New PT Ordered!!

[SMJ]

Just got back from Tazewell yesterday. I met dannygw and his family picking up his PT and taking it home to ND. Very scenic countryside on the drive down from Indiana. The staff of Power Trac is very helpful as others have pointed out on this forum. I met Christie, Eddie, Scott and of course Terry. I have good feelings about the longevity of this company. They are building an upscale facility adjacent to the original white structure. This summer and they’re going to have a “friends of Power Trac” open house. Anyone who attends will be able to buy PT attachments at a discounted rate. Christie told me that although their mining equipment business is growing, the Power Trac part of the company’s business is significantly greater than the mining equipment part. They are sold out of 425s and 1845s. I went to Tazewell expecting to purchase a 1430. Based on what I had to do, blackwell mentioned the larger tractors such as 1445 or even 1460. I decided on a 1445 with the 15in. large turf tires, grapple, box blade, stump cutter, brush cutter and a minihoe. (I believe I have read every comment in this forum regarding these attachments). In spite of it’s size the 1445 is amazingly maneuverable. The ride and action of the implements are very smooth. The German diesel sounds great. The electronic brakes work well. They are controlled by a toggle switch on the panel which activates wet disc brakes on each wheel. Terry tells me that that hydraulic fluid power is shunted from the wheel motors with activation of the brakes. Terry obviously enjoys his job and completely understands each machine. He went over every part of the 1445. I was worried about being responsible for all maintenance but the machine is really simple, well laid out and all the parts are very accessible. The diesel on the other hand is tricky. I would only want to change the oil and air filters and keep it clean. (I hope this is all it will need for a long time). As far as transportation to Indiana, Power Trac Found a private carrier who will deliver the unit to my property at about 2/3 the cost of Overnight which would ship only to a terminal. At this point I am very pleased. I thank all of the members of this forum for providing such a wonderful source of information.

SMJ

 

[SMJ]

Here is a pic of the new showroom and office building.

 

[smartguyz]

Welcome to TBN, and thank you for the write-up!

Do you have any more pictures? For us who have never visited PT, pictures are like a virtual pilgrimage!

Sincerely,

Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ernemats]

Congratulations on your purchase, I bet you can't wait to get behind the wheel. The new building sure is nice looking.

 

[SMJ]

OK more pics 1445 with grapple in the Yard

 

[SMJ]

Rows of 1430's and some 1445's and 1460's

 

[SMJ]

1430 with 4 in 1 bucket

 

[DML]

I lurked this board when I was surfing for a tractor, and you all definately helped convince me of PT!

I wanted to start a thread on my own to introduce myself, but I couldn't get it to work /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I went to Tazewell last Monday. I pretty much was all ready sold, but I wanted them to run me through the ropes, anyway. I bought the PT180 with front loader, small finishing mower, and rake. It was delivered shortly after. I live in Eastern Kentucky. I got on it the next day and tried everything out.

It was a joy! I did have one problem, but I think it was my own fault. First of all, I have not mowed my lawn this year, so it is TALL. Second, I didn't get the hydrolic hose attached well initially. I couldn't figure out for a while why the mower wasn't working. DUH. After I found and fixed the problem, I started in on that grass. I think it was too tall for it. And, I probably depleted some of the hydrolic oil with my mistake. After about two hours of mowing, I saw smoke coming out from under my seat. I stopped immediately, checked the hydrolic oil when it cooled, and found it low.

I am a nurse by trade, so that might indicate that I am not "mechanically inclined", though I may beg to differ. Simply put, I follow instructions well, and think that I hold common sense mechanically. That being said, like previouse posts mentioned, I did miss the instructions that don't come with the attachments. I hope you all don't mind if I rely on you for instruction!

I've got my 5w30 ready to refill, but am not going to hit the lawn again until I get it all wacked down first- what I was avoiding in the first place!

 

[davesisk]

Make sure that you have the hydraulic hoses connected correctly to the hydraulic PTO. I'd think that the 18hp PT-180 should have plenty of power for cutting tall grass...especially with the smaller finish mower. The female side of the hydraulic quick connects slide back, you push the male side in, then let the sleeve slide back down to lock it. After you've hooked it up, give it a good yank or two...the quick connects should not come apart when you pull on them...if they do, you don't have the male connector all the way in, so try it again. Try to keep those connectors as dirt-free as possible...this will not only make them easier to connect and disconnect, but it'll keep dirt out of the hydraulic system, thus extending it's life. When the mower is disconnected, hook the mower hydraulic connections together...that definitely helps keep the dirt out.

Definitely add the appropriate hydraulic oil to the reservoir...the mower is probably shipped empty, so it may take several quarts to get oil into the hoses and hydraulic motor on the mower, and that would come from the reservoir.

HTH,
Dave

 

[Rip]

DML,

Welcome to the Forum.... everyone is here to help or be helped and often both.

Since the 180 does not have an oil cooler, I would check the oil temp about every 20 minutes or so by placeing your hand on the side of the tank below your seat. If you can not hold it there for 5 seconds, you should probably take a break for 10 or 15 minutes. You could even pour or squirt some water on the tank sides to speed the cooling process.

While I am not sure if others have done so, it would not be hard or expensive to add a hydraulic cooler to the system if it seems to run hotter more often than you would like. A few hundred dollars would cover a unit mounted somewhere on the engine cover without a fan and a bit more with a fan.

Enjoy your new PT and good luck,

Rip