New from Iowa

[tbunce7]

Hey Pt owners,

I'm glad to have found this site. I have 2009 Pt 425.
So far I love this machine. It has the Subaru-Robin 25 hp
engine. My biggest problem so far is locating hyd. oil filters,
engine oil filters, and replacement blades for the 48" mower
deck. I'm sure that these things have been discussed here before
I just haven't had time to sort through all the posts. I have found
lots of good info in the short time here. I forgot, I also need to find
replacement air filters.

 

[J_J]

Welcome to TBN, and the PT forum. I think you will find all that you are looking for. Great bunch of guys here, and a good data base for PT's in general.

 

[coolconnection]

I have a 425 as well with the 25 hp Subaru motor. The hydraulic filter I use is the Napa 1551 and I modified the air filter to use one they sell at TSC because Subaru air filters are around $40. There is a post on here on how to do it and it is very simple to do. I use a standard oil filter but can't think of the number of it right now. Anyway welcome to this forum.

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN!

Since PT has a $50.00 minimum order, I suggest you order a spare set of mower blades through them, along with some hydraulic filters and any other small parts you can think of.

I have a spare set of blades that I keep sharpened ready to go and it is nice to have the filters there when I need them.

As for Subaru/Robin parts... can't help you there. I have a Kohler and there is a great small engine shop here in South Bend, IN that has most parts in stock. Try searching your town, state on google for Robin engine shops.

Where abouts are you located?

 

[tbunce7]

Thanks for the welcome and info. I haven't checked the forum yet for the air filter. I have thought about stripping the metal top off of the original filter if I could find one that fit under it. I have checked our local mower shops and no one locally, Des Moines has anything in stock. If maintained properly what is the longevity of the PT 425 and PT in general. Has anyone switched to synthetic oil for the hydralics. I am very glad to find this site.

Thanks again

 

[Piedmont3]

Welcome, to TBN I have a 2004, 425 with the robin engine, The Oil Filter for the engine is a subaru automotive filter. You can go to a subaru car dealership and they can look it up for you. But don't buy it there save a few bucks and but it at the NAPA or PEP-BOYS. I have an extra box at home, that I will get the number off of and try to post it.

 

[Phils]

Has anyone switched to synthetic oil for the hydralics. I am very glad to find this site.

I've used synthetic oil since the mid-seventies... in everything I've owned. In the mid-eighties I did a "test" on a Detroit Diesel in a Kenworth between synthetic and "semi-synthetic" (a blend) and found little difference between them (UNLIKE the difference between dino and synthetic). I'll spare you the lengthy details.

Every time I change my hydraulic filter, I use synthetic oil for the replacement "top-off". That's a little over one quart. My hydraulic oil is "semi-synthetic" and getting more toward full synthetic with each filter change, tho it'll never be "full synthetic".

At the huge cost of changing out that tank with "full syn", I'm opting for a greater benefit than using dino oil but at a fraction of the price. Will it be as good as "full syn"? No way! Will it be better than dino? Very much so.

We have members here that have changed the hydraulics to all synthetic but I'll let them chime in with their results.

Phil

 

[cqaigy2]

Welcome to the forum!

You'll find the search function works well at TBN and anything you can't find, somebody will probably have the answer for it.

I've been "changing" to synthetic in the hydraulic system using Phils method. On the third motor oil change went to synthetic. I've also ripped the metal plate out of a used air filter.

 

[KentT]

I switched to AMSOIL 20w50 synthetic looking for better torque out of the White RS wheel motors. The difference was certainly noticeable when the machine was hot, but still not enough torque to meet my needs on the steep hillsides of East Tennessee.

So, I ended up changing the wheel motors -- that turned it into a totally different machine. It's more akin to a log skidder now, and not an articulated skidsteer, based on where it will operate.

I'll try to get some videos of it in action this summer, so you guys can see the difference.

 

[ponytug]

Can you elaborate?

Curious,

Peter

...So, I ended up changing the wheel motors -- that turned it into a totally different machine. It's more akin to a log skidder now, and not an articulated skidsteer, based on where it will operate.

I'll try to get some videos of it in action this summer, so you guys can see the difference.

 

[KentT]

Can you elaborate?

Curious,

Peter

It is now truly all-terrain, limited by concerns for engine oiling and not the tractor. (Kohler CH25 is rated at 25degree slopes, vs 20 degrees for the Robin, BTW).

I was mowing with the brush-cutter last year, pointing downhill, and backing up slopes with the mower running that before I would not even have attempted putting the machine on without the mower running, for fear that I couldn't get it back out. I can simply go anywhere that I feel safe to go, now. Note that I'm also running loaded tires (WW fluid) and reversed wheels.

Still pictures don't illustrate it well, but for example, I can mow these slopes going up, down or across the slope. Before, I'd have to lift the mower or turn it off to climb it when the hydraulic fluid was hot.

I've carried many LM buckets full of wet heavy mulch (600 lbs plus, I'm guessing) from the treeline on the left, straight up the slope, up and over the bank at the edge of the driveway and up into the trees at the top right. I didn't "go around" to find a gentler slope -- but rather ran back and forth up and down the hill.

That's straight up the bank on the left, across the driveway, and up the slope on the right:

 

[tbunce7]

Hey everyone,

I've been busy now that it's spring. I appreciate all the info.
I have started to check out the forum with the search
feature and there is alot of info. I have only had my PT 425
for about a year now, I love it. My old mower was a Craftsman
18 hp hydro. It did a good job for what it is and price but not a PT.

Thanks again

 

[smartguyz]

Welcome to the forum. The guys here are great, very informative, no flaming.

-Rob