425 again…movement problems…

[Modrob]

Latest: unit delivered to Terry and company today. They’ll deal with the pump issue/rebuild, and give me an evaluation on the condition of the rest of the machine. Crossing fingers for a little more life…(almost 25 years already and it’s been worked hard)

 

[MossRoad]

 

[ponytug]

 

[Modrob]

Well…prepare the hearse. Terry called this morning and it’s bad. Pump is destroyed. Looking at around 2500 to fix, and looking the whole unit over, may not be worthwhile to put that kind of money into it…
So now, the wife and I (it’s actually hers ) are trying to figure out next move. Wow…

 

[ponytug]

Well…prepare the hearse. Terry called this morning and it’s bad. Pump is destroyed. Looking at around 2500 to fix, and looking the whole unit over, may not be worthwhile to put that kind of money into it…
So now, the wife and I (it’s actually hers ) are trying to figure out next move. Wow…

Sorry to hear the bad news. Good luck on whatever you two decide to do.

All the best, Peter

 

[oldnslo]

Well…prepare the hearse. Terry called this morning and it’s bad. Pump is destroyed. Looking at around 2500 to fix, and looking the whole unit over, may not be worthwhile to put that kind of money into it…
So now, the wife and I (it’s actually hers ) are trying to figure out next move. Wow…

Do you know if the $2500 included checking the wheel motors? If not I would ask Terry about that since a pump going bad frequently sends debris out to the motors also.

Wish you the best on your decision going forward.

 

[2manyrocks]

Are there any cost savings to be had if they built a new unit re-using the body/wheels/ROPS but with all new hydraulic components and a new engine? The Kohler V twin might be the best gas 25hp engine available. I'd want a new one while I could get one.

 

[Modrob]

Do you know if the $2500 included checking the wheel motors? If not I would ask Terry about that since a pump going bad frequently sends debris out to the motors also.

Wish you the best on your decision going forward.

Yes, Terry had said they would check it all out after the pump was rebuilt to get a better idea of the overall condition. That was with the initial thought it would be a simple pump rebuild. After I got it to them, they find it’s beyond rebuild. So that changed everything going forward (or not )

 

[oldnslo]

Not trying to question Terry but I would want to check fluid in the lines to the motors for debris before ever connecting to a new rebuilt pump and potentially trashing it at startup. I suspect Terry knows this but he is playing with your nickels.

 

[Modrob]

Are there any cost savings to be had if they built a new unit re-using the body/wheels/ROPS but with all new hydraulic components and a new engine? The Kohler V twin might be the best gas 25hp engine available. I'd want a new one while I could get one.

We didn’t have a long conversation about it, but I believe it was easy to hear in his voice he was a bit saddened to see the condition this poor girl has come to in 24 years—it’s first 14-15 years it was pushed to its limits moving timber from the nearby woods—mostly hillsides, pushing, dragging, lifting, etc. Built nearly all of two homes with the lumber the late husband brought out and milled. Even the heavy metal that supports the rear wheel motors have fatigued to the point the wheels splay out some.
The poor motor has been run ragged as well—I’ve had to do a lot of work on it too. Honestly I think it’s just plain wore out…
So for about 2500 we would be back in the game, at least where we were before the movement issue started. Chancing the wheel motors and other systems on how long they might play along. Probably before long I’d think a new motor would have to be done…$$$$ and who knows…so we’ve been tossing around the idea of a new compact tractor—so many to choose from but all are a pretty big chunk of change. Hard to fathom 18 to 24 grand for a homeowner that uses a tractor for occasional projects. I really wished several times that our 425 had a heavier lift capacity and better digging ability. (We have lots of shale in our land)
It appears whatever we choose, it’s going to be a big chunk of change to have a tractor. (Note: I do have a 1950 IH T6 gas crawler/dozer that can really dig! But tears up a lot of ground and the wife would then tear up my arse…)