Newbie Questions

pairodime · Jul 10, 2004

Well, I got through my first oil change. Once I figured out the filter wrench size, it was a breeze. My drain plug lined up with the bottom hole and I didn't have to take anything apart to access a thing. You may recall my 425 is one of the newest layouts and everything so far has been fine. After the oil change had a leaking oil line on the engine but tightening the clamp did the trick!

I've had my PT for 8 days and it already has 31 hours. Same run as ca956's. My problems have been my oil leak and the joystick seems to stick in the left position occasionally. In those 31 hours, I've cut the grass (once), moved a bunch of stone and mulch for a scout project, moved almost 250 tons of dirt, and various logs to the burn pile.

I definitely like what my PT can do. If I had gotten the Kubota I originally looked at, I am convinced it would have taken longer to do my projects to date and I would have likely rolled it in the meantime. It's too bad that their is such a dichotomy between their product and their lack of dealer like service. It's just one of those things you have to sign up to when you become a PT owner.

pajoube · Jul 10, 2004

Good post, thanks for the update.
PJ

FOURTEEN · Jul 10, 2004

"" skipping the sarcasm ""

If you mean skipping statements like "If you can't get your body parts (hand, arm) out of the way in time, I would suggest wearing gloves. Personally, I have no problem getting out of the way of the oil stream when using a socket on an extension through the frame opening.", then I heartily agree!! I assure you that having changed the oil in nothing but hot engines for the last 50 years, I know how to remove a drain plug with a socket and extension, and how to avoid the oil stream, and, since my mother has been dead for many years, I can even decide all by myself when it is, or is not, appropriate for me to wear gloves!!

The PT-425 in question has a very large insulated muffler which gets extremely hot and does not cool for a very long time. As explained earlier in the post, the socket with extension was not an option!! Even now that I have aligned the hex cap with the frame hole, the filter still has to be changed and moved in and out by squeezing it past that muffler! I prefer to do that operation with the engine cool!! With all my other engines I will, as I have for 50 years, change the oil when it is hot. Perhaps on the PT-425 I may drain the oil while it is hot, but wait until the engine and muffler have cooled before changing the filter.

"" Can you provide any substantiation for that? ""
"" Can you cite any authoritative source that says otherwise? ""

Yes!! It was posted on TBN at #459468 - 07/09/04 09:40 PM by a man who is known for his wit, intelligence, and occasional sarcasm, and is ""Expert on nothing, but with logical opinions about everything!!" !!

PS: In an attempt to drain the oil when it is as hot as possible, do not remove the oil drain plug with the engine running!! Premature engine failure could result!!!!
However, if you can not find authoritative sources to substantiate this advisory, you are free to ignore it, regardless of whether it appears to be a logical opinion, or not!!!

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cqaigy · Jul 11, 2004

<font color="red"> PS: In an attempt to drain the oil when it is as hot as possible, do not remove the oil drain plug with the engine running!! Premature engine failure could result!!!! </font>

Seems I remember seeing that when i was working up north in the winter. They would drain and refill at the same time while the engine was running. Jeese I'd hate to have to work in that kinda cold any more /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif But I bet some of our friends on here do when their plowing their driveway.

Anyway seems if you change the oil, hot or cold, it's gotta be better then not changing it.

pajoube · Jul 12, 2004

We get to minus 50 in the winter but the norm is around minus 25 with spells into the low teens (+). I plan my oil change just before winter really sets in so that my next one should be in early spring as I only do snow removal in the winter.
Last winter was really mild so was able to dig a garage foundation in January.
PJ

FOURTEEN · Jul 13, 2004

"" We get to minus 50 in the winter ""

Better thee than me!!!!

Last winter it dipped into the plus 20s a few times, and after a 3", that's inch, 'snow storm', the schools were closed for nearly a week!!

I find that the last few years my teeth and jaw ache if I work outside with temperatures down in the plus 30s or 40s!! At your place my teeth would probably pop right out and I would have to go back and retrieve them like popcorn on the snow!!!!

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pajoube · Jul 13, 2004

But then you have the high heat and humid summers that would put me under. It's all a matter of getting used to. My take on this is that you can always add clothing in winter but can only take so much off in the summer. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I like going to bed at night not sticky.
PJ

MossRoad · Jul 13, 2004

The colder the better!!!

So cold the hair in your nose freezes with each breath. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
So cold the spit crackles when it hits the snow. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
So cold the fish turn to fish sticks as soon as you throw 'em on the ice. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

That's the way I like it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

However, I also like the heat. It was 87 degrees with 87% humidity here the other day. It's like living in a sauna. Really loosens up the old joints and keeps them loose all day. Yes, you have to shower a few times, or you can just live in swim trunks all week and hose yourself off behind the garage. Nothing like a blast of 55 degree ground water to slap you back into reality. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

That's what's so hard about choosing the correct oil for all season equipment and why the 0W30 sounds so nice. I'll have to look into it. I currently run Mobil1 5W30 and have had no cold engine starting problems.

FOURTEEN · Jul 13, 2004

"" It's all a matter of getting used to. ""

True!! For the last few weeks each day brings ~92-96 with humidity that starts the day in the 80s, then drops to the 50s by noon.
I have been working each day on my new Morton Building. It's like being at an indoor pool - always hot and wet, but I'm beginning to not notice it!!
We have the A/C on in the house but the comfort temperature keeps slowly climbing. Now 80 on the thermostat feels just nice, about like 70 felt last January! 78 or 79 feels a little chilly, and it is only the middle of July!!!
Yesterday in Bagdad it was a lovely 115! Next month 140 would not be unusual!!

As Einstein said: "All things are relative!!"!!

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