PT180 Trench digger

[DML]

Yesterday, I just received my trench digger. I had to get it out right away for a trial run. It didn't go too good. It started out well enough, but after a minute or so of running it decided to try to up and run away from my tractor! With the weight and awkward shape, it is a little difficult to get on. So, I reattached it and took a second look this time to be sure that it was properly secured. It was not. It seems to me that it has the wrong mounting plate. The manual pins of the 180 don't reach or align with the holes on the plate.

If I had a welder and knew how to weld, it would be an easy modification. I'm sure I could probably even find somebody to do it for me. But, as my wife says (who is yet to be convinced of the vast capabilities of my tractor) why should I have to do that? I'm sure it was a mistake. I'll give them a call today and maybe they'll send me the right plate.

 

[BillCroasmun]

Maybe it was the same guy down there in Tazewell who shipped me a Brush Cutter instead of a single blade deck. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

When I called Scott he had the right one shipped to me right away by a private carrier who took the brush cutter back with him. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Let us know how smoothly your replacement plate or unit is shipped.

 

[DML]

Terry and Kristy were very appologetic. Terry said that he'd send me the correct plate out via UPS promptly. I haven't got it, yet. Should be in within a day or two. Terry did mention something about somebody retiring who seemed to be the scapegoat.

I wasn't upset or anything. I work the snot out of my 180, but even still, it is kinda "recreational work". Nothing pressing, so the delay hasn't frustrated me. Still, I can't wait to get this new attachment working. I'm hoping it will shock and awe my wife into actually liking my machine!

 

[BillCroasmun]

Glad to hear it has been going well. Everyone I've talked with from PT has been great to deal with so I did not expect any less.

I've moved past impressing the spouse, I'm now impressing other family members! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif We had a bad ice storm one day this winter that brought down the attached apple tree at my in-laws. This picture is from the day I went over to help my FIL to cut it up. We got it all cut down but the last 8' or so from each end where it split. It still had most of it's roots attached and I told him I'd come back with the PT to see what I could do.

I used the PT to push the stumps back and forth, up and down exposing the main roots. Each time we could see which root was the main stopping point a few swings of an axe was enough to weaken the roots so the PT could snap them off. Then after breaking them loose from the ground I tied a 1500# tow rope to the quick attach plate, raise the arms to the last 12" of travel, tied up to the stumps and lifted. They were really too heavy to move normally with the 180 but doing it this way it kept the stumps right up against the front tires so the weight wasn't tipping me forward too bad. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The FIL gave the 180 a ton of complements along the way including a few "I could sure use one of those..." /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BillCroasmun]

Here's a pic of me moving a rock my uncle said "I doubt it will move that one for you..." Another relative who is now a believer!

I couldn't lift it more than 2" to 4" inches without the pucker factor kicking in and that was with the wheels straight! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Moving it about 350' around my house was a slow drive but it did it.

This was also done with the LMB. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Which is also what I used to knock that stump around with... I think I'm abusing this bucket /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif but so far no signs of stress or damage... I do think I am going to save up for the smaller bucket with some teeth now that I've used the PT a while (~ 35 hrs) I'm beginning to know what I need. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[cqaigy]

Nice picts!!!

That sure is a big apple tree.

 

[DML]

I've been digging into my eastern Kentucky hillside for about a month with my 180 and moved some rocks almost as big as that one. Looks like you have the "light material" bucket on there? One of the rocks I moved, I could only move the steering about one inch in either direction without the pucker.

I gotta get my act together and post some pics....

I got my trencher plate today. I attached it, but couldn't test it out cause I got about a 3/4 gash in my front left tire while mowing in heavy brush two days ago and haven't had time to get it fixed /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I am hoping that the trencher will significantly speed up my excavations, though!

 

[BillCroasmun]

Thanks!

The picture doesn't do the tree justice either. You can tell that tree had a split in it a little ways up but the part from the ground up to the split was pretty big around... No way near as big as some other trees TBN users have struggled with but for a NE Ohio apple tree it was pretty large. Wish I had pics of me moving them, that had to be a sight. I know it was from the drivers seat! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BillCroasmun]

Sounds like you've been having some fun, I mean, getting some work done there to. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Glad to hear about your trencher but sorry to hear about the tire! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

If you do get time to post I'd love to see what kind of digging you've got done with the 180. With only a light material bucket and no teeth I can't dig at all unless I hack into the ground with my tiller first. This is OK for the little bit of dirt I've graded around the house but I am sure as I want to dig deeper (or just quicker) the smaller bucket with teeth will be a great add-on.

 

[DML]

I've tried ordering a tooth bar from Markham Welding. They were highly recomended in a different board on this site. Markham is backed up, though. They are supposed to call me when they get more teeth in.

Had a tube put in my tire today. The gash wasn't fixable.