New PT Ordered!!

pajoube · May 9, 2004

DML,
Welcome to TBN and the family of PowerTrac owners. I think you should fill the oil tank and hit it with full power. You will be amazed at what it will go through.
Keep the comments coming.
PJ

pajoube · May 9, 2004

SMJ,
Congratulations on your purchase and thanks for the pictures. Keep us posted on how your first projects go and any helpful hints you can share.
PJ

davesisk · May 9, 2004

I wonder if a small radiator would work? (Assuming you could get the right fittings, etc...which you probably can).

Now you've gone and made me realize that there's something I don't know about this contraption...mine has a hydraulic oil cooler, but I'm not sure where it is in the hydraulic circuit? Is it on the return side?

Dave

Schultz · May 10, 2004

Hydraulic coolers are always on the return side so they don't become pressurized to line pressure. If needed I would think a cooler could be added to the 300 series in a couple hours for under a hundred bucks.

DML · May 13, 2004

Thanks for the welcomes!

Come to think of it, it probably was that it was shipped with a low hydrolic oil level. While I know that I lost some oil in not securly connecting the hose, it didn't seem like that much. Haven't had time to get it back out, yet, with a very hectic work schedule. I did buy four quarts of oil and add, but didn't bring it close to the dipstick. That's why I say that I think it must have been shipped low, I can't immagine that I spilled out over four quarts without noticing. My next day off, I'll get it fired up again, but that won't be for over a week /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

FOURTEEN · May 13, 2004

Assume nothing! Check everything!! Twice!!!

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FOURTEEN · May 13, 2004

"" If you can not hold it there for 5 seconds ""

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif With my new (2/4) PT-425, with the cooling fan running continuously, after a couple of hours of use, the Hydraulic Oil Temperature reads ~180 degrees, and I can not even touch the tank!! The max temperature seems to be almost exactly 100 degrees above ambient. A few days ago, when the temperature reached 90 for the first time this year, a check of the tank revealed, you guessed it, 190!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif How do you run a PT without a cooler!!???!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

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Bob999 · May 13, 2004

<font color="red"> With my new (2/4) PT-425, with the cooling fan running continuously, after a couple of hours of use, the Hydraulic Oil Temperature reads ~180 degrees, and I can not even touch the tank!! </font>

My experience is with an 1845 and I have not experienced hydraulic oil temperatures nearly that high--more like 140. I can't help but wonder whether there is a problem--dirty oil cooler, obstructed oil line, fan not developing rated speed, etc. I find it hard to believe that the design parameters would be that different. The fact that other 425 owners are not talking about such high temperatures also fuels my suspicions that something is wrong with your machine.

As an aside, the 1845 is oil cooled and the instrument package includes a temperature sensor for the engine oil. That typically runs about 180.

MossRoad · May 13, 2004

I can't touch my oil tank in the dead of winter after 15 to 20 minutes of hard use, so fourteen is right on the money. That stuff heats up and stays hot, no matter what the season. It is consistant. After a half hour of mowing last night, I felt the tank and you can't keep your hand on it for more than a couple of seconds. Remember, the tank surface as well as the oil cooler all act as part of the cooling system. I need to find a thermometer that can be stuck on the outside of the tank. Anyone got any suggestions? If they aren't too pricey, I'll do it soon and record the results.

P.S. I'm not using the wifes candy thermometer! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif