PT designed muffler for the 425 Kohler engine

[bubenberg]

What a difference after we installed the pt engineered (by Ed, the owner and chief engineer). The engine runs even quieter than before and we operated the machine pushing around slush mixed with salt and cinder for a good hour. the black box protecting the engine was barely warm.

the principle of the pt muffler for the 425 is very simple, sturdy and ingenious. to reduce the heat, there are two pieces of pipe (about 2.5" long) welded to two comparable holes in a rectangular box. on one side the pipe goes halfway into a chamber and on the other side it just stops at the rectangular box.

with this design, and very effectively, cold air is sucked into that chamber and out comes a less hot exhaust gas, have not measured the temperature again. hopefully i will not have any battery tops melting, like the one last summer, with this new muffler.

one word of caution make sure you ask for the support bracket. i did not get mine when i was down there (because i did not know of it's existence), the pt muffler can't be held up by the four lousy bolts, Kohler provides, for too long.

 

[duane]

Hans,

What was the cost of the new muffler? Any chance they are working on one for the PT422?

Duane

 

[bubenberg]

compared with the on line Kohler mufflers (around $179.00) pt's is a bargain $98.00.

will find out and keep you posted.

 

[bubenberg]

yes, they have the pt made muffler for the 422 in stock, at the grand price of $98.01 plus shipping, creating and handling.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

...YES!!...


That's /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif but I'm still gettin' an Optima. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Schultz]

what's an Otima

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Tim,
It's a sealed HD battery...trying to prevent PT corrosion from leaking."boiling",vibration,etc. similar to what happened to my Cub...

When the PT "slope" capability gets to 180 deg(upside down)/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif this is the battery the factory will install./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif



[/url]http://www.optimabatteries.com/usingOptima/applicationsRed.asp

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Not sure what I did wrong trying to make that a link.

 

[MossRoad]

try

{url=http://www.optimabatteries.com/usingOptima/applicationsRed.asp}http://www.optimabatteries.com/usingOptima/applicationsRed.asp {/url}

But use the square brackets instead of the curly braces that I used in my example and you get this:

http://www.optimabatteries.com/usingOptima/applicationsRed.asp

Cool batteries, thanks for the link!

 

[hazmat]

Alternatively

{url=http://www.optimabatteries.com/usingOptima/applicationsRed.asp}Any text here you want (Helps with long urls) {/url}

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.optimabatteries.com/usingOptima/applicationsRed.asp>Any text here you want (Helps with long urls) </A>

 

[Anonymous Poster]

MR and Hazmat,

Thank You

 

[marrt]

Regarding the battery question, I had the same problem last summer when I first got my tractor. Looked into getting an Optima battery but I seem to recall they were too big. I went with an AGM battery, designed for wheelchairs, from Sears. Also, I installed a homemade heat shield over the battery consisting of Styrofoam covered in aluminum flashing. This combination has worked perfectly. Here’s the original post: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=powertrac&Number=158369&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=marrt&Match=Username&Searchpage=1&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=155334> Link </A>.

 

[duane]

Marrt,

Have not heard from you in a while. How are things going with your PT. I think you have the newer design muffler as well. How is it working and holding up?

Duane

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Marrt,
That original post that you linked to made an impression on me at the time because I was having corrosion/battery/starter problems too w/my Cub, and I was determined to eliminate that problem on my "new" tractor...(whatever it was).
If the Optima is too big, then I'll have to defer to a different brand (but an AGM to be sure).
AGM's have different charging requirements (lower) than lead acid's but the spec eludes me for now...The Robbin engine has a std charging system of 15A(20A opt.) should be plenty for lights, bells and whistles that I want.

The 12.3vdc that you measured sounds a little low for charger o/p, but I don't know Kohlers spec. You ,definately, exercised good "technique" in isolating(from heat) a spill-proof battery in a very tough battery environment...My goals ,too.

Sounds like the "deep-cycle" battery you're using for "starting" will last a LONG time due to low impact starts and almost no "discharge" cycle.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Follow up on the battery talk...just found this...can't vouch for credibility but the general idea is valid...
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rversonline.org/ArtAGM.html>http://www.rversonline.org/ArtAGM.html</A>

 

[marrt]

Duane and bmkar,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Had some family illness and have been very busy.

So far, I have about 70 hours on the tractor and have had no further problems since the battery issue. Still don’t know if the battery overheated or the caps on the battery were just loose.

I’ve made a few additional mods since replacing the battery (added extra lights under the canopy, added a heavy duty air filter with a precleaner, added a combination hour/RPM meter when the original meter got wet and quit). I do have the “new style” muffler and it works fine. It’s very heavy duty and I think will last the life of the tractor.

I’m very satisfied with my purchase so far. You wouldn’t believe the amount of dirt I dug and moved with this little tractor to make room for my new deck. I was amazed. Will try to get some pictures maybe. Later.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

marrt,

...family first...hope all is well.

What air filter did you add...pictures??? Did the replacement hour meter/tach go in the same location...from where...muffler pics??

Glad to hear that you're pleased w/ tractor performance...I can't wait...