Treadle problem

ernemats · Jun 3, 2006

Has anyone had any problem with the older pt's that have a cable to operate the treadle to the hydroback? Friday I went to use mine and when you leave up on the forward or reverse pedal it does not return to the center position the way it should. I called PT and talked to Terry he feels that the cable might be worn, he said they very rarely have any problems with the hydroback. I checked the treadle assembly to make sure dirt or grass was not built up to interfere with its operation, it was ok. The forward reverse work fine it just does not seem like the cable or hydroback have enough tension to return to the center position. Terry said to disconnect the cable at the treadle to see if pedal centered without any resistance and to clean it out real good with the pressure washer and to grease it then which I did, still the same. I think it has to be either the cable or the hydroback where the problem is. My pt is a 422 purchased in 2000 with 900 hours on it . Any suggestions on how to check those 2 things to find the problem?

ernemats · Jun 3, 2006

Has anyone had any problem with the older pt's that have a cable to operate the treadle to the hydroback? Friday I went to use mine and when you leave up on the forward or reverse pedal it does not return to the center position the way it should. I called PT and talked to Terry he feels that the cable might be worn, he said they very rarely have any problems with the hydroback. I checked the treadle assembly to make sure dirt or grass was not built up to interfere with its operation, it was ok. The forward reverse work fine it just does not seem like the cable or hydroback have enough tension to return to the center position. Terry said to disconnect the cable at the treadle to see if pedal centered without any resistance and to clean it out real good with the pressure washer and to grease it then which I did, still the same. I think it has to be either the cable or the hydroback where the problem is. My pt is a 422 purchased in 2000 with 900 hours on it . Any suggestions on how to check those 2 things to find the problem?

BobRip · Jun 3, 2006

I had mine not return to neutral at around 200 hours roughly. I greased the pedal joints and it cleared up. You really have some hours on yours for a 2000 model. I have the same model and am at 500 hours. Have you tried lubricating the cable assembly itself? Put grease at the ends and work it back and forth. I am not sure of the best grease for this purpose.

Bob Rip

BobRip · Jun 3, 2006

I had mine not return to neutral at around 200 hours roughly. I greased the pedal joints and it cleared up. You really have some hours on yours for a 2000 model. I have the same model and am at 500 hours. Have you tried lubricating the cable assembly itself? Put grease at the ends and work it back and forth. I am not sure of the best grease for this purpose.

Bob Rip

J_J · Jun 4, 2006

I have the same problem. If you do a search for Hydraback or Hydroback, you will see some post and pictures. I took everything apart and cleaned everything good and lubed everything with silicon oil. When things were apart, Terry told me the lever on the transmission should be horizontal, and if you push down, it should re center by itself. When the cable was disconnected from the Hydraback, I pushed the treadle up and down, and the cable work real smooth. I lubed the cable and all ball joints, and hooked everything back together. If you call Terry, he will tell you how to re center the Hydraback. There are several ball joints by the treadle, an two more at the Hydraback. It is still not as smooth as I think it should be. A new cable cost around $115.00, and looks easy to install. For safety, I would put the machine up on blocks, and adjust the Hydraback. If it is not centered when you install it, and start the engine, it could move on its own. Also watch out for the rotating tires when it is up on blocks.

I may eventually end up getting a new cable, and new ball joints. Terry said the Hydraback hardly ever fails. The Hydraback is a tube with a spring with in a spring, and adjusting nuts at both ends. The springs inside the Hydraback is what helps the treadle to center itself.

J_J · Jun 4, 2006

I have the same problem. If you do a search for Hydraback or Hydroback, you will see some post and pictures. I took everything apart and cleaned everything good and lubed everything with silicon oil. When things were apart, Terry told me the lever on the transmission should be horizontal, and if you push down, it should re center by itself. When the cable was disconnected from the Hydraback, I pushed the treadle up and down, and the cable work real smooth. I lubed the cable and all ball joints, and hooked everything back together. If you call Terry, he will tell you how to re center the Hydraback. There are several ball joints by the treadle, an two more at the Hydraback. It is still not as smooth as I think it should be. A new cable cost around $115.00, and looks easy to install. For safety, I would put the machine up on blocks, and adjust the Hydraback. If it is not centered when you install it, and start the engine, it could move on its own. Also watch out for the rotating tires when it is up on blocks.

I may eventually end up getting a new cable, and new ball joints. Terry said the Hydraback hardly ever fails. The Hydraback is a tube with a spring with in a spring, and adjusting nuts at both ends. The springs inside the Hydraback is what helps the treadle to center itself.

ernemats · Jun 6, 2006

BobRip and J.J. thanks for the feedback. I lubed everything and it helped a little but still not what it used to be. I talked to Terry again and he is pretty sure the cable is worn and needs replaced. For now I am going to use it as is and if it gets any worse I will probably order the new cable.

ernemats · Jun 6, 2006

BobRip and J.J. thanks for the feedback. I lubed everything and it helped a little but still not what it used to be. I talked to Terry again and he is pretty sure the cable is worn and needs replaced. For now I am going to use it as is and if it gets any worse I will probably order the new cable.

Mobil1 · Jul 12, 2006

Having same problem just posted today as i an very frustrated with treadle problem poor design thats why they changed it my unit hs 400 hrs 2003 have had problems since NEW!!!

menchhofer · Jul 12, 2006

Same here on the 1430. Machine has 330 hrs and I have replaced the cable about 100 hrs ago. Now it seems the treadle is harder to control/push thus making the PT much less responsive.

About the same time as replacing the cable, the pin in the arm of the trans. broke and came out. I have been replacing the pin with 1/4 inch hardened bolts and after about 2-3 hrs of movement they break causing the Pt to sometimes go out of control until I turn off the key. I cannot find the size of the original pin for a replacement, so I just keep a supply of the bolts on hand until the next one breaks.