MossRoad
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
No, there's a few other Kohler's out there, but most are Subaru/Robin
Poll. Subaru vs Kohler
- Thread starter Frank Sorbello
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MossRoad
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
This is my 2001 model year PT425.
Note the variable volume pump is in front of the engine under the gas tank, the FEL and AUXPTO pumps are behind it, hydraulic filter in right front corner, the fuel tank is under the hood and the battery is under the muffler on the right rear side. Note the factory Kohler muffler exhausting out the rear. ZERO heat problems.
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Below is Pajoube's 2003 (I believe) model year PT425. Also a Kohler.
Note that his has the engine rotated 180 degrees from mine and is located completely to the rear of the tub, all of the hydraulic pumps are in front of it, the fuel tank is built into the rear of the lid, the battery is raised above the hydraulic pumps and the hydraulic filter is on a riser for easier access. Note the muffler (Power Trac fabricated, I believer) location and the muffler wrap.
Can someone post some pictures of later model years with Subaru's for comparison?
Note the variable volume pump is in front of the engine under the gas tank, the FEL and AUXPTO pumps are behind it, hydraulic filter in right front corner, the fuel tank is under the hood and the battery is under the muffler on the right rear side. Note the factory Kohler muffler exhausting out the rear. ZERO heat problems.
Below is Pajoube's 2003 (I believe) model year PT425. Also a Kohler.
Note that his has the engine rotated 180 degrees from mine and is located completely to the rear of the tub, all of the hydraulic pumps are in front of it, the fuel tank is built into the rear of the lid, the battery is raised above the hydraulic pumps and the hydraulic filter is on a riser for easier access. Note the muffler (Power Trac fabricated, I believer) location and the muffler wrap.
Can someone post some pictures of later model years with Subaru's for comparison?
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jfischer
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- Hustler X-One, Power Trac 425, Sold and Retired my JD318
If you are going to let the fact that the PT425 or others have the Subaru in them, and are waiting for the company to put another engine in it, you might be waiting a long time.
I Can't say I am a fan of the Subaru, but I bought mine back in March and it started fine down to 30 degrees. (I will put a heat pad on it before this Winter) but I looked at many other machines, and you get what you pay for, and don't think there is anything in their price range that comes close.
To this point I have had no issues with the vapor lock, or other problems many seem to have. True, I don't have but 60 hours at this point, but so far I am happy with the machine.
True, I don't mow with it, but that is not why I bought the machine. Too many cheap mowers out there for grass only, and I use a zero turn on my lawn, of which I decreased my mowing time by about 2/3 the time over a 50" John Deere. It just goes faster, will get closer to things, and does a over all better cut.
The starting problems in the cold could be due to the small starters, or it not getting enough amperage. I know that an Onan I had in a John Deere would have problems also, but there was a relay kit you put on them and never had these problems.
To me the design of the engine down in an enclosed tub on three sides is going to be hard for any engine to keep the coolest, and I have done the fan, header, exhaust and other mods, and so far am pretty happy with the machine.
Just my two cents on this.
I Can't say I am a fan of the Subaru, but I bought mine back in March and it started fine down to 30 degrees. (I will put a heat pad on it before this Winter) but I looked at many other machines, and you get what you pay for, and don't think there is anything in their price range that comes close.
To this point I have had no issues with the vapor lock, or other problems many seem to have. True, I don't have but 60 hours at this point, but so far I am happy with the machine.
True, I don't mow with it, but that is not why I bought the machine. Too many cheap mowers out there for grass only, and I use a zero turn on my lawn, of which I decreased my mowing time by about 2/3 the time over a 50" John Deere. It just goes faster, will get closer to things, and does a over all better cut.
The starting problems in the cold could be due to the small starters, or it not getting enough amperage. I know that an Onan I had in a John Deere would have problems also, but there was a relay kit you put on them and never had these problems.
To me the design of the engine down in an enclosed tub on three sides is going to be hard for any engine to keep the coolest, and I have done the fan, header, exhaust and other mods, and so far am pretty happy with the machine.
Just my two cents on this.
Barryh
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- Former owner of a P T -180 / Kubota BX-1500 .. A Craftsman Yard Tractor / John Deere 140 H-1 / Cub Cadet 108. And now ( Little Red ) a Power Trac 1425
I had the Robin 18 hp in my PT-180 in 2005 but now, I have the same Kohler setup that Moss has although his is ridiculously cleaner at the moment. :laughing:
When I bought the 180 the first thing I noticed was a bad vibration at certain RPM's which I attributed to possible debris in the bottom of the the gas tank and the fact that it needed a break in period.. I did everything possible to get rid of the vibration.
At the 650 hr mark when I sold it, it still had the same bad vibration and ran hot. Around the 400 + hour mark I had to replace leaking valve cover gaskets. That said, it started fine down to 20 degree's in my unheated garage.. And the machine is still running strong to this day and the guy that owns it still uses and loves the machine...
My 97 -1425 has the same engine / setup as MR's and now has 638 hours on the machine. The previous owner said he has never had a problems with it. But I can't attest to that since I just bought it. Hopefully it will never give me any problems. What immediately stood out to me about the engine when I first test drove it, was how easy it started and how smooth and strong it ran.
I see no oil leaks no smoke and it makes no noises.. Time will tell how well it holds up and starts this winter. I have a red temperature light on mine that will come on if it gets to hot. For now It's running regular 10 W 30.
I am pondering on changing over to synthetic but kind of hesitate since it has 600 + hours on it and nothing leaks. Thinking maybe I should just stay with the Dino.
In retrospect I was planning on buying a new 422 then work hard at finding a better cooling solution. I think Robin is a decent engine and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. But given a choice I would definitely go with a Kohler and never look back.
I have the single cylinder Kohlers on my old Cub and John Deere garden tractors. They do not smoke and run surprisingly well for being 40 + years old.
When I bought the 180 the first thing I noticed was a bad vibration at certain RPM's which I attributed to possible debris in the bottom of the the gas tank and the fact that it needed a break in period.. I did everything possible to get rid of the vibration.
At the 650 hr mark when I sold it, it still had the same bad vibration and ran hot. Around the 400 + hour mark I had to replace leaking valve cover gaskets. That said, it started fine down to 20 degree's in my unheated garage.. And the machine is still running strong to this day and the guy that owns it still uses and loves the machine...
My 97 -1425 has the same engine / setup as MR's and now has 638 hours on the machine. The previous owner said he has never had a problems with it. But I can't attest to that since I just bought it. Hopefully it will never give me any problems. What immediately stood out to me about the engine when I first test drove it, was how easy it started and how smooth and strong it ran.
I see no oil leaks no smoke and it makes no noises.. Time will tell how well it holds up and starts this winter. I have a red temperature light on mine that will come on if it gets to hot. For now It's running regular 10 W 30.
I am pondering on changing over to synthetic but kind of hesitate since it has 600 + hours on it and nothing leaks. Thinking maybe I should just stay with the Dino.
In retrospect I was planning on buying a new 422 then work hard at finding a better cooling solution. I think Robin is a decent engine and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. But given a choice I would definitely go with a Kohler and never look back.
I have the single cylinder Kohlers on my old Cub and John Deere garden tractors. They do not smoke and run surprisingly well for being 40 + years old.
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jeff9366
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The new Kubota Zero Turn mowers have Kawasaki engines. Tectonic shift for Kubota.
MossRoad
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Uh.... that's a 14 year old picture when it was brand new. Its filthy now. :thumbsup:
Barryh
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Just thought you were meticulous about maintenance.. Yeah.. I was wondering about that.. 
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MossRoad
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Just thought you were meticulous about maintenance.. Yeah.. I was wondering about that..
Nope. I try to keep it in good working order, but not show-quality condition. Its a mess right now. Footwells and tub full of leaves and grass. Lots of surface rust behind the wheels, etc... Pool pump died. Washing machine died. Suburban is limping. Air conditioning limping. Kid going to grad school. 2nd kid goes to Vet school in a year. Changed jobs recently. Wife changed jobs recently. Life keeps throwing em at us and we keep swinging! But super clean tractor is low on the to-do list right now! :laughing:
But, we are debt free, have a warm home (even in summer!), good roof, good food and good friends and neighbors.... life could suck a whole lot more if we wanted it to!
Patric Sr
New member
:thumbsup:MossRoad I am with you I have a 2425 no problems with my kohler I am planning on a heating element later this summer for next winter I will post pictures my fuel tank and Hyd. tank are in the front.