PT-425 Slope Mowing

[yooperdave]

How much slope can you negotiate while mowing with this specific tractor equipped with a 4' wide finish mower? Not up and down mowing, but side of the hill mowing. Can you add weights to lower the center of gravity?

I am currently using a Cub Cadet Lawn tractor (XT2 with 42" belly mower) with substantial 3rd party suitcase weights in the back, and lead shot body weights tied to the front bumper. The tractor does remarkably well, but might not be built tough enough to survive for multiple years. I wear gloves and hold onto the fenders to keep me from falling off. Mowing around 0.5 acre.

I estimated the slope of my hill to be between 20 and 25 degrees. There is a pond at the bottom of the hill, so there are additional challenges.

TIA

Yooper Dave

 

[m5040]

I am sure someone will chime in that has a 425. Just wanted to let you know that on my 1430, the next size up machine, I routinely go to the end of my clinometer at 25 deg while lifting/dragging logs which exacerbates the issue.
I find the uphill tires will loose traction when the limit gets close.

 

[ponytug]

How much slope can you negotiate while mowing with this specific tractor equipped with a 4' wide finish mower? Not up and down mowing, but side of the hill mowing. Can you add weights to lower the center of gravity?

I am currently using a Cub Cadet Lawn tractor (XT2 with 42" belly mower) with substantial 3rd party suitcase weights in the back, and lead shot body weights tied to the front bumper. The tractor does remarkably well, but might not be built tough enough to survive for multiple years. I wear gloves and hold onto the fenders to keep me from falling off. Mowing around 0.5 acre.

I estimated the slope of my hill to be between 20 and 25 degrees. There is a pond at the bottom of the hill, so there are additional challenges.

TIA

Yooper Dave

I don't have a 425, but I think that there are two pieces to the answer. One, the Kohler CH730 engine will tolerate up to
+/- 25 degrees, per Kohler.

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/enginesUS/pdf/24_690_30_EN.pdf

The other is what the tractor is rated with by the factory. That's best to call them, 1-800-THE-YARD. My recollection is that they don't have a specific slope number for anything other than the slope mowers.

IIRC, what you are asking for is within what others have used it for here, and I would encourage you to search the threads for it. @MossRoad?

I do more than that with a 1445, but that is a different tractor.

All the best,

Peter

 

[m5040]

I don't have a 425, but I think that there are two pieces to the answer. One, the Kohler CH730 engine will tolerate up to
+/- 25 degrees, per Kohler.

On that note, my 018 Power Trac with the Subaru Engine I installed a cheap sonic alarm to the factory N/C oil pressure switch. That way if it starves for oil, a high pitch alarm will actuate.
Which I think is better the the Deutz and a oil PSI gauge that I may not notice, especially on severe terrain.

 

[ponytug]

On that note, my 018 Power Trac with the Subaru Engine I installed a cheap sonic alarm to the factory N/C oil pressure switch. That way if it starves for oil, a high pitch alarm will actuate.
Which I think is better the the Deutz and an oil PSI gauge that I may not notice, especially on severe terrain.

That's a great idea! Can you hear it over the engine noise? Model #?

I usually wear 30NRR ear muffs while operating the PT.

All the best,

Peter

 

[m5040]

That's a great idea! Can you hear it over the engine noise? Model #?

I usually wear 30NRR ear muffs while operating the PT.

All the best,

Peter

To tell you the truth, I am not really sure. When I start it, no oil pressure and the alarm that I hear well, then it stars at low idle and the alarm silences after the pressure builds (almost instantly) clearly heard through the ear protection. After the PTO is actuated and the RPMS are raised, the blades contact brush, I have no way to test if I could hear over the commotion. It is very high pitch and most everything else is low, so I think it would stand out.
They were cheap money and then it is just the trouble to run a ground wire from the oil psi switch to the dash.
With the real possibility of fuel dilution caused by a leaking carb needle and seat and the gas tank over the top of the engine, it may save the engine if oil is thin were the pressure can't be maintained.

 

[MossRoad]

I'd be concerned on my PT425 at 25 degrees side slope for a few reasons.

1. It's uncomfortable!
2. My Kohler engine is rated at 25 degrees MAX for oil, so I wouldn't want to do it for long stretches.
3. It's uncomfortable!

I've done it but I avoid it if possible. I'd rather run down the slope, shut off the mower, run back up the slope, repeat.

Also, the 425 does NOT have brakes of any sort should you bust a hose on a slope. If you're going up or down, you might be going for a ride. A pond at the bottom of the slope could be disastrous. Across slope you might be able to just coast to a point you could apply the parking brake.

 

[2manyrocks]

Spending $18k on a PT425 to mow .5 acre slope seems pretty costly. There are those small tracked remote control mowers that might work for $2200-up without any personal risk of rollover.

 

[MossRoad]

Spending $18k on a PT425 to mow .5 acre slope seems pretty costly. There are those small tracked remote control mowers that might work for $2200-up without any personal risk of rollover.

Back in 2001 I had a similar dilemma....

The 60" mower deck for the PT425 was $1200. So was a riding lawnmower with a 50" deck.

I didn't want another motor to maintain, so I went with the 60" finish mower for the PT425.

But yes, it's a lot of money to spend. However, it's so much more than just a lawnmower. 40ish attachments. PT425 is a pretty darn good machine for a homeowner or small estate owner. I'd buy another one if needed.

 

[2manyrocks]

If the only job is to cut .5 acre of 20-25 degree hillside with a pond at the bottom, I'd lean towards the trying the remote controlled mower at less than $3,000 because going from 42" down to 20" of width of cut on a .5 acre isn't terrible if you can avoid having to ride the mower yourself.

Another option I have considered for my slopes is to buy one of those 5' trail mowers that have four wheels to winch up and down the slope, but the irregular ground contours and lack of steering control keep me from trying it.