PT Comparision Question

rjbianc · Oct 2, 2008

I am currently conducting research for the future purchase of a PT tractor. I have narrowed down the selection to three machines, PT180, PT422 and PT425 and have been reading The Power Trac website and the forums to gather as much information as I can on these machines.

Though many of my questions have been answered there are still some additional question I need answering to best compare the three models:

1) Based on information I have found the PT425 & PT422 have one pump and circuit for the tilt, lift, steering and quick release, and a second pump and circuit for the PTO drive. Is the PT 180 configured the same? If not please describe the circuit on this machines.
2) I believe the trendel pump on the PT422 and PT425 have hydraulic actuation. Does the trendel pump on the PT180 also have hydraulic actuation or is it cable actuation similar to what was used on older machines?
3) The PT425 and PT422 originally had the same size wheel motors, but several years ago they up sized the motors on the PT425. Does the PT422 and PT180 currently have the same size wheel motors or are the PT 422 motors larger then the PT180?
4) I would appreciate PT 180 pictures showing the pumps for possible identification, and if someone could supply PDF files or pictures of the owners manual showing the hydraulic circuits (drive, lift/tilt, steering and PTO circuits)

Thanks Bob

SnowRidge · Oct 2, 2008

rjbianc said:
I
1) Based on information I have found the PT425 & PT422 have one pump and circuit for the tilt, lift, steering and quick release, and a second pump and circuit for the PTO drive. Is the PT 180 configured the same? If not please describe the circuit on this machines.

Welcome to the forum.

Since you used the term "PTO drive" and mentioned only two pumps and two circuits, just to be clear, and to make sure there is no misunderstanding, I would like to point out that on the PT-425 there are three pumps and circuits, drive, PTO, and lift, tilt, steering and aux PTO (quick attach). To my knowledge, the PT-422 is configured the same way.

You may also come across the term charge pump, which is a "fourth" pump that is an integral part of the drive pump, but is sometimes discussed as if it was a completely separate pump.

Bob999 · Oct 3, 2008

I think all three models have the three pumps described by Snowridge. However the 180 does not have an hydraulic quick attach (auxillary PTO).

Your request for pictures to see arrangements and pump brand won't necessarily get you the current production model. PT changes the engine compartment arrangement and the brand of pump used from time to time so pictures posted by current owners don't necessarily represent what you would get if you buy one. You really need to visit Tazwell to see the machine you are considering buying.

SnowRidge · Oct 3, 2008

Bob999 said:
I think all three models have the three pumps described by Snowridge. However the 180 does not have an hydraulic quick attach (auxillary PTO).

Your request for pictures to see arrangements and pump brand won't necessarily get you the current production model. PT changes the engine compartment arrangement and the brand of pump used from time to time so pictures posted by current owners don't necessarily represent what you would get if you buy one. You really need to visit Tazwell to see the machine you are considering buying.

That's excellent advice. Also, be aware that the photos on the Power Trac web site are not necessarily those of current production machines or attachments. They may have been taken in the past, showing things as they were, not as they are.

PABenz · Oct 3, 2008

I have a PT422 with about 450hours on it. Love the machine and my only gripe so far is it has only one steering cylinder. It broke off under the front half of the machine and I had to have the bracket welded. Seems like the ones with the double steering cylinder are made better. My weld and reinfocement seems to be holding up well, it's been 2 years since the fix. The original design of the one cylinder steering machines is not so great in my opinion. Good luck with your choice.

Marks481 · Oct 3, 2008

There is probably someone on this forum nearby in Illinois who would show you his machine, I am sure.

If you look at this thread, it might give you some ideas who to talk to:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/115515-powertrac-owners-state-12-a.html

back to your original questions, whether to buy a PT180, the big difference is the hydraulic QA cylinders and circuit. I have a PT 422, and I am not sure that the hydraulic lock/unlock buys you a huge time savings. The extra circuit, however, is used by the 4N1 bucket, grapple, mini-hoe, and plow tilt. If those are the type of attachments that you want, then you will either have to add another hydraulic circuit or go for the PT422. I recommend the PT422. The mini-hoe seems to be one of the most highly recommended attachments.

Stepping up another $2700 to the PT425 is a bit tougher of a decision. The lift height on the PT422 is sometimes just slightly too short under some circumstances to pull a pallet off a 18 wheeler with the fork attachment (normal bed height 48"-52", PT422 lift is 52", but a standard pallet on the forks will subtract a few inches off that. The PT425 has a 60" lift height). The double cylinder steering, ROPS ($500 option on the PT422) and 3 hp more are the other things the extra money buys you.

OTOH, that $2700 could just about buy you a mini-hoe, light material bucket and 48" mower for your PT422.

Link in my signature line shows some PT422 pictures.

rjbianc · Oct 3, 2008

All

Thanks for the feedback. I did recognize the third pump exsisted and I have seen the drive circuit diagram for the PT 425. I was looking for the photos and/or circuit drawings of the other two pumps on the PT 180 to verify their existance on this machine and to develop an understanding how this machine operates. From the forum I did realize that Power Trac tends to change suppliers of the components but I would expect the basis of the vehicle design would remain relatively stable.

I would still like to verify how the drive pump is actuated, by a hydraulic control or by a cable control, to see the hydraulic circuits on the PT 180 and determine the displacement of the wheel motor.

Thanks Bob

SnowRidge · Oct 4, 2008

Call Power Trac at 1-800-THEYARD and ask for Terry. He is their master mechanic/support guru and knows far more about the machines than anyone in sales. He will be able and willing to answer your questions.

He will also know what they are currently building, as opposed to the owners here who are only familiar with their own machines, which may not be the same as current productions models. Power Trac changes things frequently.

Charlie_Iliff · Oct 7, 2008

Bob:
I think you've already received good advice, and your choice depends a lot on your specific projects. Keep in mind that the PT is so capable that you will end up doing things that you can't even think of now.
I have one strong recommendation. Get the ROPS. It is barely possible to turn a PT over. A couple of those on the board have done it, and I have come seriously close - barging into things that should have been investigated first. I haven't tested the ROPS in rollover, but it has saved my bald spot on at least three occasions when heavy stuff has fallen on it. Innumerable other times, I have ignored minor clanging noises up there, which might have ruined my afternoon without the steel canopy. Unlike a roll bar on a conventional tractor, the PT ROPS is like the canopy on a woods clearing bulldozer. It, for me, is primarily falling object protection.