My 425 fan failed!!

MossRoad · Apr 30, 2005

That's OK, I'll share I didn't have to think very hard on that project

I was an electronics tech in the early 60's, courtesy of the U.S. NAVY. 

That makes me even more embarrassed. I have two associate degrees in electronics and I chose to go the el cheapo tape route! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

(hee hee) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

FOURTEEN · Apr 30, 2005

( make opening it a little easier? )

 Quit dreaming, get up early, and visit your local fitness center daily! In 6 months the engine cover will be much easier to open!!

MossRoad · Apr 30, 2005

Remember, if we make the covers too easy to open, we will have to add latches to keep them closed. I see myself driving through the brush oblivious to the open engine cover behind me scooping the forest into the hydraulic cooler! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

BobRip · May 3, 2005

J.J., if the fan motor has opened then you have a good temperature switch tester. I like the orange tape except can it get caught in the fan and jam it?

Let' go with an oil tmperature and engine temperature measurement system.

Bob Rip

MossRoad · May 4, 2005

I'm sure the orange tape could get down in there somehow, but my guess is I'll rip it off in the woods or it will rot away in the sun before that happens. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

J_J · May 4, 2005

Another solution to tell if the fan is working. Insert an ammeter is series after the temp switch. 0 amps= no fan, 4 or 5 amps, fan is working, 10+ amps mean trouble. If you did this when new, it could tell the condition of the fan. More amps than normal, could mean that the bearings are going, hyd radiator might be clogged.

I know what you guys want, a mini computer to tell all, but it ain't gonna happen. PT wants you to call in and order parts and you do all the work. If it were not for this forum, and a large database of knowledge, a lot of us would be in big trouble. The manuals are a 1 on a scale of 10. I have an older 1445 with a Ford industrial engine, and they have no parts manual and no hyd schematic. It has their name on it , I know they built the unit.

BobRip · May 4, 2005

I am tired of computers. I just put my hand over the fan ocasionally and see if air is coming out.

I would like a fuel injection system for more torque and more horsepower. I wonder when these will get down to small engines.

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

I agree that their manuals are bad. Many thanks to everyone who helps with the problems on this website.

Bob Rip

Clarke · May 5, 2005

Ditto

MossRoad · May 5, 2005

Link to Kohler Command Pro 28HP Fuel Injected /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

lowellw2 · May 5, 2005

Interesting MossRoad. It appears the dimentions of the Kohler CH745 are the same as the CH730 25hp engine that I believe is the engine in your 425 ( L - 13.8, W - 17.7 and H - 19). Don't know the Robin 25hp dimensions. Why don't you do some research testing for Power Trac. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MossRoad · May 6, 2005

I will gladly donate my services for field testing. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BobRip · May 6, 2005

Looks like the perfect engine for my future PT428.

Bob Rip

FOURTEEN · May 7, 2005

Looks like a beautiful engine!! Kohler sure knows how to build them! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Horsepower is nice, but I wonder how much the PT's pumps and motors would need to be upgraded to utilize that extra power from that sweet engine??!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Gravy · May 8, 2005

With no other changes, more power should reduce bogging while mowing uphill. That would be a plus for those of us with sloping yards.

If I'm not mistaken, the wheel motors shouldn't have any problems. Extra power should just mean more top speed available under load.

For those with flat terrain, the main PTO pump size could be increased, maybe to 10 or 12 gpm.

That would allow running more powerful accessory motors, like maybe a 72" mower deck, or spinning the existing ones faster under load. If you dig a lot of postholes, or run a trencher or stumpgrinder, that would be useful.

Ideally, I'd like more engine power and a multi-speed pto output, so I could choose where I want the power to go.

Dave

BobRip · May 8, 2005

I agree, a beautiful engine. Right now when I mow on a steep hill, I have to raise the mower and feed all of the power to the wheels. With more horsepower I could run the mower and wheels at the same time. Neither would be overloaded. My feeling is that Power Trac sized the engine and the old wheel motors for all four wheels being loaded the same. When I am carrying a load the rear wheels loose traction and I don't have the same torgue to the ground. I understand that on models earlier than mine (sometime before 2000), the wheel motors had more torque. I think PT has realized it's mistake and added that and more torque back in to the 425. My feeling is that a 28 HP engine would be about right for the 425. So maybe someday I can upgrade my 422 with new wheel motors and a 28 HP engine. In about 10 years. I have added about 120 pounds on the rear and it does seem to have more climbing power.

Bob Rip

Gravy · May 8, 2005

Why stop with the 28 hp Kohler? It seems that Briggs has a 35 hp air-cooled Vanguard V-twin. I want to find out if I can install that, along with a bigger pto pump, in my 425. Now, if I can just find somebody to pay for it...Oh, well, we all need dreams... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Gravy

BobRip · May 8, 2005

We may just have the wrong attitude here. Here are the steps that we should use.

1. Wait until PT comes out with a machine that is much better that your present one.
2. Reverse wheels, use cheap oil.
3. Drive on very steep slopes and rough terrain with bucket overloaded and extra weight on the back. Adjust the relief valves so they don't open.
4. Starve the engine for oil from too much slope, and make all the wheel motors leak.
5. Tell wife that you need a new PT since it cost too much to repair.
6. She can drive her old car another five years, after all it still runs.

Happy mother's day.

Bob Rip

Gravy · May 9, 2005

Nah,

Divorce lawyers cost too much! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Gravy

Carpenter · May 9, 2005

( I have added about 120 pounds on the rear and it does seem to have more climbing power.

Bob Rip )

I've slowly added about 20 pounds to the seat over the last year and it definitely didn't help my climbing . /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BobRip · May 14, 2005

I had my fan fail today. I traced it to two intermittent problems. The temperature switch reads about 8 to 16 ohms when hot. It should be much less that one. When I bypassed this the system was still itermittent. I wiggled the leads going into the fuse and this seemed to help. I had a previous fuse holder on the PT422 fail in the same manner. The fuse holders are of the insulation displacement type. A very poor concept which is causing problems an many trailers. I replaced the fuse holder and left the temperature switch bypassed. The fan runs all of the time now. Does anyone know where I can get the switch? It looks like something out of a clothes dryer.

Bob Rip