New 1430

[Haldir00]

Got the new PT1430 the other day. I will be asking a ton of questions, so thank you in advance. (And thanks to MossRoad, who has already been a tremendous help!) Question: anyone happen to know the purpose of the "off" switch between the lights and P.T.O. switches? Thanks!

 

[ponytug]

Welcome!

At a guess Front/rear lights?

Great photos! I love the cat.

All the best, Peter

 

[Thomas]

Congrats on your new investment,your bones and muscles will be thanking you in years to come.

 

[MossRoad]

Nice machine! I have no idea what the OFF switch is for.... so I'd look for an ON switch somewhere else.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Green 1430? blasphemous.

 

[MossRoad]

Green for gas
Red for diesel?

 

[2manyrocks]

No idea what that off switch controls, but congrats on your new PT.

 

[scotts562]

Is that third switch your draft conrtol

 

[tacticalturnip]

Very cool, enjoy the new workhorse.

 

[Haldir00]

Thanks, all, for the kind words. Re: the switch, I have no idea. I'll update everyone when I've spoken with Terry from PT. Re: the color, I called and spoke with Kristie at PT when the delivery driver arrived with the 1430. I told her I'd only ever seen photos of the red version on their site. She said green is gas, red is diesel, and of course the 1430 is a gas model, so it's green. I'm happy with the color, so no worries there, just a bit surprised. Found some ethanol-free gas near me, so I'll have 'the good stuff' for the tractor. Now I just need to find a good cover for it, as it'll be living outside until we get around to building the toy garage. If anyone has recommendations, I'm happy to hear them. Also, I don't know anything about hydraulic connections, but I'm going to try to find plugs/caps for the lines on the implements. If anyone has any gouge there, I'd appreciate that, too. Regards,

 

[ponytug]

Summit hydraulics (directly or via Amazon) has caps, but my $0.02 is to read the fine print on the particular connectors on your 1430 and cross reference it. Power-Trac has been known to change couplers, so verify for your tractor what the part actually is.
On the Power-Trac Cross reference thread there is a discussion of couplers, but again, it may be outdated for your machine;

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/search/22037890/?q=Coupler&t=post&c[thread]=267218&o=relevance

Searching the Power-Trac forum will get you more hits as well. (The search function can be very useful at digging up information.)

The main PTO connectors on my 1445 are a little unusual, as are the caps, but the Q/A and case drain or more common used sizes.

I would start by reading the part numbers on the couplers. A good flashlight is useful, and phone photos can often help read numbers is less than accessible locations.

As far as a tractor shelter goes, I guess it depends a little on what you want and what you are up against in your environment. Where are you in New Hampshire? Portsmouth is a little different the Gorham. Shelterlogic makes some nice fabric (vinyl), and metal shelters, often on sale, and sometimes available via Tractor Supply or Costco on occasion.

What are your planned uses for your 1430?

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

Neighbor had a very old shelter logic structure for his car. The cover finally wore out and he said it was cheaper to buy a whole new one than replace the cover, which he did. He offered me the frame of the old one. So I shortened it up lengthwise so I could put the vertical poles closer together, built some solid ends, got some greenhouse hardware and repurposed it.

So if you're looking for what to do with a portable shelter once you have a permanent shed, consider a greenhouse.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks, all, for the kind words. Re: the switch, I have no idea. I'll update everyone when I've spoken with Terry from PT. Re: the color, I called and spoke with Kristie at PT when the delivery driver arrived with the 1430. I told her I'd only ever seen photos of the red version on their site. She said green is gas, red is diesel, and of course the 1430 is a gas model, so it's green. I'm happy with the color, so no worries there, just a bit surprised. Found some ethanol-free gas near me, so I'll have 'the good stuff' for the tractor. Now I just need to find a good cover for it, as it'll be living outside until we get around to building the toy garage. If anyone has recommendations, I'm happy to hear them. Also, I don't know anything about hydraulic connections, but I'm going to try to find plugs/caps for the lines on the implements. If anyone has any gouge there, I'd appreciate that, too. Regards,

What engine is in it?

 

[Haldir00]

Ok, spoke with Terry. The "off" switch is for draft control for the mower. He said it's good to use 15w40 year 'round for both engine and hydraulics, and to use the hydraulic heating pad he installed for about 12 hours before planned use in the winter. He explained to me what to do with the brush mower wheels, which came mounted backward on the mower for transport purposes. I think I understand, but I might have to play with it to get it right.

To answer questions: my planned use is general maintenance around the property. We have ~45 ac, about 5 cleared/hilly to mow, and the remainder is woods. I have a bunch of fallen trees and branches, so much of my time will be spent cleaning all that up. I'll be ordering a Super Split for making firewood for a wood stove out of whatever downed stuff makes sense. So, bucket and grapple for that. I got the brush mower for the 5 ac, as well as a plow for snow next year. Today was relocating a pile of loam from last fall, then driving around loading loose rocks and small boulders around the property into the bucket and starting a 'for later' pile.

The engine is the Kohler CH1000 (I think), gas, 37 hp according to the literature.

 

[Haldir00]

My last riding mower was a JD, and the dealer said to run it full throttle when mowing. What do you guys do with your PTs? Full throttle when under load, or just enough to accomplish the task at hand? Thanks.

 

[ponytug]

Well, many congratulations. It all sounds like fun.

I bet you will love the hydraulic heater in the winter time.

Yes, many air cooled gasoline engines stay cooler with WOT, but I don't know your engine series in particular. Sorry.

FWIW: I grease the bushings and the bolts on the brush mower before using. I also balance and sharpen the blades regularly as I find that makes a big difference for mine (72").

All the best, Peter

 

[scotts562]

I use enough throttle to accomplish the task.

I run only Kohler brand engine oil in my Kohler engines. Have not had the engine problems others report. My brother clued me into this. Hundreds of Kohler engines at his work. The ones feed Kohler engine oil keep plugging along, the others fail prematurely. It is some additive in the oil. Zinc maybe.

 

[ponytug]

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/enginesUS/pdf/Oil_Sellsheet.pdf

@scotts562 Yes extra zinc and additives to reduce thermal breakdown.

I use air cooled engine oil in air cooled engines; synthetic also works for many folks, I've heard.

All the best, Peter

 

[scotts562]

Didn't know there there were oils specifically for air cooled engines. Thank for the tip

 

[ponytug]

Didn't know there there were oils specifically for air cooled engines. Thank for the tip

Often sold as air cooled motorcycle oil. My impression is that Kohler's "Command Pro" version is a good one from what I read.

Lots of lore around oils, I do not believe most of what I read out there as it isn't backed up with data. I think posts like @scotts562 are rather valuable.

That's not to say that I think a 212cc Honda/Predator engine needs it, but generators, tractors, and performance motorcycles probably all benefit from air cooled oil as the cost to replace/repair is so much higher. Just my $0.02.

All the best,

Peter