PT 180

[MossRoad]

You should not run dual tires on the 180. The reason as explained by Terry at Power Trac was that the wheel motors are not designed for the increase in side loading that dual wheels would add. If you could only stay on flat ground, it wouldn't be a problem. Let's say you have 8" wide tires with a 2" gap between them. So a total of 18". With a single tire, you have a the possibility of having an 8" lever side loading the shaft on the wheel motor if the outer edge of the tire goes up on something, like a rock, mole hill, curb, etc... With duals, you now have the possibility of putting an 18" lever side loading the shaft.

Make sense?

 

[TimberXX]

Good point about the duals. But I would like to explore the largest tires I could fit on that machine. Any recommendations?

 

[MossRoad]

Larger tire will = higher top speed, but less force you can transmit to the ground. It'll do 8mph now with the stock tires. Why do you want larger tires, if I may ask?

 

[TimberXX]

My issue is how soggy my lot is. I cut lawns for years, and my lot is the soggiest ive seen. i have some new french drains, but still way too wet. the only two machines that don't rut mt lawn are my bcs 770 with turf tires, and a tracked mini skid, like a toro dingo.

 

[ponytug]

It sounds like you have some real challenges, and that usually means tradeoffs in my book.

In general, PTs have very low ground pressure, but they aren't boats. It is hard to judge soggy from a distance, but if it is the soggiest that you have seen, that's pretty wet. My PT is a heavier one, but I would guesstimate the ground pressure as less than me walking with boots. The turf tire are slightly larger area than the bar tires.

I hope that your soggy lawn isn't just a swamp, I.e. it is a fixable problem.

If you have already put in French drains, I have two thoughts; more French drains, potentially with a sump pump, and top layering sand with your new PT to help improve drainage, and improve weight bearing. Neither is zero cost, and adding sand may affect how water drains around your house. I used my PT to trench in French drains in a mud pit of an arena that I have, and the arena has been rock solid and dry ever since, but I had slope to be able to divert the water readily with.

All the best,

Peter

 

[cqaigy2]

My issue is how soggy my lot is. I cut lawns for years, and my lot is the soggiest ive seen. i have some new french drains, but still way too wet. the only two machines that don't rut mt lawn are my bcs 770 with turf tires, and a tracked mini skid, like a toro dingo.

Is the PT-180 rutting up your lawn? I'm curios, i have 422, and we receive continuous rain for 6 months, on silty clay soil, so the water sits on top and slowly drains. I've not had much of a problem, unless im moving material and repeatedly driving over the same place, and even then it just gets some mud worked up, but not ruts.

 

[MossRoad]

Is the PT-180 rutting up your lawn? I'm curios, i have 422, and we receive continuous rain for 6 months, on silty clay soil, so the water sits on top and slowly drains. I've not had much of a problem, unless im moving material and repeatedly driving over the same place, and even then it just gets some mud worked up, but not ruts.

I don't think he has a PT yet. I think he's interested in looking at them.

 

[MossRoad]

My PT425 weighs about 1500#.

So thats 1500# / 4 tires = 375# per tire (if the machine is evenly balanced, which it's not)

The tire ground contact patch on my machine is about 4X area of the ball of my foot.

So divide 375# / 4 of my partial foot print when walking = 93.75#. Let's call it 100#.

I weigh 220#, so I'm putting roughly twice the pressure on the ground with the ball of my foot when I'm walking than my PT425 puts on the ground when rolling.

In no way is that scientific, and it's just a guess, however, it's a fairly good guess, I guess.

These machines are pretty light on their feet.

 

[TimberXX]

the french drain project is a multi year project for sure. im going to add more every year until i find something that works.

this was my math PT 180 1260# plus me at 225# plus fuel 40# equals 1525#

The tires are 8.5 inches wide and a radius of 11.5 inches. for an area of 97.75

assuming the weight is 60-40 split, my rear "axle" is 1525# * .60 or 915 #

917 # divided by two tires at 97.75 square inches. thats about 9.3 PSI.

The mini skid that i rent is at 5.5 psi

I would like get as close to 5.5 as possible.

I think i just need to talk to the boys in Tazwell.

BTW they need to update the power trac website. its like 2002!

thanks for all the help guys.

 

[SpringHollow]

What is important for an accurate calculation is the surface area of the tire that is in contact with the ground. That area is difficult to know for sure since it depends upon the tire, the pressure, and the ground.

Ken