Hello from Louisiana

[SwampmanLA]

Hi all. I'm new to Power Trac as I made it home with my PT422 on Friday.
I put it to work on Saturday moveing about 30 yards of topsoil. I was really impressed with the power of the 422. Here is what I bought:
PT 422
48 finish mower
Mini-hoe and thumb
10 cu ft bucket
48 box blade
Pallet forks
Towing adaptor
Spare Tire

Now I wish I had more good things to say but today I fired it back up and the tram pump seems to be on the blink. When trying to tram I have no power and hear a knocking sound from the wheels. If I get it rolling real slowly I can then tram at full speed but with no real power. Not what I was hoping for with only 9.5 hours on my new toy. Oh well I guess Terry gets a call in the morning.

SwampmanLA

 

[J_J]

Hi Swampman,

Welcome to TBN. and the PT forum. We didn't know you were looking. Anyway, glad you got what you wanted, but sad to hear of your trouble. PT may try to pass the buck, so jump in there with both feet and stay on them until they make it right.

 

[J_J]

I just thought of something else. Check the bypass valve and see if it is completely in the tram position. That clunk in the wheel motor doesn't sound good.

 

[SwampmanLA]

Thanks, once I figure out where it is I'll have a look at it.

 

[BobRip]

Thanks, once I figure out where it is I'll have a look at it.

The clunks may be the parking brake not being fully off. It tends to drift on if the nut on the handle is loose. Check the bypass valve for low power as was said by J_J. It should be under the tram pump if it is like mine.

 

[toy]

welcome to the forum. Hope you get the problem fixed without to much trouble. A call to Terry would definately be inorder. As already mentioned you did check the parking break, sometimes if it isn't fully retracted it will make a clicking sound. But by you not having power to the wheels that don't sound good.

 

[SwampmanLA]

I thought of the parking break right away and checked it out, that is not the problem. Then I thought of air in the system and did the bleeding proceedure, that is not it. Then I pulled a tire and checked the key on the spendle and hub, again that's not the problem. So I'm left with the pump or bypass is shot. will let you know.

 

[MossRoad]

Are you running it at full throttle or really low throttle? I ask, because if it is at low throttle, it will make bizarre noises, especially if you depress the treadle pedal all the way.

 

[jfh28]

Check for leaks inside the tub. Also check to make sure the hydraulic oil filter is tight. If that gets loosened (and they do) you will get that no power although it doesn't explain the clunk.

Jack

 

[SwampmanLA]

I talked to Terry this morning and after some head scratching he decided that it is likely a plugged hydraluic oil filter. How could that happen with new equipment (9.5 hours total time). He says that of the three pumps, the tram pump is the only one that uses filtered oil. That is because the tram pump is a piston pump and the other two are gear pumps. The gear pumps can take some trash but the piston has to be squeeky clean.

I don't know if I buy it but I'll give them a chance. If that does not work a new tram pump better be on the way pronto. BTW, he says it's a snap to change out. I hope so!

 

[ponytug]

You do rather wonder what could have plugged it, don't you? You might want to cut it up and check. You might also want to fish around in your hydraulic tank with a magnet to see if there is a loose bolt or something.

Terry's comment to me on opening up the hydraulic system was to go for open heart surgery cleanliness, which I found to be very helpful. You clean everything, twice, and then robe off everything that isn't under the knife. If your hands get dirty, you didn't get it clean enough.

I hope the filter fixes it.

Anyone using filter magnets? Neodynium? Samarium? Just curious...

All the best,

Peter

I talked to Terry this morning and after some head scratching he decided that it is likely a plugged hydraluic oil filter. How could that happen with new equipment (9.5 hours total time). He says that of the three pumps, the tram pump is the only one that uses filtered oil. That is because the tram pump is a piston pump and the other two are gear pumps. The gear pumps can take some trash but the piston has to be squeeky clean.

I don't know if I buy it but I'll give them a chance. If that does not work a new tram pump better be on the way pronto. BTW, he says it's a snap to change out. I hope so!

 

[woodlandfarms]

When my PT arrived my filter plugged nearly immediatley.

I have found chunks of stuff in my high pressure filter but nothing in my low pressure filter (the one you have).

Wayne County makes a note that lots of people do not clean out new hoses when the are made.

 

[SwampmanLA]

Well I could not stand it and after work I changed out the filter and tested out my 422. No change with a fresh filter. While I was at it I remembered something Terry asked, 'does the tractor stop imediately when you let off the treadle or does it continue to roll'. So I tried it out and from full speed it stops in a little over the length of the 422. Oh yes lots of that noise from all four wheels. I have no idea what I did to the thing.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

I would call Terry and ask about their hose making system. Ask if he has any familiarity with the Ultra-clean system. I believe this system is patented. I use it. It fires a foam projectile thru the hose to clean it. This may be their problem. If you take a new, uncleaned hose assembly and pump a 55 gallon drum of oil from one drum to another, the new drum of oil will not pass any manufacturers standards for cleanliness. Now, if they don't thoroughly clean their hoses, multiply this times however many hoses on the machine. Did I just put a lump in your throat?

For the record, and my humble opinion. I base this on my 22+ years as a field service technician for dealerships and factory branches. I have also been a maintenance manager and field service foreman as well as a service manager. That being said, whenever I buy any new piece of equipment be it tractor, car, lawnmower, etc., I change the oil and filters as soon as I get it home. There is so much crud in these systems when assembled new that it would make you cringe. I've toured the factories and seen it, I've seen problems such as this too many times. By the time you get it home, the dealer has run it enough to cycle the oil thru the filters enough times to get most of the crud out. Some will argue that I'm crazy. They are probably correct. However, in all my years of equipment and vehicles, I have never blown an engine, tranny, rear end, or anything major. Not even a water pump. I change all my fluids yearly regardless of anything. Am I crazy? Well, I used to be normal, but I feel much better now.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Well I could not stand it and after work I changed out the filter and tested out my 422. No change with a fresh filter. While I was at it I remembered something Terry asked, 'does the tractor stop imediately when you let off the treadle or does it continue to roll'. So I tried it out and from full speed it stops in a little over the length of the 422. Oh yes lots of that noise from all four wheels. I have no idea what I did to the thing.

Isn't that filter on the suction side? You may be sucking air. That noise in all your wheel motors may be air in the system.

When did you sign the paperwork? You may want to verify, but here in PA, you have 3 business days to cancel a business contract. Irregardless of Power-Trac's clause on their warranty paperwork. Law trumps company policy. The notice must be delivered within 3 business days. If you choose to canmcel, check your states laws and get a fax # and call for confirmation of receipt.

 

[toy]

Well I could not stand it and after work I changed out the filter and tested out my 422. No change with a fresh filter. While I was at it I remembered something Terry asked, 'does the tractor stop imediately when you let off the treadle or does it continue to roll'. So I tried it out and from full speed it stops in a little over the length of the 422. Oh yes lots of that noise from all four wheels. I have no idea what I did to the thing.

I recall someone on the forum having a problem with their tramming, when they found the problem it was a pin in the tram pedal had backed out and the tram pedal wasn't working properly. Have you checked out the tram pedal? The machine coasting the full length of the machine when you let the tram pedal off don't sound right unless you were going down a really steep hill, but if the tram pedal wasn't pivoting as it should might cause it to act weird, and even the valve not closing off as it is supposed to causing it to continue to move after you let off the tram pedal. I hope you get her lined out soon.

 

[ponytug]

This is definitely not normal. Can you describe the noise?

All four wheels are suspicious; it would have to be something that involves all four. e.g.
Drive pump,
Tram pump,
Oil filter, or
Suction line.

After you have used if for a bit, have you checked the oil tank for air bubbles? Have you checked to see if all of the fittings on the suction line are tight, but not cracked? Do you have any oil weeping anywhere?

When you changed the filter, did you cut it open to check for particles on the filter? If so, did you find something?

Hang in there!

All the best,

Peter

Well I could not stand it and after work I changed out the filter and tested out my 422. No change with a fresh filter. While I was at it I remembered something Terry asked, 'does the tractor stop imediately when you let off the treadle or does it continue to roll'. So I tried it out and from full speed it stops in a little over the length of the 422. Oh yes lots of that noise from all four wheels. I have no idea what I did to the thing.

 

[SwampmanLA]

We have a verdict it's the pump. The big test was the rolling after releasing the treadle. As soon as I told Terry that he said the checks in the tram pump were not holding. I always knew I was special but had no idea I was one of only two (only the second time he has seen this). He is sending a new pump. He said it is easy to change but a bit messy with breaking all the oil lines and stuff. I guess I'll find out. Thanks for all the input, you guys are great.

 

[ponytug]

Dear Swampman,

Try to get Terry to send you all of the plugs for the hoses and pump. It makes the job alot less messy. Alot less messy.

Remember the open heart surgery comment. Get it clean first, clean it again, and keep it clean.

Other folks have had success by jamming/duct taping a clean shop vacuum nozzle to the oil reservoir opening to pull a vaccum on the hose. Unlike some of us, I am sure that you won't forget to turn it on...(I think it works best for when you need to disconnect a hose at the reservoir.)

All the best,

Peter

We have a verdict it's the pump. The big test was the rolling after releasing the treadle. As soon as I told Terry that he said the checks in the tram pump were not holding. I always knew I was special but had no idea I was one of only two (only the second time he has seen this). He is sending a new pump. He said it is easy to change but a bit messy with breaking all the oil lines and stuff. I guess I'll find out. Thanks for all the input, you guys are great.

 

[KentT]

We have a verdict it's the pump. The big test was the rolling after releasing the treadle. As soon as I told Terry that he said the checks in the tram pump were not holding. I always knew I was special but had no idea I was one of only two (only the second time he has seen this). He is sending a new pump. He said it is easy to change but a bit messy with breaking all the oil lines and stuff. I guess I'll find out. Thanks for all the input, you guys are great.

What a bummer on a new machine -- at least Terry's taking care of you, it sounds like...