Manual

MossRoad · May 20, 2006

Well said, Blackwell.

I will agree with the folks that it is a bit aggravating to have a manual that has things in it that don't pertain to your machine. For instance, the second day I had my Pt425, I spent 10-15 minutes looking for grease zerks on my lift assembly that is shows in the manual. I couldn't find them. I called Power Trac and they told me they decided the zerks weren't needed in those locations any more. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Grrrrrr. But I got over it. I think the benefits of the machine far outweigh those quirks of the company that made it.

MossRoad · May 20, 2006

Well said, Blackwell.

I will agree with the folks that it is a bit aggravating to have a manual that has things in it that don't pertain to your machine. For instance, the second day I had my Pt425, I spent 10-15 minutes looking for grease zerks on my lift assembly that is shows in the manual. I couldn't find them. I called Power Trac and they told me they decided the zerks weren't needed in those locations any more. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Grrrrrr. But I got over it. I think the benefits of the machine far outweigh those quirks of the company that made it.

Barryh · May 21, 2006

>>>Many of you have same models but made in different years with different components, thus creating confusion.<<<

The above reason is why, having an interactive online Web Site / manual is a GREAT idea. You can collectively do revisions on different years, models, parts, ect on the fly. Not to mention enlarged color photo's, helpful links to specialized tools, custom modifications, attachments and so on.

As to it being of no value, guess we just have to agree to disagree. I personally I have no problem with the machine or the company. I love my PT, and I feel Terry, and his staff do an adequate job of returning calls, and will in most situations, help in getting the problem solved.

There can always be improvements, and the company should be aware of any complaints or problems reported by commercial AND home owners alike. I may not have a fleet of PTs for business use, but my PT to me… is still a big investment.
/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Barryh · May 21, 2006

>>>Many of you have same models but made in different years with different components, thus creating confusion.<<<

The above reason is why, having an interactive online Web Site / manual is a GREAT idea. You can collectively do revisions on different years, models, parts, ect on the fly. Not to mention enlarged color photo's, helpful links to specialized tools, custom modifications, attachments and so on.

As to it being of no value, guess we just have to agree to disagree. I personally I have no problem with the machine or the company. I love my PT, and I feel Terry, and his staff do an adequate job of returning calls, and will in most situations, help in getting the problem solved.

There can always be improvements, and the company should be aware of any complaints or problems reported by commercial AND home owners alike. I may not have a fleet of PTs for business use, but my PT to me… is still a big investment.
/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bob999 · May 21, 2006

Their sister company makes brakes for the mining industry, in fact is one of the largest mfgs of braking systems for that industry. Just because you don't agree with their system does not mean it is not safe. 

I presume you are referring to the "Brake Tender" that is used on the 1845 and certain other models. I have advocated the 1845 on this board for users working on steep slopes precisely because of the "Brake Tender" system.

Many of you have same models but made in different years with different components, thus creating confussion. 

If PT manuals provided with purchase were fully up to date, complete, and consistent with the model sold I would take this comment a bit more seriously. However, my experience is that the PT manual provided when I purchased my machine is not fully up to date and that it had missing pages.

Bob999 · May 21, 2006

Their sister company makes brakes for the mining industry, in fact is one of the largest mfgs of braking systems for that industry. Just because you don't agree with their system does not mean it is not safe. 

I presume you are referring to the "Brake Tender" that is used on the 1845 and certain other models. I have advocated the 1845 on this board for users working on steep slopes precisely because of the "Brake Tender" system.

Many of you have same models but made in different years with different components, thus creating confussion. 

If PT manuals provided with purchase were fully up to date, complete, and consistent with the model sold I would take this comment a bit more seriously. However, my experience is that the PT manual provided when I purchased my machine is not fully up to date and that it had missing pages.

Rip · May 21, 2006

Amen on the brake comments!! They DO know how to make a pretty good system for those that DEMAND real brakes, they just choose not to provide much to their non-mining customers. Too bad some unlucky soul will have to suffer physical pain (or worse) before they wake up due to some finacial pain.

Amen, again on the published "manuals" I got with my machine as well!!

Rip · May 21, 2006

Amen on the brake comments!! They DO know how to make a pretty good system for those that DEMAND real brakes, they just choose not to provide much to their non-mining customers. Too bad some unlucky soul will have to suffer physical pain (or worse) before they wake up due to some finacial pain.

Amen, again on the published "manuals" I got with my machine as well!!

BobRip · May 21, 2006

Just from the number of comments that this thread has received, I think this has merit. I always buy the OEM service manual for every vehicle I own. It sometimes gets expensive, but the payback occurs in one or two trips to the dealers that I don't make.
I would be glad to help.

I cannot find any copyright notices in the PT manual that I have. Does this mean that there is no copyright? Any lawyers here who could answer this?

Bob Rip

BobRip · May 21, 2006

Just from the number of comments that this thread has received, I think this has merit. I always buy the OEM service manual for every vehicle I own. It sometimes gets expensive, but the payback occurs in one or two trips to the dealers that I don't make.
I would be glad to help.

I cannot find any copyright notices in the PT manual that I have. Does this mean that there is no copyright? Any lawyers here who could answer this?

Bob Rip

johara1 · May 21, 2006

MR,in 2002 i went to PT for my tour,to look at the different models terry gave me the grand tour of the shop.he told me his 422 at home he never greased so he never felt it to be needed and he gave me a can super lube thats all you need /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif rightttt /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif you guys get the picture!

johara1 · May 21, 2006

MR,in 2002 i went to PT for my tour,to look at the different models terry gave me the grand tour of the shop.he told me his 422 at home he never greased so he never felt it to be needed and he gave me a can super lube thats all you need /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif rightttt /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif you guys get the picture!

MossRoad · May 21, 2006

Just because something doesn't say it is copyrighted, doesn't mean it isn't.

I think what we are talking about here is regular folks writing down part numbers, taking pictures of their machines and discussing, in great detail, how their machines are put together. I don't expect anyone to nor would I participate in reproducing documentation that was provided by the Power Trac company. That would be asking for trouble and may make the company hostile to those participating in that kind of activity.

MossRoad · May 21, 2006

Just because something doesn't say it is copyrighted, doesn't mean it isn't.

I think what we are talking about here is regular folks writing down part numbers, taking pictures of their machines and discussing, in great detail, how their machines are put together. I don't expect anyone to nor would I participate in reproducing documentation that was provided by the Power Trac company. That would be asking for trouble and may make the company hostile to those participating in that kind of activity.

BobRip · May 22, 2006

I certainly don't need their hostility. They might quit selling me parts. Perhaps people can order the manual that I have from Power Trac.

Bob Rip

BobRip · May 22, 2006

I certainly don't need their hostility. They might quit selling me parts. Perhaps people can order the manual that I have from Power Trac.

Bob Rip

marrt · May 23, 2006

BobRip,

Just for clarity, are you referring to the "Service Training Manual"?

marrt · May 23, 2006

BobRip,

Just for clarity, are you referring to the "Service Training Manual"?

Spiffy · May 23, 2006

Even if PT turns out the best manual in the entire tractor industry, I think this concept has merit on several levels:

Even if I have a tractor's owner manual, sometimes I still find an IT manual handy. Same with Motor [I think gone many years ago though] and Chilton and the like. Sometimes an slightly different perspective can really make for a moment of clarity.

I was twisting wrenches on farm tractors since I was 4 years old, but many PT owners aren't quite as familiar with mechanics. PT is good at knowing their machines, so will have a hard time making one readable to many users; further, as Blackwell noted and [except, the organization in mine doesn't make too much sense] I agree, it's nice having a book that puts the information straight - so PT wouldn't want to oversimplifiy it anyway.
Since, the proposed manual -by the users, for the users, of the users- would be web-based; I think it can be possible to meet the needs of both types of user.

PT always has the right tools for the job, and they also know all the little tricks. In the latter case, something that should be obvious isn't always obvious. In the former, this group is quite creative about using tools, and would be able to give options on a site not directly associated with PT.

Which brings me to the last point, whether for safety, economy, or whatever reason; PT often doesn't incorporate modifications we'd consider basic to the machines utility. On a non-associated site, we could list such things without legal concern, as well as have subheadings in the manual for maintaining or fixing the modified versions of the part in question.

So, I'd say full speed ahead. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I still want to know why PT thinks people are getting bad advice on forums! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Spiffy · May 23, 2006

Even if PT turns out the best manual in the entire tractor industry, I think this concept has merit on several levels:

Even if I have a tractor's owner manual, sometimes I still find an IT manual handy. Same with Motor [I think gone many years ago though] and Chilton and the like. Sometimes an slightly different perspective can really make for a moment of clarity.

I was twisting wrenches on farm tractors since I was 4 years old, but many PT owners aren't quite as familiar with mechanics. PT is good at knowing their machines, so will have a hard time making one readable to many users; further, as Blackwell noted and [except, the organization in mine doesn't make too much sense] I agree, it's nice having a book that puts the information straight - so PT wouldn't want to oversimplifiy it anyway.
Since, the proposed manual -by the users, for the users, of the users- would be web-based; I think it can be possible to meet the needs of both types of user.

PT always has the right tools for the job, and they also know all the little tricks. In the latter case, something that should be obvious isn't always obvious. In the former, this group is quite creative about using tools, and would be able to give options on a site not directly associated with PT.

Which brings me to the last point, whether for safety, economy, or whatever reason; PT often doesn't incorporate modifications we'd consider basic to the machines utility. On a non-associated site, we could list such things without legal concern, as well as have subheadings in the manual for maintaining or fixing the modified versions of the part in question.

So, I'd say full speed ahead. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I still want to know why PT thinks people are getting bad advice on forums! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif