New Ventrac 4500z owner

[zmountaineer]

So I've been admiring Ventrac tractors ever since my country club bought one in 2011 and that the company who mows the hospital I work at's grass. I'm in WV and hills are numerous and I have seen that thing go up slopes that I can't even walk up easily. We recently built a house on 5.5 acres that my wife's father gave us out of his 130 and it is on top of a sizable hill. We have a 500 yard gravel, curvy, steep driveway and was dreading this first winter, but, alas, no more. My Father-in-law has a 4wd ford 7610 that he said he would keep the driveway clear with it and a grader blade. He just retired and has taking on farming full time so I don't think he is going to have much time to spend keeping my driveway clear. There is a lot of brush that needs cleaned up and a few acres that will be ready to mow come spring. The wife gave the go ahead to buy whatever I wanted and while I kind of wanted a full cab 85hp ford, it wasn't reasonable to cut the grass with and I really, really wanted a ventrac. So I searched and searched and found a couple over the summer that would work (I wasn't going to buy new) I didn't know what kind of money was going to be left over after the house was done. House got done, I knew my budget and up popped the PERFECT used Ventrac for me. Seriously, exactly what I was looking for. 2015 4500z, 160 hours, dual wheels, canopy, custom tool box, 72" finish mower, tough cut mower, 72" dozer blade. The price, to me, was almost unbelievable. How the heck did I luck into this at the perfect time. Once I was there looking at it, it looked brand new. He had other stuff for sale around there and I ended up buying his Bosski ATV wagon as well.

Driving it first time was an experience, I had never driven anything articulated or Hydrostatic before. I found myself tensing up when turning with my feet on the pegs, lol. I have found out that high gear is not to be used on my driveway. I mean, I can make it up, but it sputters at the top....I'll probably leave it in low gear from now on. Speaking of low gear, it seemed nearly impossible to get it in, I literally had to use my foot to get it in to latch. Attaching all the attachments went smoothly and took about 3 minutes for the mower and 4 for the blade (tough cut was already attached), I'm sure I'll get faster at it with some practice and it was pretty much dark out when I unloaded. I was using my iphone flashlight to line up.

Hopefully the last "lawnmower" I need to buy and I can purchase that "big" tractor in a couple years. Or maybe this will be great and I won't need one and borrow the father in laws when I need a loader and large brush hog.

I've been reading this forum and appears that Ventrac owners are overly excited about them. I've learned a few things and this forum stopped me from purchasing the 4231 turbo diesel when I found one....it had had the turbo just replaced. Anyway, just popping in to say "hi" and I'm sure I'll have some questions after using it a while....any tips and pointers would be appreciated.

 

[JackIL]

Welcome to the fold. You are in for many enjoyable and productive experiences. Sounds like you stumbled onto a great find.

Since you have hills you will find very little need for use of the high range in the transmission. I only use it when driving 2 blocks to the gas station.

Please keep us up to date and post photos.

 

[zmountaineer]

Welcome to the fold. You are in for many enjoyable and productive experiences. Sounds like you stumbled onto a great find.

Since you have hills you will find very little need for use of the high range in the transmission. I only use it when driving 2 blocks to the gas station.

Please keep us up to date and post photos.

Thanks for the welcome. I will be sure to put this thing to the test on hill climbing. Behind my house is 100 ft "cliff" that the bull Dozer didn't even want to go down but I flashed some money at him and he made the grade "manageable". And by that I mean I think only the ventrac would be able to come up it. Every side of my house has a significant slope that there would be no way of having a regular garden tractor on. The price we pay to be secluded I guess. I wish pictures actually showed slope good. Any that I have on my phone look like anthills.

 

[murphy1244]

Looks like a nice clean machine. Welcome to Ventracland.

 

[zmountaineer]

Looks like a nice clean machine. Welcome to Ventracland.

Clean is an understatement. This thing was cared for. The guy who sold it had a total of 7 of these. He had a business of clearing right of ways for oil/gas companies. He sold the 6 that he used for the business over the summer and this was his own personal machine that he used only to mow his 13 acres. He's in the process of moving across country and is selling most of his toys. His loss is my gain I guess. He hand built that toolbox mount himself. Big enough to fit my 455 rancher in it and mounts to hold a weed eater and shovel.

I don't know why I'm getting excited to "work"

 

[murphy1244]

Clean is an understatement. This thing was cared for. The guy who sold it had a total of 7 of these. He had a business of clearing right of ways for oil/gas companies. He sold the 6 that he used for the business over the summer and this was his own personal machine that he used only to mow his 13 acres. He's in the process of moving across country and is selling most of his toys. His loss is my gain I guess. He hand built that toolbox mount himself. Big enough to fit my 455 rancher in it and mounts to hold a weed eater and shovel.

I don't know why I'm getting excited to "work"

How many hours were on it? Post some closer pics of that tool box please...

 

[zmountaineer]

How many hours were on it? Post some closer pics of that tool box please...

160 hours. I can get pics of the tool box later tonight.

 

[murphy1244]

Here is some links you might be interested in.

How to Connect Attachments to Ventrac 45 Tractors - YouTube

Video - Ventrac 45 Tractor Grease Points Service

Video - Ventrac 45 Tractor Hydraulic System Service

 

[zmountaineer]

Here is some links you might be interested in.

Thanks. I had not seen the hydraulic system service one.

 

[zmountaineer]

Not the greatest pictures of the box mount but it was dark when I got home. If there is anything specific you want a picture of then I can get it this weekend when I'm home when it's light out.

 

[prs]

WELCOME to the fire!

Great find. Buy a lotto ticket!

If you did not receive the manuals, they are downloadable and updated from the Ventrac web site. Respect these WV hills, even a Ventac with duals can can be foiled here. Stay clear of down hill obstacles such as telephone poles, guy wires, or small trees. The Ventrac has this marvelous way of getting such object fouled between the axles and your father-in-law would have such a laugh at having to drag your machine sideways from around the trap. A factory manual can be found on line for the Kubota gas engine, it is for an earlier edition, but the specs and procedures are same. I have been told that the Morgantown dealership is a good one. Enjoy!

prs

 

[zmountaineer]

So I had the blade attached (waiting for a snowfall, so of course we won't get any) so decided to grade the driveway. I couldn't stand the ventrac just sitting there. Went to start it, it lit up, but nothing happened. No starter. I took the park brake off and then put it back on a couple times. Still nothing. I pulled out the manual on my phone and went straight to electrical troubleshooting. My problem was the tcm was in sleep mode.

Yes it was a simple fix but do any of you switch the battery disconnect off after every use? I did not when I parked it last. I will know from now on.

 

[prs]

I put the switch in disconnect and turn the fuel off. I have forgotten a time or two and did have the timed disconnect drop out one time.

prs

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

What a nice machine. Yes, you are fortunate to find it.

Welcome to the site. I see you have a fine looking helper too.

Please come back in the spring and post some pics of it mowing the slopes. It looks awesome.

Thanks for posting.

 

[murphy1244]

I turn off the switch in winter as the use goes down. That is the first thing I check when I get a no start.

 

[zmountaineer]

Welcome to the site. I see you have a fine looking helper too.

My son just turned 5, I think I can start teaching him how to drive this thing and put him to work. Lol. He does good on the 4 wheeler. I thought about getting him a faster go cart this summer. I don't have to worry about him reaching the brakes on the ventrac, but I'll hold off for now.

He's always outside helping me and stays out of the way when needed, such as felling trees. He'll be disappointed when I tell him he can't ride on it with me.

 

[zmountaineer]

Put on a golf cart cover to keep rain and wind off of me. Hopefully will hold in some warmth. I probably should have set it out inside to get some of the wrinkles out before putting it on but as is offers good visibility.

 

[murphy1244]

Put on a golf cart cover to keep rain and wind off of me. Hopefully will hold in some warmth. I probably should have set it out inside to get some of the wrinkles out before putting it on but as is offers good visibility. View attachment 492650

You can reverse the trans fan at the switch on your right side of seat. Not much but a little heat is better than no heat, I call that my poor man's cab.

 

[TNMark1]

Welcome to the club......

A few pointers....

1.. Shifting from high to low... If it doesn't want to engage the other gear, turn the steering wheel.... That makes it work (I have no clue why but its in the manual and it does work)... You can try with the hydro lever, but steering keeps the gears from grinding....

2. Feet on Pegs.... Actually most driving, feet on floor boards with heels up against the back to keep toes out of the ball hinge... Pegs are for stretching out on occasion. More importantly they are for going downhill. When you go down hill put your feet on the pegs and basically stand on them... That way you are not hanging from the seatbelt...

3. Box... My brother has one on his tractor... It hangs out and you need be careful about backing it up into anything... For that matter same with the canopy. I have a COOL TOP which has a big fan over your head. I was careful about hitting the corners or going under something too low.. I was in some woods with the Rough Cut and backed into a small tree. Oh well the bodyman at the Vette shop is going to fix the fiberglass this winter...

4. Hitch.... I assume yours is high to hook up to that cool trailer... I have a 4" drop receiver that I flipped over to be a 4" lift to get up to the trailer I tow around the place cutting trees.... (BTW COOL TRAILER .. Who made it again?)... The problem is IF YOU PULL SOMETHING WITH THE HITCH THAT HIGH (IE the height of your ball), what happens is the strain pulls the ball (or other device) down and lifts the front of the tractor. Front wheels come up, traction goes away... I learned that by pulling some logs on a hillside one day thinking that the high hitch would help... Didn't work. I put the original one back on at ground level and things improved greatly. You will be amazed by what the Ventrac will pull.

5. With your hills.... NEVER NEVER NEVER (catch that) NEVER go up hill without some attachment on the front of the tractor... The tractor is balanced so it needs a mower (500 pounds) to keep it from flipping over backwards. I was using the spreader with nothing on the front, and 200 pounds in the spreader, going up a grade, and got it balanced on the back wheels... Always have ballast on the front... (I live in Logan (my inlaws were next door to PRS and we have steep stuff)

6. When mowing on a hill, straight up and down is the best (I don't mean a slope, I mean something steep).... If you are pointed downhill and can't backup, lift the mower (puts all 500 pounds on the front wheels) and then try it again. You will be amazed how steep of a hill you can go up forwards and backwards...... Also on side hills weight transfer makes an amazing difference. Set it at 4 for the mower...

7. If you get a post between the front and rear wheels (happened to me once on a Steiner with NO weight transfer, I slid into it).... You can crab the tractor out of it... You use the mower to lift the front end Turn the steering full too one side, Then raise the mower, turn the steering and drop the mower.. Repeat... Its easier to do than describe... Try it once...

7. Go to single wheels with the snow blade... I ran duals and you tend to get sucked into snow on the side of what you are moving... Also (with duals and a 60" blade).. It doesn't push as much as you think... 6 to 8" of wet snow is about the limit... Unless you get a run at it... What happens is with the blade at an angle as you push, you "slide down the blade" along the snow you are pushing... and you can't go straight... in another post I wrote about chains, I bought them. There isn't enough clearance between the tires and frame to use chains. So for this year, I got a snowblower........

Questions... Ask here and someone will answer them.

Enjoy it

Mark

 

[zmountaineer]

Welcome to the club......

A few pointers....

1.. Shifting from high to low... If it doesn't want to engage the other gear, turn the steering wheel on it.... That makes it work (I have no clue why but its in the manual and it does work)... You can ply with the hydro lever, but steering keeps the gears from grinding....

2. Feet on Pegs.... Actually most driving, feet on floor boards with heels up against the back to keep toes out of the ball hinge... Pegs are for stretching out on occasion. More importantly they are for going downhill. When you go down hill put your feet on the pegs and basically stand on them... That way you are not hanging from the seatbelt...

3. Box... My brother has one on his tractor... It hangs out and you need be careful about backing it up into anything...

4. Hitch.... I assume yours is high to hook up to that cool trailer... I have a 4" drop receiver that I flipped over to be a 4" lift to get to the trailer I tow around the place cutting trees.... (BTW COOL TRAILER .. Who made it again?)... The problem is IF YOU PULL SOMETHING WITH THE HITCH THAT HIGH (IE the height of your ball), what happens is the strain pulls the ball (or other device) down and lifts the front of the tractor. Front wheels come up, traction goes away... I learned that by pulling some logs on a hillside one day thinking that the high hitch would help... Didn't work. I put the original one back on at ground level and things improved greatly. You will be amazed by what the Ventrac will pull.

5. With your hills.... NEVER NEVER NEVER (catch that) NEVER go up hill without some attachment on the front of the tractor... The tractor is balanced so it needs a mower (500 pounds) to keep it from flipping over backwards. I was using the spreader with nothing on the front, and 200 pounds in the spreader, going up a grade, and got it balanced on the back wheels... Always have ballast on the front... (I live in Logan (my inlaws were next door to PRS and we have steep stuff)

6. When mowing on a hill, straight up and down is the best (I don't mean a slope, I mean something steep).... If you are pointed downhill and can't backup, lift the mower (puts all 500 pounds on the front wheels) and then try it again. You will be amazed how steep of a hill you can go up forwards and backwards...... Also on side hills weight transfer makes an amazing difference. Set it at 4 for the mower...

Questions... Ask here and someone will answer them.

Enjoy it

Mark

Thanks for the pointers. I will take the hitch placement under advisement for pulling logs. When they cut the power line right of way they dropped the trees, topped them and left logs lay.....I'm either going to drag them out or cut them up right there and haul it out. Much less work by dragging if I can.

Wagon is pretty cool. I have a 2" drop on my hitch and it really needs to be 3.5" to have the weight on all 4 wheels. When I reverse right now the front tires are barely on the ground. Specs say it can hold 1100 pounds, the guy who sold it to me said 1500 pounds. Has a bed lift on it and brakes. Videos of it online show how cool the independent suspension is. Its a Bosski ATV wagon 1600UT. I think it's a great fit for the ventrac and makes it have even more utility. I was contemplating getting a SXS with a dump bed to help clean up the land but the price I paid just for this wagon saves me a boatload by not having to buy the sxs. I didn't pay anywhere near "new retail price" for it. This guy was literally having a fire sale. It was obviously used for its purpose and has numerous dings and dents but is still solid as a rock.

Bosski ATV 16UT Trailer : Cabela's