Ready to Order This Month - But what to order?

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“” I suspect that PT uses the same wheels on the 425 and the 1845 dual. “”


The PT-425 wheels mount 23-10:50x12 tires which require a wider wheel than the 23-8.50x12 tires used on your PT-1845 dual.




“” For safer traversing of your hills, I would advise the wider stance available by reverse mounting the wheels on the PT-425!! “”


I am not advocating that every PT-425 owner reverse their wheels and start cliff face mowing!! What I am pointing out is that for a few people, like catsco, who regularly face working on very difficult, uneven, or rough terrain, reversing their wheels for an extra margin of safety may be an option to consider!! Like the majority, I may not find any need to reverse my wheels, but for a few in a few situations it could literally be a life saver!!
I, for one, do not plan to mount a protractor on my PT, and every time the needle reads above 25 degrees run in to call Power Trac, or Kohler, to ask for permission to proceed!!!

The Kohler Owner’s Manual TP-2474-H revised 12/01 states: “This engine will operate continuously at angles up to 25 degrees.” and “Do not operate this engine continuously at angles exceeding 25 degrees in any direction. Engine damage could result from insufficient lubrication.”. Note the modifiers ‘continuously’ and ‘could’!! ‘Continuously’ means ‘without any break or interruption’!! ‘Could’ means that going over 25 degrees may damage the engine - unless it doesn’t!!!!

YOU figure it out, and take the personal responsibility to do what is best for YOU!!!!




“” 25-30 degree angles are a little past MY limit “”


The trick is to ensure that your limit is less than the equipment’s limit so as to avoid dire consequences or worse!!


Protractor on narrow track PT-425 going down hill - end over end!!!!

“” selective forgetting “”


The correct technical term is “Senior Moment” !!
Luckily I know so much that what I forget doesn’t matter!!
If I forget something, but remember it, have I forgotten it!??! And if I remember what I forgot, did I forget it!??!
Sorry, I don’t recall!!



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[J_J]

How long have you had your Powertrac?
Fourteen,

Why don't you reverse your wheels for about a year and then you might be qualified to tell someone how to use their own equipment.

Your dead wrong about the stress on the wheel motors. They only cost about $300 to $450 each .

 

[PatH]

I'd have to agree that reversing the wheels is not a good idea from a reliability standpoint. Attached are radial load curves from a Parker hydraulic motor that is of a similar style to the White motors that are on my PT-422. It indicates that by moving the centerline of the side forces 2.5 inches out from the optimal position (about what I assume you get from reversing the rims) you reduce the rated load of the motors by about 50%. But I'm sure everyone would agree that if the wider wheel base prevents a roll over, the reduced reliability is worth it.

 

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"" you might be qualified to tell someone how to use their own equipment ""



JJ

What part of these previous statements of mine didn't you read or understand:

" I would advise the wider stance "

" It’s up to you! It’s your PT, and your neck!! "

" I am not advocating that every PT-425 owner reverse their wheels "

" reversing their wheels for an extra margin of safety may be an option to consider "

" YOU figure it out, and take the personal responsibility to do what is best for YOU!!!! "



/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Where, exactly, have I told, ordered, or forced anyone to do anything??!!?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Why do you find that someone broaching an idea, or making a suggestion, is so threatening!!??!!

Don't you think that others can make their own decisions based upon their opinions and their needs??!!??

I appreciate your input, but am offended by your attempts to censure the free flow of ideas!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif



"" They only cost about $300 to $450 each . ""


If, and I repeat, if eventually someone needed to repair or replace these, they might consider that a bargain, if more significant damage, or injury, or worse had been avoided!!!!
But, again, it's up to each of us to make those decisions and balance those trade offs.






"" moving the centerline of the side forces ""

The 'Distance from Mounting Face' does not change. The wheel is mounted to the hub in exactly the same position either way. The 'Distance from Mounting Face' would only be changed by using wheel spacers to move the attachment point outward. The weight of the PT is downward from the mounting face of the hub through the lug bolts to the wheel. The wheel and tire are under the mounting face at all times.



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[MossRoad]

Back to the question /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

By reversing the rim as discussed, wouldn't it put a little more leverage on the hub?

 

[johara1]

#1 the 422 with is 45"wide, by reversing the wheels does increase the load,yes it has two valves and an offset center to reverse it.i don't think it is needed i run my 422 sideways on a 2 to 1 slope,that is 30 degrees without any problems.i would say that is it's limit.if your in the woods and want traction put chains on all four wheels,that will hold on the hillsides like your glued to it.

 

[MossRoad]

My little 1969 Simplicity tractor has valves on both sides of the wheels, too. I always thought it was so that the assembly people didn't have to think about which way to mount the wheel. Either way, they'd get it right! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

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"" wouldn't it put a little more leverage on the hub? ""




Perhaps, a little, but only in unique situations.

Visualize that the footprint at the wide wheel setting overlaps the footprint of the narrow wheel setting by 67%, since the inner 7" of the wide setting sits on the same ground as the outer 7" of the narrow setting.
When sitting on a flat hard surface, there would be little, if any, added stress because the wide stiff tire would resist any slight leverage effect, and the position of the hub/wheel interface has not been changed.
Now visualize the tire riding lengthwise along a 1" diameter pipe. In this unique situation the wheel can rotate radially.
If the pipe was positioned under the shared 65% of the footprints, the hub would experience the same radial torque at either setting.
If the pipe was positioned somewhere under the outer 3.5" of the wide setting, there would be a slight increase in radial torque, but I doubt that it would be a significant amount, or that it would exceed the design limits of the motor.
This is a scenario that would seldom be duplicated in the real world, except, perhaps, riding over a small stone or root near the outer edge of the tire where the entire load was supported at that point, a condition which seldom occurs, and if it does, it is of very short duration.

There are many factors which can increase the wear on, or reduce the service life of, a Power Trac, or any vehicle. I believe that the benefits of reversing wheels for SOME owners, in SOME situations, may far exceed any slight, if any, detrimental effects!! However, this is a decision, like many others regarding the use and care of a PT-425, which must ultimately be addressed by the OWNER for HIS machine being used by HIM in HIS situation!!

PS: For example, I am far more concerned about the detrimental effects of overheated Hydraulic Oil on the service life of the hydraulic components of the PT!!



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"" put chains on all four wheels,that will hold on the hillsides like your glued to it ""



/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif No! No! No! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Using a narrow track with high traction wheels on a hillside is a recipe for a tip over or roll over!!!

The purpose of reversing the wheels is to provide a safer more stable platform which is less likely to tip or roll over, not to increase the slope angle which can be traversed! Tipping, or roll over, can occur even on seemingly flat ground under certain operating conditions!

Actually, slight sideways movement on a slope can act as a strong warning that you are approaching the limit! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Moving on sloping land is a delicate balance among Track Width, Height of Center of Gravity, and Available Traction. A good usable balance can be achieved by carrying loads low on a PT-425 equipped with reversed wheels mounted with bar tires.

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"" so that the assembly people didn't have to think about which way to mount the wheel ""



No, so they wouldn't throw away the wheels that had the valve on the wrong side!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif



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