PT 425

[bbabineau]

I have decided that the Model 425 would be the machine of choice if the final decision is PT; however, I am still looking at other options for various reasons. My one plus acre of open field is on a 20% slope and I need a machine that will mow this area. I am concerned about the power and stability of a machine to mow this area. As I read, it appears that the PT may be better than green, blue or orange. I also have a creek to cross in several areas and I am still thinking that the green etc may be better for this than the PT because of clearance. I also can find nothing in the PT literature that indicates if the 25hp engine is in fact a Kholer or other brand. Does anyone know for sure? I have also been reading many of the posts and the one about new wheel motors with brakes has me wondering how the PT currently stops. Is it simply with no hydraulic push to the pump that the wheels stop turning and the machine stops? Would it not roll back if on a hill? Is the hand brake the only way to hold it on a hill and how does it operate?

Comments please on any of the above and excuse my ignorance on these issues.

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to the Power Trac forums! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I believe the current engine in the 425s is a Robin.

The hand brake is just for parking.

With almost all hydraulic drive tractors, red, green or any color, if you let off the forward or reverse pedal, the unit comes to an immediate stop. Foot brakes are not needed.

The machines are very stable. Is the slope 20 percent or 20 degrees? The best way to measure is with a level and protractor to get the actual degrees of the hill. Everything on the PT is rated in degrees, not percent. Hope this helps.

 

[bbabineau]

I used the term percent as I just finished working with the fire department on a drive with a 20% slope which required special grooving before we could get the permit to build the house. The 20% slope translates to an 18 degree slope and that is what I am dealing with for field cutting.

I have noticed a lot of postings about the wheel units with brakes. Why does there seem to be so much interest in the brakes if they are not useful?

 

[MossRoad]

Well, brakes would be useful if you busted a hydraulic hose on a slope. Also, many folks do not care for the current parking brake design. It is a pin in slot type brake. When you pull a lever in front of your left knee, it releases cables that release spring activated pins. There is one pin for each front wheel. The pin(or pins) will engage a slot in a disc mounted to the hub. Sometimes you have to move forward or backwards an inch or so for them to engage. Sometimes it is hard to disengage the parking break as well. You may have to turn the steering wheel a slight bit or step on the forward or revers lever a bit to relieve the pressure off of the pin. Same thing can happen to a car that is put in park on a steep hill.

So, internal brakes in the hydraulic motors would provide a better parking brake and an emergency brake should the unit lose hydraulic pressure.