Power-Trac Respond to e-mail?

[J_J]

Bottom half of page. Tele-Saw Hydraulic powered

Sheyenne Skid Loader Attachments

 

[American Bulldog]

I certainly have gotten the impression that PowerTrac will make mods. In fact, people here have had them install different wheel motors.

What i am sure they are not desirous of doing is to take a stock machine, remove things, credit you for what they take off, then add the new items. I am not sure they would do an unproven mod either.

Most people are not willing to pay for all of the labor that would be required. Even a tire swap costs them hours by the time they research it, make arrangements etc.

Ken

Chris told me that he would not change the tires at any price. I even illustrated how the stock turf tires are inadequate, as their combined load rating is less than the machine with an attachment. (duh!!!) He was willing to lose the sale over stupid tires. I ended up finding a solution by buying 4 turf rims as a spare part and having the tires put on myself. This was my idea, not his.

There were some other mods that I asked about, I was told by Chris that Power Trac does NOT do mods. The only option they would do on the 1460 is put freaking armrests on the seat......

There have been other issues since, where PT has been unwilling to do anything beyond their standard policies to satisfy me. I spent about $40K with them, yet I felt treated like I was completely unimportant. I didn't even get a discount other than the June special. I guess my experiences have left me a little jaded, and maybe that comes out in posts like these.

 

[American Bulldog]

American Bulldog,
Where did you get the boom chain-saw. I have never seen anything like it.

That's not mine, it is for sale on the used PT for sale page. Cool as ****, I wonder how well it works? That would be a nice tool for limbing trees around here.

 

[Phils]

Welcome yonny_eric!!

So far, a little disagreement on whether or not PT will make modifications, but even if they will the increased cost would probably mean a decision like KentT's -- "I'll do it myself but thanks".

I am a little confused tho. I'd always thought my brush cutter to be a "flail mower", albeit with blades (knives) instead of chains. They swing out by inertia and deflect when they hit "immovable objects". Isn't that the definition of a flail mower?

Phil

 

[KentT]

Welcome yonny_eric!!

I am a little confused tho. I'd always thought my brush cutter to be a "flail mower", albeit with blades (knives) instead of chains. They swing out by inertia and deflect when they hit "immovable objects". Isn't that the definition of a flail mower?

Phil

A flail mower uses short, flexible pieces of chain with cutting edges, kind of like chainsaw chain (but not really), that rotate in the same plane that the tires spin. Picture a tiller, with cutting chains instead of tines, turning really fast -- all enclosed underneath a protective hood or shield...

The flail will actually deflect over something like a boulder, while some other loose object like a can or bottle on a roadside will either be contained by the hood or discharged straight out the rear. That's one of their primary uses -- mowing along right-of-ways and medians beside roads.

 

[Phils]

But that Sheyenne that JJ linked to doesn't have chain, just a lot of knives, from what I saw in the picture?

And I've seen chain flail mowers that run on the horizontal, like a rotary mower?

Not trying to hijack your thread yonny_eric.... just trying to understand.

Phil

 

[KentT]

But that Sheyenne that JJ linked to doesn't have chain, just a lot of knives, from what I saw in the picture?

And I've seen chain flail mowers that run on the horizontal, like a rotary mower?

Not trying to hijack your thread yonny_eric.... just trying to understand.

Phil

If they're knives, they're likely not fixed knives... so they can deflect over obstacles.

 

[Phils]

If they're knives, they're likely not fixed knives... so they can deflect over obstacles.

Definately not fixed, each looks to be attached by a circle of metal so they can deflect.

You didn't look? VERY COOL machine!

Phil

 

[Gravy]

Hi Gravy,

I didn't know you lived that close to the factory. Perhaps you could check out something for me if you have the time. I have been trying to find out which engine was used in the early PT-1445. It is a Ford 45 hp gas engine. What I need is the model number, and a parts manual.

JJ,

I missed this last night. I don't live really close, but my job takes me past the factory pretty regularly. I stopped by and picked up a couple of hydraulic hoses today. If my workload permits and I remember, I'll ask Terry and Keith about that on Thursday or Friday.

If you don't hear back from me, don't be afraid to remind me...

 

[yonny_eric]

The use of propane vs gas is for the "eco" label. The hypocrisy of home-owner's wanting the "green" service also having the biggest lawn, that goes right down to the lake with no trees, etc... doesn't escape me either.

Okay, if Power-Trac would be willing to loose a $40K deal over (what looks like) $300 difference swapping tires; there's no way they will do the LPG engine swap. I might consider the 1430 and run bio-diesel, but it's more machine than I need and (not to offend anyone) I dislike red equipment.

As for doing the conversion on my own, sure, I could do a lot of things. Why bother with Power-Trac, I can just build my own CADTrac.
As is the case with anything, that would mean either a day not working (and making $ to pay bills) or spending less time with my family (who I see too little of as it is).

JJ, thanks for the shot of the six-blade kit; I like the swiveling meg-mow system better.

The Brush Hound flails are nice, but too much $ for me. I like it because it's much safer than a swirling rotary. I could mow road sides w/o flinging gravel, etc. up angering drivers (who seem to be alway mad anyway - "Hello? You're in Vacation Land").

Anyway, need to do some more thinking/research...

 

[J_J]

Phils

Look at that picture again, it is definitely a chain saw.

http://www.abcgroff.com/ic/pics/tele-saw_inaction.mpg

 

[American Bulldog]

The use of propane vs gas is for the "eco" label. The hypocrisy of home-owner's wanting the "green" service also having the biggest lawn, that goes right down to the lake with no trees, etc... doesn't escape me either.

Okay, if Power-Trac would be willing to loose a $40K deal over (what looks like) $300 difference swapping tires; there's no way they will do the LPG engine swap. I might consider the 1430 and run bio-diesel, but it's more machine than I need and (not to offend anyone) I dislike red equipment.

As for doing the conversion on my own, sure, I could do a lot of things. Why bother with Power-Trac, I can just build my own CADTrac.
As is the case with anything, that would mean either a day not working (and making $ to pay bills) or spending less time with my family (who I see too little of as it is).

JJ, thanks for the shot of the six-blade kit; I like the swiveling meg-mow system better.

The Brush Hound flails are nice, but too much $ for me. I like it because it's much safer than a swirling rotary. I could mow road sides w/o flinging gravel, etc. up angering drivers (who seem to be alway mad anyway - "Hello? You're in Vacation Land").

Anyway, need to do some more thinking/research...

Really interesting perspective that you have. LOL you dislike red equipment. I can't imagine wanting to run propane, but out here in Northeast PA things are a little different. We don't even recycle, and I have a burn barrel out in the yard for all my paper and plastic trash.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Yonny

A bunch of things IMO. First, PT will play in the modify department to a certain extent. Not sure why Bulldog was blocked by Chris, but there are people here who have had modifications done. No, they will not convert your engine to propane. And they will only modify implements that they know will work on the machine.

But, you are not going to find a Deer or Kubota dealer that will do any of that either. It all comes down to warranty and how it is implemented.

If this business is a sole prop, meaning you are the person who is operating the PT and maintaining it, I would say go for it. But if you have a crew working for you, I would think again. The PT can be fussy. A new one from the factory is prone to assembly issues that can spell disaster if you are not paying close attention if the first few hours of life. and even after that, some key warning lights do NOT exist on the machine and if your crew is not good at maintaining your experience with a PT will be short lived.

The 425 is a great handy machine, but IMO if I was running a business I would consider a 1430. As stated, run Bio Diesel. It requires no modification from you and other smelling like a french fry (or donuts) the machine is more powerful, has a wider range of implements, and will not require any sort of mod.

Painting is easy, you could do it on the weekend.

Carl

 

[American Bulldog]

Yonny

Not sure why Bulldog was blocked by Chris, but there are people here who have had modifications done.

Carl

I am just difficult to get along with, lol.

Actually it must be the booming economy these days......

 

[Phils]

Phils

Look at that picture again, it is definitely a chain saw.

http://www.abcgroff.com/ic/pics/tele-saw_inaction.mpg

Well, J J, I'm even more confused now. This is not the same thing that came up when I originally clicked on your previous link, and clicking on that link now doesn't bring up what it did before. It was a huge roller thing (think manual lawnmower) with a bunch of Y shaped knives attached to the drum so it would mulch through about anything. I don't understand why one site came up before and it's different now...

... I just thought my brush hog was a "flail mower". And I have been confused by computers since I first learned Fortran in the sixties. Just part of my life.


Phil