PT1445 20 hrs, Lost steering!

[woodlandfarms]

I doubt the failure is related to the conditions you are in. I will bet it is related to stuff settling internally. Or just a manufacturing defect.

I fixed mine 70 hours ago and no problems since.

Guess what I am saying is don't buy a shelf full of the cylinder kits. Maybe a spare, not much more.

Please let us know how hardit is to tear your cylinder apart. Like I said, the machine shop had to use a massive pipe wrench, along with a torch. Marred the heck out of the exterior but no damage to the inside.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Also, we need to discuss your overheating issue, get that resolved ASAP. I assume it is the Deutz you are overheating, right?

What kind of conditions are you mowing in? You overheat during spring mowing or fall mowing?

Have you made any mods? We have a list of good ones, especially if you are going to a machine shop or are taking your welder up north with you...

 

[PT1445Farmer]

Paid for two new cylinders to be 2nd day aired to me - $300 expense since I am out of warranty. Going to have the current cylinders rebuilt and keep as spares. Terry said the good cylinder might have been damaged because it was compensating for the bad one.

I am not looking forward to opening the hydraulic system up out in the field, but that is what I need to do. Is it as simple as disconnecting the hoses, quickly reconnecting the new cylinder, then swapping out the old for the new cylinder in the mounts?

WoodlandFarms - I think it was your post..not sure..where the PT1445 or similar caught fire and it required a rebuild. I took the advice contained on this forum and that article and bought a larger fan, added screens to the outside vents, and watching for debris accumulating on the cooler radiator. The overheating is a major PIA problem and I need to solve that now. We are already hitting the 80's. Anything else to add for keeping the Deutz cooler?

 

[J_J]

PT1445Farmer,

How did you determine that a cylinder was bad? I see that you ordered some new cylinders, and that is OK, but what if that is not the problem. What trouble shooting did you use to determine the cylinder was bad.

When I thought my joystick was bad, I took it out and had a hydraulic shop test it. It was good , and saved me replacing an expensive valve. One has to use theoretical and logical trouble shooting in tracking down problems. For instance, you said the left turn had a problem. So, I would take the cylinder out of the circuit and cap the lines as Carl mentioned, and if the right cylinder worked fine, I would take the right cylinder out, and cap those lines, and put the right cylinder where the left was. and then try a left turn, If it still not functioning correctly, then the steering control valve has a problem. and those valves cost around $400.

As far as tearing down those cylinders, Try and break it loose while mounted to the PT, and then remove it and complete the disassembly . Look for any scoring, note the direction of the o-rings and seals. Replace everything in the kit, and lube everything well, and put everything back together, and test for any leaks. Some of the o-rings have a lip that has to go a certain way. Just be careful when you remove the o-rings, and not leave a bur on the edge of the lands. Use a plastic pick to remove the o-rings, or use the sharp metal picks if you are careful, or just squeeze the sides of the o-ring and push hard and it will bunch up and you can grab it with your fingers.

To service the rod end cap, you have to remove a nut or bolt in the bottom of the rod, If it seems hard to remove, it probably has Locktight on the threads, and when reassembling, put Locktight back on the threads.

http://www.epm.com/design_repair_instal.htm

 

[woodlandfarms]

Ahhh. To have money to buy spare cylinders. Probably not a bad idea, you can use them down the road for other projects.

Cleanliness is next to godliness. Maybe some brake cleaner spray. If you are in the weeds, maybe a few caps for the hoses (1/2" Inserts for JIC fittings I think but someone double check me on that).

Basically get the tractor sitting straight, loosen the bolts holding the cylinders and remove the nuts. You can remove one bolt completely (usually the front) if it makes it easier, If you were doing one side, I would suggest putting the tractor turned as wide open to the side you are replacing, makes it easier, but as you are doing both, it will suck on both sides equally ;-)

Anyway, remove the hoses, mine stay close to how they should hook up, but you may want to bring some tape to mark what hose goes to the front of the cylinder.

Also, those nuts and bolts, I think they are like 11/16 or something big, so make sure you go with big tools...

Do not under tighten or over tighten the hoses. if you under tighten you get an oil drip, if you over tighten just a PITA to take off. I say this because my BIL is reefer, he loves to break wrenches tightening things. Don't go that tight. you do not need to put any goop on the connectors. They just go on and off, no tape.

Other than that... While you are there, tighten your center section bolt...

 

[PT1445Farmer]

WoodlandFarms (WF for short) and J_J)
I definitely appreciate the knowledge you have both shared. J_J - I have no way of testing the tractor and talking on the phone since I live a long drive away from my farm, plus the tractor is out in the field with no cell phone reception. This is why I wanted to overbuy parts, tools, and supplies, plus learn from you guys what the possibilities were for parts that might go bad and cause this. WF seemed to have the exact same problem and he needed a rebuilt cylinder. Since I triple back-up everything that is critical to my pursuits, buying back-up cylinders was not a problem for me. I will probably source back-ups for most of the components of the PT hydraulic circuit. Time is more valuable to me than money.
WF - Am using your advice as my packing list for my journey tomorrow and my work on the farm and PT on Wednesday. If I get her working with the new cylinders, anyone flying over mid TN will see a big WF scratched into my cow pasture

 

[woodlandfarms]

Dude, if I get this one right it will be the first right answer I have had in 4 years on this board. I will carve your initials... well.. lets say if it works it will put a smile on my face.

Get some pix please, part of the requirement of this group. No pix, no posts ;-)

Also, I know I missed it somewhere, but where is your PT roughly? You might find a PT guru in the hood to help you out.

Carl

 

[PT1445Farmer]

Oh Wise Men - WoodlandFarms and J_J especially - I have seen the stricken beast and KUDOS for nailing the problem. I should say, problems.
Will post pics after I take them tomorrow.
1. The right side cylinder connection cracked off; and
2. the hose fitting cracked out of the cylinder; and
3. the hose covering was sliced, though probably not through the pressured part.
All of this destruction means that you guys were right when you suspected that I was losing hydraulic fluid, and that one of the cylinders was toast.
Lastly, I may have burnt the pump and the steering valve. Just damm.
Cannot really blame this directly on PT, though they apparently have a weak link with both these cylinders and the way they connect them.
Now I have to flush the hydraulic system, reload it with oil (10w30 is what I think Terry mentioned to use) and determine if the system is still functional or I need new valves or a pump. Ouch. 20 hours and already deep in repairs.

As an aside, I had to use my other standard tractor. Took about 1.5 hour just to change my freaking lift forks for my bucket! At that rate, even with repairs the PT is still the faster tool.

Once again, great work all!

 

[PT1445Farmer]

My PT is in middle TN. As far as I can tell, no one has ever heard of Power-Trac, much less seen one. For CUT's, this Kubota country.
May be your first correct answer in 4 years, but it was a grand slam. Looks like ordering two cylinders was a good idea.
And for grins WF, as soon as my PT is fully functional, I am going to mow the foot high grass just as I said I would. About 5 acres of W, and 5 of F.

 

[ponytug]

The damage sounds as if you ran into (over? through?) something, e.g. a tee post or metal pipe, that ripped the fitting and hose out of the cylinder.

Unless you ran out of oil, I would be surprised if you toasted the pump.

All the best,

Peter