Ventrac Assembly Videos

[American Bulldog]

Yeeow! No wonder AB considers them better engineered. Even with discount, the 4000 with a loader is about twice as expensive as a PT425 with your choice of bucket. That kind of price difference buys a lot of engineering and customer service.

I think you've hit the nail on the head about different design approaches.

It is not really fair to compare a Ventrac with a PT 425. The only thing they have in common is that they articulate.

As we all agree, Ventrac is primarily a mower, and PT's are primarily loaders. I shopped all the major brands of 4WD mowers, and Ventrac is less than Deere, Kubota, New Holland, etc. And, none of the others mentioned have slope ratings. Steiner is cheaper than Ventrac, but it is less of a machine.

The part that I haven't told you is that I originally got a Deere mower to take care of my yard, and it couldn't handle the hills. I was able to sell the Deere used, and buy a new Ventrac with the money, and still have some left over. Now those suckers are expensive.

My Ventrac dealer was truly great to work with, and he provides somewhat local support. Obviously I had to pay for that....

 

[Gravy]

LOL me too. I got a little screwed over by PT, and I am never going to live it down. It is just my nature.

Actually, there are things about my PT and the PT organization that I think are inexcusable...until I take another look at what I need and what I can get for what I can afford (whew - that wasn't exactly Hemingway).

Then my perspective clears and I remember why I bought a PT. Versatility, safety on slopes, relative simplicity, affordability. It gets a lot done, doesn't try to kill me or bankrupt me, and in return, I don't expect a lot of refinement. (That's OK with me - I'm not too refined myself.)

If I had to do it over, I'd do it again. (If I could scrape up a few thousand more, I might buy a 1430 instead of a 425).

 

[MossRoad]

Actually, there are things about my PT and the PT organization that I think are inexcusable...until I take another look at what I need and what I can get for what I can afford (whew - that wasn't exactly Hemingway).

Then my perspective clears and I remember why I bought a PT. Versatility, safety on slopes, relative simplicity, affordability. It gets a lot done, doesn't try to kill me or bankrupt me, and in return, I don't expect a lot of refinement. (That's OK with me - I'm not too refined myself.)

If I had to do it over, I'd do it again. (If I could scrape up a few thousand more, I might buy a 1430 instead of a 425).

Well said, even if it won't win you a Pulitzer for writing. :thumbsup:

I love my 2001 model PT425 with the Kohler engine. However, I would be hesitant to purchase another one with a different engine now, given so many reports by users concerning cold weather starting issues. And that is sad, because I really like my machine. I need it for snow removal and do not want to have to go through the hassles of having to put heaters on it hours ahead of time to get it to run. The Kohler starts fine at temps well below freezing, even at zero, when I really don't want to be outside fooling around with heaters. Hopefully the new fuel injected engines will solve this problem and I can start recommending PT425s again.

 

[Clumber]

Well said, even if it won't win you a Pulitzer for writing. :thumbsup:

I love my 2001 model PT425 with the Kohler engine. However, I would be hesitant to purchase another one with a different engine now, given so many reports by users concerning cold weather starting issues. And that is sad, because I really like my machine. I need it for snow removal and do not want to have to go through the hassles of having to put heaters on it hours ahead of time to get it to run. The Kohler starts fine at temps well below freezing, even at zero, when I really don't want to be outside fooling around with heaters. Hopefully the new fuel injected engines will solve this problem and I can start recommending PT425s again.

MR, I can attest that my new PT-425 does not have starting issues. A very welcomed surprise considering what has been reported. It is housed in an unheated detached garage. I have started it with 2 to 4 cranks when the temp is 15 to 19 degrees F at full choke. Above 25 it will start 1st time.

 

[MossRoad]

That's good to hear. It has been a long time coming.

 

[Bob999]

Seems to me that if you compare a Ventrac turbo diesel to the PT 1845--both of which handle a 6' mower--that the Ventrac comes in looking pretty good, including price, for a slope mower if your requirement doesn't exceed 30 degrees. The Ventrac also offers an 84" contour mower.

If I were buying today I would look seriously at the Ventrac because the PT 1845 price has increased dramatically since I bought it.

 

[MossRoad]

Seems to me that if you compare a Ventrac turbo diesel to the PT 1845--both of which handle a 6' mower--that the Ventrac comes in looking pretty good, including price, for a slope mower if your requirement doesn't exceed 30 degrees. The Ventrac also offers an 84" contour mower.

If I were buying today I would look seriously at the Ventrac because the PT 1845 price has increased dramatically since I bought it.

To be fair... the FEL is included with the Power Trac. You should price the Ventrac with a loader. That adds $6000.00 to the price. You can get a bucket for the PT1850 for $800.00. That brings the prices much closer.

If you need a machine that's main purpose is mowing, the Ventrac is a better choice. If you need a machine that does lots of other things, too, then the Power Trac is a better choice.

 

[SpringHollow]

The sweet point with PT's is used PT's because the resale values are so low for them. No one knows what they are so they are afraid to buy them. I could not afford a new PT1850 for my needs.

Ken

 

[Clumber]

The sweet point with PT's is used PT's because the resale values are so low for them. No one knows what they are so they are afraid to buy them. I could not afford a new PT1850 for my needs.

Ken

Yes, but they are very scarce. I have never seen a used diesel PT for sale except for the 2488.

 

[SpringHollow]

Definitely scarce. One can go a year without seeing them and then see a few within a couple of months.

Ken

 

[yardtractor1776]

I wish this post existed a couple of weeks ago. I was looking for for a smaller 4x4 tractor that would mow well (commercial quality) and plow large snowfalls. My research led me to conclude that the four wheel drive articulated tractors are virtually unstopable. My research led me to the Steine, Ventrac and PT. I've read virtually every internet post (user and professional reviews and youtube reviews) on the Ventrac, PT and Steiner tractors.
I ruled out the Pt because everything I read indicated that the quality of cut was substandard and the adjustment of the plow blade when angled was a PITA to get a clean scrape. Was I wrong to conclude this?
FYI I went with a used Steiner not only for reviewed quality of cut and plow ability, but also because of the smaller size of the older machine.

 

[MossRoad]

I wish this post existed a couple of weeks ago. I was looking for for a smaller 4x4 tractor that would mow well (commercial quality) and plow large snowfalls. My research led me to conclude that the four wheel drive articulated tractors are virtually unstopable. My research led me to the Steine, Ventrac and PT. I've read virtually every internet post (user and professional reviews and youtube reviews) on the Ventrac, PT and Steiner tractors.
I ruled out the Pt because everything I read indicated that the quality of cut was substandard and the adjustment of the plow blade when angled was a PITA to get a clean scrape. Was I wrong to conclude this?
FYI I went with a used Steiner not only for reviewed quality of cut and plow ability, but also because of the smaller size of the older machine.

The PT425 quality of cut is fine for most home lawns. It is not fine for a show lawn. There are several reasons why. It is rear discharge with no bagger option. It is not a mulcher, either. So that means a windrow on the right rear edge of the deck. Also, the 60" deck has no baffles underneath and does not provide lots of lift for the grass. If you keep the blades sharp, it will do a good job on most lawns but you have to move slower.

Before.

After.

Here's a video of my PT425 on my front yard. It isn't a show lawn at all. Just thick green grass. I find the quality of cut perfectly acceptable for our neighborhood, but it would not be acceptable for an upper end subdivision.
http://mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT4255ftMower01.WMV

As for the snow plow... I have had mine for 10 years and scrape my asphalt drive down to the surface in one pass. I have no idea why folks complain about adjusting the blade. I have no problems at all, ever.

You can also click on my little animated tractor icon below and that will take you to my website. Click on the video link and there are a bunch of videos of my PT425 in action. There are more mower videos at the bottom of the video page.

 

[yardtractor1776]

Thanks Moss,
I've viewed your videos before during my research. It may be my video driver, but once the PT gets close to the camera the videos get very pixled and I was not able to get a good view of what the finished cut looked like. I was disapointed as your posts were one of the few videos of the PT cutting grass and I was hoping it would help me make a decision.

It's unfortunate that PT hasn't added a baffled mulching deck, as I imagine it might entice people like me to purchase a PT as it would still have been a true contender with me.

 

[Clumber]

Thanks Moss,
I've viewed your videos before during my research. It may be my video driver, but once the PT gets close to the camera the videos get very pixled and I was not able to get a good view of what the finished cut looked like. I was disapointed as your posts were one of the few videos of the PT cutting grass and I was hoping it would help me make a decision.

It's unfortunate that PT hasn't added a baffled mulching deck, as I imagine it might entice people like me to purchase a PT as it would still have been a true contender with me.

I think that we are beginning to understand that there is not one tractor or device that will satisfy all needs. I personally concluded that my ideal situation was to have a Ventrac for mowing and snow removal and a PT-425 for everything else on my project list. I have to pickup grass clippings when I mow otherwise my white show dogs will turn green (they also like to eat fresh grass clippings which they throw-up once back inside...)

To be brief, I decided to keep my 2 year old Sears Garden Tractor with its bagger attachment ($2300) that does a neat and fine cut. It is a newer model with the very short turning radius that rivals a zero-turn. For brush cutting, etc I bought a PT-425 plus attachments. The Ventrac starts about $14,000 with finish mowing deck ($3000+) and grass catcher ($7000+) was just too much to swallow. Also, a zero turn mower may be a better and cheaper alternative to trying to make a utility tractor into a finish mower.

 

[RegL]

As Tommy Smothers would say " Please always remember and never forget", the Power-Trac is a tractor, not a lawn mower. A finish mower deck is one of fifty attachments you can stick to it. Almost any tractor under 100hp has the ability to attach a mower deck somewhere ( front, middle or rear) to it,but you probably won't mow your lawn with it unless your lawn is big and kind of rough. I have a lawn mowing business and I would not dream of mowing a customer's lawn with my PT. I bought the PT to replace the cut and to do tractor work, and it does it very well.

 

[MossRoad]

You know a lot of guys on a lot of different brand forums here on TBN over the years have already concluded that for the price of a finish mower attachment for any brand of tractor, you can pick up a small riding mower, ZTR, etc... and it will cut the lawn in front of your house as good or better for less money. However, I do not want to maintain yet another engine and the ease of the Power Trac quick attach system makes me look forward to changing implements, rather than finding reasons not to change implements like many folks with 3PT hitches tend to do. I know that each and every one of you PT owners that also has experience with a 3pt hitch gets just a tiny tiny bit of satisfaction each and every time you flip that knee lever and back away from an attachment. :laughing:

 

[American Bulldog]

You know a lot of guys on a lot of different brand forums here on TBN over the years have already concluded that for the price of a finish mower attachment for any brand of tractor, you can pick up a small riding mower, ZTR, etc... and it will cut the lawn in front of your house as good or better for less money. However, I do not want to maintain yet another engine and the ease of the Power Trac quick attach system makes me look forward to changing implements, rather than finding reasons not to change implements like many folks with 3PT hitches tend to do. I know that each and every one of you PT owners that also has experience with a 3pt hitch gets just a tiny tiny bit of satisfaction each and every time you flip that knee lever and back away from an attachment. :laughing:

The only issue where you need a articulated tractor is if you are mowing slopes. I would not recommend ANY ZTR or RWD rider if you have slopes over 20 degrees, especially if they are long slopes. These products simply are not as safe. I can only speak for the PT1460, but it is not worth the money for mowing. This topic has been heavily discussed here, but PT's are the best loaders money can buy without a doubt, but not the best mowers.

Ventracs are rated for 30 degree slopes (when used with dual tires), and they can handle 30 degrees easily. My PT1460 is rated for 30 degrees as well with singles, but it really can't handle that kind of slope very well. At 25 degrees it rips up the grass when ascending, even when the grass is dry. If I could put duals on the 1460, it would go anywhere as well.

There is more to the Ventrac 84" contour mower than just making a pretty looking lawn. It mows very fast, and because the deck flexes, it doesn't scalp uneven surfaces. There are spots on my property that no other mower can cut right, but the contour mower handles it. The flip up to service feature on this mower is really nice as well.

 

[American Bulldog]

I ruled out the Pt because everything I read indicated that the quality of cut was substandard and the adjustment of the plow blade when angled was a PITA to get a clean scrape. Was I wrong to conclude this?

I said that I did not think much of the PT1460 as a mower, but as a snow plow it was really good. I got the plow with the rubber blade attached, and it did an awesome job. Because it is attached to the loader arms, you can do things with it that no other snowplow can do, like push back high piles. Only bad thing is that the diesel motors do not come with cold starting ability, so you need to add glow plugs in order to start them.

 

[MossRoad]

d because the deck flexes, it doesn't scalp uneven surfaces. There are spots on my property that no other mower can cut right, but the contour mower handles it. The flip up to service feature on this mower is really nice as well.

A few years back someone with a Power Trac had a flexible finish mower from some other brand adapted to the PT.

Anyone remember who or does someone here still own that?

 

[Bob999]

A few years back someone with a Power Trac had a flexible finish mower from some other brand adapted to the PT.

Anyone remember who or does someone here still own that?

It is a 72" Lastec articulated mower and I have it.