine. Your right, we do understand the feeling of what the 425 can do to ease your life. On the other hand you are just getting into what the machine can do and the projects that now will come up you never thought of. Ever wonder how you managed without your 425?
I have not had much trouble with the shutting down as you mention. I do reduce throttle about half when shuttting down. If very warm weather and machine has been working very hard it will give a couple light pops but that is about all.
Others will chime in as to what they think.
Keep the news coming with pictures.
PJ

 

[MuncyBob]

Yep, "all wheel drive" and easy change attachments sure make jobs go quick and easy!! On shut down I normally let it idle at low throttle for about 30 seconds or so, no backfire or run on. It usually allows me enough time to grab the leaf blower from the garage and clean her off before putting her away for the day.

 

[Phils]

Jim,

I think you are exactly correct in that we are the few that truly appreciate what you are saying! I haven't used my wheelbarrow or mower in two and a half years but my property now looks like I keep a staff of maintenance people on site.

On your popping and dieseling: the PT's design isn't the best as far as cool running IMHO. With the modifications I've done to eliminate vaporlock, I no longer suffer from the pop as long as I let the PT idle for a minute before turning the key off. That's the only thing that can compensate for the funky exhaust manifold. The dieseling is because the combustion chambers are too hot and fuel ignites without a spark. I haven't had that problem for months, since applying the other fixes for vaporlock. I think with this last mod (see this thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/99371-pt422-aux-cooling.html ) I'm hoping both problems will be history for me.

I think it's a combination of running hotter than it should which can cause dieseling (run-on), and having an exhaust manifold that allows hotspots to develop that causes the pop.

Phil

 

[MossRoad]

OK, please pardon my newbie exuberance. Let me just calmly express that... THIS THING IS GREAT!!!

.... sorry for my childish enthusiasm here.. but I think you's guys are the only people that might understand.....

Oh, I guess we'll make an exception this time.

Just watch out, though. As your tractor use increases, so does your waist line! I've gained weight since owning the PT due to it doing all my work for me. You will need to supplement your excercise routine once in a while.

 

[KentT]

Great to hear from you and the fun of a new machine. Your right, we do understand the feeling of what the 425 can do to ease your life. On the other hand you are just getting into what the machine can do and the projects that now will come up you never thought of. Ever wonder how you managed without your 425?

LOL! Yes, we understand the enthusiasm... and that silly smile that won't leave your face for weeks...

As PJ says, it'll soon come down to "I wonder how I can..." and then you'll be off trying things you'd never have thought of before...

I really think these things are better thought of as "tool carriers" than tractors because they make you think totally differently about potential projects...

 

[jbman]

Thanks everyone for overlooking my gushing

I'll give the idle down a try to see if it helps with the backfire. The weather has been relatively cool here - at least compared to what it will be like this summer. So if it is running hot now, I imagine it will be even worse once it warms up and the humidity hits. I overheat here in the summer so I am sure it is going to struggle.

I like that idear of adding a cooling fan for the engine Phil. Seems like it might be a good mod for as warm as it gets here. I'll start looking into finding a fan like that. I can already see the brunette rolling her eyes as I explain why I am running up to get a switch and fuse holder for that new fan I just bought for the new machine we just bought.

MossRoad, if I gain a few inches in my waistline, maybe it'll help hold the back end of that PT down when I move lumber next time.

Jim

 

[Phils]

Jim,

The fan I got was made by Hayden and is their 10" model. As you can see in the photo, it is a perfect fit. I secured it with 4 black zip ties. I can forsee having to clip a couple of them, tilt the fan away, and blow chaf out occasionally.

Phil

 

[Barryh]

OK, please pardon my newbie exuberance. Let me just calmly express that... THIS THING IS GREAT!!!

I feel like I have discovered a new continent or something.

I am literally, no exaggerating here, cross my heart, able to do like a hunerd times more in a day with this kinda homely but really really useful machine. This was my 3rd weekend with my new 425 and I am starting to get the hang of it a little. The last couple weekends I worked on my driveway ditches, which have never been right, and cleaned up some old brush piles. Things I just couldn't do without the machine. But yesterday, in just one day, I started the day by moving a large amount of mulch to different areas of the yard - so easy!! Would have taken many many long hours over a few days to do the same with a shovel and wheelbarrow. Then, I had a load of lumber in the truck I had picked up Friday for a barn addition project. Wasn't looking forward to hauling it all out of the truck and putting it away until needed - but wait! The forks! Put a pallet down, loaded the wood.. changed the PT from the bucket to the forks, scooped the pallet up, and moved it - all in like a half hour! Fantastical! Was at the limit for the PT as the back wheels lifted a bit as I moved that wood. And, there was plenty more day left, and my back didn't even know work was being done. So, back to the shed with the PT, make the quick change to the mini hoe, and go dig some holes for some plants I need to move. All in one day! I love this thing. Almost as much as my motorcycle! Hey, there are limits to my love of work.

I'll take pics once I settle down and can stand the fact this thing has made my life sooo much easier. Right now, if it is out and running, I ain't getting off to take pics.

Again, sorry for my childish enthusiasm here.. but I think you's guys are the only people that might understand.

I do have one question for right now. The backfire/dieseling on shutoff problem. I have been reading the archives, but I don't see if there is a solution. I have a choice on shutoff of dieseling if I shutoff at low throttle, or backfire if I shutoff at higher throttle as recommended by PT... is there a solution? That backfire makes me wince every time I shut it off.

Thanks for helping to talk me into this machine folks.
Jim

Amazing isn’t it? These machines are so easy and handy, a cave man can do it. Once you convince yourself to drive up to the local store for a cool one, or across the street to the neighbor’s house to play cards. Then you'll know you've got it bad. I idle down for a min, then notch it up to a little below half way, then shut it down, no back fire. Guess their all a little different.

 

[J_J]

JBMAN
Congratulations and all that stuff on your new toy. I am sure you will enjoy it immensely. I don't know what you already know, but I would encourage you to get more familiar with the inner workings of the machine, such as the hydraulics, and electrical aspects, for several reasons. If something should go wrong, you can save yourself a bunch of money, by fixing things yourself. I would suggest a book or CD on hydraulics, and of course this forum is one of the best or only database on the Power-Trac. You can probably get the answers and advice you need just by asking.