Power Trac PT425

Scott_F · Mar 13, 2002

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

Thanks Brent,
I suspect getting the filters off is not as hard as getting the filters off without spilling oil all over the tractor/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

Scott

MossRoad · Mar 13, 2002

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

Here's a picture of my PT425 engine compartment on the right side of the unit. To the right of the picture is the hydraulic filter. You can see it is tucked down in there very far. To the left of that is the plastic fuel filter. The silver ribbed plate to the left of the fuel filter is the engine oil cooler, which is something else that has to be removed and cleaned as part af a regular maintenance program. To the left of the engine oild cooler is the engine oild filter. It is black with white writing. And, finally, to the left of that is the battery. Hope this helps.

MossRoad · Mar 13, 2002

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

Here's another pic of the engine compartment from the front left of the unit. You can see the hydraulic filter tucked in under the front of the gas tank.

Hey, looks like I'm getting low on fuel. Better top off the tank /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Anonymous Poster · Mar 13, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT422

I'm new to this whole subject of Power Trac, but I've been considering one for almost a year. I was wondering if anyone could tell me about how to get service on one of these. What happens 5 years down the line if the company is bought or goes under? Can you get parts elsewhere? If I could get good answers to these questions, this seems like the best choice for me.

Thanks

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 13, 2002

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

When all is said and done, I probably want and 4 in 1 more than I need a 4 in 1.
"Need", of course, is a secondary consideration. I got the 4 n 1 because I wanted it, primarily based on recommendations by various denizens of TBN. So far, I haven't learned to do much of anything with it that I couldn't do with a plain bucket with tooth bar. As time goes on, I'll have a better idea what I can really do with it. In the meantime, the hoe is of more immediate use. I already have a number of jobs lined up for it.

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 13, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT422

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about how to get service on one of these. What happens 5 years down the line if the company is bought or goes under? Can you get parts elsewhere?
I have had my 1845 only a short time, but my brothers and I have a fair-sized long term collection of machinery, which we maintain primarily by ourselves or with the help of friends. For that reason the Power Trac doesn't seem to pose much of a problem.
If you don't want to do your own work, any competent mechanic should be able to work on the machine.The engine(s) and all of the hydraulic components are off-the-shelf items. If something happened to the Power Trac company, the only real repair problem would be if a proprietary component, such as a frame section were damaged. Even those, however, look pretty simple for a good welding/fabrication shop to repair. I suppose we'd all be a bit more comfortable if there were factory trained mechanics around, but I am confident I can find someone to do whatever is needed that I don't want to do myself.

PTRich · Mar 13, 2002

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

You did'nt get rid of that wimpy plastic fuel filter yet? I had absolutely no problems changeing the filters or the oil on my PT425. I thought it was easy, the way the filter is located you do not spill any oil. I like the drain hose and valve for the motor oil. I clean my oil cooler with simple green and a garden hose on a regular basis, actualy I clean the whole engine compartment that way. I drive old cars and hate working on greasy motors so I keep them clean. I think the hydralic oil filter placement seems out of place because everything else on the machine is so well placed (like someone who drove a tractor actualy designed it). I thought it looked hard and out of place intill I changed them.

PTRich

PTRich · Mar 13, 2002

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

MossRoad

Quick note, when pulling large trees out of the woods with chains on your bucket do not let the rear tires get so high you go past 45%, (thank god for those fast hydralics, sometimes its like catching a baseball!!)

PTRich

MossRoad · Mar 13, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT422

There really aren't too many parts on these things. The frame is not stamped or cast. It is pretty much just welded steel. The engines have nation wide support networks. The hydraulics are easily found all over the country and the joints are available at most farm stores. I plan on driving this thing for 20 years, with or without the factory /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

MossRoad · Mar 13, 2002

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

I know, I know. I'll put in a fuel shut off valve when I change the filter. And I too like the drain hose for changing the oil. I have noticed that quite a bit of debris accumulated under the engine when I was brush hogging. I was able to suck most of it out with a shop vac. It is still kind of tight down there to get my arm in to clean the bottom of the engine compartment. I was thinking of using a degreaser with a small spray bottle, the rinsing the same way. How do you get in there to clean it?

pajoube · Mar 13, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT422

Power Trac has been making tractors for tunnel mining for many years. I don't think they will be pulling up stakes or if they sell to another company I'm sure they will still build and service. The only issue I have is what unit to buy (422/425) based on who can service in my area which I am looking into now.
Paul

MossRoad · Mar 13, 2002

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

Yeah, I imagine it could get vertical in a hurry if you had the bucket up higher than a few inches or in the float position. I have a 150' cable that I use for long pulls and a heavy chain for short pulls. I plan on buying a clevis and using the rear hitch for most pulls.

MossRoad · Mar 13, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT422

MORE POWER WHOO WHOO WHOO WHOO!!!!

PTRich · Mar 13, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT422

I agree with MossRoad. I bought the PT425 because I DO NOT WANT factory service. Where I live that would mean at least a 45 minute drive not matter what kind of tractor you bought. These tractors are simple, even an idiot like me can look inside and tell what everything does and replace it if necessary. I am 100% confident that if Power Trac went out of buisness today I would have no problems finding parts (except that [censored] hydralic filter and I think with all of us working on it and the TBN that will eventualy be solved)(actually I can't believe we have not solved the after market issue yet, yes I am ashamed.)(or is that lazy and content?)

PTRich

PTRich · Mar 13, 2002

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

I use a ton of water and simple green everywhere. My thought is lots of water and you will know if there is any electrical problems!! (I never said my suggestions where good, in fact a lot of my suggestions get a good laugh at coffee!!)

PTRich

MossRoad · Mar 13, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT422

Worse comes to worse, we can always replace the entire filter unit with a standard 10 micron filter from TSC or NAPA after the warranty runs out.

MossRoad · Mar 13, 2002

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

I've never heard of simple green. What is it?

PTRich · Mar 13, 2002

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

It's this green stuff.

MossRoad · Mar 13, 2002

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

Where do you get it?

PTRich · Mar 13, 2002

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

Just kidding. It is a general purpose enviromently friendly concentrated cleaner that can be purchased at most department stores (I buy mind at Sam's Club). It also works on clothes. A friend of mine owns a body shop and uses it as an engine cleaner, that was the first I saw it. Works great on a lot of things that are normaly hard to clean. And since it is green it should work great on your tractor too!!

PTRich