Is anyone else having lots of problems with an 1850?

[Bob999]

After two hours of pressure washing today, I see yet another design flaw. I do not understand why PT didn't make the belly pan removable (like most equip., bull dozers, etc.) for cleaning and access.

Just an observation about the design--the Duetz engine mounts are mounted directly to the "belly pan" in my 1845 and the front of the pan is the bottom of the hydraulic oil tank. I suppose that a larger access hole could be cut in the pan than the existing small hole to drain the engine oil but a removable belly pan would require an entirely different engine mount system.

 

[Gravy]

AV & Charlie,

Yes, I was referring to the post about the Roanoke Duetz (Blue Ridge Injection?) mechanic's dismissal of alternate oil coolers. If a filtration system is workable, I'm all for it. If it's not, a larger cooler could work. Finding a way to mount & plumb it might be a serious challenge.

The belly pan may contribute significantly to the structural rigidity of the machine. It strikes me as a monocoque design. It's also very simple, which seems to be near the top of PT's design criteria list.

I sure hope these problems get worked out. In spite of it's imperfections, I'm delighted with my PT. I don't know of anything else in the marketplace that can touch it, even for a lot more money (which I don't have).

Wishing everybody a great holiday, whatever you celebrate!

Gravy

 

[AltavistaLawn]

We found the leak, I think. I haven't had enough time to really try it out, its pouring rain now.

I was very fortunate, my buddy's brother (who is a diesel mechanic) and his buddy (a HVAC tech.) came over with a big light and dye.

We dyed the oil, then slowly moved the macine on a down slope, started at the front and worked our way back , until we came to the V217 accumulator, it was leaking at the connection at the accumulator manifold, I replaced the o-ring and it seems to have stopped. I have no idea what this thing does, maybe its what locks down the hydraulics when the engines shut off??

My buddy's brother did make one observation..he said that things a "rat nest", it would be nearly impossible to find a leak in the front of the engine. He asked why in the world I bought something built like this; I said theres really nothing else on the market that will do what it will.

He gave me a good idea also, that I needed to get a good black light and keep dye in the fluid, and weekly inspect it for small leaks and try to keep it from getting so out of hand.

 

[J_J]

We found the leak, I think. I haven't had enough time to really try it out, its pouring rain now.

I was very fortunate, my buddy's brother (who is a diesel mechanic) and his buddy (a HVAC tech.) came over with a big light and dye.

We dyed the oil, then slowly moved the macine on a down slope, started at the front and worked our way back , until we came to the V217 accumulator, it was leaking at the connection at the accumulator manifold, I replaced the o-ring and it seems to have stopped. I have no idea what this thing does, maybe its what locks down the hydraulics when the engines shut off??

My buddy's brother did make one observation..he said that things a "rat nest", it would be nearly impossible to find a leak in the front of the engine. He asked why in the world I bought something built like this; I said theres really nothing else on the market that will do what it will.

He gave me a good idea also, that I needed to get a good black light and keep dye in the fluid, and weekly inspect it for small leaks and try to keep it from getting so out of hand.

The accumulator is designed to store fluid. It probably supplies hydraulic fluid to the brake set-up when you shut the machine down

As far as finding a leak at the front of the engine, that's where a small mirror and small black light comes in handy.

You must have skipped over my post about the dye and black light.

After you have found the leak. you need to wash the area with the leak, with with detergent until all traces of the dye are gone. You don't have to add more dye for a long time.

 

[AltavistaLawn]

Gravy,
I think you're exactly right.

JJ,
Yes, I failed to post it, but I am going to add dye to the hydraulic oil, after we get it cleaned out.

Looks like a very nice day today (temps near 70) to go get dirty.

Nope, I didn't skip over it.

 

[kmaz]

hey altavista, how far are you from power trac? I thought on another post it was mentioned that you were 4 hours away, is this correct? If so , why dont you take it there and have them go right through it. Im sure it would be in their best interest to make things right somehow with you.I know your frustrated with your machine now and no disrespect is meant with this post...I would just love to hear things work out a little better for you somehow and if thats what it would take...why not?

Kris

 

[J_J]

Altavistalawn, With all the troubles you are having, have you considered the possibility that someone that you ticked off is getting back at you. Is one person operating the PT, or is everyone playing with it?

When I was in the landscaping business, I had some of those on purpose accidents. Regular gas in a 2-stroke weed eater. Backing into, and hitting things. Run a machine into a lake. Sling rocks into glass window. Stealing blank checks out of the middle of the check book and much more.
You have to get rid of the bad ones.

 

[J_J]

Just an observation about the design--the Duetz engine mounts are mounted directly to the "belly pan" in my 1845 and the front of the pan is the bottom of the hydraulic oil tank. I suppose that a larger access hole could be cut in the pan than the existing small hole to drain the engine oil but a removable belly pan would require an entirely different engine mount system.

My engine and radiator assembly is bolted to two rails which sit on the belly pan. Even though the belly pan has holes, they do not match up with the nuts and bolts. It is a disign flaw. They could just as easily cut holes right under the lockdown nuts. It is a real pain to uncouple the engine from the frame. You actually need small hands and short wrenches. I have to do this to remove my tram and PTO pump. They left no room at the end to just umbolt and slide the PTO pump off.

 

[AltavistaLawn]

hey altavista, how far are you from power trac? I thought on another post it was mentioned that you were 4 hours away, is this correct? If so , why dont you take it there and have them go right through it. Im sure it would be in their best interest to make things right somehow with you.I know your frustrated with your machine now and no disrespect is meant with this post...I would just love to hear things work out a little better for you somehow and if thats what it would take...why not?

Kris

Yes, I've seriously considered it. After each break down and fix, I say maybe this time it will hold up better. The alternator problem, they will say is a Deutz problem.

 

[AltavistaLawn]

Altavistalawn, With all the troubles you are having, have you considered the possibility that someone that you ticked off is getting back at you. Is one person operating the PT, or is everyone playing with it?

When I was in the landscaping business, I had some of those on purpose accidents. Regular gas in a 2-stroke weed eater. Backing into, and hitting things. Run a machine into a lake. Sling rocks into glass window. Stealing blank checks out of the middle of the check book and much more.
You have to get rid of the bad ones.

I operate it about 75% of the time. Then its only Calvin, a buddy of mine who has been with me for years (it was his brother who came out Christmas Eve to dye it)...
Now the trimmers, and small tools are a different story; thats why I don't complain about Stihl ...but we always have some two stroke equipment down.

 

[MikeOConnor]

I've been learning the limits of my PT. I've found that it's easy to exceed them, but if I go a little easy I can keep my machine running a lot longer between repair stops. Tires are a good example -- I have the standard often-go-flat problems, but they're mostly due to crazy sideways slides down steep hills. If I avoid those maneuvers, the tires tend to stay inflated longer.

Same deal with overheating -- it's easy to run that machine beyond it's limit (90 degree tall-weeds mowing on a hilly open field). In a way, it's a design problem, but in a way it's just too easy to do certain things that push the machine too far. If I back off any of the variables (mow on cooler days, go slower through weeds, take it a little slower) things seem to go a lot better.

 

[AltavistaLawn]

We've just been shuttling mulch across level yards with it lately. Before that mowing a monthly cut on about 20 degree hillside. Theres only one really steep dam side I mow twice yearly, and I raise the bh up and mow it twice...believe me I try to baby all my equipment.

 

[AltavistaLawn]

Well , unfortunately, I spoke too soon. Its still leaking. I think its the pressure relief box assembly, the hyd. pressure is running too high; and probably causing more leaks.

I ordered a $50.00 blacklight/flashlight, supposed to be in today, but it looks like its leaking around that same canister unit, and the box on the frame rail which has given so much trouble.

I'm going to remove the box, and take it to a hydraulics rebuilder here..about an hours drive; see if they can rebuild it. I'm thinking the cyclinder might have to be honed out in addition to new seals.

Each time the box goes south, the pressure runs too high.

 

[ldabe]

It sounds like Power Trac needs to step up to the plate!
Hey! POWER TRAC! Don't act like your not listening...it is almost 2007, start the new year off right, do the right thing and step up to plate like a man (and good business) with AltavistaLawn.
Man-o-man, sometimes you just have to YELL sometimes ;~)
{hope this helps AltavistaLawn...hey it can't hurt}

 

[AltavistaLawn]

Well, two years later ,and I'm still fighting it.

It might be down for the count, this time. The hyd motor is bad; it won't move, or operate any of the hydraulics. The hyd motor is only producing 150psi, and should be between 300 and 400psi.

Its still hard to believe I'm the only one having all this trouble with this model.

 

[plastikosmd]

wow, quite a thread...don't own one but what a nightmare you have on your hands, I dont think lemon laws cover AG machines but I sure would have considered it.

 

[woodlandfarms]

so far so good for me. I think Ken would agree as well. My issues are related to age and abuse prior to my ownership.

I am bumming you are having issues....

 

[Rara Avis]

Well, two years later ,and I'm still fighting it.

It might be down for the count, this time. The hyd motor is bad; it won't move, or operate any of the hydraulics. The hyd motor is only producing 150psi, and should be between 300 and 400psi.

Its still hard to believe I'm the only one having all this trouble with this model.

Well, it's been a couple of months...what has been the outcome of this last event?

 

[AltavistaLawn]

Well, it's been a couple of months...what has been the outcome of this last event?

Its parked under the carport next to the shop. I've been renting a skid steer. I don't see pouring another 5 to 6 thousand into it now, I'll fix it over the winter and sell it for whatever I can get for it.

 

[wasabi]

did you end up selling your 1850? Despite the troubles described, I'm considering one for mowing our steep acerage.