new pt owner

[pagliaccio matto]

I wanted to thank everyone on this forum who has helped to answer my questions about the pt 2425. I am now the happy onwer of a 2425 with backhoe and a trailer full of attachments!
Thanks,
Steve

 

[pajoube]

I wanted to thank everyone on this forum who has helped to answer my questions about the pt 2425. I am now the happy onwer of a 2425 with backhoe and a trailer full of attachments!
Thanks,
Steve

Thanks for your note and welcome to the family of PT owners. Did you pick up, have delivered?
What projects are you planning?
PJ

 

[pagliaccio matto]

I had the tractor towed on the trailer here from the factory. I used a private carrier aranged by power trac. He did a good job and even arrived a whole day earlier than he promised. I am trying to get the local Robin dealer to adjust the engine for the altitude here. It has not been running well and I hope this will solve the problem. I am in the process of starting a landscape contracting business and am looking forward to using the PT. I will put it to the test by landscaping my own property first.

 

[BobRip]

Steve, it's good to hear that you go your PT. Did you expect the engine problem, is it common at your altitude? Please let us know how this works out and be sure to take pictures of your projects. We don't hear much about the 2425 here.

 

[pagliaccio matto]

I havn't lived here long enough to know about the engine problems associated with the altitude. I did notice that the manual for the Robin engine recommends having it adjusted by a certified mechanic if it is to be used above 5,000 feet. I can only assume that the engine problems (lack of power, difficult starting, excess exhaust, engine rattle) are caused by the engine being tuned at the altitude in Tazewll and not at Santa Fe, elevation:7,200 feet. I will keep you posted.

 

[toy]

I havn't lived here long enough to know about the engine problems associated with the altitude. I did notice that the manual for the Robin engine recommends having it adjusted by a certified mechanic if it is to be used above 5,000 feet. I can only assume that the engine problems (lack of power, difficult starting, excess exhaust, engine rattle) are caused by the engine being tuned at the altitude in Tazewll and not at Santa Fe, elevation:7,200 feet. I will keep you posted.

There was someone on the forum a while back got a pt and had the same problem as you are having when they first got their pt. I don't remember what they did to remedy the problem but seems like it was about a year ago. Hope you get yours lined out soon.

 

[MossRoad]

Congratulations on your purchase.

 

[jfh28]

Congratulations! Now I don't have to feel so lonely.

The other 2425 owner
Jack

 

[MossRoad]

Just so you don't feel bad, there is a 2425 in my hometown, as well, so that makes three. I've never talked to the person that owns it, but see it sitting there every time I drive by. Some day when I have my 425 on the trailer and I am driving by it, I will stop in and introduce myself and ask him to join our merry band!

 

[bjustice]

Congratulations, and welcome! There are a few of us "tall" PTs around. I have a 2422 converted to a 2425 by changing out the Robin engine to the 25 HP version. I also have the trailer with a group of attachments. The machine now has about 1370 hours, but only about 200 on the engine. Two pumps and misc items have been replaced as well. Just finished repairing one worn pivot point on the backhoe. At some point, it will be as good as new--much like JJs' 1445--I hope. I have had it for only about 70 hours.
Bill

 

[jfh28]

We are affectionately known in our little town as those "people up in the woods with the giant dogs and weird looking backhoe machine".

I guess it could be a whole lot worse!

Jack

 

[pagliaccio matto]

Im glad to hear that there are atleast a few other 2425s out there. I think that I may have the only one in the state of New Mexico! I had the local Robin engine guy make a housecall today. He re-tuned it and now it runs great-much stronger than my first impression. I will try it out some more tomorrow. This machine reminds me of the words of an old cowboy I once met-"it aint built for purdy, but it's built for sturdy."

 

[catsco]

Glad to hear you got the engine to run better at altitude.

I originally posted a similar issue with the Kohler engine on my PT-425 (about a year ago), but couldn't afford the hassle and $$$ for major jet change.

In the entire front range area in Colorado, there is NO ONE who will travel to do any work on a Kohler.

Renting a truck and trailer to haul the tractor into town would be quite expensive and would have to be done twice, as they don't do same day work either. (I don't own any vehicle that can pull a trailer with the tractor on it)

So, I use a little hotter plug, and make sure that the choke is always fully open, and the air filter clean.

It has run well for 440 hours now.

The only other altitude related issue has been the fuel boiling in the tank, as the black steel tank at our altitude of nearly 8,000 and the more volatile fuel here boils at a quite low temperature, about 110 to 120 degrees. That temperature is easily reached from engine heat and the intense UV.

BTW - congrats and welcome!

Mark H.

 

[BobRip]

Would it help to paint the tank white?

 

[catsco]

I did an experiment with aluminum foil to see if the temp would be reduced. Didn't make too much difference.

When I have the time and $$, I'm going to try rerouting the exhaust and using an external muffler. The stock muffler (even though it has an insulated cover) is on about 2" from the tank.

The engine compartment therefore is very hot!

The current solution is to not work midday on hot summer days. That 'fix' has been easy to implement!

I've experimented with different gas caps; vented allowing sometimes furious boiling, but seems OK.

Unvented stops the problem, but I removed the cap one warm day (with the engine cover open - tank about 1/3 fuel, and a 10' geyser of boiling fuel shot out for about 2 seconds. Frightening, but no fire or damage.

Power-Trac has no comment or fix, other than 'they've never heard of that'.

When I bought the PT, I assumed it would be like the ones in the picture. It's quite different as far as the engine and fuel tank layout.

Sorry to run on, but I'd advise caution with this model that has the tank in the cover.

Otherwise, one the the toughest, simplest tractors I've ever owned!

Mark H.

 

[pagliaccio matto]

I was lucky to find a Robin engine mechanic about a mile from my house. He came over and diagnosed the problem and fixed it in about 1 1/2 hours. It was running way too rich and had a lot of carbon on the plugs. Also, one of the valves was too tight. He also set the idle higher. I have ordered a Robin re-jetting kit through him for about $35.00 and he says it will take about 30 min. to install. I will let you know if it makes any difference.
Steve