New PT-180 owner

[m5040]

Is there oil leaking down from the shaft area on the deck?
It is definitely a tapered lock. Most likely 1/4-20 grade 8 bolts to pull the taper together (and to use the same bolts to loosen it, but in the other threaded holes). Post pics and we will all chime in to help and so will Tazwell. Just be careful when tightening those bolts. The last time I did something like that I recall the torque spec to be 22 inch LBS (not FT LBS). You should get the correct torque spec and use a torque wrench to tighten progressively in steps, then tap on it and retighten, then put to use for a few minutes, then retorque.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are not familiar with those bolts that hold the articulated blades to the hub, you need to tighten them regularly, like every 1 or 2 hours of use. The more rocks you hit, the more you need to tighten. Even if you don't hit anything, check them and you will get a feel for how they tend to loosen. I carry a 15/16 wrench in my 180 toolbox just for that.

 

[curtjeep]

Thanks for the input guys. I searched around the yard today and no luck at finding the key... So I'll call terry in the morning and see if I can get one sent down to me.

I did spend a good several hours on it today mowing and doing bucket work, but I gotta say I wish I had bought the LM bucket as the regular one (in most cases) doesn't even challenge the hydraulics. I said most cases because I used it to move some of my pavers for a backyard project into the back yard and when I hopped off to open my gate the tractor tilted forward... Luckily I had the load low and it wasn't an issue when I hopped back on it.

 

[cqaigy2]

I've had that happen too. Hop out, front goes down, hop back in, front goes up. Just a case of having sufficient ballast, in the right location.

 

[curtjeep]

I've had that happen too. Hop out, front goes down, hop back in, front goes up. Just a case of having sufficient ballast, in the right location.

Yeah, my fat behind provides a significant amount of ballast

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks for the input guys. I searched around the yard today and no luck at finding the key... So I'll call terry in the morning and see if I can get one sent down to me.

I did spend a good several hours on it today mowing and doing bucket work, but I gotta say I wish I had bought the LM bucket as the regular one (in most cases) doesn't even challenge the hydraulics. I said most cases because I used it to move some of my pavers for a backyard project into the back yard and when I hopped off to open my gate the tractor tilted forward... Luckily I had the load low and it wasn't an issue when I hopped back on it.

That is known as the PT pucker when you're on the machine and it does it unexpectedly. Welcome to the club! :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

Ahh, taper lock. Slipped my view. I've only had to deal with those on one machine in my 30 years at my last employer.

 

[m5040]

Curtjeep, I just wrote up a post that may be of interest to you:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/425329-i-believe-everyone-should-do.html#post5732349

 

[curtjeep]

Curtjeep, I just wrote up a post that may be of interest to you:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/425329-i-believe-everyone-should-do.html#post5732349

Thanks buddy,

Terry recommended not to run it for over 1.5 hrs at a time so I give it a break pretty often for now. I will, in the future, plumb in an oil cooler and fan. Probably in the same location as the oil cooler on the other models.

 

[m5040]

That is what I did because it was hard to deal with the duty cycle.

 

[curtjeep]

That is what I did because it was hard to deal with the duty cycle.

Awesome! Now, what fan didja get, what size is the cooler, and is it a push or pull fan? Also, where did you tie into the hydraulics? Or do you have a write up?