Anyone with the new 425...

[marrt]

If you have a new PT-425, it would be great if you could post a few pictures of the engine compartment and pump arrangement. The picture below really caught my attention. In addition to the Kohler engine, it looks like they may have gone to a metal gas tank, added a water separator, and put the engine in "backwards." This would put the variable displacement pump on the front of the engine under the fuel tank. The engine would pull cooling air in from behind the seat? This could be a much better set up to deal with the heat issues.

Also, any pictures of the variable displacement pump (likely under the fuel tank) would be greatly appreciated as I hear they've recently gone to a different pump.

 

[MossRoad]

Interesting. That's about the same layout as my 2001 model year. What year is that photo and where did it come from?

- My PTO and Steering pumps are behind the engine like that.
- My tram pump is in front of the engine under my fuel tank like that.
- You can see the red positive battery terminal under the muffler, so the batterie is in the same place as mine, which means you'd have to remove the muffler to change the battery like mine.
- It has a factory Kohler muffler like mine, which exits straight out the rear. I've NEVER had heat issues with my machine.'
- It appears the hydraulic filter is in the same place as mine.
- My fuel tank is plastic, but in the same position as that metal one.
- That appears to be a vacuum fuel pump VS the mechanical one that was in my right valve cover.
- Mine didn't come with a water separator.

I think I like my layout best because of the factory exhaust. I think PT's home brew exhaust may have caused a lot of heat issues from what I've read here over the past 18 years, and I don't care for the ones that exit out the side.

 

[marrt]

What year is that photo and where did it come from?

It's a current picture from PT's website....

 

[MossRoad]

It's a current picture from PT's website....

OK I see it. I'd definitely question the age of that photo. They aren't known for keeping them up-to-date. So, we'll wait for someone with a new PT425 to chime in.

 

[marrt]

Yeah, you may be right. I've never seen that specific 425 configuration before though. Hopefully, someone will chime in with a new one....

 

[teknohippie]

The image is dated April 21, 2017. It could have been taken before that date.

 

[joshlee]

This link has pictures of what looks like an older 425 with a steel gas tank. Used Construction, Agricultural Equip., Trucks, Trailers & more

 

[joshlee]

Hopefully Incline will see this thread because he has a 2018, 425 with a Kohler.

 

[MossRoad]

Hopefully Incline will see this thread because he has a 2018, 425 with a Kohler.

Ahhh... I went back and found his posts. He posted pictures of his new baby in this thread...

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...duction-thank-you.html?highlight=#post5138402

 

[teknohippie]

Well, if that is the new arrangement, it may eliminate the vapour-lock issue. The battery separates the engine from the gas tank, and it looks like there's a metal heat shield designed to protect the battery. The gas in the tank should stay cool, but I'll bet the battery gets pretty hot and the outside may tend to melt. There will be some heat to the battery in the winter, and that's good. I also like that the terminals are easy to access.

That's one odd-looking muffler, and located outside the engine compartment I'd be worried about it igniting stray bits of dry grass thrown up by the rear wheel.

 

[MossRoad]

I'm fairly certain I'd damage that muffler outside the machine like that in no time.

 

[joshlee]

I see in the top picture that it has a in-line fuel shut off valve. It used to be that you had to put that valve in yourself, it did not come with the machine.

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, I put one on mine, too.

 

[ernemats]

I put one on mine also but seldom use it.

 

[cqaigy2]

I put one on my Robin's after i flooded the crankcase with gas, and kept it with the re-engined kohler.

 

[agjones]

I had to get rid of the stock muffler for several reasons. Prime among them, no spark arrestor = no federal land work. And there was no way to add a spark arrestor when the double 90 design turned the whole muffler into a glowing ignition device!

 

[marrt]

Mossroad, thank you for posting the pictures.

+ I like the "Mossroad design," with the exhaust out the back much better.
+ I suspect this current design is used to save money (no front AND rear power take off) and to shift the center of gravity more toward the back.
+ The downside...a HUGE heat generator in the middle of the tub and right beside the battery. Battery's don't like excessive heat.
+ Even though the battery is easy to access (for infrequently changes), the hydraulic filter is hard to access (even though this filter is changed frequently).
+ I don't like a plastic gas tank. Doesn't seem as safe as a metal tank.


To me, the biggest problem is the muffler location. Cooling air flowing across the cylinders is combined with a hot muffler and then "forced" to turn 90 degrees in a small space to escape. This can't be an efficient design from an air flow perspective.

 

[MossRoad]

Agreed.

 

[MossRoad]

If mine had a metal fuel tank and a better location for the battery, I'd be 100% happy. I've had to replace the battery 3 times in 18 years. Last time I broke an exhaust manifold bolt and that was aggravating. Got it out without too much problem (welded nut to the broken stud and removed easy), but still an aggravation.

 

[marrt]

On my 435 (still need to post some pictures), I cut the rear of the tub out, like to older PT's. I then fabricated a weldment that bolts on for rigidity. This allows much better access to the interior of the tub for maintenance. These days, you can buy a 50 amp plasma cutter on Amazon for $200, which is unbelievable. Makes doing this type of work painless.