New 1430

[MossRoad]

My last riding mower was a JD, and the dealer said to run it full throttle when mowing. What do you guys do with your PTs? Full throttle when under load, or just enough to accomplish the task at hand? Thanks.

I've run mine at full throttle anytime I'm doing work since 2001, as it's an air cooled engine and needs the fan to spin fast to move air. Doesn't matter if I'm using the FEL or running mowers, I run at full throttle.

Running at full throttle gives you better drivetrain, steering, braking and FEL response as well. I'll throttle it back to maybe 3/4 when just tramming across the yard, but out on our 20 acres, I want to get somewhere fast, so I keep it throttled up out there as well.

Then I just throttle it down to idle for about 30 seconds and shut it off.

 

[MossRoad]

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/enginesUS/pdf/Oil_Sellsheet.pdf

@scotts562 Yes extra zinc and additives to reduce thermal breakdown.

I use air cooled engine oil in air cooled engines; synthetic also works for many folks, I've heard.

All the best, Peter

I've always run 5W30 Mobile 1 in my engine since the first oil change. About 1200 hrs on the engine now, I think?

 

[2manyrocks]

Whether to run full throttle I can't say, but certainly run at a high enough RPM for the hydraulic pump to have good flow.

Canopy shelter is not 100% necessary, but convenient. You could just tarp your PT.

Pay attention to what Ponytug said about greasing the bushings on the brush mower blades. I think the ones on my PT1445 came dry, and failed within the first 50 hours of use as I recall. Also, grease the bearings on the mower wheels, too.

 

[MossRoad]

I think I've been adding a quart of 5W50 Mobil 1 to my hydraulic tank at each filter change. Can't recall, as I'm out of it right now, but think it was that. My reasoning was to ease cold weather starting (OP has heat mat so maybe that'll help) and hot weather loss of power.

I'm too many years into it to switch now.

 

[ernemats]

I very seldom run my engine at full throttle, I just run it as the speed I feel is needed. I have about 4,300 hours on it currently. I'm on the second engine both Subaru Robin. First engine had 2800 hours on it, could have just repaired it ( exhaust valve problem ) but had a spare so I decided to put it in

 

[Haldir00]

Rather than reinvent the wheel, may I ask what grease gun/grease you guys use? Thanks!

 

[MossRoad]

I've just got two cheap grease guns. One has generic grease for the joints, pivots and wheel casters. The other has high speed grease for the mower spindles. Nothing special.

 

[Haldir00]

Thanks. I always appreciate input from multiple sources, but I had originally send you a DM with the same question. For some reason the TBN system wouldn't let my message go through, because it thought I was inappropriately spamming you or soliciting. Not sure how or why that is. Anyway, thanks, as always, for your advice.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks. I always appreciate input from multiple sources, but I had originally send you a DM with the same question. For some reason the TBN system wouldn't let my message go through, because it thought I was inappropriately spamming you or soliciting. Not sure how or why that is. Anyway, thanks, as always, for your advice.

That's weird.

 

[MossRoad]

The last PM I got from you was April 16 regarding the float detent position.

Did you get that resolved?

 

[2manyrocks]

One benefit to posting your questions in a thread is the answers are then there to be found using the search function by others later. Other than TBN, I'm don't know of any other owner groups elsewhere as a source of PT information.

 

[Haldir00]

There's a Facebook PT page that can be helpful. MossRoad, yes, I figured out the float position, and in fact that's part of the DM response I tried to send you. After pushing the joystick past the normal stop, it worked exactly as it should. It's one of those things that once you do it, you wonder how you didn't figure it out in the first place...so simple. Appreciate your input, as well as everyone else's!

 

[Haldir00]

One benefit to posting your questions in a thread is the answers are then there to be found using the search function by others later. Other than TBN, I'm don't know of any other owner groups elsewhere as a source of PT information.

And regarding posting on a thread instead of just privately DMing someone, I am always painfully aware of how either simple, naive, or otherwise goofy some of my questions appear to someone who knows how this kind of stuff works. So, part of the reason for not posting publicly is self-preservation. Everyone sees the post, but only the person I DM knows what a simpleton I am!

 

[2manyrocks]

PT seems to have a knack for doing things in ways that aren't obvious and then not explaining them in the owner's manuals (IMPO). The other PT owners here have really helped me. Plus, there are some posts from years ago with PT insights that are still very useful today. So that's why I personally encourage questions to be discussed in the threads so that information is preserved and passed on.

 

[MossRoad]

And regarding posting on a thread instead of just privately DMing someone, I am always painfully aware of how either simple, naive, or otherwise goofy some of my questions appear to someone who knows how this kind of stuff works. So, part of the reason for not posting publicly is self-preservation. Everyone sees the post, but only the person I DM knows what a simpleton I am!

We all started out as new owners at one point and probably asked 99% of the same questions you have, so don't worry about it. Yes, there's a search function where you could look it up yourself, but it's that great. You could use google with specific searches constrained just to TBN. You could PM someone you think might be able to help you. Or, like most of us, you can just ask a question in the public space and we'll all jump in and help.

PT Forum is a pretty helpful place with a lot of folks using their machines in different applications from simple homeowners like myself to people that make living with them and everything in between. You won't get any criticism for asking a question that's been asked in the past.

 

[MossRoad]

PT seems to have a knack for doing things in ways that aren't obvious and then not explaining them in the owner's manuals (IMPO). The other PT owners here have really helped me. Plus, there are some posts from years ago with PT insights that are still very useful today. So that's why I personally encourage questions to be discussed in the threads so that information is preserved and passed on.

 

[ponytug]

@Haldir00 but back to the grease gun question;
I have a few.
A hand-me-down pneumatic grease gun from central pneumatics, used for twelve or so years by me.
When I bought my PT, I also bought a manual grease gun that is filled with high speed grease.
A second pneumatic one because the first one had priming issues that drove me nuts, only to discover it is just the design.

Finally, my favorite, a recently purchased battery powered (Makita) grease gun that generates high pressures and enables me to grease the tractor much more quickly, with less hassle.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Haldir00]

Thanks! I appreciate any and all input, and while some may not consider it to be the wisest course of action, a majority of the time, unless there is a specific reason to the contrary, I will buy something that the 'usual suspects' on here recommend rather than waste my time trying to do the research or save a nickel. I'm a huge fan of not reinventing the wheel, and I trust the brain power on here to already have done the dirty work. Again, thanks for all the input!