425 Big Wheels
- Thread starter JD-Beach
- Start date
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JD,
About one size bigger and they'll start touching when you turn - cuts down on that turning radius!
Seriously, did you get the larger wheels strictly because of the sand or would you have them under any circumstances? I'm looking to switch to the 425 from a CUT, and I'm wondering if the bigger wheels and motors would help the overall performance of the PT. Has the Robin engine delivered the power you expect with the oversize, and did they have to change the hydraulic pump, flow, or anything else to accomodate the wheels/motors? My property is basically flat with some woods, but extra traction and torque seems like a welcome addition in any situation. In your opinion, outside of nirvana-like beach work, would the extra cost be worth it?
Dave
About one size bigger and they'll start touching when you turn - cuts down on that turning radius!
Seriously, did you get the larger wheels strictly because of the sand or would you have them under any circumstances? I'm looking to switch to the 425 from a CUT, and I'm wondering if the bigger wheels and motors would help the overall performance of the PT. Has the Robin engine delivered the power you expect with the oversize, and did they have to change the hydraulic pump, flow, or anything else to accomodate the wheels/motors? My property is basically flat with some woods, but extra traction and torque seems like a welcome addition in any situation. In your opinion, outside of nirvana-like beach work, would the extra cost be worth it?
Dave
Phils
Platinum Member
Excellent!
A cupple of sizes bigger and maybe it'd float.
JD... are you seeing any evidence of saltwater corrosion or rust? I get a little rusting where paint has been worn through, mostly on the implements. PT seems to use pretty good steel however, and I've not had much since everything is parked under cover. I was curious how your environment might affect the machine.
Phil
A cupple of sizes bigger and maybe it'd float.
JD... are you seeing any evidence of saltwater corrosion or rust? I get a little rusting where paint has been worn through, mostly on the implements. PT seems to use pretty good steel however, and I've not had much since everything is parked under cover. I was curious how your environment might affect the machine.
Phil
ddonnell, I pursued the larger wheels to increase the bearing area and decrease the soil (sand) bearing pressure. The same concept which applies to tracked vehicles. PT stated the soil bearing pressure is 3.(something) per square inch with these tires ... down from 5. (something) with the original tires ... (sorry, I can't remember the actual decimal fraction) ....
I have rented CUTs and the small front tires sink in the soft sand when the bucket is loaded. ... no problems like that with the PT! ... This concept works great.
I don't believe that the pump was changed. Terry modified my owner's manual with new wheel motor numbers, ... but no mention of a pump change. Concerning the cost ... the do-it-yourselfers could probably upgrade the motors and wheels for far less than PT's 25% ticket.
The Robbins engine is good with plenty of power (so far) ... honestly the machine is too new, and I'm just getting comfortable on it, so I haven't really pushed it to it's limits to make an educated comment on the power. .. However, ... it's a little loud! ... I'm considering a bigger muffler. ... any ideas here would be appreciated.
Phils, I'm keeping the PT in a garage, so no rust yet. ... although rust is a big problem here. ... sawblades, wrenches, anything not painted can rust very quickly without proper attention. This will be a good long-term evaluation. ... I'll keep you informed.
I have rented CUTs and the small front tires sink in the soft sand when the bucket is loaded. ... no problems like that with the PT! ... This concept works great.
I don't believe that the pump was changed. Terry modified my owner's manual with new wheel motor numbers, ... but no mention of a pump change. Concerning the cost ... the do-it-yourselfers could probably upgrade the motors and wheels for far less than PT's 25% ticket.
The Robbins engine is good with plenty of power (so far) ... honestly the machine is too new, and I'm just getting comfortable on it, so I haven't really pushed it to it's limits to make an educated comment on the power. .. However, ... it's a little loud! ... I'm considering a bigger muffler. ... any ideas here would be appreciated.
Phils, I'm keeping the PT in a garage, so no rust yet. ... although rust is a big problem here. ... sawblades, wrenches, anything not painted can rust very quickly without proper attention. This will be a good long-term evaluation. ... I'll keep you informed.
BobRip
Elite Member
JD, what tire pressure are you running? I too have had my 422 sink into sand when using the bucket and sink in the mud even more easily. I will follow you comments closely. Please post your comments and pictures often. This may be my next machine.
BobRip, I'm running 8-psi in the tires. This is the level given to me by the PT folks.
I was viewing some older posts and ran across Moss's photos of his engine compartment. His Kohler arrangement is significantly different than the Robbins arrangement that I have. The Robbins is farther back in the machine, with exhaust ported toward the front and piped out to the side. The battery is in a more user friendly location also. The Robbins has a smaller muffler fabricated by PT. This is an interesting adjustment in the design by the PT folks. I'm doing a little research to replace the muffler with a larger, quieter unit.
I was viewing some older posts and ran across Moss's photos of his engine compartment. His Kohler arrangement is significantly different than the Robbins arrangement that I have. The Robbins is farther back in the machine, with exhaust ported toward the front and piped out to the side. The battery is in a more user friendly location also. The Robbins has a smaller muffler fabricated by PT. This is an interesting adjustment in the design by the PT folks. I'm doing a little research to replace the muffler with a larger, quieter unit.
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KentT
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2005
- Messages
- 2,928
- Location
- Sevierville, TN
- Tractor
- 1993 Power Trac 1430 w/Kubota diesel engine
JD-Beach said:
I have 425 with Kohler like Moss's -- mine was initially purchased in December 2000. I'd love to have the easier access that the Robins engine provides. For example, I've had to replace the battery, which called for removing the muffler to do so...
BTW, if you could figure out somewhere to locate it, I think just adding a tailpipe that points toward the rear of the machine to your existing muffler might quieten it down to an acceptable level. Do you think you could put one down the side of the tractor's frame with the tip pointing back to the rear. The longer the tailpipe the quieter the muffler...
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 58,222
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
JD-Beach said:
If you look closer at mine, you will see that mine has the main drive pump in front of the engine and the two PTO pumps (main and aux) behind the engine. This requires two sets of couplings to the engine, one on eace side. It also means my battery is under my muffler, so, should it die, I have to remove the muffler to get it out (I still have the original battery from December, 2001). I like the muffler at the rear of the unit and under the hood. It is completely protected. That is about the only advantage to my setup as yours.
The advantages I see to yours are:
Easier battery access.
Easier hydraulic filter access (mine is in the same place, but yours appears to have more room to get to it.)
Less of a "hose jungle".
No hydroback cable (my treadle is cable operated and your is valve operated).
Better hydraulic tank cap.
You also have a longer tractor than mine and higher lift height.
Your hydraulic motors are stronger(even before you modification order) and they are mounted differently.
That's all I can see now, but there may be more.
RegL
Platinum Member
MossRoad said:If you look closer at mine, you will see that mine has the main drive pump in front of the engine and the two PTO pumps (main and aux) behind the engine. This requires two sets of couplings to the engine, one on eace side. It also means my battery is under my muffler, so, should it die, I have to remove the muffler to get it out (I still have the original battery from December, 2001). I like the muffler at the rear of the unit and under the hood. It is completely protected. That is about the only advantage to my setup as yours.
The advantages I see to yours are:
Easier battery access.
Easier hydraulic filter access (mine is in the same place, but yours appears to have more room to get to it.)
Less of a "hose jungle".
No hydroback cable (my treadle is cable operated and your is valve operated).
Better hydraulic tank cap.
You also have a longer tractor than mine and higher lift height.
Your hydraulic motors are stronger(even before you modification order) and they are mounted differently.
That's all I can see now, but there may be more.
I like the muffler inside the hood also. A fool like me could get burned on that outside model, Not to mention ,setting some tall grass on fire.
BobRip
Elite Member
MossRoad said:If you look closer at mine, you will see that mine has the main drive pump in front of the engine and the two PTO pumps (main and aux) behind the engine. This requires two sets of couplings to the engine, one on eace side. It also means my battery is under my muffler, so, should it die, I have to remove the muffler to get it out (I still have the original battery from December, 2001). I like the muffler at the rear of the unit and under the hood. It is completely protected. That is about the only advantage to my setup as yours.
The advantages I see to yours are:
Easier battery access.
Easier hydraulic filter access (mine is in the same place, but yours appears to have more room to get to it.)
Less of a "hose jungle".
No hydroback cable (my treadle is cable operated and your is valve operated).
Better hydraulic tank cap.
You also have a longer tractor than mine and higher lift height.
Your hydraulic motors are stronger(even before you modification order) and they are mounted differently.
That's all I can see now, but there may be more.
I think another advantage is the weight is moved further back. I believe the engine is heavier than the pumps. That's why I seem to need more weight in the back to prevent PT pucker than other people.
