Hey PT 422/425 Guys,I put in an order today for a pt 422. I had really planned on getting a pt425, but today Sean called me and said they have a special pt422 price of $6000! Since the extra $ will let me buy more attachments, I could not resist, even though I still have no place to put it.As a new owner, I have a few questions about the pt422:1) Has anyone had the same kind of overheating problems with the Robin engine as with the Kohler? Any other engine problems?2) Do you know if power-trac plans to keep making the pt422? Or phase it out?3)Has anyone priced the cost of a replacement Robin engine?4) Finally, that old 60" vs 48" finish mower question- anyone have Pt422 experiences to relate? I am leaning toward the 48" finish mower. What do you think? - Ken in Mississippi
pt422 overheating+etc.?
- Thread starter Kaon99
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PTRich
Gold Member
I have never had a problem with my PT425 over heating. I use a 60" deck and it has worked for me very well. It never bogs down when cutting normal hight grass. The engine does strain going uphill when I mow but only compared to hardly any strain. I think you will like the Robin, I heard they are very good motors. You may want to get the rps, it has a great big plate steel rain cover that is perfect for mounting lights on and strong enough to rest things on (not to mention the extra safety. My personal belief is if a 48" mower is big enough to mow your lawn at your desired time it will probably give you a nicer cut. That would be with any brand name, the mower will cut at a more consistant hight on uneven ground.
bubenberg
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we have seen the 418 being phased out. their are rumors going around of increasing the lifting height and engine capability of the 425 ... but all that is is rumors at this time.
depending on the layout of your property/s both mowers are ok. if you are in a hillier type of topography, i suggest you get the 48 inch mower, this will allow you to maintain ground and mowing speed a little bit better. i am sorry but can't really give you any info on the robin engine.
good luck!
depending on the layout of your property/s both mowers are ok. if you are in a hillier type of topography, i suggest you get the 48 inch mower, this will allow you to maintain ground and mowing speed a little bit better. i am sorry but can't really give you any info on the robin engine.
good luck!
MossRoad
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Ooooo.... more attaaaaaachmennnnnnts! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif That sounds like a good incentive to me. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
<font color=blue>even though I still have no place to put it</font color=blue>
As far as no place to put them I have my 48" brush hog at the back of the garage, the 60" mower half on top of that, the small tooth bucket, pallet forks and a few other items nested in the large bucket in front of that and the tractor backed in with the snowplow facing out. Total space consumed is only 60" wide by about 16 feet deep. If I wanted I could build a shelf out of 4x4s over the mowers and put the buckets up there to save another 2' of space. With the quick attach it only takes me a couple of minutes to unload the whole garage, if needed.
My Kohler has never overheated(knock on wood)
<font color=blue>that old 60" vs 48" finish mower question</font color=blue>
I think there was some discussion about the Robin having a little more torque and the Kohler having a little more Horsepower. As I recall, the folks at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.power-trac.com> Power Trac </A> recommended the 48" mower for all of the 400 series, but suggested the 60" for the 425 only. They said the bigger deck needed the extra Horsepower.
I agree with PTRich about getting the ROPS if possible. But skip the arm rests. I like them, but probably wouldn't order them if my budget was tight. They are the same price as teeth for the small bucket. Which would you rather have? /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif
It sounds like you're going to be a happy person soon /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif
<font color=blue>even though I still have no place to put it</font color=blue>
As far as no place to put them I have my 48" brush hog at the back of the garage, the 60" mower half on top of that, the small tooth bucket, pallet forks and a few other items nested in the large bucket in front of that and the tractor backed in with the snowplow facing out. Total space consumed is only 60" wide by about 16 feet deep. If I wanted I could build a shelf out of 4x4s over the mowers and put the buckets up there to save another 2' of space. With the quick attach it only takes me a couple of minutes to unload the whole garage, if needed.
My Kohler has never overheated(knock on wood)
<font color=blue>that old 60" vs 48" finish mower question</font color=blue>
I think there was some discussion about the Robin having a little more torque and the Kohler having a little more Horsepower. As I recall, the folks at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.power-trac.com> Power Trac </A> recommended the 48" mower for all of the 400 series, but suggested the 60" for the 425 only. They said the bigger deck needed the extra Horsepower.
I agree with PTRich about getting the ROPS if possible. But skip the arm rests. I like them, but probably wouldn't order them if my budget was tight. They are the same price as teeth for the small bucket. Which would you rather have? /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif
It sounds like you're going to be a happy person soon /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif
waterglyn
Bronze Member
probably good thing you went ahead and purchased. i called power trac today and there was only 15 of them left.
pajoube
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Ken,
Congratulations on your new purchase. Don't forget to keep a running account on TBN so we can hear of your experiences and joys.
PJ
Congratulations on your new purchase. Don't forget to keep a running account on TBN so we can hear of your experiences and joys.
PJ
Ken,
Thats a great price. Anybody on the fence about buying has a great opportunity. I have not had over-heating problems with my PT422, but I believe the engine compartment on all PT's gets hot. The muffler is like a little woodstove in there. Some of the muffler heat seems to make it's way up through the hydraulic cooler which may reduce it's effectiveness, but I have not observed anything detrimental.
Have fun and report back often.
Duane
Thats a great price. Anybody on the fence about buying has a great opportunity. I have not had over-heating problems with my PT422, but I believe the engine compartment on all PT's gets hot. The muffler is like a little woodstove in there. Some of the muffler heat seems to make it's way up through the hydraulic cooler which may reduce it's effectiveness, but I have not observed anything detrimental.
Have fun and report back often.
Duane
Bird
Rest in Peace
I didn't go into details, but mentioned having read about an overheating problem when I visited the plant, and Sean told me they had had a Kohler representative there and think they have that problem resolved (or corrected).
Anonymous Poster
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I have a PT422 which i had purchased in the winter of 2001. I have never had an overheating problem, but mine did run on when the ignition was turned off. I now use premium fuel and the problem is solved.
Charlie_Iliff
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Bird:
Kohler had a bad run a few years ago, which has caused them to pay for rebuilds on a fair number of machines. I think the failure was blown head gaskets, which most people associate with overheating. That wasn't the problem, however, and the repaired engines have been reported to be fine. I think Hans had the problem not only on his PT, but on other Kohler engines in commercial service, right Bubenberg?
Reports I've seen are that Kohler has stood behind their products, and local Kohler dealers have fixed them.
I've not seen reports of the Robin engine overheating. I recall a post a while back comparing the torque curves of the Robin and the Kohler, and the Kohler has more torque and more power. It is a small amount, however, and probably not really noticeable to the operator.
John Coxon and I have had overheating on the 1845 Deutz diesels, when the oil coolers plug with chaff. All Power Tracs do collect heat and chaff.
Kohler had a bad run a few years ago, which has caused them to pay for rebuilds on a fair number of machines. I think the failure was blown head gaskets, which most people associate with overheating. That wasn't the problem, however, and the repaired engines have been reported to be fine. I think Hans had the problem not only on his PT, but on other Kohler engines in commercial service, right Bubenberg?
Reports I've seen are that Kohler has stood behind their products, and local Kohler dealers have fixed them.
I've not seen reports of the Robin engine overheating. I recall a post a while back comparing the torque curves of the Robin and the Kohler, and the Kohler has more torque and more power. It is a small amount, however, and probably not really noticeable to the operator.
John Coxon and I have had overheating on the 1845 Deutz diesels, when the oil coolers plug with chaff. All Power Tracs do collect heat and chaff.
ernemats
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Ken:
I have owned a pt422 for over two and one half years,with no problems to date 380 hours on meter. We have mowed in temperatures from 40 degrees to over 90 degrees with no overheating problems. My wife and I mow about 5 acres with the 48 inch mower in about 3 hours. MOST OF THE MOWING IS ON ROUGH HILLY GROUND, SLOPES UP TO ABOUT 25 DEGREES. I think you will love your new toy.
I have owned a pt422 for over two and one half years,with no problems to date 380 hours on meter. We have mowed in temperatures from 40 degrees to over 90 degrees with no overheating problems. My wife and I mow about 5 acres with the 48 inch mower in about 3 hours. MOST OF THE MOWING IS ON ROUGH HILLY GROUND, SLOPES UP TO ABOUT 25 DEGREES. I think you will love your new toy.
Scott_F
Silver Member
Ken,
I have a 422 and the 60" mower. I've had no problems with overheating, but it does "diesel" a bit when I shut it down after it has warmed up. The mower has worked fine for me, but my lot is fairly flat. When I was doing my test drive, Sean suggested that the 48" mower was better (i.e. more stable) if you had to mow a lot of slopes.
Please get the ROPS. We discussed on this forum a couple weeks ago how the 4xx's will start to tip well before you get the max load on the front. Anyone remember which thread that was? Also, as PTRich noted, it's where the lights should be mounted.
You're really going to enjoy this thing...
Scott
I have a 422 and the 60" mower. I've had no problems with overheating, but it does "diesel" a bit when I shut it down after it has warmed up. The mower has worked fine for me, but my lot is fairly flat. When I was doing my test drive, Sean suggested that the 48" mower was better (i.e. more stable) if you had to mow a lot of slopes.
Please get the ROPS. We discussed on this forum a couple weeks ago how the 4xx's will start to tip well before you get the max load on the front. Anyone remember which thread that was? Also, as PTRich noted, it's where the lights should be mounted.
You're really going to enjoy this thing...
Scott
Anonymous Poster
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Ken,
That's great news...This may be all it takes to get me off the fence... Here's a previous discussion on 422/Robin you may have read...
http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin...owertrac&Number=70483&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1
I did call Robin once(Woodale,Ill. /tech supp) about design angle of operation and it was within 1or 2 degrees of the Kohler(~25deg approx.) so no worries there about reduced slope capability...
...One ? for current Robin users that I have...Are (oil & air) filters readily available through aftermarket sources??
That's great news...This may be all it takes to get me off the fence... Here's a previous discussion on 422/Robin you may have read...
http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin...owertrac&Number=70483&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1
I did call Robin once(Woodale,Ill. /tech supp) about design angle of operation and it was within 1or 2 degrees of the Kohler(~25deg approx.) so no worries there about reduced slope capability...
...One ? for current Robin users that I have...Are (oil & air) filters readily available through aftermarket sources??
Scott_F
Silver Member
Bruce,
I found oil filters at the nearest (40 miles) Robin dealer/certified maintenance shop. Since it's a little haul, I just buy two or three when I'm there. Also have some cross refs somewhere in one of these threads. I can look them up again later if you like, but I do recall cross refs to both Kawasaki and John Deer oil filters.
That $6K deal on 422s is great. Almost makes me want to get another one./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
Scott
I found oil filters at the nearest (40 miles) Robin dealer/certified maintenance shop. Since it's a little haul, I just buy two or three when I'm there. Also have some cross refs somewhere in one of these threads. I can look them up again later if you like, but I do recall cross refs to both Kawasaki and John Deer oil filters.
That $6K deal on 422s is great. Almost makes me want to get another one./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
Scott
ernemats
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I get both oil, hydraulic and air filters from a local dealer, a sterns 050-777 oil filter replaces the robin oil filter and we did a slight modification to the air filter and a kohler 47 083 03 will work, and the hydraulic filter a gresen k22001 can be found locally or it will cross with a purolator h32010.
PTRich
Gold Member
$6,000 for a 4 wheel drive tractor is awesome, you will love your purchase. The durability of these machines is incredible. It would be nicer to have it quieter but is nice being able to start the engine quickly no matter how cold it is. Because the implements are so easily changed you will find them very usefull.
Schultz
Gold Member
If any of you are familiar with the Onan brand, the new OHV Onan's are just re-stickered Robin engines. So, if there are any dealers around that sell/service Onan engines they will be able to help you with service/filters/parts for the new Robin engine as well.
Here is the page for the Onan (restickered Robin) engine.
http://www.cummins.com/na/pdf/en/products/powergeneration/OEPerOHV20.pdf
Here is the page for the Onan (restickered Robin) engine.
http://www.cummins.com/na/pdf/en/products/powergeneration/OEPerOHV20.pdf
Anonymous Poster
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Thank You, all, for the filter references...I just talked with the Robin dist. in Elkhorn Wi. and the girl read down a list of dealers in Ill.(she wishes it was on their website ,too)...looks like there's a handful(of dealers) within a couple miles of where I work (and 30 miles in any direction from where I live)...Good enough.
I've got a high confidence level in this overall machine(motor,hydraulics,factory support,etc.)due
TOTALLY to the pioneering efforts and shared experience of this group of PT enthusiasts!!
Having no prior experience with this type of equipment, you all have me convinced(hoodwinked??) that I
can do this ,too....And, so, I did call Sean to put my name on his "hot" list while I arrange "financials".
On a side note, a friend has a JD 445 4ws/60"/snowblade that listed at over 11.5k and and he's amazed
(no surprise here) at the value in this (now) 6k unit plus tools(lot's of 'em).
Bruce
I've got a high confidence level in this overall machine(motor,hydraulics,factory support,etc.)due
TOTALLY to the pioneering efforts and shared experience of this group of PT enthusiasts!!
Having no prior experience with this type of equipment, you all have me convinced(hoodwinked??) that I
can do this ,too....And, so, I did call Sean to put my name on his "hot" list while I arrange "financials".
On a side note, a friend has a JD 445 4ws/60"/snowblade that listed at over 11.5k and and he's amazed
(no surprise here) at the value in this (now) 6k unit plus tools(lot's of 'em).
Bruce
Here are some similar links:
