Hiccup in power trac plans

[Goose1776]

Well. I do have a quote, and an agreement with Terry on a PowerTrac unit. Just trying to figure out if I’m picking it up, or having it shipped.

BUT, I may have found an issue with sharing attachments with my tractor.

I had hoped to use their blank plate, weld to an SSQA adapter I have, to use a grapple, and a tree puller on both machines.
But PT’s use of motor oil, rather than a hydraulic oil may be an issue, due to cross contamination from residual oil in lines when changing attachments.?
Has anyone else done this?

I would have asked Terry, but i just realized it today, on the weekend of course. LoL

 

[m5040]

I have the same problem. I only change implements between Power Tracs. My Kubota has ultra expensive synthetic hyd oil. But if I had to interchange implements, I would change the hyd oil in the Power Trac to match the Kubota. I can't believe that the oil used in a high performance tractor would cause damage in at PT.

 

[Goose1776]

I have the same problem. I only change implements between Power Tracs. My Kubota has ultra expensive synthetic hyd oil. But if I had to interchange implements, I would change the hyd oil in the Power Trac to match the Kubota. I can't believe that the oil used in a high performance tractor would cause damage in at PT.

That’s what I’m thinking as well.
I would ask Terry about it before I would do anything,
Or. I just won’t be switching hydraulic implements back and forth

 

[ponytug]

I moved to synthetic motor oil awhile back. No change. I wouldn't go changing the PT oil to single weight oil. I talked to Terry at the time about oils, but I encourage you to check with him.

A few random thoughts: Most hydraulic oil is on the order of 30W, which will definitely impact cold weather performance. I have been told of long warm up times required for some tractors and skid steers using hydraulic oils. The upside to requiring the long warm up is that you have similar performance from the hydraulic system under all conditions, as the oil is always the same viscosity.

I am not sure that the PT system is designed to dump enough heat for that to be a good assumption, I.e. I think it can't dump enough heat to keep 30W oil in specification, even if you were willing to wait, nor do I think it can handle starting with cold single viscosity oil.(see below)

The PT really depends on multi weight oil to be able to charge the variable volume pump when cold, (thin enough to be suction filtered into the charge pump without cavitation and damage), and still have sufficient viscosity when everything is hot. I recommend looking at oil viscosity vs. temperature tables.

Now I personally believe that a few quarts of hydraulic oil isn't going to measurably affect the PT performance, unless it is really high weight oil. Whether the skid steer is so tolerant, I don't know. If you keep switching, you are going to end up with a 50:50 mix of hydraulic oil and motor oil, and I am sure neither machine will be at its best.

So, I think that if you plan on doing once, you might get away with it. Routinely...I doubt the two machines would be happy, and I really think that the PT would not do well on single viscosity oil. Just my $0.02

I would talk to Terry.

All the best,

Peter

 

[m5040]

I don't know if you are aware, but Power Trac uses commerically available off-the-shelf hydraulic components. Motors can be brand X, pumps brand Y, valves brand Z. I would think for all the different manufacturers to agree on the exact same types of oil, that being only 15w-40 motor oil is doubtful. Most modern tractors have components made by the manufacturer or to their exact specifications and are very specific on oil needs. I wouldn't contaminate your tractor's hydraulic system especially if it is some type of power-shift transmission. The beauty of the Power Trac is their simplicity. If a hydrostatic drive Kubota can operate in below freezing temps with little warm up with their synthetic oil, I would be comfortable using it in a PT. But to be safe don't mix attachments.
Besides all that, once you start using the PT, you won't want to use your tractor anyhow.

 

[Fixastuff]

Hook up input hose on implement, put out hose in bucket, run till you think all the wrong stuff is pumped out, put fitting back on then connect. At least that's what I do in these situations, but I don't have either one of those machines.

 

[tommott77]

Well. I do have a quote, and an agreement with Terry on a PowerTrac unit. Just trying to figure out if I’m picking it up, or having it shipped.

BUT, I may have found an issue with sharing attachments with my tractor.

I had hoped to use their blank plate, weld to an SSQA adapter I have, to use a grapple, and a tree puller on both machines.
But PT’s use of motor oil, rather than a hydraulic oil may be an issue, due to cross contamination from residual oil in lines when changing attachments.?
Has anyone else done this?

I would have asked Terry, but i just realized it today, on the weekend of course. LoL

Which Power Trac model did you end up going with?

 

[woodlandfarms]

Hook up input hose on implement, put out hose in bucket, run till you think all the wrong stuff is pumped out, put fitting back on then connect. At least that's what I do in these situations, but I don't have either one of those machines.

18gpm at 3000psi. Uh uh. That’s not going to happen.

 

[MossRoad]

18gpm at 3000psi. Uh uh. That’s not going to happen.

Probably pretty dangerous to even attempt that.

 

[Fixastuff]

18gpm at 3000psi. Uh uh. That’s not going to happen.

Lol. Do you have to do it at WOT and full flow?? On my excavator I do it idle and then ease into aux flow until the output seems fast enough.....

 

[cqaigy2]

Lol. Do you have to do it at WOT and full flow?? On my excavator I do it idle and then ease into aux flow until the output seems fast enough.....

Not sure if it's the same on the bigger machines, but on the little PT422, the aux is electric valve, on/off.

 

[ponytug]

Lol. Do you have to do it at WOT and full flow?? On my excavator I do it idle and then ease into aux flow until the output seems fast enough.....

These machines all have on/off for hydraulic flow. It might not be 12gpm, but it will be at least 3-4gpm on idle. There is no way to feather it. Relative to some machines, they have smaller hydraulic reservoirs, and rely more on oil coolers rather than large tanks.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

Not sure if it's the same on the bigger machines, but on the little PT422, the aux is electric valve, on/off.

On the 425, at least on my 2001 model year, the AUX is the 3rd function on the FEL bank of valves that is downstream from the power beyond port on the steering valve. It operates the QA and any attachments with cylinders like mini-ho and power angle snow plow. I think that's only rated at 4GPM and the pump section that feeds all that comes on as soon as you crank the engine, as it's physically connected to the crank shaft and there is no clutch.

The MAIN PTO is always on as well. That is the one that's rated at 8GPM. It's physically connected to the crank shaft as well. That's the one with the electric diverter that switches between return directly to tank OR go out to the FEL arm in/out connectors for the mowers and such.

Not sure how the larger units are plumbed, but I'd suspect similar, and you'd have a heck of a time trying to hold a hose in a bucket while cranking the key, throttle, diverter switch, AUX lever, etc... big mess coming.

 

[RickB]

Lol. Do you have to do it at WOT and full flow?? On my excavator I do it idle and then ease into aux flow until the output seems fast enough.....

That's the difference between practical experience and reading a spec sheet then posting.

 

[Fixastuff]

On the 425, at least on my 2001 model year, the AUX is the 3rd function on the FEL bank of valves that is downstream from the power beyond port on the steering valve. It operates the QA and any attachments with cylinders like mini-ho and power angle snow plow. I think that's only rated at 4GPM and the pump section that feeds all that comes on as soon as you crank the engine, as it's physically connected to the crank shaft and there is no clutch.

The MAIN PTO is always on as well. That is the one that's rated at 8GPM. It's physically connected to the crank shaft as well. That's the one with the electric diverter that switches between return directly to tank OR go out to the FEL arm in/out connectors for the mowers and such.

Not sure how the larger units are plumbed, but I'd suspect similar, and you'd have a heck of a time trying to hold a hose in a bucket while cranking the key, throttle, diverter switch, AUX lever, etc... big mess coming.

Cool! I shouldn't have commented. Re the bucket/hose problem, the buckets I use have the main lid still on and I put the hose in through the smaller pop out hole you pour the fluid out of. If you were planning to use an open top bucket you shouldn't be trying this...

 

[MossRoad]

It might work. The machine we're talking about puts out 18 GPM at all pressures. That's 1 gallon in 3.33 seconds regardless of the pressure, as it's a positive displacement pump, at the given RPM. Slow the RPM down, and it will put out less GPM. I'd want a second set of hands, some eye protection, and a face shield.

You're also gonna waste a gallon of hydraulic fluid at the least each time you do this. Worst case scenario, you're gonna drain 10 gallons of hydraulic fluid in 33 seconds.

 

[Fixastuff]

Use a constrictor knot to secure hose to handle if you know it(it's a good knot). If you don't waste a couple zip ties.

Of course you need to check the machines fluid before and after this operation.

 

[BigDaddyEureka]

Use a constrictor knot to secure hose to handle if you know it(it's a good knot). If you don't waste a couple zip ties.
View attachment 703871
Of course you need to check the machines fluid before and after this operation.

That is a great knot! It's a little bit like the hitch we use on a cleat for a boat, but you don't need the cleat. Learning knots was one of my favorite parts of sailing, and this is a good one!

Here's a good quick tutorial.

 

[Goose1776]

Which Power Trac model did you end up going with?

I’m getting a used 1430., but with all new attachments.
Gas or diesel didn’t matter as much, as I initially thought.
But the lift capacity, over the 425 is what I really need,
and even the 1430, won’t be enough for some stuff, so I’ll end up needing something bigger as well.
but that will probably be a new tractor
I may still end up getting a 425 later, as it is definitely smaller and more nimble, and I dare say fun to operate.
and can see that it will get into tighter places, but will see how the 1430 does first.

 

[tommott77]

I’m getting a used 1430., but with all new attachments.
Gas or diesel didn’t matter as much, as I initially thought.
But the lift capacity, over the 425 is what I really need,
and even the 1430, won’t be enough for some stuff, so I’ll end up needing something bigger as well.
but that will probably be a new tractor
I may still end up getting a 425 later, as it is definitely smaller and more nimble, and I dare say fun to operate.
and can see that it will get into tighter places, but will see how the 1430 does first.

Nice! How did you locate a used one? Would love to find a newer used 1340. I’ve been keeping my eye for a bit and it looks like they’re listings for used PTs is not updated very often and whatever I see on there is already sold.