New PT-425 owner

[CreativeGuy]

Greetings,
I posted this in the general forum before MossRoad pointed me here.

I've just sent ordered a Power Trac PT-425 articulated tractor and am awaiting delivery to Oregon. I'm really excited about this tractor. I have a very long and steep gravel driveway to maintain and looking forward to a more stable machine than the Yanmar tractor (Lemon) that I had previously. I've ordered the 4-in-1 bucket with teeth added, Lug tires and a couple of extra custom attachment plates. I will be modifying the box scraper I made for my old Struck Magnatrac dozer to work with the PowerTrac. I would have liked to buy a few other attachments (Mini Hoe, and Boom Mower) but I only purchase when I have the money to pay for it so I will add (build) attachments as I move along.

I was wondering if there are any PT-425 owners near the Central Oregon Coast (Pacific Northwest) that might have the sweeper attachment and would be willing to rent it for one weekend.

Cheers,
I'll post pictures of my new baby "Artie" when it arrives.

 

[BobRip]

Welcome to the Power Trac family. Congratulations on your new family member. We are here to help you enjoy your new PT.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I have an 1850 and no sweeper and live outside of Portland. Actually, we have two 425 owners on the board here who are Portland / Astoria area.

Great group here. You will have issues but lots of us here can help you get though them.

If you search this group, there is a thread titled "PT Owners by State" that lists who ownes (or has owned) a PT that is on this board. Good resource.

 

[CreativeGuy]

Thanks guys. I look forward to gleaning the collective knowledge and experience. And maybe even contribute now and again.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[SpringHollow]

A 3pt hitch adapter with a quick attach plate welded to it is a very handy attachment for rarely used equipment that you would buy used or, in my case, attachments I already owned.. Mine is normally hooked up to my lifting boom (I really should make a dedicated one sometime) but occasionally I use it with my box blade. I have not used my rear blade in years but I have used it with 3pt adapter in the past.

Ken

 

[CreativeGuy]

My New PT-425, "Artie" Arrived on Tuesday. It was a bit of an adventure as the delivery truck couldn't get closer than 6 miles from my home because of new road paving. (They said the 75' semi trailer was too heavy for fresh asphalt) Fortunately I was able to track down a forklift and my neighbors small trailer.
Here's Artie.



I'm really impressed at how much more robust this tractor is than my old Yanmar tractor.
I'm sure I'll have lots of questions down the road.
First, how do I add a picture to my profile?
Cheers,
Steve

 

[Marks481]

Congrats!

Now for the good stuff: what brand of engine is in it?

Also, can you take some pictures of the inside of the engine compartment? Everyone so often they rearrange things, and would be nice to see what it looks like right now.

 

[MossRoad]

Go to My Home at the top of the page and then on the left you'll see a choice to edit your profile picture. You can either link to an existing picture somewhere on the WWW or you can upload a picture to TBN from your computer.

 

[MossRoad]

Congrats on your new machine! As Tim mentioned, please take a few pics of the inside of the engine compartment as they do change designs from time-to-time and we'd like to compare to our model years. Also, in 10 years you can go back and see how sparkling clean the machine once was! :laughing:

 

[dcdtn]

Congrats!

... and like the others said, we’re curious about the engine bay and exhaust. I notice there is no longer a muffler on the left. Thats new since I picked mine up in September 2016.

 

[MossRoad]

And there's slots in the top of the hood forward of the fan... and the gas tank looks different. Gas tank, battery, muffler wrap, engine air cleaner, in that order? Silver valve covers. Lug tires. Didnt' opt for the arm rests....

Needs a spinner knob! And fuzzy dice... :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

I like the green and black one...

Easy-Rider Tight-Turn Steering Knob at Tractor Supply Co.

 

[dragoneggs]

My New PT-425, "Artie" Arrived on Tuesday. It was a bit of an adventure as the delivery truck couldn't get closer than 6 miles from my home because of new road paving. (They said the 75' semi trailer was too heavy for fresh asphalt) Fortunately I was able to track down a forklift and my neighbors small trailer.
Here's Artie.

View attachment 523899


I'm really impressed at how much more robust this tractor is than my old Yanmar tractor.
I'm sure I'll have lots of questions down the road.
First, how do I add a picture to my profile?
Cheers,
Steve

Congratulations... Looks like your tractor has a smile on it's face too!

 

[MossRoad]

Congratulations... Looks like your tractor has a smile on it's face too!

I'd paint some flying tigers on there...

 

[dragoneggs]

I'd paint some flying tigers on there...

Funny... that image crossed my mind too! :drink:

 

[Marks481]

Also, in 10 years you can go back and see how sparkling clean the machine once was! :laughing:

ANd then you can occasionally post one of the original pictures of your machine, pretending that it is in spotless condition after a decade, sort of like Mossroad does occasionally...

 

[BobRip]

It's beautiful.

 

[CreativeGuy]

Thanks everyone,
I really put Artie through his paces today. I picked up a 20’ log in the “jaws” of the 4-in1 bucket and held it up while I chainsawed from either end. Then I moved a big mound of dirt. I had the rear wheels pop off the ground a couple of times but otherwise he performed exemplary.
The engine is a Subaru. The exhaust comes out on the right (drivers) side. I’ll post. Pictures of the engine compartment later.

Cheers, Steve
I’m sorry but I dont’ have internet access at home so it sometimes takes a couple of days to respond.

 

[MossRoad]

ANd then you can occasionally post one of the original pictures of your machine, pretending that it is in spotless condition after a decade, sort of like Mossroad does occasionally...

Why its as clean as the day I bought it...

 

[MossRoad]

I had the rear wheels pop off the ground a couple of times but otherwise he performed exemplary. .

We on TBN refer to that as "The PT Pucker"....

On an articulated machine such as these, the center of gravity changes significantly as you turn. As you turn the steering wheel either direction from straight forward, the machine gets shorter and the center of gravity shifts to the side you are turning towards.

For fun, put on a loader bucket and lift it 3-4 inches off the ground.
Turn the steeering wheel all the way to the right.
Set the parking brake and get off the machine.
Start throwing stones, boulders, bricks, pavers, etc.. into the bucket until all of a sudden, the bucket sits on the ground and the left rear wheel comes off the ground.
Take the last item tossed into the bucket out and watch it sit down again and the bucket rise.
Then put it back in again so the left rear comes off the ground again.
Go sit on the tractor and see if it makes the left rear come down. If not, turn the steering wheel towards straight.... the left rear will go down. Turn right and it'll come off the ground again.

Pretty fun.

I think it should be required reading and hands-on practice for everyone to understand about the center of gravity on these things....

and then keep it in mind as you operate the FEL every time. It'll remind you about lifting a full bucket too high on even the slightest slope and what can happen quickly. Keep it in your mental toolbox. :thumbsup: