BobRip
Elite Member
Given the comments here I would offer the guy the $350 and another $1000 or so if you get it working within a year. I think it is probably junk, but if you want a project then go for it. Just don't pay much for it.
Project PT1850
- Thread starter ToolcatWonka5610
- Start date
- Views: 2919
SnowRidge
Elite Member
It could have gone into the lake while on a trailer, or had the land under it give way while parked. Without knowing for certain that it went in cold, the only safe thing to do is assume it went in red hot while running on the hottest day of the year.
It's worth no more than scrap weight at today's rates, whatever they are in MI.
SpringHollow
Elite Member
I have yet to come close to the slope capabilities of the 1850 but there are other reasons to have one. For me, the duals have been great. The ground impact with them on is the same as my atv. Before the 1850, there was only 1 year i was able to get my regular tractor into the woods because the trails would be too muddy from the springs. Now, i have basically swum through the muddiest spots with the 1850.
The duals are also great for loader work. To clean out my ditch that i use to have to hire out to a full size backhoe with an extend-a-hoe, i widened it so my tractor with the duals can run up and down it. I bring out loads that are the limit of my 1200 lb lift capacity up out of the ditch at a 45 degree angle to the ditch and never think twice that i will tip. My regular CUTs tip with the bucket raised on the closest thing i have to flat ground here (hate it when that rear wheel lifts off the ground). Not the PT1850. It has been a godsend. It gets easily 20x's more hours put on it than my CUTs ever did because i can actually use it!!! I would likely use a 1430 or 1445 more than my CUTs but not nearly as much as I use the 1850. When i bought the used 1850, i did so because I thought i might use the slope capability. I had been looking for a used 1430. I am very glad i did not find one before i found the 1850.
Ken
OP
ToolcatWonka5610
Gold Member
ksimolo you pretty much summed up why where looking for an 1850.
But that 1850 is a complete write off. I just though I'd post it up and see what kind of damage could have been done. I'm a newbie to Power-Tracs anyway. But if anybody sees an 1845 or 1850 for sale, let me know.
ponytug
Super Member
I think that one has to assume the worst case scenario on this unit, i.e. it was running hot when it rolled into the lake.
I would point out that it has a cab with an AC cooler on it, with an enclosed cab. Someone went to substantial extra effort on this unit.
On the bright side, none of the glass is cracked, which suggests the ROPS wasn't hit hard. On the other hand, the engine photo looks as if the battery case is folded toward the engine and the engine is folded toward the fuel tank. I'm having trouble imagining how you could bend things that way, unless the tub is bent (doesn't look it), or a tree fell on the engine compartment.
As others have pointed out, if the engine inhaled water, it is probably a write off at this point, but the hydraulics might be OK. The fact it cranks over suggests at least some of the interlocks are working. (The fuel solenoid may not be...)
I'd consider buying it for parts. But you would be a lot of parts shy of a running 1850.
I have the 1445, and I use it routinely on 25 degree slopes. More than 25, I run up and down them perpendicular to the slope, as I am no longer comfortable with my safety zone. (I've never tipped mine, and I would like to keep it that way!) Over 20-25 degrees on our hard clay/gravel slopes, the tractor does have some traction issues. I have been fence sitting about going with forestry chains, or duallies, $1200-$2400 respectively. PT recommends against dualies on the 1445, but are OK with wide singles e.g. turf tires.
One comment on the 1850 for brush cutting; the 1850 has a three rotor brush cutter. This keeps the mower close to the tractor, and reduces the tendancy of a heavy mower to torque the tractor downslope in a cross slope cutting method. However, the rough cut mower is not really a brush cutter, more of a heavy grass/weed mower. Check with the factory, but I was encouraged to go for the 1445 with its 72" two blade brush mower, because I wanted to cut down shrubs. I can say that for mild (20 degrees and under) it is a tank, mowing anything and everything in its way. I mowed a burned out tree stump 2' x1'x2' by accident on Friday. Unintentionally! It had been a horse toy and the ponies had left it in a pile of weeds. However, on steeper slopes 20-25 degrees, the mower is a long way out from the center of mass of the tractor and has a tendency to torque the tractor down slope as the wheels slip. As a result, I mow the steeper slopes perpendicular to the contour, i.e. up and down hill, as I find it easier than compensating for the slip and worrying about finding a woodchuck hole on the downhill side.
If you have slopes, I think that Power Tracs are great machines. I can't imagine doing the work that we do with anything other that a PT or something like the swiss version.
If you plan on doing a lot of brush cutting, I would consider a secondary oil cooler for the engine, and a bigger fan on the hydraulic cooler. They are relatively cheap insurance against getting too hot. I know what it is like to brush hog in Michigan summers.
All the best,
Peter
I would point out that it has a cab with an AC cooler on it, with an enclosed cab. Someone went to substantial extra effort on this unit.
On the bright side, none of the glass is cracked, which suggests the ROPS wasn't hit hard. On the other hand, the engine photo looks as if the battery case is folded toward the engine and the engine is folded toward the fuel tank. I'm having trouble imagining how you could bend things that way, unless the tub is bent (doesn't look it), or a tree fell on the engine compartment.
As others have pointed out, if the engine inhaled water, it is probably a write off at this point, but the hydraulics might be OK. The fact it cranks over suggests at least some of the interlocks are working. (The fuel solenoid may not be...)
I'd consider buying it for parts. But you would be a lot of parts shy of a running 1850.
I have the 1445, and I use it routinely on 25 degree slopes. More than 25, I run up and down them perpendicular to the slope, as I am no longer comfortable with my safety zone. (I've never tipped mine, and I would like to keep it that way!) Over 20-25 degrees on our hard clay/gravel slopes, the tractor does have some traction issues. I have been fence sitting about going with forestry chains, or duallies, $1200-$2400 respectively. PT recommends against dualies on the 1445, but are OK with wide singles e.g. turf tires.
One comment on the 1850 for brush cutting; the 1850 has a three rotor brush cutter. This keeps the mower close to the tractor, and reduces the tendancy of a heavy mower to torque the tractor downslope in a cross slope cutting method. However, the rough cut mower is not really a brush cutter, more of a heavy grass/weed mower. Check with the factory, but I was encouraged to go for the 1445 with its 72" two blade brush mower, because I wanted to cut down shrubs. I can say that for mild (20 degrees and under) it is a tank, mowing anything and everything in its way. I mowed a burned out tree stump 2' x1'x2' by accident on Friday. Unintentionally! It had been a horse toy and the ponies had left it in a pile of weeds. However, on steeper slopes 20-25 degrees, the mower is a long way out from the center of mass of the tractor and has a tendency to torque the tractor down slope as the wheels slip. As a result, I mow the steeper slopes perpendicular to the contour, i.e. up and down hill, as I find it easier than compensating for the slip and worrying about finding a woodchuck hole on the downhill side.
If you have slopes, I think that Power Tracs are great machines. I can't imagine doing the work that we do with anything other that a PT or something like the swiss version.
If you plan on doing a lot of brush cutting, I would consider a secondary oil cooler for the engine, and a bigger fan on the hydraulic cooler. They are relatively cheap insurance against getting too hot. I know what it is like to brush hog in Michigan summers.
All the best,
Peter
SpringHollow
Elite Member
Looks like he did some work on that PT1850 and it is back on Ebay at a much higher price. Possible he had two.
Ken
Ken
woodlandfarms
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2006
- Messages
- 6,137
- Location
- Los Angeles / SW Washington
- Tractor
- PowerTrac 1850, Kubota RTV x900
So I looked at the machine at ebay again. There is something hinky here.
Lots of little notes...
That cab looks like a PT creation. Seems to well thought out for a home brew. It is even sealed from the elements at the bottom.
Doesn't look like he got a qa plate on it.
I also wonder if he replaced all the wheel motors, cause as far as I know those are not the original rims (meaning they are for a different tractor).
Looks like he bent the cover straight.
No air deflector on the engine.
Right side steering cylinder has some surface rust...
Lots of little notes...
That cab looks like a PT creation. Seems to well thought out for a home brew. It is even sealed from the elements at the bottom.
Doesn't look like he got a qa plate on it.
I also wonder if he replaced all the wheel motors, cause as far as I know those are not the original rims (meaning they are for a different tractor).
Looks like he bent the cover straight.
No air deflector on the engine.
Right side steering cylinder has some surface rust...
OP
ToolcatWonka5610
Gold Member
Thats a 1990's machine because there's no PT adapter, its the 3pt setup.
Anyways it's gone and it was too much work.
But I think it was sitting and the ground gave way. If it rolled many times down a hill would there be damage to the cab? Doesn't appear to be any.
Anyways it's gone and it was too much work.
But I think it was sitting and the ground gave way. If it rolled many times down a hill would there be damage to the cab? Doesn't appear to be any.
SpringHollow
Elite Member
Not gone - looks like the same one with some work done to it and a MUCH higher price:
search for Power Trac 1850 and you will see it.
Ken
search for Power Trac 1850 and you will see it.
Ken
OP
ToolcatWonka5610
Gold Member
Hey! Looks like he fixed it up.
