Improvements You Need on PT

[Bob999]

16. Male and female connectors on the AUX PTO circuit (similar to main PTO circuit) that prevents you from accidentally crossing the circuit for attachments. This wouldn't cost them anything extra, in the big scheme of things...

This is something the purchaser/user can do if he choses by switching connectors around.

 

[KentT]

This is something the purchaser/user can do if he choses by switching connectors around.

Yes, but why isn't it done to begin with was my point... I see NO benefit/advantage of doing it the way they do from the factory.

I've made one attempt at it, but the connectors I bought didn't match, which led to my point about non-standard QA connectors. Plus, I now have so many front attachments that it's a 4:1 or 5:1 ratio of males vs females (or vice versa) -- I can't recall the exact number or details from when I tried it.

Since I was trying to order parts when I'm 900 miles from the machine, I simply gave up and said I'd deal with it after I move South, and can do it via trial and error...

 

[Gravy]

4. Increased lift height on the smaller models -- even the "improved" 60" on the newer 425s is not enough. It needs to be 72" IMO.

*I would be thrilled with 66". That would allow me to easily dump into my pickup from the side*

6. True emergency/parking brake systems that activate automatically on the loss of hydraulic pressure... some wheel motors have this built-in, at an additional cost of less than $100 per wheel motor.

*I would be happy with any kind of friction brake that will stop a moving machine.*


17. SAE-standard hydraulic quick connect fittings instead of these strange Italian connectors...

*The PT connectors are ISO standard high-flow connectors. They will mate just fine with some common SAE connectors, but flow may be reduced.*

 

[Gravy]

Just curious what the 425 can lift with extra weight on the back. Have any of you checked your relief pressure?

I haven't added weight or checked my relief pressure, but my PT will lift in excess of 1000lbs close to the attachment plate. Just last week I moved 800lbs of calcium chloride in 50lb bags on a pallet, using my adjustable forks that probably weigh about 150lbs.

I would like to add a couple hundred lbs to the bottom of the tubs, as well as more weight at the wheels.

 

[J_J]

Posted below, is a hyd coupler interchange. Should be able to match up with what you have on your PT. What are the names of the couplers used on your PT's? I have Faster and Safeway. Don't know if they are original.

http://www.tomcoqc.com/dist_only/Hydraulic_Couplings_Interchange.pdf

http://fittingsandadapters.com/60sercoupin.html

 

[J_J]

I like everything about my PT-1445, and it is about 16 to 18 years old. One suggestion I would make is to be able to disengage the PTO pump from rotating when not using the PTO. Every time the engine is running, the PTO pump is running up hours.

Well, one other thing I would like is for Power-Trac to use skid-steer hook up on the front so one can use all the available attachments on the market. Some of the guys have already made adapters to allow use of skid-sreer attachments

 

[American Bulldog]

How about using a correctly designed diesel motor, that doesn't overheat, on the larger machines?

Put more holes in the tub, strategically placed, so that it doesn't hold oil and diesel. FIRE HAZARD!!! Also, the engine oil plug does not line up with a hole in the bottom plate, so it makes a complete mess when changing the oil.

Have a dedicated QA hydraulic circuit, so that it is permanently connected.

A little wider stance and more ground clearance would be good on the 1460.

A factory cab option, even if it is just a soft cab.

The operator seat on a 1460 is really bad. How about a real suspension seat?

The steering wheel in the 1460 is of lower quality than a kid's toy. Fix it!!!

RPM gauge would be nice.

Glow plug option on diesels. PT sells plows and snowblowers, but they aren't much good if you can't start the machine in cold weather......

 

[washita]

gauges: filter minder, fuel level gauge, pressure gauge for hydraulics, although with any multipurpose machine there are trade-offs betweenractically, functionality, aesthetics, I doubt, I could design or build a better machine for the $$$$, they also need to invest more time and/or money in correct welding techniques to ensure weld quality

 

[Gravy]

Sounds like most of us have ideas about how to build a better PT. Who wants to pony up and build it and market it?


I get frustrated with mine sometimes, but I've built enough projects to know that it's a whole lot easier to criticize than create.

 

[BobRip]

I actually admire Power Trac for having the wisdom to keep the machine simple and cheap. I don't know anything comparable to it at a similar price. I do wish they would listen to their customers and fix things like the brush cutter. Bolts should not have to be tighter every few hours (like 1 hour).

 

[ponytug]

I can't fix all of these, but I have a few comments that might help.

The larger oil cooler for the engine is available from Deutz- but it is taller, and would require redoing the cover on most of the red machines, though I don't know about the 1460. (It's also a pricey option...) Personally, I think the intermediate solution of a second fan, or a larger hydraulic oil cooler fan is cheaper. It all depends on how limiting the dirt on the oil cooler is for you.

Glow plugs are a cheap add on from Deutz; given your location, I would go for two. I know Ken (Kismolo) has done it and recommends it.

On the oil change, I cut the top of a vitamin bottled (wide mouth) so it sticks up high enough to catch the oil coming out of the drain plug. That way all of the oil drains out the bottom. (Think of a one sided open scoop, with the screw top end acting as a funnel.)

All the best,

Peter

How about using a correctly designed diesel motor, that doesn't overheat, on the larger machines?


Put more holes in the tub, strategically placed, so that it doesn't hold oil and diesel. FIRE HAZARD!!! Also, the engine oil plug does not line up with a hole in the bottom plate, so it makes a complete mess when changing the oil.

Have a dedicated QA hydraulic circuit, so that it is permanently connected.

A little wider stance and more ground clearance would be good on the 1460.

A factory cab option, even if it is just a soft cab.

The operator seat on a 1460 is really bad. How about a real suspension seat?

The steering wheel in the 1460 is of lower quality than a kid's toy. Fix it!!!

RPM gauge would be nice.

Glow plug option on diesels. PT sells plows and snowblowers, but they aren't much good if you can't start the machine in cold weather......

 

[Gravy]

I actually admire Power Trac for having the wisdom to keep the machine simple and cheap. I don't know anything comparable to it at a similar price. I do wish they would listen to their customers and fix things like the brush cutter. Bolts should not have to be tighter every few hours (like 1 hour).

Me too.

 

[KentT]

Sounds like most of us have ideas about how to build a better PT. Who wants to pony up and build it and market it?


I get frustrated with mine sometimes, but I've built enough projects to know that it's a whole lot easier to criticize than create.

Wasn't my intent at all to come across that way. Was just asked about improvements needed/desired, and I voiced my opinions....

I'm quite happy with my PT, overall. But, that said, it could certainly be improved, and I tried to point out some of the improvements I'd like to see...

That's why I pointed out the costs associated with some of the things I'd like to see. Male/female QA connections on the Aux PTO would cost them less, now that I've thought about it. Two females for each attachment actually cost more than one male and one female...

 

[Clumber]

Wasn't my intent at all to come across that way. Was just asked about improvements needed/desired, and I voiced my opinions....

I'm quite happy with my PT, overall. But, that said, it could certainly be improved, and I tried to point out some of the improvements I'd like to see...

That's why I pointed out the costs associated with some of the things I'd like to see. Male/female QA connections on the Aux PTO would cost them less, now that I've thought about it. Two females for each attachment actually cost more than one male and one female...

Perhaps having two female connectors facilitates the hammer-rag & tap method of relieving residual pressure in the attachment hoses. Not sure if the tap method can be used on the male nipples.

 

[J_J]

To relieve the male end pressure, just push the QD poppet or ball on a hard flat surface.

 

[SpringHollow]

I have not had to relieve pressure in the last two years. I switched to flat face with one male and one female on each attachment so that i can hook them together when ever they are disconnected and i use a strap on the handle to hold it open first one way then the other if i am having any difficulty.

Ken

 

[Gravy]

Wasn't my intent at all to come across that way. Was just asked about improvements needed/desired, and I voiced my opinions....

I'm quite happy with my PT, overall. But, that said, it could certainly be improved, and I tried to point out some of the improvements I'd like to see...

That's why I pointed out the costs associated with some of the things I'd like to see. Male/female QA connections on the Aux PTO would cost them less, now that I've thought about it. Two females for each attachment actually cost more than one male and one female...

AAAAAARRRGGGHH!!!!

I had almost finished a rather long and detailed reply, when something hiccupped and it all went "poof".

Oh well - I didn't think you were out of line. I was responding to the general dogpile. I was in a cranky mood.

My PT gets me PO'd, but I still love it.

 

[cqaigy2]

That's why I pointed out the costs associated with some of the things I'd like to see. Male/female QA connections on the Aux PTO would cost them less, now that I've thought about it. Two females for each attachment actually cost more than one male and one female...

I'd like this too, but if i was building these tractors i'd be putting the ends on the wrong line so when you got the implement and it worked the wrong way, you be pretty mad. Unless i got the wrong ends on the implement too, then you probably wouldn't notice.

 

[J_J]

It is just common sense to install a male and female QD coupling. The male fitting on the machine is usually the pressure source. However if the QD's are color coded, it would not make much difference.

With male and female QD's on the attachment, they can be connected together for obvious reasons.

A two way sliding sleeve on the QD's, is very useful.

 

[IrTxRx]

Hmmm.

I've said before, but only thing I'm really not satisfied with is the brush cutter, the deck needs to ride higher and the blades need to be the corvair-plane-wing style that will swing by each other when you hit something hard.

If someone could design a log splitter conversion for my lackender babyboom...that'd be cool.