New PT-180 owner

[J_J]

Are you talking about a cooling fan for the engine compartment, or a radiator and fan for the hydraulic fluid, or both? Either one is simple to do if you have good mechanical skills. You must consider the amount of amps available to work with.

 

[Barryh]

I have good mechanical skills. I have a 25 year background in repairing and rebuilding mailing equipment. Lots of cams, bearings, motors, pumps and then some.

When it comes to engines, and such I've worked on my cars mostly old school stuff. These day's I just take it to a shop. So it will be touch and go until I learn the in's and outs of the PT.

I was talking about just a cooling fan for the engine compartment for now. I know it will be pretty close with 4-35 watt lights and a fan. I may hook up separate switches so every thing is not all on at the same time.

 

[Phils]

Despite Terry's recommendation, I'd suggest that you don't need to "fill the tank, run it, drain and refill the tank". That's a waste of money for the second refill of synthetic.

I've used synthetic exclusively for 30 years. You will get the full benefit of the synthetic even if there is some dino oil mixed in with it. Drain and refill the first time only.

Phil

 

[Barryh]

I agree seems like over kill. I'm sure he meant well. Now Amsoil or Mobil-1?? I know both are good.

Synthetic grease high speed grease. I just had to go buy another tractor to maintain. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[BobRip]

Phil, I agree the flush could get real expensive. At each filter change you will get more and more synthetic. Just drain what's in there and then refill.

Bob Rip

 

[MuncyBob]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Now Amsoil or Mobil-1?? I know both are good.

Synthetic grease high speed grease. I just had to go buy another tractor to maintain. )</font>

There has been a lot of discussion on both of the above. Either oil would be an improvement...based on some comments in TBN and also in google groups I'm leaning toward Amsoil. As for grease, I have 2 grease guns...1 has regular synthetic grease and the other is a synthetic high speed...the high speed is for bearings only(mower deck, etc).

 

[Barryh]

Sounds like good advice. I'm sure Mobil 1 is excellent oil. After doing some reading myself, I think I am also going with Amsoil.

The less wear and the cooler it runs the longer it will last. I wonder if there are any Amsoil dealers on the PT forum. Would rather give them the commission.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Barry:
Check the Oil-Fuel & Lubricants Forum. I think there are more than one Amsoil rep on the Board. You can sign up with the one closest, but Amsoil deals directly after you sign up.
I got in contact with Dave Spaay through TBN. He helped sign me with Amsoil as a commercial customer, with significant discounts.

Dave Spaay -- Certified AMSOIL Dealer/Account Direct http://www.UltimateOilTechnology.com
email: ultimateoil@comcast.net
630-267-9163

 

[Barryh]

Thanks Charlie,

Will do....... /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[tracdoc]

Barry,

If you are considering the Amsoil hydraulic oil {HERE} you should keep in mind that it is currently designated as a multi-viscosity 5W30 weight oil. Formerly, it was designated as straight SAE 30/ISO 46 oil. ISO 46 is roughly a 20W oil, not 30, and maybe that's why Amsoil changed their lower viscosity limit and re-named the oil 5W30, eliminating the ISO designation altogether. Bottom line, Amsoil hydraulic oil is 5W30 oil.

IMO, in the southeast, it just doesn't get cold enough to warrant such a thin oil in the hydraulics. Remember that PT recommends 15W40 motor oil for the hydraulics. Many folks on the forum have reported better performance under stress, e.g., hill climbing, etc. when using even a higher viscosity motor oil in the hydraulic system, such as 15/50 or 20/50. A 15 weight oil should pose no problems with cold weather starts here, and the 40-50 weight upper spec will give you hydraulics the oomph under heat/stress that folks have reported here.

If you are considering a true hydraulic oil (as opposed to motor oils used in a hydraulic application) for your system, the 15/40 would roughly correspond roughly to an ISO viscosity number of 60-100 {HERE} . Amsoil does make a synthetic anti-wear hydraulic oil with an ISO viscosity of 68 {HERE}.

 

[BobRip]

I did not realize that PT now recommends 15W40. When my tractor was built they used 5W30. So what they now install is better that what I originally had. I expect that the advantage for hot running will not be as great as I got since I changed from a 5w30 to a 20W50. It's probably still a good idea from a wear and protection point.

Bob Rip

 

[Barryh]

Actually in my book under Service Instructions it contradicts its self must be a misprint. Paragraph (2) it states to use only 5W30 motor oil. In paragraph (3) it states to use only 5W40 motor oil for the 50 hour change over.

I believe Terry told me to use the 5w30 in the winter, and then switch out to 15W40 in the summer. It does get pretty cold up here on the mountain. I Will have to research it more before I do the change over. Thanks for all of the input definitely something to think about. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[BobRip]

I was told that you never really have to change the transmission oil, so you would not do a summer winter change. Four or five gallons is a lot of oil to change.

Bob Rip

 

[Barryh]

No you don’t have to change the oil at all unless it is discolored, just the filter at 50 hours. We were discussing changing from regular oil to the synthetic when I changed out the filter.

He suggested saving the 5W30 synthetic in plastic containers. Then changing back in the summer to the 15W40 and back again. I totally agree that is too expensive, and a lot of oil to buy. I think it is what a 10 gallon tank? I will go with one viscosity mix for all seasons.

 

[J_J]

I have also been considering a change to synthetic oil for various reasons. I don't think I need a multi weight, so I was thinking of a 30 or 40 weight, but at 10 or 11 gal, that is a few dollars. From talking to an Amsoil dealer, anyone can become an Amsoil dealer. I believe there is a certain amount that one has to purchase. You also have to drain and flush all your implements.

 

[tracdoc]

I don't know if the service requirements for the 180 are different from the 422/425. My manual says 10W40 and the label on my tank says 15W40. Be that as it may, you can certainly go down on the first number if your weather justifies it. But for warm weather and stress ops, me thinks you'll be happier with a 40 or higher viscosity.

I don't know if it's different on your unit, but the 422/425 PT specifies only a FILTER change at every 50 hr. The manual states </font><font color="blue" class="small">( Change the hydraulic oil only when it is discolored or contaminated with water or other foreign material. )</font>

The hydraulic reservoir tank oil does not need to be changed in any prescribed manner based on operational usage, only the filters at every 50 hr. Changing non-contaminated hydraulic oil is optional per owner. imho, I would select a good synthetic oil with a viscosity range that covers year-round usage, change it once and be done with it unless a contamination problem develops. In terms of timing, some on the forum recommend doing this at 100 hr, but timing is also optional on this.

 

[Barryh]

So does anyone have a lead on a Cab Canopy that might fit the PT. Or do I need to fabricate one? /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif