A curiosity question for 1430 owners

[larrydman]

I met a new friend nearby me over the weekend who has an old 1430. (He thinks it's a '97) He was talking about it twisting off wheel motor shafts. I noticed the wheels were greatly back centered (the wheel mount is toward the inner side) and the wheel motors were mounted inside the frame, unlike my 425 where the wheels are more front centered with the motors outside the frame. Looking at pictures on the PT website and facebook page, it looks like some are shown with motors outside the frame and some inside. Can anyone tell me how they are currently? Thanks.

 

[m5040]

Here are 2 pics of mine that I bought last year. Maybe the pics will answer your questions.

 

[larrydman]

Yea M5040, that's what I thought. His looked more like this image I got off of PT's facebook page. I don't know if this is a 1430 or not but see how the motors seem to be mounted inside the frame? I was wondering if that may be what was causing his sheer problem. Thanks!

 

[m5040]

Looks to be an older version. PT doesn't take their old stuff off their site. I recently called to ask about a wheel trencher vs stump cutter, they said they both have bolt on teeth, but it doesn't show it in most of the ads, only weld on.

 

[larrydman]

Yea, their site never has shown much, especially when it comes to attachments.

 

[larrydman]

Wow! I've been a new member for 17 years and I suddenly made it up to member. Comin' up in the world.:thumbsup:

 

[m5040]

How did I get to Gold Member?

I think PT cuts themselves short by not having detailed pictures. There are major differences between attachments for a PT180 and their largest model

 

[larrydman]

Absolutely. They must sell enough that they don't care to up their game any. I've never seen where they advertised or were represented at any trade shows or anything like that. The guy I was talking about at the start of this thread was saying how every time he's out near the road working, people are always stopping and asking about it. I've had the same thing happen. You have to think PT would sell way more product if people knew about them. And folks like yourself who have to make a major trip to their store if they want to see an attachment, it has to cut down on their sales.

 

[James23]

Absolutely. They must sell enough that they don't care to up their game any. I've never seen where they advertised or were represented at any trade shows or anything like that. The guy I was talking about at the start of this thread was saying how every time he's out near the road working, people are always stopping and asking about it. I've had the same thing happen. You have to think PT would sell way more product if people knew about them. And folks like yourself who have to make a major trip to their store if they want to see an attachment, it has to cut down on their sales.

I'm just an average dude, but if I had any amount of money I would be on the phone with the owner of PowerTrac like immediately attempting to buy the business. I think ther is a *lot* of potential here. If the product was made a bit more consumer friendly (ie sold at dealers, with support, longer warrantys) it would be a huuuge business. The sub-compact tractor industry is...big. PT fits right squarely in there. Set up a like 5-10 dealers throughout the country in major cities, let people come see them in person, get parts, etc. Make them a bit more home-owner friendly and I really think your selling thousands of these things a year.

Not to mention that the frame of these things are probably future set up for some type of battery + hydraulic setup (big square box to hold things, tractors don't have that).


****, just updating the website and offering the ability to order it online . I really do think these people are onto something, just don't seem to be interested in taking it nationwide (which is perfectly fine).

When my wife saw the order form, she literally asked me if this was a scam.... Their website + ordering process must turn off a lot of customers in todays world.

 

[BobRip]

PT used to have dealers. They did not feel it offered much value. I am not saying I agree.
I think they would have to be more expensive if they sold through dealers.