Power Trac PT425

Charlie_Iliff · Feb 1, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 Hydraulic PTO uses

MossRoad:
I just downloaded the Army basic hydraulics manual. I have thought not only of a loop in the PTO, but a solenoid controlled open center valve in that loop to handle things that I now will be hooking to the aux. If the 4 in 1 bucket and digger curl cylinders are fast enough with the auxiliary, I will consider a solenoid valve in series with that, however, and leave the PTO alone.
I saw the caution in the manual about turning on the PTO without hooking to an implement. I assume there is a relief valve and the engine will lug before catastrophe, but the loop hose would prevent any problem and be easy to do.
Of course, then we'd have to design and build a clever carrying spot for it when the mower or tiller is hooked up.

Charlie_Iliff · Feb 1, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 Hydraulic PTO uses

MossRoad
You're right about Power Trac not answering their e-mail. Kristie's isn't the website address, however, and she responded a couple of times last June. Then, last month, her computer sent a virus to me and everyone she'd corresponded with. When I went down to buy my 1845, she advised that everything has been cleaned.
Her e-mail is "Kristie Asbury" <kasbury@backyardbutlers.com>

MossRoad · Feb 1, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 Hydraulic PTO uses

I also downloaded the manual this afternoon after reading your posts. Looks like interesting reading.

The auxillary PTO has plenty of power to operate the power angle cylinder, however, the control is not that conveniently located. I would be interested in a thumbswitch mounted in the joystick handle to operate this instead. The present control has a wide range of speed control. How would you get progressive action with an electric switch?

Thanks for the e-mail address. What exactly is her function at Power Trac?

kcook · Feb 1, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 Hydraulic PTO uses

MossRoad, thanks for the info (sounds like a good road trip).

I was thinking with Power Trac hydraulic system they could make a Log spliter, chipper/sheaders and other usefull attachments!

KCook

MossRoad · Feb 1, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 Hydraulic PTO uses

Yeah. MChalkley helped convince me of the versatility of hydraulics. Then I started learning about this stuff and there seems no end to it. Anything that can be powered by a motor, engine, shaft, whatever, can be powered by properly sized hydraulics. Check out the link to the Army hydraulics manual mentioned above. Interesting reading.

Now I'm keeping my eyes open for a chipper/shredder with a blown engine. If I ever find the right candidate, I'll convert it to hydraulic. Same thing goes for log splitter with blown engine.

pajoube · Feb 2, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 Hydraulic PTO uses

Charlie,
What is the email address for the Army hydraulic manual? I assume you have to go through many links prior to finding the correct area.
Paul

Charlie_Iliff · Feb 2, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 Hydraulic PTO uses

MossRoad:
I'm reading about hydraulics to figure how to put a electric control on the 4 in 1 bucket, the digger, etc. I haven't yet come across anything to suggest how to make speed proportional to trigger pull. I assume that there are some solenoids that can work that way, but probably more complex and pricey.
Kristie Asbury is in marketing, I forget the exact title. I think her husband is Chris, who also is in sales.

Charlie_Iliff · Feb 2, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 Hydraulic PTO uses

Finding the manual was a piece of cake. I merely clicked on the link given me by Knight9 in the customization forum. Select that forum and you'll see a number of recommendations for good reference books.

MossRoad · Feb 9, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 Hydraulic Filter Cross Ref

I might have found a cross reference for the PT400 series hydraulic filter at NAPA. I am on my way to check it out right now.

MossRoad · Feb 9, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 Hydraulic Filter Cross Ref

So by looking at the Power Trac video, I was able to read GRESEN K220001 on the hydraulic filter. I called NAPA and gave them this number and it came up in their data base as NAPA part number 1551, a hydraulic filter for $6.69. They said that they had 2 in stock, so the 4yr. old and I packed up and went to NAPA....... they couldn't find them in the store. /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif

He did order some that will be in on Monday afternoon, so I will go back on my way home from work Monday and take my spare filter from Power Trac and compare them. I'll post the results Monday evening.

MossRoad · Feb 15, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 Hydraulic Filter Cross Ref

It wasn't the right filter /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

MossRoad · Feb 16, 2002

Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Well, I got to try out our 4' brush hog on the PT425 today. I switched from the plow(not getting any use this winter), backed it up into my pickup, secured everything and off I went. Unloaded, drove to a brushy area, revved up the engine and flipped the PTO switch for the first time(read nervous) and off I went. Started on dead grass. No problems. Moved up to small briars, no problems. Layed into some multiflora rose, ate it up. Blasted my way through some 8' high weeds, again no problems except that the weeds were so high that they started coming up over the front of the brush hog and leaning against the canopy, making it very hard to see! Man, I'm telling you these weeds were thick! Granted, they were dead. Live ones probably wouldn't have been so easy, but I cut through them like butter. Then I started going for the saplings. I went through anything that was 1.5 inches or less. Anything larger wouldn't bend under the front of the cutter and would just stop the tractor, making the turfs spin. I was not dissapointed. I was impressed.

I spent about two hours on it and I have got to say that having the cutter out in front of you is SO much better than my 5' brush hog on a 3pt setup. First of all, with the cutter behind you, you have to run over everything with your tractor before it even gets to the cutter, or you have to back into everything. With the cutter in font of you everything is gone before the tractor gets there. If you do have to back up, you are backing into an area that has already been cut, so no sticks or saplings will spring up and poke you or the underside of the tractor. Also, my neck was not sore from watching the rear mounted cutter. I just sat there with my arms on the rests, driving along, making trails.

It started snowing pretty hard and, while I do have a canopy to keep me dry, the water on all of the brush started flipping in and soaking the tops of my legs. It got cold, and I was finished, so I left.

The only dissapointment that I had was that I could not get the video camera out to film it for everyone, as it was too damp for the camera. I promise that I will get it filmed the first chance that I get.

On a safety note, I made the mistake of not checking the area near where the driveway meets the highway before I started brush hogging. I hit a large metal ratcheting tie down that was under the fallen grass. The cutter flung it against one of the plastic gauge wheels and shattered it, throwing chunks of plastic and the tie down about 30 feet. I'll take some pics of the broken stuff and post it in the safety forum as a reminder to all.

kcook · Feb 17, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

MossRoad, thanks again for the report, I have said it before, Power-Trac should pay you! I am looking forward to seeing the video that you will shot! THanks for all of your reports! You are making my decision much easier!
KCook

MossRoad · Feb 17, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

You're welcome. Like I wrote, everything that I mowed was dormant, so I don't know what it would have been like in the middle of summer. But it was very impressive to me. Can't wait until spring.

Did you see Charlie's posts on the 1845?

Charlie_Iliff · Feb 17, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

MossRoad:
You and I are finding out the same things about our machines. Every time I test it, the 1845 does even better than I expected. I don't regret getting the big macine, but yours will do everything mine will, and probably do smooth lawn work a lot better.
When you can justify it (or even sooner), take a look at the Catdigger, on the Cadplans site. If you leave off the big skid steer attach plate and put on the Power Trac plate, you have a digger for well under $1,000. I don't know what I'm doing yet with the Lackender, but I found out for sure in the first test that it will dig a lot faster and easier than a pick and shovel.

pajoube · Feb 17, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

MossRoad,
One thing about cutting now is that there is no dust. Wait until summer when everything is on the dry side. Keep up the reports, sure enjoy reading them.
paul

MossRoad · Feb 17, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

I've been looking at one of the tow behind models that you can tow with a car. (model 821 I think)It has a self contained hydraulic system. I sent them an e-mail asking about using the PT425 hydraulics to power it, but they have not answered yet. A phone call is now in order. Of course, I don't need a backhoe right now, but I would consider ordering the plans for a rainy day. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MossRoad · Feb 17, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

The area that I am cutting is in a wet land. The soil is adrian muck and there is a creek runing all the time. That is why the weeds are so tall. It is dryest at this time of year when everything is frozen. In the summer, the humidity is usually over 90% down there. There are 10-15 foot high saplings that grew up over two years. Some will have to be chainsawed as they are over 2" in diameter already. And the pollen in late summer is enough to choke an elephant /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

After I was done brush hogging I decided to clean the brush hog. It was above freezing, so I got out the hose and a broom. It was easy to blast off with water. I was able to lift the brush hog up over 4 feet off of the ground and tip it back a little so that I could spray out the underside very easily from the front of the unit. I just had to bend at the waist to see the entire underside of the mower(safety note: NEVER go under a raised implement). I remember trying to clean out my 3pt hitch bush hog. I could only lift it about 2 feet. Maybe if I had a power top link I could have angled it a little more, but I doubt that it would have been as easy as the Power Trac.

Charlie_Iliff · Feb 17, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

<font color=red>Of course, I don't need a backhoe right now</font color=red>

David -- David !
If need were a relevant factor, I'd have nothing new at all, and probably have enough still on various credit cards to hire someone and tell him to bring along whatever machine he needs for each job. And I probably wouldn't even want to watch.
As soon as I find a real job for the hoe, I'll report. It won't be as flexible as a full function backhoe, but about 1/3 the cost. And not as much fun or satisfaction as a cad hoe.