PT-425 PROS & cons??

   / PT-425 PROS & cons??
  • Thread Starter
#51  
Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

con: Floppy Treadle

Problem:
Unlike the accelerator on a car, the hydraulic treadle on the newer PT-425 is floppy, requiring only about 1 pound of foot pressure to go to full on, forward or reverse! This light resistance is difficult to modulate, can produce foot cramping from continually keeping the foot from resting on the treadle, and can result in dangerous abrupt speed changes on rough ground!

Solution:
Increase treadle resistance to about 20 to 25 pounds without preload!! The pedals are easier to modulate even on uneven ground. The foot can now rest on the treadle without reaction until further pressure is applied to move the PT. The danger of inadvertently touching the treadle resulting in sudden unexpected PT movement is greatly reduced. The feel of the treadle under the foot is similar to that of an accelerator.

Parts:
2 Highland Triple Strength 18” Stretch Cords (WalMart)
2 1/4-20 x 2” Carriage Bolts
2 1/4-20 Nylon Insert Nuts

Tools:
Hacksaw
Drill Motor
1/4” Drill Bit
Center Punch
Ratchet
7/16” or 11mm Socket

Procedure:
1) Cut both hooks off both cords at the plastic block.
2) Drill a 1/4” hole in the center of each plastic block.
3) Make a loop in a cord by inserting a center punch through the holes in the plastic blocks.
4) Slip the loop (A) over the end of the treadle.
5) Align the loop vertically over point (C) on the treadle.
6) Raise the center punch until ALL slack is removed from the loop. (THERE MUST BE NO PRELOAD ON THE TREADLE!!)
7) Center punch for a hole at this location (B).
8) Drill a 1/4” hole at (B).
9) Insert a carriage bolt through both blocks and the hole at (B).
10) Install and tighten 1/4-20 nut.
11) Repeat steps 3 to 10 for the other side of the treadle.

Treadle_a.jpg


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   / PT-425 PROS & cons?? #52  
Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

I didn't realize the treadle was that sensitive on the new design.
 
   / PT-425 PROS & cons?? #53  
Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

You're having altogether too much fun modifying. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

A small caution: Be sure to check the cords frequently. If one deteriorates a bit faster than the other, you might find the PT in painful or embarassing contact with something it shouldn't have been near. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
   / PT-425 PROS & cons??
  • Thread Starter
#54  
Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Party, party, party!!!!


Indeed, that is why I emphasized that "(THERE MUST BE NO PRELOAD ON THE TREADLE!!)"!
However, after 60 hours of use neither cord shows any wear at all!! If a cord were to break, or die of old age, the treadle would just be real easy to push again!!


Please note that just because we find a seemingly better, or more convenient, or stronger, or safer, or neater way to use the PT-425 does NOT mean that the OEM PT-425 is in any way deficient, weak, unsafe, or difficult to use by any "normal" owner without the aforementioned changes!!!!
We are just striving to move the PT-425 from the Excellent category to the Superior category!!

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   / PT-425 PROS & cons?? #55  
Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

<font color="red"> If a cord were to break, or die of old age, the treadle would just be real easy to push again!!
</font>

It seems to me that if one cord broke the treadle would be moved to forward or reverse by the remaining cord. If the cords are installed with no tension (no "preload") it would seem there would still be a bit of floppiness in the treadle and there would be resistance in the treadle on the side with a remaining cord.

I think that is what Charlie Iliff was noting.

What am I missing?
 
   / PT-425 PROS & cons??
  • Thread Starter
#56  
Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

"" It seems to me that if one cord broke the treadle would be moved to forward or reverse by the remaining cord. ""


Only if the cords were installed incorrectly with preload! The cords have NO effect in the stopped, or neutral position as shown in the picture, because no upward pressure is being applied by either cord! When the forward treadle is pushed down, the reverse treadle moves up, completely off the reverse cord, just like the reverse cord wasn't even there! The cords do NOT resist upward movement, only downward movement. The treadle just moves upward within the open loop to about where the A arrow is pointing!!

Treadle_a.jpg



If you doubt me, you can try it yourself for less than $5 and 30 minutes!! You will be amazed at how much easier and more comfortable the PT-425 is to control!!!! Because nothing about the treadle is altered, removed, or damaged in any way by this procedure, it is completely reversible if, for some strange reason, you would prefer OEM!!


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   / PT-425 PROS & cons?? #57  
Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

When I received my 425 (new design) I also had trouble getting my feet to relax because of the treadle design. It did not take many hours before I was used to this design and now do not even think about it.
PJ
 
   / PT-425 PROS & cons?? #58  
Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

I cut two blocks of wood to fit the floor of my 425 out of 2by 6 put a screw in the bottom that sticks through the clean out hole in the floor to keep it from sliding around. My feet rest completly on the wooden blocks making it easier to regulate the amount of tram that you give it. That way it is easier on old ankles that don't want to bend, and takes pressure off of legs and back. reduces strain a whole lot and makes running it feel a little safer to me not having to put my ankles in a bind, say a mesqueto bit in the back of the neck causing you to flench and go where you don't want to go and stay longer than you want to stay.
 
   / PT-425 PROS & cons?? #59  
Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I cut two blocks of wood to fit the floor of my 425 out of 2by 6 put a screw in the bottom that sticks through the clean out hole in the floor to keep it from sliding around. )</font>

I tried that on a temporary basis and also found that control is much better. I plan on welding permanent metal heel rests in ours (wife says its hers /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif ) one of these days.

SnowRidge
 
   / PT-425 PROS & cons?? #60  
Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

I have no problems with the treadle on our model. I have size 13 shoes and in winter the boots fit just right in the foot wells. One note. On ours, the forward pedal is longer than the reverse pedal. Is that the case on yours, too? I have enough room to keep my left foot off the pedal to the left side while moving forward over long distances, like mowing.

You keep modifying that PT to suit your needs. That's what's so nice about these things... completely customizable. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

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