Mowing Mowing on slopes

MossRoad · Oct 19, 2004

Congratulaitons on your new PT!

Those photos really show how low that machine is to the ground. Very nice.

She mentioned you have the tree shear. I'm sure we'd all like to hear about it when you get a chance... I know I would. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

MikeOConnor · Oct 19, 2004

regarding the tree shear...

i got the little one. i think i shoulda waited for the big (10k pound) one. the trick seems to be to find the perfect tree. too small and it's way easier to just bash through it with the brush mower. too big and it becomes a job for Mr. Chainsaw.

that "perfect size" is a pretty narrow range with the little shear -- between 2 and 4 inches. so i think the little tree shear may go off to the blacksmith shop for some "creative reengineering." but as it comes off the line, i'd definitely recommend waiting until they get the bigger one released.

Rip · Oct 19, 2004

Congratulations Mike on your new PT-1850.... I'm sure you will get to like it more and more as you build "seat time".

Be sure to get a spinner knob for the steering wheel as the movements of an articulated machine bear little resemblence to a "regular" front steer tractor or truck, and you really have to get used to just spinning that wheel around to get the most out of the PT.

Try to locate a good welder, hydraulic mechanic, and Deutz engine machanic and introduce them to the machine. That way, whan the time comes and you need an urgent repair you avoid panic mode. With that expertise lined up before hand, plus PTs usual prompt availability of parts, you'll have many years of fun and productivity with that machine.

Regarding the tree shear, you might contact Scott soon and see about trading up to the bigger model. They might be willing to just charge you the difference in cost between the two models since you should really have had the bigger one to begin with. They also said it was "coming soon" in early summer. Tell them they really would not want the tree shear to get a bad reputation on such a high profile project!

Good luck and enjoy your great project.

MikeOConnor · Oct 20, 2004

yes! i've got the perfect 3-Stooges spinner knob rattling around in a drawer somewhere -- you're right, this is the perfect machine for it. gotta do some rummaging to track it down...

newbie question -- when i crank through a turn, sometimes i hear a sound like a 10-speed bike chain changing gears. kindof a ratcheting sound. being A Guy, i've been ignoring it (figuring; "if it's serious, something will break and then i'll fix it"). is that the pressure relief valve popping off? am i cranking the turn too hard when i hear that? no big deal, just curious...

MossRoad · Oct 20, 2004

Does the sound go away at full throttle or are you hearing it at full throttle, too?

I sometimes hear that noise in our PT425. I sounds like you describe. I don't hear it when turning, I hear it when moving forward, but moreso in reverse, and usually when I am at lower engin RPMs.

MuncyBob · Oct 20, 2004

doc, I remember reading that the RPM of the blades were high too....but when I had my blades off earlier this year to sharpen I think the blades had something like max rpm of 6200 or so stamped into them???

Schultz · Oct 20, 2004

I looked through the other sections too and noticed you torching milkweed seeds for cleaning, but I could figure out why? Does this make them easier to plant??

MikeOConnor · Oct 20, 2004

about those milkweed seeds, here's the link that Tim Shultz is referring to;

http://prairie.haven.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=63

yep -- the reason we burn off the fluff is to make 'em easier to run through the seed drill. if they're all fluffy, they plug everything up. cool action-shots, huh? <grin>

Rip · Oct 20, 2004

Mike,

I get the same noise from my 1845 and think it is from a hydraulic shuttle or balance valve and not the pressure relief valve. So you are not doing anything unusual or extreem.

If you do not find your spinner knob, most any tractor or even garden tractor shop should have them. Buy two because most are not that strong and when it breaks you will want to replace it immediately. You won't believe the difference it will make.

tracdoc · Oct 20, 2004

Farmall,
After reading your post, I started to think more about the tip speed, and it dawned on me (duh!) that blade tip RPM must be identical to hub RPM. The high tip speed number (17,000+) is not RPM. Rather, it is actually a measurement of the traveling velocity of the blade tip measured in units of distance/time . In aviation propeller blades, the unit of tip speed velocity is MPH. For mower blades it is conventionally measured in ft/min.

There are many websites that offer calculators for pilots to calculate propeller tip speeds in MPH. One of these is Prop Tip Speed Calculator

To convert MPH to ft/min all you have to do is multiply the result in MPH by 5,280 ft/mi and divide by 60 min/hr.

The blade diameter of the PT finish mower is 16". I don't know the blade RPM at operating speed. However, we assume a speed of 4,500 RPM (i.e., about 70% of the max rated blade speed), that computes to a tip speed of 214 mph or around, 18,800 ft/min. If I am not far off on the RPM, that's a very fast tip speed, which is what accounts for the high quality of the cut that we see with the PT finish mower.

Thanks for getting me to think more about that.

tracdoc · Oct 20, 2004

( I didn't look. I'll assume it is sealed. Is it the one that is the belt tensioner? )

Yes MR, that's the one. There appears to be a groove/track to slide that pulley to change belt tension. No lube point that I could find.

FOURTEEN · Oct 20, 2004

It is easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

pequeajim · Oct 20, 2004

Well, thanks to TanSprFarm, tonight I got the chance to play around with a 425, mow up some steep slopes, use the bucket, hoe and see what several of the other attachments look like!

(man, he must of bought a lot of jewelry…)

Anyway, I really like the tractor. Bob was right, the Ventrac is a better slope mower, but in my case, I don’t know if that difference is enough to over come the versatility of the FEL attachments which I really desire. I went up some pretty steep slopes cutting grass, (steeper than what I have) and although the tractor started to bog a bit, it was controllable. I wish it had another 5-6 HP.

The bucket clearly had more “umph” than my 4200, but the most fun was the fact that you could raise it 60” in the air. My 4200 is around 11”.

I hoe is useful and will do just fine for what I would like to do. One thing that really irritated me was that in order to rotate the bucket in/out, you have to work the attachment release lever under the dash which is VERY awkward. I guess over time, I could get used to it, and I wonder if some genius on here has already come up with a solution to make that control more user friendly.

My feet (size 14), fit on the controls and the unit was very easy to drive. No more hand controls like my Ventrac!

Overall, a very positive experience. Bob was right, is it better than my Ventrac, no. I my Ventrac better than it, no. It may well be better for ME though…

Now if I can figure out what to sell my 4200, slip scoop and 60” deck for?

MossRoad · Oct 21, 2004

I wonder if some genius on here has already come up with a solution to make that control more user friendly.


Yes, some genius has. It wasn't me, though. There is a post around here somewhere that you can look for because I have to go to work. It involved some steel rod, a rubber cord and a bolt. In effect, it turned the right knee lever into a left hand fingertip control right about where the turn signal of a car would be.

MossRoad · Oct 21, 2004

One more thing... what year was his PT425? If it is older than two years, it might have had the older wheel motors. The newer ones are supposed to have higher torque wheel motors for better power in applications like hill climbing.

MuncyBob · Oct 21, 2004

214 mph.....no wonder it sounds like it could take off! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

pequeajim · Oct 21, 2004

( One more thing... what year was his PT425? If it is older than two years, it might have had the older wheel motors. The newer ones are supposed to have higher torque wheel motors for better power in applications like hill climbing. )

The one that I drove is less than a year old. He really loves the tractor for sure.

Jim!

MossRoad · Oct 21, 2004

Good. That was great of him to let you check it out. The generosity of folks still amazes me. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

eambrose · Oct 22, 2004

You are right on the tip speed - Each time I visit my brother in law and use my old 425 i am amazed at the speed of the blades - this does account for the very high quality cut if your blades are razor sharp - I use a Walker ZTR now for my cutting duties - mainly because Ilike to collect clippings every other cut and also want a dedicated unit always ready to go and keep my ASV trac machine as a toy with low hours.

The Walker give a very nice cut - but has nowhere near the tip speed as the 425 - in very thick high grass the PT cut is cleaner. But the dedicated mower vs multi use machine is another discussion - I decided that I wanted a mower designed for that task that I can pound week in and week out and keep wear and tear down on the "toy" uh uh I mean "tool"

Schultz · Oct 22, 2004

We went through this discussion last year too, but I can't find the post. The tip speed was figured out by finding the volume of the hydraulic motor on the mower and multiplying it by the GPM at 3600 rpm. If I remember correctly the speed of the 60" deck was about 17200-17300 ft/min and the 48" deck was somthing like 17500 ft/min. The motor on the 48" deck spins a lot faster.