marrt
Platinum Member
The more I use my PT 425, the more I appreciate the elegance and simplicity of the design. This got me thinking (or fantasizing if you want) about designing the ultimate PT. Here are some preview specifications:
- Engine: Water Cooled Kubota Diesel. Air cooled engines run too hot in the summer in my opinion. Further, I just like diesels better (let’s not start that debate again…its personal preference) and I especially like Kubota diesels. Since we are fortunate that the best small diesel on the market (my opinion again) is also widely available for OEM applications, let’s use it. For a 400 size machine, I would think 30 HP would be perfect.
- Cooling: Improve It. I will put the engine radiator in the back with air blowing out the back (for extra propulsion of course :^) ). I will put both the oil cooler and the radiator together. However, I will design the sides of the engine cover to accept standard size home furnace filters (and close off the front of the engine compartment). These filters, on each side, will keep dust and debris out of the engine compartment where is now clogs radiators and causes problems. These filters are cheap and widely available.
- Hydraulic Reservoir: I will use the same reservoir for both the engine and hydraulics. This will radically extend the oil change interval and make good use of all that expensive oil.
- Seat: I will add a suspension seat (with cup holder for cold beverages). I want to be comfortable when I mow and the ride on small tractors is always too rough in my opinion. Suspension seats are widely available and I will design the tractor to accept one.
- Adjustable Bucket Angle: Ideally, I would like a self-leveling bucket. However, this may be difficult to design. At the very least, I want the ability to change the maximum angle of the bucket for dumping material. Unlike a Skid Steer, for example, the PT bucket on my 425 does not “turn all the way over” at its maximum angle. In other words, if what you are dumping is wet, a significant amount will stick to the bucket. The only way to get it off is to “shake” the bucket…which can’t be good for the tractor.
- Lift Height. I will connect the lift arms further back so that the arms could be extended and the maximum height of the bucket could be increased. I want to be able to dump material into a truck bed. I don’t do that often, but I want the ability just the same.
Those are some initial thoughts. With all the welding, engine, electrical, design, and engineering experience of the folks on this site, we could probably create the design. Then again, I may have already had too many Belgian beers tonight. Later.
- Engine: Water Cooled Kubota Diesel. Air cooled engines run too hot in the summer in my opinion. Further, I just like diesels better (let’s not start that debate again…its personal preference) and I especially like Kubota diesels. Since we are fortunate that the best small diesel on the market (my opinion again) is also widely available for OEM applications, let’s use it. For a 400 size machine, I would think 30 HP would be perfect.
- Cooling: Improve It. I will put the engine radiator in the back with air blowing out the back (for extra propulsion of course :^) ). I will put both the oil cooler and the radiator together. However, I will design the sides of the engine cover to accept standard size home furnace filters (and close off the front of the engine compartment). These filters, on each side, will keep dust and debris out of the engine compartment where is now clogs radiators and causes problems. These filters are cheap and widely available.
- Hydraulic Reservoir: I will use the same reservoir for both the engine and hydraulics. This will radically extend the oil change interval and make good use of all that expensive oil.
- Seat: I will add a suspension seat (with cup holder for cold beverages). I want to be comfortable when I mow and the ride on small tractors is always too rough in my opinion. Suspension seats are widely available and I will design the tractor to accept one.
- Adjustable Bucket Angle: Ideally, I would like a self-leveling bucket. However, this may be difficult to design. At the very least, I want the ability to change the maximum angle of the bucket for dumping material. Unlike a Skid Steer, for example, the PT bucket on my 425 does not “turn all the way over” at its maximum angle. In other words, if what you are dumping is wet, a significant amount will stick to the bucket. The only way to get it off is to “shake” the bucket…which can’t be good for the tractor.
- Lift Height. I will connect the lift arms further back so that the arms could be extended and the maximum height of the bucket could be increased. I want to be able to dump material into a truck bed. I don’t do that often, but I want the ability just the same.
Those are some initial thoughts. With all the welding, engine, electrical, design, and engineering experience of the folks on this site, we could probably create the design. Then again, I may have already had too many Belgian beers tonight. Later.
