PT-425 PROS & cons??

KentT · Jun 1, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

( Well, I guess I'm on the fence for a while on this one. I also have to consider the smaller wheel motors of the 180.

I'm sure the 425 also has a beefier wheel motor, shaft, and bearings. Do the 422 and 180 have the same wheel motors?

)
I'm not sure, but I think the 422s have the same White wheel motors that were used on the older 425s like mine and MossRoad's... the newer 425s have different, higher-torque wheel motors. I think FOURTEEN's 425 is one with the newer wheel motors, yet he still has the Kohler engine, unless I'm mistaken...

I don't know what the PT-180 uses.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Barryh · Jun 1, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Well I do think there is a lot of logic in what J.J. says. Mechanically speaking, more stress does add up to shorter wheel life, along with any bearing or seals. The question is how much of a shorter life are you willing to settle for? 800 hours instead of 1000 who really knows?

Kent for your needs, and others that absolutely have to have the extra stability, I can see the trade off in reversing the wheels. Looking at some of the hills you have to transverse, I would defiantly go with reversed wheels.

For just average use around my house the wider stance would be great, but not as necessary. As far as the look, I really could care less. I didn't buy the PT for it looks. So I guess it just boils down to safety versus possible added cost later on. I suspect you are right about the 180 and 422 being the same wheel motors. I'm sure someone on here knows for sure.

Barryh · Jun 1, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Well I do think there is a lot of logic in what J.J. says. Mechanically speaking, more stress does add up to shorter wheel life, along with any bearing or seals. The question is how much of a shorter life are you willing to settle for? 800 hours instead of 1000 who really knows?

Kent for your needs, and others that absolutely have to have the extra stability, I can see the trade off in reversing the wheels. Looking at some of the hills you have to transverse, I would defiantly go with reversed wheels.

For just average use around my house the wider stance would be great, but not as necessary. As far as the look, I really could care less. I didn't buy the PT for it looks. So I guess it just boils down to safety versus possible added cost later on. I suspect you are right about the 180 and 422 being the same wheel motors. I'm sure someone on here knows for sure.

KentT · Jun 1, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

( Well I do think there is a lot of logic in what J.J. says. Mechanically speaking, more stress does add up to shorter wheel life, along with any bearing or seals. The question is how much of a shorter life are you willing to settle for? 800 hours instead of 1000 who really knows?)

Yep, and your car would last much longer if you only drove freeway miles -- barring a high speed accident /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif...

However, I have to take 20+ miles of two-lane roads to work.... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Is it really true that JJ lives in the mountains of Florida? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

KentT · Jun 1, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

( Well I do think there is a lot of logic in what J.J. says. Mechanically speaking, more stress does add up to shorter wheel life, along with any bearing or seals. The question is how much of a shorter life are you willing to settle for? 800 hours instead of 1000 who really knows?)

Yep, and your car would last much longer if you only drove freeway miles -- barring a high speed accident /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif...

However, I have to take 20+ miles of two-lane roads to work.... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Is it really true that JJ lives in the mountains of Florida? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MossRoad · Jun 1, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Hardy har har, fellas! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

As long as no one gripes when it breaks I suppose it's O.K.

As for a backhoe on a 425, why, that's a highly engineered piece of equipment that falls well withing my tollerance for financial discomfort should anything go wrong. Don't forget, I have a stick welder and torches and am willing to use them! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

MossRoad · Jun 1, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

Hardy har har, fellas! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

As long as no one gripes when it breaks I suppose it's O.K.

As for a backhoe on a 425, why, that's a highly engineered piece of equipment that falls well withing my tollerance for financial discomfort should anything go wrong. Don't forget, I have a stick welder and torches and am willing to use them! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

IslandTractor · Jun 2, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

 I'd reverse mine immediately if it would still fit in the back of my pickup. 

As this is technically a pros and cons thread on the PT425 let me point out that you guys need to make the "pickup truck transport without a trailer" /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif fact better known to the tractor buying community has a whole. That is one of the most outstanding "features" of the PT425 and deserves to be hollered out to all the shoppers comparing the PT to a CUT.

IslandTractor · Jun 2, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

 I'd reverse mine immediately if it would still fit in the back of my pickup. 

As this is technically a pros and cons thread on the PT425 let me point out that you guys need to make the "pickup truck transport without a trailer" /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif fact better known to the tractor buying community has a whole. That is one of the most outstanding "features" of the PT425 and deserves to be hollered out to all the shoppers comparing the PT to a CUT.

MossRoad · Jun 2, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

O.K. I'll shout it out...

I CAN FIT MY PT425 WITH A 4' BRUSH HOG ATTACHED INTO THE REAR OF A STANDARD 3/4 TON 8' PICKUP TRUCK!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Not just the brush hog, but a 5' finish mower, a 5' power angle snow plow, a large bucket on the FEL, just about any attachment. Fits nice, rides nice, makes for quick transport, too. The loading ramps from PT are very strong and cost about a hundred bucks. You just have to find a way to secure them to the bed (not the tailgate) of the pickup truck. Heavy ratchet straps to the frame would work fine. I chose to use steel pipe and rebar. I welded one section of pipe to the underside of the ramp and another section to the top of my steel bumper. I then slipped a piece of rebar through both pieces of pipe and the ramp is secured to the truck. We used this method to secure steel plates between railcars to load 5 ton army trucks, so I'm pretty sure it will hold a 1500 pound tractor with attachment. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

MossRoad · Jun 2, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

O.K. I'll shout it out...

I CAN FIT MY PT425 WITH A 4' BRUSH HOG ATTACHED INTO THE REAR OF A STANDARD 3/4 TON 8' PICKUP TRUCK!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Not just the brush hog, but a 5' finish mower, a 5' power angle snow plow, a large bucket on the FEL, just about any attachment. Fits nice, rides nice, makes for quick transport, too. The loading ramps from PT are very strong and cost about a hundred bucks. You just have to find a way to secure them to the bed (not the tailgate) of the pickup truck. Heavy ratchet straps to the frame would work fine. I chose to use steel pipe and rebar. I welded one section of pipe to the underside of the ramp and another section to the top of my steel bumper. I then slipped a piece of rebar through both pieces of pipe and the ramp is secured to the truck. We used this method to secure steel plates between railcars to load 5 ton army trucks, so I'm pretty sure it will hold a 1500 pound tractor with attachment. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

FOURTEEN · Jun 2, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

(
If Fourteen ever broke a wheel motor I don't think he would tell us.

 Thanks for the blatant insult! It says more about you than about me!!



It just seems to me that if reversing the wheels is the best way to go , they would come from the factory that way.

 There is a whole 'after market' industry based upon the assumption that there are better solutions than those provided by OEM!! They improve looks, performance, safety, or reliability!


and they would place a warning placard that moving the wheels in closer will give a thousand more hours of useful life.

 None of the stickers or documentation that came with my PT-425 mentioned wheel position!

PT didn't even list tire pressure! So, therefore, I should have recorded what pressure was in each tire when I received my PT-425 so that I would be sure to retain it as OEM!!??!! No thanks! I experimented to determine the correct pressures, and maintain the tires at those levels!!

Gee, maybe I shouldn't be using Amsoil synthetic oil since Kohler didn't say I could! I'll risk it!!


Do you all think that if you moved those wheel out another foot that it would be even better.

 No, 3-1/2" is just right!!


I am all for safety and stability.

 Then stop being a worrywart! Reverse your wheels, and enjoy that added safety and stability!!

 )

FOURTEEN · Jun 2, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

(
If Fourteen ever broke a wheel motor I don't think he would tell us.

 Thanks for the blatant insult! It says more about you than about me!!



It just seems to me that if reversing the wheels is the best way to go , they would come from the factory that way.

 There is a whole 'after market' industry based upon the assumption that there are better solutions than those provided by OEM!! They improve looks, performance, safety, or reliability!


and they would place a warning placard that moving the wheels in closer will give a thousand more hours of useful life.

 None of the stickers or documentation that came with my PT-425 mentioned wheel position!

PT didn't even list tire pressure! So, therefore, I should have recorded what pressure was in each tire when I received my PT-425 so that I would be sure to retain it as OEM!!??!! No thanks! I experimented to determine the correct pressures, and maintain the tires at those levels!!

Gee, maybe I shouldn't be using Amsoil synthetic oil since Kohler didn't say I could! I'll risk it!!


Do you all think that if you moved those wheel out another foot that it would be even better.

 No, 3-1/2" is just right!!


I am all for safety and stability.

 Then stop being a worrywart! Reverse your wheels, and enjoy that added safety and stability!!

 )

MossRoad · Jun 2, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

We're not worrying about you... we're just concerned for your tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Where have you been lately?

MossRoad · Jun 2, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

We're not worrying about you... we're just concerned for your tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Where have you been lately?

FOURTEEN · Jun 3, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

(
BTW, Fourteen , it's great to have you back posting again -- you were missed! Hope your new "bionics" have solved any health issues... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

 Thanks for the wise comments and kind thoughts!

My CRT-D is great! Every night as I sleep it even radios a monitor on my night stand which telephones my doctor's office to report to his computer how I'm doing!!
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PS: I do not plan on reversing the leads into my heart!!

FOURTEEN · Jun 3, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

(
BTW, Fourteen , it's great to have you back posting again -- you were missed! Hope your new "bionics" have solved any health issues... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

 Thanks for the wise comments and kind thoughts!

My CRT-D is great! Every night as I sleep it even radios a monitor on my night stand which telephones my doctor's office to report to his computer how I'm doing!!
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PS: I do not plan on reversing the leads into my heart!!

FOURTEEN · Jun 3, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

( Hi FOURTEEN,

It's great to see you back on the Forum. Best wishes to you and the Mrs.

 Thanks! No rich widow yet!! 

I can see where wheel reversal would pose a problem for the 48" mower in trying to get close to edges and such, but not for any other implements that I have used.

 My 48" Brush Cutter works just fine. The fact that the tires extend 2" wider than the blade doesn't hurt its trimming ability unless you were cutting very close to a long straight fence or wall. That close I'd use a Weed Wacker anyway!

The wider track really helps when straddling and digging a long deep ditch!


I would hazard a guess that there might be more "closet wheel reversers" out there

 Maybe so! I'm amazed that anyone would think that the PT is so fragile, and so poorly built, that a little wider track would cause it to self-destruct!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

)

FOURTEEN · Jun 3, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

( Hi FOURTEEN,

It's great to see you back on the Forum. Best wishes to you and the Mrs.

 Thanks! No rich widow yet!! 

I can see where wheel reversal would pose a problem for the 48" mower in trying to get close to edges and such, but not for any other implements that I have used.

 My 48" Brush Cutter works just fine. The fact that the tires extend 2" wider than the blade doesn't hurt its trimming ability unless you were cutting very close to a long straight fence or wall. That close I'd use a Weed Wacker anyway!

The wider track really helps when straddling and digging a long deep ditch!


I would hazard a guess that there might be more "closet wheel reversers" out there

 Maybe so! I'm amazed that anyone would think that the PT is so fragile, and so poorly built, that a little wider track would cause it to self-destruct!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

)

FOURTEEN · Jun 3, 2006

Re: PT-425 PROS & cons??

 I think FOURTEEN's 425 is one with the newer wheel motors, yet he still has the Kohler engine, unless I'm mistaken...


 Quality built in 2/2002 with Kohler Command Pro, steel gas tank, high mount battery, and the new style wheel motors.

)