SnowMageddon

[Barryh]

Spray down all the ball joints on the steering rams and re-lube the pivot points and it'll most likely go away. I was convinced my steering valve was going bad, but a call to Power Trac, a talk with Terry, a can of spray lube and all was well. :thumbsup:

Already used around 3 can's of spray lube on everything that moves.. Of course my old machine has light surface rust around the foot-wells. So I coat that area down to help protect it from the wet snow on my boots.

This spring I'll have a chance to get in there sand and repaint everything. I'm now down to PB blaster can't get out to buy any more lube yet.. Next time will have a lot more on hand :laughing:

 

[Threepoint]

Good job! I'm amazed that you can handle all that with that small machine! :thumbsup:

The thread title threw me at first, since around here we associate Snowmageddon with 2010. The buzzword I've heard for last weekend's storm is "Snowacane", due to the storm characteristics. You sure got a lot of snow up in Harpers Ferry. We only got about 33" here. I've been plowing for the last couple of days with my 4510HST/cab and I still have a few more hours to do today. The Saturday night winds caused big drifts and erased much of the earlier work. But I'm not complaining.

 

[Coyote machine]

Four feet, WOW, that's a lot of snow for down south.:thumbsup::shocked: Those power tracs seem very capable, especially considering their compact footprint. Low center of gravity seems to help them get it done.
We could use the snow up here, where people ski and board when there's lots of the white stuff.:confused3:
didn't know they were made for mining use- but that makes perfect sense especially considering all the mines in your area(s) of the Virginias.

For the motor seal on the wheel motor- see if you can get some Brakleen sprayed where the seal is, depending on what the seal is made of- likely rubber or some type of plastic, sometimes it's possible to expand the seal with the Brakleen to reseal to the shaft. Worth a try, right?!

 

[MossRoad]

Power Tracs aren't made for mining. They are made by the same company that makes mining equipment and descended from that mining equipment.

Here's the Power Trac history...
History

And their current mining products...
Hydra Power

And a link to the Power Trac homepage. Have a look. Lots of neat machines and attachments.
Versatile Tractors,Compact Tractors,Trailer Packages,Landscaping,Utility Vehicle Rentals,Mowers-Power Trac

 

[Barryh]

Good job! I'm amazed that you can handle all that with that small machine! :thumbsup:

The thread title threw me at first, since around here we associate Snowmageddon with 2010. The buzzword I've heard for last weekend's storm is "Snowacane", due to the storm characteristics. You sure got a lot of snow up in Harpers Ferry. We only got about 33" here. I've been plowing for the last couple of days with my 4510HST/cab and I still have a few more hours to do today. The Saturday night winds caused big drifts and erased much of the earlier work. But I'm not complaining.

Ohh I remember the 2010 storms, three in a row within about 3-4 weeks in a row.. I think here we got about 33 on the deepest one and around 27 inches on the other two.. At that time I had the smaller PT 180 pictured below and it didn't disappoint me either. Just took a little bit longer to dig out. That like this year was also a El Nino year.. Hope that doesn't happen again here. Thanks yes these little machines are pretty versatile and tough... Now if I could rig a coffee pot to the front bar then it would do everything.. :laughing:

 

[Barryh]

Four feet, WOW, that's a lot of snow for down south.:thumbsup::shocked: Those power tracs seem very capable, especially considering their compact footprint. Low center of gravity seems to help them get it done.
We could use the snow up here, where people ski and board when there's lots of the white stuff.:confused3:
didn't know they were made for mining use- but that makes perfect sense especially considering all the mines in your area(s) of the Virginias.

For the motor seal on the wheel motor- see if you can get some Brakleen sprayed where the seal is, depending on what the seal is made of- likely rubber or some type of plastic, sometimes it's possible to expand the seal with the Brakleen to reseal to the shaft. Worth a try, right?!

Thanks for the tip Coyote.. I'll check into the Brakleen ..

 

[mkr7734]

I hate to say this Barry but you look like me on my tractor doing snow,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:hissyfit:

 

[Barryh]

I hate to say this Barry but you look like me on my tractor doing snow,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:hissyfit:

lol Yeah just a little. I have a brand new golf cart soft cab I may rig up for next year just to keep the snow and wind off..

 

[Coyote machine]

Ohh I remember the 2010 storms, three in a row within about 3-4 weeks in a row.. I think here we got about 33 on the deepest one and around 27 inches on the other two.. At that time I had the smaller PT 180 pictured below and it didn't disappoint me either. Just took a little bit longer to dig out. That like this year was also a El Nino year.. Hope that doesn't happen again here. Thanks yes these little machines are pretty versatile and tough... Now if I could rig a coffee pot to the front bar then it would do everything.. :laughing:

They come with a BAR!:drink:
Looks like the Ash tree guy needs a couple...

 

[woodlandfarms]

On the squeeking, I have stopped using conventional lube. I purchased a bottle of this bike lube. Spoke to a friend who bikes a lot and swears by this. It does seem to last longer than regular lube, but my rams make a ton of noise in steering. This works but I wish the rams PT provides had lube points.

 

[MossRoad]

I used white lithium spray grease for quite a while. I like it because it sticks and I can see where I'm applying it. I also use a spray Teflon sometimes. I kind of alternate between the two.

 

[Barryh]

On the squeeking, I have stopped using conventional lube. I purchased a bottle of this bike lube. Spoke to a friend who bikes a lot and swears by this. It does seem to last longer than regular lube, but my rams make a ton of noise in steering. This works but I wish the rams PT provides had lube points.

I get out for the first time today need to stock up on spray everything, The storm wiped me out.. Which brand of bike lube are you referring to ?

 

[Barryh]

I used white lithium spray grease for quite a while. I like it because it sticks and I can see where I'm applying it. I also use a spray Teflon sometimes. I kind of alternate between the two.

The same thing I have been using also.. I try different brands from time to time depending on where I shop.. The white lithium is a good standby..:thumbsup:

 

[Barryh]

They come with a BAR!:drink:
Looks like the Ash tree guy needs a couple...

:laughing:

 

[Barryh]

Just saying :laughing:

 

[cqaigy2]

The same thing I have been using also.. I try different brands from time to time depending on where I shop.. The white lithium is a good standby..:thumbsup:

I make of a "lub" with old gas and mix in grease from a tub of lithium or what grease is available, it's liquid enough to paint on with a chip brush or something. Penetrates pretty well and the gasoline evaporates, leaving the grease behind.

 

[cqaigy2]

The same thing I have been using also.. I try different brands from time to time depending on where I shop.. The white lithium is a good standby..:thumbsup:

I make of a "lub" with old gas and mix in grease from a tub of lithium or what grease is available, it's liquid enough to paint on with a chip brush or something. Penetrates pretty well and the gasoline evaporates, leaving the grease behind.

 

[marrt]

I'm down near Middleburg. Our "official" total was 39". I have an 1845, 425 and Kubota L3901. The 1845 needs some maintenance (wheel circuit filtered due to pump work) and my 425 is out of service due to a blown motor and my decision to replace with a 35HP Subaru.

So, at home, we used my neighbor's 425. This is the tractor I originally purchased about 15 years ago and sold to him when I got the 1845. The 425 did an amazing job. At my dad's house, 1.5 miles away, I used my 3901. Frankly, the 425 was much faster. It's so quick to forward and reverse. Plus, the articulation allows you to dump the snow off to the side much easier than the 3901.

Comparing all three tractors, I'd say the 425 is easily my favorite, given the capabilities and cost. Although I only have 6 hours on the 3901, I'm not that impressed. Easy to get the tractor stuck or in a "scary" predicament. If you need to pull a plow or large tiller, which I do, then it's the best option. For everything else, the PT is much better in my opinion. I'll give a more detailed review once I get more seat time with the 3901.

BTW, we should consider a PT get together for the NOVA owners.

 

[Digger 258]

I'm down in Stafford but fairly new to the area. I'd love a NOVA PT get together!

 

[Digger 258]

Just don't know how I would have moved the snow into such high piles with a normal blade. With the 425, I could blast a pile while lifting the blade and move it as far off the road as I wanted. Being able to put the blade up so high made such a difference. Also, as you said, forward to reverse in a split second, being able to U-turn in the width of the drive and fit places where I couldn't before made a huge difference. I wanted to get a real time comparison so I tried my little diesel Bolens, but I am too embarrassed still to tell the story of how I couldn't even get to the driveway with it, and the long story of getting stuck, throwing a drive shaft on the snow-caster, struggling to remount the blade . . . I gave up and went right back to the PT, which was not only really effective, but really fun!