PT425 50 Hour Hydraulic Filter Change

[MossRoad]

I finally hit 50 hours on my PT425 and changed the hydraulic filter tonight. I guess I was worried for nothing. It was a piece of cake.

First I called Power Trac and told them what I wanted to do. They hooked me up with Don. I followed his instructions and it was easy. Here's what he had me do:

Disconnected both spark plugs so that the engine couldn't fire up if cranked with the key.

First clean the area around the filter very thoroughly.

Then clean the area around the bleeder port on the front pump. It is located under a cap on the right side of the pump right under the 'hydro back', which is the cylindrical device that connects the cable from the pump to the directional pedals.

Then clean the area around the hydraulic reservoir and its cap.

Then I cleaned all three areas again, just to be sure.

Then I layed some absorbant paper towels in the engine compartment under the filter.

I grabbed the filter with both hands and unloosened it. About 1/4 cup of oil spilled out, but landed on the paper towels.

Removed the filter to an oil drain pan.

Took a new filter and filled it with 10W40 oil(lets not start a "what weight oil" debate /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif ) per Don's instructions. Let it sit for a few minutes as it soaked up oil and topped it off again. Tapped it a few times to get as much air out as possible and topped it off again, right up to the rim of the gasket.

Rubbed a little oil around the gasket and spun the new filter on hand tight, just like a car oil filter.

Removed the cap from the bleeder port with a small crescent wrench.

Attached the bleeder hose assembly that came with the Power Trac.

Opened the hydraulic reservoir and stuck the other end of the bleeder hose into the reservior and into the fluid.

Turned the key for 15 seconds at a time and watched air bubble out of the bleeder hose. Don said to wait between cranks and only crank it for 15 seconds at a time to avoid heating up the starter. I felt it several times and it never got warm.

Waited 60 seconds and cranked it for another 15 seconds. Repeated the wait and crank about 6 times. I didn't see any more air after the 2nd time, but I wanted to be sure to get all of the air out.

Pulled the bleeder hose from the reservoir and closed it up.

Took the bleeder hose off the port and put the cap back on tight with a wrench.

Pulled out the paper towels.

Put the spark plug wires back on and fired it up.

Mowed my lawn and checked the filter for tightness when I was done. Looks good.

Total time was about 10-15 minutes. Not too bad at all.

 

[pajoube]

MossRoad, thank you for the step by step procedure. This will be copied into my files as a procedure I will need to be doing soon.
PJ

 

[pajoube]

MossRoad, forgot to ask, will this information be included in your home page?
PJ

 

[MossRoad]

I'm going to update it as soon as I change the engine oil, which should be this weekend. I bought some Mobil 1 oil tonight and already have the filter. I'll probably take some pictures of the hydraulic areas as well and post them with the description of changing the hydraulic filter.

I have a lot going on right now, so it might not get done ASAP, but I'll definately let everyone know when it is updated.

By the way, I mowed the lawn tonight. I didn't start until after 8:00 and finished up around 9:00. The factory lighting is inadequate, due to the shadows that it casts directly in front of the mower. I angled the lights out to the sides, and that part gives excellent visibility. So maybe I'll attempt to weld on those light brackets that I made and mount that <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/37-99591-Light01.jpg>switch box, fuse block</A> and spare lights up under the canopy sometime in the next few weeks. I'll update that on my website as well.

 

[deadstick]

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

Attached the bleeder hose assembly that came with the Power Trac.

<hr></blockquote>



MossRoad, I don't remember seeing something like this. Can you give me some more info on what this looks like?

 

[MossRoad]

When my Power Trac arrived it had a package inside the engine compartment, under the gas tank that had the manual and some paper work. There was also a spare hydraulic filter, and there was a two and a half foot long piece of hydraulic hose with a threaded female fitting on one end and nothing on the other end. It was just cut off. This is the bleeder hose. It might still be sitting in your engine compartment. Take another look. If not, call Power Trac and have them ship you one.

 

[duane]

MR,

In addition to removing the plug wires, I was going to remove the spark plugs. This would reduce the cranking load on the starter.

Duane

 

[MossRoad]

If I'm not mistaken, the Kohler has compression release. I'll check.

Yep, I checked and the Kohler has automatic compression release. It turned over very easily.

 

[Carpenter]

MR, Great post, I did my 50 hr. , recently, and it was pretty simple. The only info. that I can add is that you need a 9/16" wrench for the cap on the bleeder and a 7/8" socket for the oil drain on the Kohler.

 

[rmcconnell]

I just did the 50 hour change on my PT422. It was easy except one thing. Did anybody else have trouble getting the bleed line on? The hose has a long metal clamp piece that hits the thing that sits above the bleed connection. I would have cross threaded it if I forced the line on. I need another L bend or something for 100 hours.