Red Zebra
Silver Member
Hit the 10 hr mark last weekend so it was time for maintenance. Also thought I'd throw in my impression of the machine.
-The 25hp Robin has been running very well. No start up problems. Located replacement filters at Advance Auto parts...PT gave me a fram part #...Advance had it! $5 for the tough truck - # 4967. The factory must have put the original on with a jack hammer.
-Refilled with 10-30 synthetic and %20 Lucas oil stabilizer.
-Changed the Hydro filter...not too messy. Pre-filled the new filter with 10w40 and installed. No problems bleeding the system with the little hose as shown by Terry at PT. ...no leaks after running this morning moving rocks.
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So far the tractor is performing as expected. I'm amazed how steep of hills/ditches this thing can accomodate. I'd never try going up/down/sidways on the ditches/hills with my old tractor. The bar treads were a great investment for me. Really helps traction on the hills and in the clay.
We're building a house and have mega plans for retaining walls, rock walls, rock paths, a mini stone henge...did I mention we will landscape with rock?
Neighbors have been offering any rocks we can pick up by hand or machine.
The FORKS are awesome. Allows us to pick up large rock with no problem. We figure the cost saving in stones alone will probably pay for 1/2 the PT.
Not to mention saving my poor back!
I have taught both kids how to respect and operate the PT. My 10yo daughter and 15yo boy have really learned quickly. I'm able to point out the rock I want...the boy comes in and forks it, moves it to the trailer, gently puts it down and then using forks again, slides it into position. Maybe all those computer games were good for something.
The wife was given the same instruction on respecting the PT that includes the statement: "always treat this tractor like it wants to kill you". She understood that...but didn't believe me about the sensitivity of the treadle. Shame on me for walking behind the PT (about 10 ft away) when she started backing...I heard the pitch of the motor change and new she had "floored" it...without looking I was already diving for cover ...No danger. She recovered the machine within moving 2-3ft...but now she's a believer.
Hmmm....wonder if she saw that huge life insurance policy on me... .
Have reinforced the LMB with 1/2" x 3" Flat stock...she is now rigid and not having any problems loading/moving large rocks. Will fab up teeth for it later.
Brush cutter performing as expected...it does not like heavy/thick grass but does ok by taking a 3/4 bite in the thicker areas. Once I get it knocked down it should be no problem to maintain it that way taking full bites.
Have not used the mini-hoe much but will whem we start landscaping. I did dig out small shrubs...no challenge.
Will upload pics of the pull behind mower attachment experiment later...The camera is inexplicably misplaced. (I think it's in the barn but it's in shambles.) Since moving out here I have not installed any shelving, work tables....Hmmm wonder how I could use the PT to do that....
-The 25hp Robin has been running very well. No start up problems. Located replacement filters at Advance Auto parts...PT gave me a fram part #...Advance had it! $5 for the tough truck - # 4967. The factory must have put the original on with a jack hammer.
-Refilled with 10-30 synthetic and %20 Lucas oil stabilizer.
-Changed the Hydro filter...not too messy. Pre-filled the new filter with 10w40 and installed. No problems bleeding the system with the little hose as shown by Terry at PT. ...no leaks after running this morning moving rocks.
***********
So far the tractor is performing as expected. I'm amazed how steep of hills/ditches this thing can accomodate. I'd never try going up/down/sidways on the ditches/hills with my old tractor. The bar treads were a great investment for me. Really helps traction on the hills and in the clay.
We're building a house and have mega plans for retaining walls, rock walls, rock paths, a mini stone henge...did I mention we will landscape with rock?
Neighbors have been offering any rocks we can pick up by hand or machine.
The FORKS are awesome. Allows us to pick up large rock with no problem. We figure the cost saving in stones alone will probably pay for 1/2 the PT.
Not to mention saving my poor back! I have taught both kids how to respect and operate the PT. My 10yo daughter and 15yo boy have really learned quickly. I'm able to point out the rock I want...the boy comes in and forks it, moves it to the trailer, gently puts it down and then using forks again, slides it into position. Maybe all those computer games were good for something.
The wife was given the same instruction on respecting the PT that includes the statement: "always treat this tractor like it wants to kill you". She understood that...but didn't believe me about the sensitivity of the treadle. Shame on me for walking behind the PT (about 10 ft away) when she started backing...I heard the pitch of the motor change and new she had "floored" it...without looking I was already diving for cover
...No danger. She recovered the machine within moving 2-3ft...but now she's a believer.Hmmm....wonder if she saw that huge life insurance policy on me...
. Have reinforced the LMB with 1/2" x 3" Flat stock...she is now rigid and not having any problems loading/moving large rocks. Will fab up teeth for it later.
Brush cutter performing as expected...it does not like heavy/thick grass but does ok by taking a 3/4 bite in the thicker areas. Once I get it knocked down it should be no problem to maintain it that way taking full bites.
Have not used the mini-hoe much but will whem we start landscaping. I did dig out small shrubs...no challenge.
Will upload pics of the pull behind mower attachment experiment later...The camera is inexplicably misplaced. (I think it's in the barn but it's in shambles.)
Since moving out here I have not installed any shelving, work tables....Hmmm wonder how I could use the PT to do that....
