new pt owner

[jfh28]

We are affectionately known in our little town as those "people up in the woods with the giant dogs and weird looking backhoe machine".

I guess it could be a whole lot worse!

Jack

 

[pagliaccio matto]

Im glad to hear that there are atleast a few other 2425s out there. I think that I may have the only one in the state of New Mexico! I had the local Robin engine guy make a housecall today. He re-tuned it and now it runs great-much stronger than my first impression. I will try it out some more tomorrow. This machine reminds me of the words of an old cowboy I once met-"it aint built for purdy, but it's built for sturdy."

 

[catsco]

Glad to hear you got the engine to run better at altitude.

I originally posted a similar issue with the Kohler engine on my PT-425 (about a year ago), but couldn't afford the hassle and $$$ for major jet change.

In the entire front range area in Colorado, there is NO ONE who will travel to do any work on a Kohler.

Renting a truck and trailer to haul the tractor into town would be quite expensive and would have to be done twice, as they don't do same day work either. (I don't own any vehicle that can pull a trailer with the tractor on it)

So, I use a little hotter plug, and make sure that the choke is always fully open, and the air filter clean.

It has run well for 440 hours now.

The only other altitude related issue has been the fuel boiling in the tank, as the black steel tank at our altitude of nearly 8,000 and the more volatile fuel here boils at a quite low temperature, about 110 to 120 degrees. That temperature is easily reached from engine heat and the intense UV.

BTW - congrats and welcome!

Mark H.

 

[BobRip]

Would it help to paint the tank white?

 

[catsco]

I did an experiment with aluminum foil to see if the temp would be reduced. Didn't make too much difference.

When I have the time and $$, I'm going to try rerouting the exhaust and using an external muffler. The stock muffler (even though it has an insulated cover) is on about 2" from the tank.

The engine compartment therefore is very hot!

The current solution is to not work midday on hot summer days. That 'fix' has been easy to implement!

I've experimented with different gas caps; vented allowing sometimes furious boiling, but seems OK.

Unvented stops the problem, but I removed the cap one warm day (with the engine cover open - tank about 1/3 fuel, and a 10' geyser of boiling fuel shot out for about 2 seconds. Frightening, but no fire or damage.

Power-Trac has no comment or fix, other than 'they've never heard of that'.

When I bought the PT, I assumed it would be like the ones in the picture. It's quite different as far as the engine and fuel tank layout.

Sorry to run on, but I'd advise caution with this model that has the tank in the cover.

Otherwise, one the the toughest, simplest tractors I've ever owned!

Mark H.

 

[pagliaccio matto]

I was lucky to find a Robin engine mechanic about a mile from my house. He came over and diagnosed the problem and fixed it in about 1 1/2 hours. It was running way too rich and had a lot of carbon on the plugs. Also, one of the valves was too tight. He also set the idle higher. I have ordered a Robin re-jetting kit through him for about $35.00 and he says it will take about 30 min. to install. I will let you know if it makes any difference.
Steve