MossRoad
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I decided to start this thread so that we can share data on customizing our Power Trac equipment.
PowerTrac Customizations
- Thread starter MossRoad
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MossRoad
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MossRoad
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
These are the first things that I would like to add to my PT425.
1. Headlights under the canopy facing forward.
2. One headlight under the canopy facing backward.
3. One amber flasher under the canopy facing backward.
4. One switch box mounted under the canopy in the upper right corner to control these lights.
5. Two switches in the box to control the lights and two more switches for future items.
6. Small diameter steel tubing welded under the canopy and down the side of the ROPS to act as wire raceways.
7. A fuse block in the engine compartment for the new light circuit.
1. Headlights under the canopy facing forward.
2. One headlight under the canopy facing backward.
3. One amber flasher under the canopy facing backward.
4. One switch box mounted under the canopy in the upper right corner to control these lights.
5. Two switches in the box to control the lights and two more switches for future items.
6. Small diameter steel tubing welded under the canopy and down the side of the ROPS to act as wire raceways.
7. A fuse block in the engine compartment for the new light circuit.
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MossRoad
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Some attachments that I would like to make for my PT425.
Modify a spare quick attach plate by welding on some thick walled square tubing that I could drill holes into to bolt on attachments for experimentation.
Weld a 2" receiver onto a plate about 6" square and bolt it to customized quick attach plate mentioned above. This would be useful for a variety of hitches such as ball hitch, pintel hook, etc... for moving items around my property.
I would like to fabricate a very skinny bucket for popping out small trees and bushes<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kascomfg.com/rooter.htm> similar to this </A> only smaller. It looks like a good beginner welding project. Several flat panels and some teeth.
Log splitter. Another good beginner project.
I have a 5 foot box blade scraper that is for 3pt hitch. I would like to see if I can adapt it to the quick attach as well. It might be too big and heavy to be useful.
A lighweight grapple for the large light material bucket. This would be useful for holding in brush and debris. It would involve one hydraulic cylinder, two grapple fingers and a pivot mechanism, as well as some reinforcing to the bucket. I don't want to make it too beefy, as it could start decreasing my lift capacity. But since this will be more for bulky items than heavy items, I don't think it will be too much of a problem.
A small log grapple would be a harder project, but as I progress, that would be neat. I could just drive up to a log, grab it and back out of the woods.
The ever popular Cad Digger backhoe kits. The one that I am looking at is the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cadplans.com/821.htm> model 821</A>. It requires a ball hitch to tow it around. I have to contact Power Trac to see if it is suitable to power this type of implement. It will not put any weight load on the PT425, as it is self supporting. The PT425 will just provide the hydraulics and a means to move it. I have priced the components that I would have to buy. The pre cut steel kit is about $1100.00 and then I will have to buy hydraulic cylinders, controls and hoses. A backhoe with these specs for under $2000.00 looks pretty good to me, but that is still a big purchase.
Hydraulic winch <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.milemarker.com/> similar to this</A> for hauling out logs that I don't want to drive up to, although the PT425 is probably small enough to get anywhere in my woods.
I'm sure I can think of more, and probably will./w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif I'll add them as I think of them.
Modify a spare quick attach plate by welding on some thick walled square tubing that I could drill holes into to bolt on attachments for experimentation.
Weld a 2" receiver onto a plate about 6" square and bolt it to customized quick attach plate mentioned above. This would be useful for a variety of hitches such as ball hitch, pintel hook, etc... for moving items around my property.
I would like to fabricate a very skinny bucket for popping out small trees and bushes<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kascomfg.com/rooter.htm> similar to this </A> only smaller. It looks like a good beginner welding project. Several flat panels and some teeth.
Log splitter. Another good beginner project.
I have a 5 foot box blade scraper that is for 3pt hitch. I would like to see if I can adapt it to the quick attach as well. It might be too big and heavy to be useful.
A lighweight grapple for the large light material bucket. This would be useful for holding in brush and debris. It would involve one hydraulic cylinder, two grapple fingers and a pivot mechanism, as well as some reinforcing to the bucket. I don't want to make it too beefy, as it could start decreasing my lift capacity. But since this will be more for bulky items than heavy items, I don't think it will be too much of a problem.
A small log grapple would be a harder project, but as I progress, that would be neat. I could just drive up to a log, grab it and back out of the woods.
The ever popular Cad Digger backhoe kits. The one that I am looking at is the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cadplans.com/821.htm> model 821</A>. It requires a ball hitch to tow it around. I have to contact Power Trac to see if it is suitable to power this type of implement. It will not put any weight load on the PT425, as it is self supporting. The PT425 will just provide the hydraulics and a means to move it. I have priced the components that I would have to buy. The pre cut steel kit is about $1100.00 and then I will have to buy hydraulic cylinders, controls and hoses. A backhoe with these specs for under $2000.00 looks pretty good to me, but that is still a big purchase.
Hydraulic winch <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.milemarker.com/> similar to this</A> for hauling out logs that I don't want to drive up to, although the PT425 is probably small enough to get anywhere in my woods.
I'm sure I can think of more, and probably will./w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif I'll add them as I think of them.
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MossRoad
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Picked up a 6 circuit fuse block, fuses, connectors and 4 lighted toggle switches at the Auto Zone today. Picked up the project box at Radio Shack. One switch will be for the headlight facing forwards under the canopy, one for the reverse headlight, one for the flashers and one is for the future.
Attachments
pajoube
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Correct me if I am wrong. The quick attach plate is used for only that impliment. In other words if you have extra plates such as one for a ball hitch, that is the only thing you can do with it. I keep reading about you and others buying extra plates from PT for later use. Is the cost of a extra plate low enough to have it for special use only? or can it be used in more than one application?
Can you have extra plates made from the local welder that would work and be more cost effective?
My thinking at this point is that having extra plates developed for special uses would be very helpful. The cost from PT is around $100 and the cost from a local welder (if possible) is ??. Have you looked into this?
Paul
Can you have extra plates made from the local welder that would work and be more cost effective?
My thinking at this point is that having extra plates developed for special uses would be very helpful. The cost from PT is around $100 and the cost from a local welder (if possible) is ??. Have you looked into this?
Paul
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MossRoad
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I suppose that you could have a local welder make one up, but, by looking at the plate, it is probably 1/2 inch thick with a large bend at the bottom. It has a strap welded around the other sides and a piece of steel stock welded inside of that. To top it off, there are two rectangular slots cut into the bottom of this. I don't know how much labor it would take to manufacture something like this from scratch, but I bet you could get 4 hours into it easily. So the price didn't seem that bad.
What I plan on doing with the plate that I bought is weld some heavy rectangular tubing to it. I will then be able to drill bolt holes in the tubing and use it as a test plate for some projects that I want to do.
If the project works, then I'll purchase another plate and weld the implement to that.
This way, I'll only mutilate one plate/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif. I can alway burn off off the tubing, grind down the plate and re-position the tubing for another project.
What I plan on doing with the plate that I bought is weld some heavy rectangular tubing to it. I will then be able to drill bolt holes in the tubing and use it as a test plate for some projects that I want to do.
If the project works, then I'll purchase another plate and weld the implement to that.
This way, I'll only mutilate one plate/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif. I can alway burn off off the tubing, grind down the plate and re-position the tubing for another project.
Charlie_Iliff
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Pajoube:
I agree with MossRoad that the plates are probably not overpriced. I bought two extras, one to go on the 4-N-1 bucket that W.R. Long is making for me, and the other to use for miscellaneous projects. I will probably put a 2" hitch receiver on that one, and then use that to attach a number of other things, such as a winch, etc. I also probably will get another separate plate, however, once I convince my brother he will never fix the old Datsun fork lift he has, so I can remove the adjustable fork assembliy and put the plate on the frame.
The plates aren't cheap, but after unloading five implements from a trailer, and then hitching to each a second time and stowing them in a shed, all in a little less than an hour, I will say to anyone that the quick attach system is more than worth it. If it had been 3-point stuff, I would have had to hook a rope or chain to each and lift it with the bucket. As it was, I actually could have used each piece of equipment last night, not just slung it off the trailer.
Power Trac implements already have the plates on them, of course, so you only have to get extra ones to tinker.
I agree with MossRoad that the plates are probably not overpriced. I bought two extras, one to go on the 4-N-1 bucket that W.R. Long is making for me, and the other to use for miscellaneous projects. I will probably put a 2" hitch receiver on that one, and then use that to attach a number of other things, such as a winch, etc. I also probably will get another separate plate, however, once I convince my brother he will never fix the old Datsun fork lift he has, so I can remove the adjustable fork assembliy and put the plate on the frame.
The plates aren't cheap, but after unloading five implements from a trailer, and then hitching to each a second time and stowing them in a shed, all in a little less than an hour, I will say to anyone that the quick attach system is more than worth it. If it had been 3-point stuff, I would have had to hook a rope or chain to each and lift it with the bucket. As it was, I actually could have used each piece of equipment last night, not just slung it off the trailer.
Power Trac implements already have the plates on them, of course, so you only have to get extra ones to tinker.
pajoube
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Thanks, your idea sounds good. Be sure to get a picture after you have a test run.
Paul
Paul
pajoube
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great idea on the 2" hitch receiver - at least you can do more with it. One side of me says that a plate just for a ball hitch makes no sense but on the other hand I want this unit to handle all my needs.
Appreciate your advise.
Paul
Appreciate your advise.
Paul
