New PT 1430 won't go

Clarke · Jun 29, 2004

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

Weedpatch,

If you are not comfortable working on it visit some of your local hydraulic shops. They will most likely work on it or you may be able to get one of there mechanics over to your place.

sg

eambrose · Jun 29, 2004

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

That really stinks - this is indeed an issue with PT - in a situation like this (ie something really major) they really need to pick up the tractor and fix it. I mean it is brand new. I can understand hoses, belts, routine stuff (i.e. having them send a part) but a motor or pump when the unit is brand new is not acceptable. Also, they can't claim that they are far cheaper - they are not. You can buy an alternative tractor from a dealer at a similar price. The mentality is nuts. They need to stand by the product - not just ship you a pump and hope it works.

Rick_Taylor · Jun 30, 2004

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

I'm not familiar with a 1430 but I recently had to replace part of the Lovejoy connector to the VV pump on our 425. Ours is three years old with 600+ hours. All had been well until trying to climb a particularly steep hill. Half way up it just quit moving up and rolled down. All the other hyd functions were OK. After examining and talking to Terry I started taking thinks apart. NOT an easy task. He was going to check my pump for me and repair if necessary and possible. I discovered the pump end of the lovejoy had spun on the pump shaft tearing out the woodruff key. BTW, that half of the lovejoy is aluminum! Really had taken a pounding. Bottom line, during assembly someone left out the two setscrews!! One is used to hold the woodruff key down into the slot on the pump shaft. Fourty bucks later the parts arrived. You need to have a supply of 1/2" caps and plugs to cap off the hyd lines as you take them off the pump. Also some way to mark which hose goes to which connector. Lots of sweat and cursing, and lots of anti-sieze later it's back and running strong- with ALL it's parts installed. Only difference I've noticed is that now the plastic screen on the front of the Kohler now spins with the shaft. Doesn't appear to be a problem though.

You might be able to look at the VV pump shaft down the two holes in the side of the lovejoy and see if the setscrews are there. Mine was filled with greasy dirt, even after a serious pressure washing. Good luck, Rick

dturnmire · Jun 30, 2004

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

"I discovered the pump end of the lovejoy had spun on the pump shaft tearing out the woodruff key. "

The what? To someone who is mechanically challenged this is Martian language. I also had reservations about buying a Power Trac with no dealers nearby. I figured though that once the warranty had run out it would be just like any other vehicle purchased that is no longer under warranty. How many people do you know that actually uses a dealership for car repairs?

I had bought a brand new Subaru Justy a few years ago with very low milage when the check engine light came on. My wife brought it down to the local dealership since it was still under warranty and the guy there told her the computer had gone out which was not covered and they were going to charge her $800. She gave me a phone call and I told her to drive away and take it to a garage we had done business with for years. As it turns out there was nothing wrong with the car and the mechanic told us if the computer had gone out the car probably wouldn't even run. He said if the check engine light was that big of a deal to put a piece of tape over it.

I even had a hard time trying to get someone top work on my fuel injection a few years ago even though they had been around for years but once you find someone that is honest and will work on whatever vehicle you may have it no longer becomes a big problem.

I agree Power Trac needs to do something when it comes to something brand new under warranty but considering the other machines I considered purchasing (most were way out of my price range) I believe I made the right purchase. I love my PT-180. Regards.

MuncyBob · Jun 30, 2004

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

I tend to agree with the thinking of who uses a dealer when out of warranty....but PT would be more popular and probably would increase sales if they would sub contract out warranty work to local repair shops rather than do all the labor yourself in removing what "may be" the problem as determined over the telephone....and then wait for a new part to be returned and once again finding the time to reinstall. I'm hoping my 422 doesn't give me any problems since it would seem there would be a fair amount of "downtime". In the meantime I'm keeping it as good as new...well, within my abilities anyways!