PT-425 PROS & cons??

[BillCroasmun]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

I've thought about this issue and solution quite a bit myself. I thought about a long pin with cotter pins and also a strap with a quick connecting buckle from the back of the seat to the rear of the front section.

Never moved to action since I had never heard of it affecting anyone though. I kept thinking... maybe I'm just paranoid.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

OUCH is right! I've had that happen a couple of times, too. It gives you a nice view of the FEL arms and linkages.

I fold my seat up often, so I would try to use one of those pins with the tumb button in the middle to release the spring loaded ball bearing deals. What are those things called, anyway?

 

[FOURTEEN]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

There are several ways that the seat could be restrained, as long as the method chosen is strong enough to not fail when it is most needed!

Perhaps a 3/8" threaded rod with snug nuts on both sides would be sufficient. In any event I think that any strong method of restraining the seat is preferable to the OEM folding seat!

I still can't envision the need to often fold the seat, but each of us use their equipment in different ways!


Now if I can just get the ‘SRS Air Bag’ to fit and the ‘Electronic Stability Control’ hooked up!!!!

 

[BobRip]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Sure! I didn't have a rod, but I did have some bolts!

However, the rod would not have the shear strength of the properly tightened bolts. I'd hate to hit something again, and have the rod ends bend releasing the seat to fold forward anyway!! For the few times that I foresee wanting to fold the seat, I think that the bolts would be the preferred way to go!!

As you know, I have no fear of PT Pucker, but that is another instance where the folding seat acerbates the situation by dumping you forward onto the steering wheel just as you are trying to regain control!! A snug seatbelt attached to a solidly mounted seat will hold you in the proper position to effectively control the PT in nearly any situation!!

Good points. There's my next mod.

 

[BobRip]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Good points. There's my next mod.

OK it's done. I used one long 7/16 inch bolt. It goes below the seat bracket instead of through it. Thanks to Fourteen for another good modification. See attached pictures.

I tapered the end of the bolt (after threading some nuts on it) using the belt sander. The nuts had no trouble coming off after that. The taper hopefully will allow me to find the far hole during bolt insertion without removing the PT tunnel cover.

 

[KentT]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

OK it's done. I used one long 7/16 inch bolt. It goes below the seat bracket instead of through it. Thanks to Fourteen for another good modification. See attached pictures.

I tapered the end of the bolt (after threading some nuts on it) using the belt sander. The nuts had no trouble coming off after that. The taper hopefully will allow me to find the far hole during bolt insertion without removing the PT tunnel cover.

Nice mod, Bob.

Those pics have me wondering if it would be possible to cut/grind the top hole (the one it pivots on) into a slotted hole in the seat bracket, elongating it down toward the end of the bracket. The slot would parallel the edge of the bracket. Then you could lift up and back on the seat, pulling it up the slot, then pivot it forward. When the seat is down, the pivot bolt is at the top of the slot and the angled end of the seat bracket is wedged between those two bolts you have there...

Not sure that this communicates what I'm picturing very well, but this would allow you to lock the seat to where it wouldn't fly forward, yet allow you to lift it and pivot it forward when you need to access the hydraulic tank, center pivot, etc.

 

[BobRip]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Nice mod, Bob.

Those pics have me wondering if it would be possible to cut/grind the top hole (the one it pivots on) into a slotted hole in the seat bracket, elongating it down toward the end of the bracket. The slot would parallel the edge of the bracket. Then you could lift up and back on the seat, pulling it up the slot, then pivot it forward. When the seat is down, the pivot bolt is at the top of the slot and the angled end of the seat bracket is wedged between those two bolts you have there...

Not sure that this communicates what I'm picturing very well, but this would allow you to lock the seat to where it wouldn't fly forward, yet allow you to lift it and pivot it forward when you need to access the hydraulic tank, center pivot, etc.

I can't quite visualize that, but I kinda see it. Sounds like it might work sometimes, and not others. You could slot the bottom forward end of the seat bracket so the slot goes into the existing stop bolts or maybe new bolts. I guess I need to order the milling machine that I have been thinking about. This might be difficult with my existing tools.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

...

I still can't envision the need to often fold the seat, but each of us use their equipment in different ways!...

Every time I fuel up, I fold the seat forward so no fuel splashes on the seat. The filler opening is only about 6 inches from the seat back. I check the hydraulic oil level every so often, so I need it then, too.

 

[FOURTEEN]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

It sounds like I got those brain cells burning yet again!! When I get ready to skin my cat, I know right where to come for the best method!!

 

[KentT]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

I can't quite visualize that, but I kinda see it. Sounds like it might work sometimes, and not others. You could slot the bottom forward end of the seat bracket so the slot goes into the existing stop bolts or maybe new bolts. I guess I need to order the milling machine that I have been thinking about. This might be difficult with my existing tools.

Does this help? I think it would work, but you'd need to use a large flat washer on each mounting bolt to spread the stress. You may have to round off that pointed nose on the bracket to get it to clear the bolt on the bottom, left.

 

[KentT]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Every time I fuel up, I fold the seat forward so no fuel splashes on the seat. The filler opening is only about 6 inches from the seat back. I check the hydraulic oil level every so often, so I need it then, too.

I'm with you... there may be other ways of doing it, but I typically grease the center pivot joint and check the hydraulic fluid each time I use the PT. I also fold the seat forward when refueling...

Sometimes I even fold it forward to keep the hot summer sun from shining on it while I'm doing something. It will help shade the seat, if the sun is coming in under the ROPS/FOPS...

 

[Gravy]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

OUCH is right! I've had that happen a couple of times, too. It gives you a nice view of the FEL arms and linkages.

I fold my seat up often, so I would try to use one of those pins with the tumb button in the middle to release the spring loaded ball bearing deals. What are those things called, anyway?

Not quite the same thing, but I tried a spring plunger. http://www.mcmaster.com/itm/find.AS...DtlLink&fasttrack=False&searchstring=8482A341 On my 425, the seat has to be tilted forward to open the cover for refueling, so I drilled 2 holes - one to hold the seat up, and one to hold it down. The outside thread was 5/8", with a sliding pin of about 5/16". It didn't last long before the pin bent, then finally broke off. They are available in larger sizes, but as they get fatter,they get longer and might get in the way. I've got a vague idea of making one that uses an external spring so the pin can be fatter.

Gravy

 

[MossRoad]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

I was thinking of something like this...

 

[MossRoad]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

YIKES! They are expensive.... about $20.00.

Kwik Lock Pins

 

[FOURTEEN]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Every time I fuel up, I fold the seat forward so no fuel splashes on the seat. The filler opening is only about 6 inches from the seat back. I check the hydraulic oil level every so often, so I need it then, too.

Fortunately, I have a Kohler model built 2/4 with the steel fuel tank behind the hydraulic fan. By using a large funnel no gas ever gets spilled.

Since I have a rubber hose on my grease gun, the grease fittings are easy to reach.

By articulating the PT fully to one side or the other the hydraulic fill is easily accessible.

If it is hot and sunny, I park the PT in the shade or facing away from the sun.


Also, the tail of my seatbelt was way too long, so I adjusted it to the minimum length that would ever be needed and cut off the excess. A burning match melted the nylon at the cut edge to prevent fraying.


PS: When my OEM battery dies, there is enough room for a 1000 AH car battery!!

.

 

[RegL]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

" I tapered the end of the bolt (after threading some nuts on it) using the belt sander. The nuts had no trouble coming off after that. The taper hopefully will allow me to find the far hole during bolt insertion without removing the PT tunnel cover. "

Just a side note. I removed both tunnel covers about three years ago and have never had a problem because of it. I find they hold crap in better than they keep it out. That vertical tunnel will even hold a bottle of water or something.

 

[BobRip]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

" I tapered the end of the bolt (after threading some nuts on it) using the belt sander. The nuts had no trouble coming off after that. The taper hopefully will allow me to find the far hole during bolt insertion without removing the PT tunnel cover. "

Just a side note. I removed both tunnel covers about three years ago and have never had a problem because of it. I find they hold crap in better than they keep it out. That vertical tunnel will even hold a bottle of water or something.

Did you remove the top tunnel cover? I have the left cover off to allow me to grease the fittings behind there.

I realized that the nut was too hard to take off and access was required too often, so I drilled a hole in the bolt and put a clip through. I don't know the name of the clip, but I attached a picture. This is a little easier to use.

 

[BobRip]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Does this help? I think it would work, but you'd need to use a large flat washer on each mounting bolt to spread the stress. You may have to round off that pointed nose on the bracket to get it to clear the bolt on the bottom, left.

I get the idea. I think this would work. Thanks for the drawing. Boy this idea is generating a lot of good ideas.

 

[BillCroasmun]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

...I don't know the name of the clip, but I attached a picture. This is a little easier to use.

That's the exact combo I was talking about earlier Bob. That's a cotter pin as well... I think it's known as a hair pin cotter.

 

[FOURTEEN]

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Fortunately, I have a Kohler model built 2/4 with the steel fuel tank behind the hydraulic fan.

PS: When my OEM battery dies, there is enough room for a 1000 AH car battery!!

.

I'm back!!!

Long hot summer!

Too hot to work in the woods!

Too dry, (worse drought in NC history), to burn!

New battery. Had to cut the PT battery box to make it fit!

No new changes or improvements, (maybe I've solved them all!??!)!

The canopy WILL support 225#! I stood on it with a 10' saw pole to prune suckers up to 23' off the ground!

Muscle problems in my body and legs are 99% cured, and in my hands 90%!!!! None of my four doctors helped, so it must have been the prayers, and best wishes, from you guys!!! Thank you so much!!!!


PS: Yes! My wheels are still reversed!!