New PT-180 owner

[m5040]

I cheaped out and used parts off of vehicles that I had around since they were size appropriate. I have a dash mounted (in the PTO hole) on/off switch. It is a suction fan, so it sucks heat out of the engine compartment and heat wants to rise anyway, so it pulls it up and out the top of the hood. The hardest part is tracing the hydraulic lines. I believe it needs to go in the return line from the loader control valve. That will always have oil flow with no pressure and it is -4 size (I used PUSH-ON type, very easy to assemble yourself to make the lengths just right) so it easy to run and same size as transmission coolers on pickup trucks.
When I narrowed down to a few hoses, I used a different tractor and raised up the rear of the power trac high in the air so I could take off the hyd hose from the bottom of the hyd reservoir without loosing oil (plastic wrap under the filler cap). I had the PT180 loader arms raised all the way up before lifting with other tractor (don't start engine). When I took off the hose that I expected to be the control valve return, oil would only come out of the hose when I lowered the loader. This was the way I made sure I had the correct line. (The PT factory doesn't use the same ports for every tractor.) Then I just used a union and plumbed a hose up to the cooler, then back to the hyd tank.
The picture attached is of a 425 I got somewhere. I copied that.
I didn't do a write up because until you bought yours, I think I was the only active member with a PT180 and it doesn't apply to the other tractors (so nobody cares).

 

[curtjeep]

I cheaped out and used parts off of vehicles that I had around since they were size appropriate. I have a dash mounted (in the PTO hole) on/off switch. It is a suction fan, so it sucks heat out of the engine compartment and heat wants to rise anyway, so it pulls it up and out the top of the hood. The hardest part is tracing the hydraulic lines. I believe it needs to go in the return line from the loader control valve. That will always have oil flow with no pressure and it is -4 size (I used PUSH-ON type, very easy to assemble yourself to make the lengths just right) so it easy to run and same size as transmission coolers on pickup trucks.
When I narrowed down to a few hoses, I used a different tractor and raised up the rear of the power trac high in the air so I could take off the hyd hose from the bottom of the hyd reservoir without loosing oil (plastic wrap under the filler cap). I had the PT180 loader arms raised all the way up before lifting with other tractor (don't start engine). When I took off the hose that I expected to be the control valve return, oil would only come out of the hose when I lowered the loader. This was the way I made sure I had the correct line. (The PT factory doesn't use the same ports for every tractor.) Then I just used a union and plumbed a hose up to the cooler, then back to the hyd tank.
The picture attached is of a 425 I got somewhere. I copied that.
I didn't do a write up because until you bought yours, I think I was the only active member with a PT180 and it doesn't apply to the other tractors (so nobody cares).

AWESOME! thanks I was planning on using an oil cooler out of a junkyard myself, haha. I will find a fan and it may be a project for next weekend.

 

[m5040]

Roger, just take your measurements, wash it out good. I had about 4 fans to choose from. You want one with LOW amp draw as the alt in the engine is small. The Push-on hose can be bought at a professional hyd shop. If you buy the correct ends ( I think -4 JIC), they will attach right up to the premium Parker hoses that PT uses.

 

[MossRoad]

...
The picture attached is of a 425 I got somewhere. I copied that.
...

from my driveway.... :laughing:

 

[curtjeep]

So, does it keep your hydraulic temps low enough to run continuously for say... All day?

 

[MossRoad]

Most I've run the brush cutter or mower is about 4 hours non-stop. Then it's break time, and refill on the gas. However, since I don't have a thermometer, I have no ideas what he temps were/are.

 

[curtjeep]

Hey 5040, do you have a stump cutter for your 180? If so, hows it work out?

 

[m5040]

I do not have a stump cutter. But after watching the video it seems like a marginally functional attachment that stalled out as it was being used if not fed slow enough. I am sure it would work if you have enough patients. Maybe someone will chime in that has one.

 

[curtjeep]

I do not have a stump cutter. But after watching the video it seems like a marginally functional attachment that stalled out as it was being used if not fed slow enough. I am sure it would work if you have enough patients. Maybe someone will chime in that has one.

That's wat I was worried about I have at least 10 oak stumps a couple pine stumps and a cedar stump that I need to grind and to pay someone was more than 2 stump cutter attachments...

 

[MossRoad]

That's wat I was worried about I have at least 10 oak stumps a couple pine stumps and a cedar stump that I need to grind and to pay someone was more than 2 stump cutter attachments...

If they're that large, you might be better off burning them out.

 

[curtjeep]

If they're that large, you might be better off burning them out.

Can't I live inside the city limits in Jacksonville... No burning without a permit.

 

[agjones]

A big one time job on stumps? Rent.

The stump grinder attachment is a great part of my lineup. But I use it for cleanup and incidental things like roots that affect mowing etc.

For bigger stumps I either call in a dedicated sub or rent.

 

[m5040]

agjones,
When I was at the PT factory I looked over the stump grinder and the disc trencher. Do you know if there is any difference? I kind of wanted the trencher to put in some power outlets/driveway lights.

 

[m5040]

curtjeep,
You probably know that the factory lets you try out the equipment before you buy. If you are still on the fence about the stump cutter, ask Terry for a honest assessment and tell him your entire purchase may hinge upon the function of the SC. Tell him the only way you will proceed is if you can try it out on a fresh cut (or aged but not rotted) tree stump and not some punky log. Make sure you predominantly use the machine you intend to buy, ie dont use a diesel machine if you are going for a PT422.

 

[MossRoad]

Can't I live inside the city limits in Jacksonville... No burning without a permit.

Wrap a hamburger patty, some sliced potatoes and carrots in foil, throw them in the fire, and tell them you're cooking your lunch.

 

[curtjeep]

Mossroad-

5040- I would, but it is an 8-9 hour drive up there and I don't want to have to make the trip again so i was hoping to get input from you guys. Lol this time i will have it shipped probably...

Ajones- the stumps i have are just the immediate need of it right now. In the future it may be much more.

 

[SpringHollow]

The stump cutter on the 1850 destroys stumps pretty quickly in my opinion, maybe 15 - 20 minutes for a 20 - 24" hard maple or oak stump. I did over 20 in one day for a friend. So it must take less time than I said because he is not THAT good of a friend that I would spend all day there (I will have to send him a copy of this). But it does seem to be a little hard on the grinder. My grinder was used and leaking when I got it. I reversed the blade so that I did not get a wood chip shower.

Ken

 

[MossRoad]

The stump cutter on the 1850 destroys stumps pretty quickly in my opinion, maybe 15 - 20 minutes for a 20 - 24" hard maple or oak stump. I did over 20 in one day for a friend. So it must take less time than I said because he is not THAT good of a friend that I would spend all day there (I will have to send him a copy of this). But it does seem to be a little hard on the grinder. My grinder was used and leaking when I got it. I reversed the blade so that I did not get a wood chip shower.

Ken

Nice! :laughing:

 

[agjones]

agjones,
When I was at the PT factory I looked over the stump grinder and the disc trencher. Do you know if there is any difference? I kind of wanted the trencher to put in some power outlets/driveway lights.

I don't know the difference, other than it's less aggressively toothed. I think the wheel is now like for sprinkler line, line burials etc.

 

[ponytug]

Yes, but but your 1850 has 33+ hydraulic HP, vs about 9HP for the 180. That’s a great deal more stump grinding power...

Rent vs buy...

All the best,

Peter