PT1445 20 hrs, Lost steering!

[Bob999]

How do you guys bleed the diesel units, since they don't have spark plugs? What keeps it from starting?

There is a wiring plug on the engine that includes the circuit to the fuel solenoid. The solenoid is default (power off) closed. So all that is necessary is to disconnect the plug and then crank the engine.

 

[woodlandfarms]

On mine, even if you pull the clip the engine still runs.. Has both Terry and I stumped, but I now to hit it and stop immediately.

 

[ponytug]

WF- That sounds as if someone bypassed the wiring to the fuel solenoid, or more likely, wired it to some other 12V circuit. If it were jammed open, you'd never stop the tractor, without using the manual shutoff lever.

MR- the engine connector is easy to to disconnect, but it does have a tendency to accumulate a certain amount of dust and dirt, as it is an unsealed connector. Of course, this is an added source of resistance in an already long circuit path...

All the best,

Peter

On mine, even if you pull the clip the engine still runs.. Has both Terry and I stumped, but I now to hit it and stop immediately.

 

[Bob999]

If it were jammed open, you'd never stop the tractor, without using the manual shutoff lever.

Where is the "manual shutoff lever"?

 

[ponytug]

Dear Bob,

It is on the left rear of the engine, just aft of the engine disconnect connector; I think it is labeled on the right side of the photo above. I think Deutz refers to it as a mechanical shutoff lever.

I thought about hooking up an emergency pull handle to the lever, and decided it would probably get stuck in brush much more often than I would ever need to manually disconnect the engine. I hope that it remains true... I have occasional thoughts of the PT owner who tipped her machine, only to have the engine race.

All the best,

Peter

Where is the "manual shutoff lever"?

 

[Bob999]

It is on the left rear of the engine, just aft of the engine disconnect connector; I think it is labeled on the right side of the photo above.

Thanks--obviously I didn't click on the picture! And that particular feature was not included in the maintenance "training" at Tazwell!

 

[PT1445Farmer]

Returned from the surgery...
Both cylinders replaced,
new hose swapped for the chewed one, though it looked like it was still pressure worthy,
6 gals of 10w40, 10w30, 15w40 cocktail added until the tank overflowed.
Quick brush up on the bleeding procedure...then found my bleeding hoses and pump...then
Could not find the blasted key!
Tomorrow I turn her over and get the damage, or not, report.

Even with this malfunction and my needing to work on the PT, I have decided that a tractor that I can easily work on without having to take to a shop, is much preferred to one that I need to drag in to some far away dealer.
As many on this forum have stated, this was an easy repair and most PT issues seem to be.
Still glad I bought it. But will not be as glad if the Tram pump is gone.

Solved the mystery of where all the oil went...there is a 20 yd streak of dead grass right up to the PT.

Expecting to have the final update tomorrow or Saturday.

 

[ponytug]

Dear PT1445Farmer,

If you only added 6 gallons, you should be in good shape! We'll keep our fingers crossed.

All the best,

Peter

 

[toy]

Returned from the surgery...
Both cylinders replaced,
new hose swapped for the chewed one, though it looked like it was still pressure worthy,
6 gals of 10w40, 10w30, 15w40 cocktail added until the tank overflowed.
Quick brush up on the bleeding procedure...then found my bleeding hoses and pump...then
Could not find the blasted key!
Tomorrow I turn her over and get the damage, or not, report.

Even with this malfunction and my needing to work on the PT, I have decided that a tractor that I can easily work on without having to take to a shop, is much preferred to one that I need to drag in to some far away dealer.
As many on this forum have stated, this was an easy repair and most PT issues seem to be.
Still glad I bought it. But will not be as glad if the Tram pump is gone.

Solved the mystery of where all the oil went...there is a 20 yd streak of dead grass right up to the PT.

Expecting to have the final update tomorrow or Saturday.

You are like a danged good movie on tv get to a real interesting part and then they go to a commercial, best of luck t-o-m-o-r-r-o-w.

 

[PT1445Farmer]

Druummm rolllll....
She works!
Seems as though the Optimists on the forum had the facts on their side and the tram pump seems to still work. Have not run the PTO or anything, but I could steer and lift the bucket.

Lessons learned from this expensive mishap:
1. The forum and the contributing members are the key source of repair knowledge. Between WoodlandFarms, J_J, toy, and many others, we had this problem nailed before I even called the factory a.k.a. Terry
2. Repair procedures explained by the experienced members are like a Chilton book, only better. I had all of my tools needed, procedures in order - such as when to remove the hoses. Before I took off the cylinders. How to easily route the hoses, etc. Big time saving information.
3. Keep spares on hand of cylinders, fittings, filters and key valves IF your operation is time sensitive. Otherwise, most of them seem to be no more than 2 days away in a crunch.
4. I need an oil monitoring system installed ASAP to prevent this from happening again. In process and will share the details.
5. Power-trac tractors are easy to work on and swap parts. At least at the system level. Since the Deutz motor can go over 12000 hrs - a life time of farming for me - the main issues will be the hydraulic and cooling systems.
6. NO MORE RAMMING ANYTHING! I think Ksisolo or someone mentioned my bucket technique was wrong. I am all ears!

Thanks crew for your support, info, well wishes, and your interest. The battle has been won!