New PT 1430 won't go

[WeedPatch]

New PT 1430 won\'t go

I bought a PT 1430 three weeks ago and it ran ok for the first ten hours. When I went to mow today, the thing would barely move, even at full throttle. The PTO and lift arm work. It will move, slowly, in reverse. Hydraulic oil level ok. Anyone have a clue as to what's wrong? The operator's manual is totally useless. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

Sorry to hear of your situation. I don't know much about the 1430. How does the treadle assembly work? If it is cable driven, maybe something just came lose. If it is simply a valve like the newer 425s then I don't know what to tell you. This forum is kind of slow on the weekend, so you may have to wait for a reply from someone with more knowledge than I have on that product. I would park it until I talk to someone that knows or talk to the factory Monday morning.

 

[Bob999]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

First, there are 3 hydraulic pumps/circuits on your tractor. You are apparently having problems with the variable displacement pump/circuit that powers the wheels.

Three possibilities come immediately to mind--the filter could be clogged (the large hydro filter--only operates on the inlet side of the variable displacement pump). The usual procedure would be to replace the filter to see if this resolves the problem. The second possibility is that there is a bypass valve on the variable displacement pump that is used to release pressure so that you can move the machine when the engine is shut down. If this valve is in the bypass position or any position other than the normal operating position it could cause the sympton you are describing. I think the PT manual discusses this valve and how to use it. Third the linkage between the treadle and the pump might not be working so you are not actually activitating the tilt plate in the pump to provide hydraulic oil to move forward or back. you will probably need a helper to move the treadle while you observe that there is motion at the variable displacemnt pump control on the pump body.

 

[Clarke]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

My 425 had a similar problem. If your machine has the new treadle with the hydraulic lines instead of the cables check the bolts that attach the treadle to the machine. Mine came loose, the treadle drops and you don't get the required travel to make the machine respond properly.

sg

 

[dturnmire]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

From the FAQ on their website.

Why will the machine not tram?

The treadle and cable may not be stroking the tram pump- Look at the treadle or tram pump while someone moves the treadle in both directions. The tow valve may be open- the tow valve should be closed. Please refer to the diagram in the machine's parts manual. The suction filter may be stopped up or collapsed. The tram pump may be bad- refer to the owner's manual to learn to check pressure on the tram pump. If all other parts are functioning properly, the wheel motors may be bad.

Why is the machine tramming sluggish?

The lever on the tram pump may not be moving full travel, the tow valve should be closed, the hydraulic filter may need replaced and the wheel motors could be bypassing.

 

[Clarke]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

You did not specify if the machine you own was new with 10 hrs. or a new to you used machine and you used it for 10 hrs.
If it is new I would be looking for something out of adjustment or loose like my post above. When my new machine went bad I thought of all kinds of failures turned out to be very simply.
Please let everyone know what the problem turns out to be so we can all learn from it.
Good Luck:

sg

 

[Yardscaper]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

WeedPatch,

I own a 1430 and had the same problem with mine at about the 30 hour mark. My tractor would make a high pitched whine like the hydraulics were struggling just to move the machine. We changed the filter and adjusted the linkage and all was well again. The factory is not too good at getting all of the foreign material out of the tanks. I have a 2445 that had left over silicone fall into both the fuel and hydraulic tank. The hydraulic tank problem ended up clogging the filter and wheel motors and took 3 filter changes and nearly 8 hours running time to work it all out, but now it is unstoppable! The fuel end of the silicone fiasco ended up clogging the intake line to the engine and had to be blown out in reverse using compressed air directed into the fuel intake hose just before it hooks to the fuel pump. This was due to a blunder by the factory not installing a screen on the intake in the fuel tank. Hopefully that is all that your problem is. It it is the old cable style linkage like we have, it may have come loose or broke a linkage piece at the hydroback butterfly. We have also had that happen. Check that carefully to be sure that it is not that, because if it is, it can be dangerous. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif When ours broke, instead of neutraling itself out, the tram pump went full speed ahead and we had to shut down the machine. This occured while trying to load it on the trailer and caused some damage to our trailer. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Good luck with your problem!

 

[blackwell]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

Change the hydralic filter, but don't forget to bleed the air, a pump with no oil only lives a few seconds at engine speeds.
If that doesn't fix it, call Terry at PT.
EB

 

[davesisk]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

I'd definitely check the treadle linkage first...that one's easy to check and visible. Every time I grind stumps, I get wood chips and dust slung through the slot on the front...it gets packed under the treadle and after a while, the machine won't move because the treadle doesn't have enough travel.

HTH,
Dave

 

[WeedPatch]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

Thanks to everyone for trying to help me through this problem. Unfortunately, nothing has helped. I've talked to Terry at PT several times, and he's decided to send me a new tram pump. Of course, it's up to me to swap it out, and it looks that it won't be an easy job, and it might not even fix the problem. Anyone considering a PT ought to think real hard about their parts-only warranty and no refunds! no returns! policy. That should have been a deal breaker for me, because I'm no mechanic. If I had bought the New Holland I was considering and had had a problem, I could have called the dealer, 20 miles down the road, and he would have sent someone out to fix it. And my grass wouldn't be two feet high today.

 

[Clarke]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

Weedpatch,

If you are not comfortable working on it visit some of your local hydraulic shops. They will most likely work on it or you may be able to get one of there mechanics over to your place.

sg

 

[eambrose]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

That really stinks - this is indeed an issue with PT - in a situation like this (ie something really major) they really need to pick up the tractor and fix it. I mean it is brand new. I can understand hoses, belts, routine stuff (i.e. having them send a part) but a motor or pump when the unit is brand new is not acceptable. Also, they can't claim that they are far cheaper - they are not. You can buy an alternative tractor from a dealer at a similar price. The mentality is nuts. They need to stand by the product - not just ship you a pump and hope it works.

 

[Rick_Taylor]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

I'm not familiar with a 1430 but I recently had to replace part of the Lovejoy connector to the VV pump on our 425. Ours is three years old with 600+ hours. All had been well until trying to climb a particularly steep hill. Half way up it just quit moving up and rolled down. All the other hyd functions were OK. After examining and talking to Terry I started taking thinks apart. NOT an easy task. He was going to check my pump for me and repair if necessary and possible. I discovered the pump end of the lovejoy had spun on the pump shaft tearing out the woodruff key. BTW, that half of the lovejoy is aluminum! Really had taken a pounding. Bottom line, during assembly someone left out the two setscrews!! One is used to hold the woodruff key down into the slot on the pump shaft. Fourty bucks later the parts arrived. You need to have a supply of 1/2" caps and plugs to cap off the hyd lines as you take them off the pump. Also some way to mark which hose goes to which connector. Lots of sweat and cursing, and lots of anti-sieze later it's back and running strong- with ALL it's parts installed. Only difference I've noticed is that now the plastic screen on the front of the Kohler now spins with the shaft. Doesn't appear to be a problem though.

You might be able to look at the VV pump shaft down the two holes in the side of the lovejoy and see if the setscrews are there. Mine was filled with greasy dirt, even after a serious pressure washing. Good luck, Rick

 

[dturnmire]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

"I discovered the pump end of the lovejoy had spun on the pump shaft tearing out the woodruff key. "

The what? To someone who is mechanically challenged this is Martian language. I also had reservations about buying a Power Trac with no dealers nearby. I figured though that once the warranty had run out it would be just like any other vehicle purchased that is no longer under warranty. How many people do you know that actually uses a dealership for car repairs?

I had bought a brand new Subaru Justy a few years ago with very low milage when the check engine light came on. My wife brought it down to the local dealership since it was still under warranty and the guy there told her the computer had gone out which was not covered and they were going to charge her $800. She gave me a phone call and I told her to drive away and take it to a garage we had done business with for years. As it turns out there was nothing wrong with the car and the mechanic told us if the computer had gone out the car probably wouldn't even run. He said if the check engine light was that big of a deal to put a piece of tape over it.

I even had a hard time trying to get someone top work on my fuel injection a few years ago even though they had been around for years but once you find someone that is honest and will work on whatever vehicle you may have it no longer becomes a big problem.

I agree Power Trac needs to do something when it comes to something brand new under warranty but considering the other machines I considered purchasing (most were way out of my price range) I believe I made the right purchase. I love my PT-180. Regards.

 

[MuncyBob]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

I tend to agree with the thinking of who uses a dealer when out of warranty....but PT would be more popular and probably would increase sales if they would sub contract out warranty work to local repair shops rather than do all the labor yourself in removing what "may be" the problem as determined over the telephone....and then wait for a new part to be returned and once again finding the time to reinstall. I'm hoping my 422 doesn't give me any problems since it would seem there would be a fair amount of "downtime". In the meantime I'm keeping it as good as new...well, within my abilities anyways!

 

[PTRich]

Re: New PT 1430 won\'t go

I was wondering how you made out so far? My thoughts have been with you.