A Long Trip And a Nice Visit

[MossRoad]

My family and I took a rather long two week vacation at the start of June. We drove from Northern Indiana west on 90 all the way to the Bozeman Montana area, our furthest west destination. We saw many amazing and wonderful things along the way including, but not limited to: the falls in Sioux Falls, SD, the Corn Palace, the Grasslands National Park, the Badlands, Wall Drug, the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Monument, Deadwood, Devil’s Tower, Yellowstone National Park and the Tetons National Park. One of the best times we had, however, was meeting up with fellow TBNer and Power Trac owner, Pajoube. Paul, his wife and their moms were able to stop by our place last year for a quick visit and we were very happy that we could do the same with them two weeks ago. Here’s a picture of the six of us in their front yard… from left to right, PJ, our #1 daughter, Mrs. PJ, our #2 daughter, Mrs. MossRoad and me. A fine looking bunch if you leave me out. Paul and I got to compare some Power Trac notes while I think our wives compared notes on our crazy tractor obsessions. It was nice to see an updated model of the PT425. Paul’s is, I believe, about two years newer than mine. Some observations I made were:

- His tractor is several inches longer than mine.
- It is much, much quieter than mine with the same Kohler engine. I believe this is due to the mid mount muffler and insulating wrap around that muffler.
- His motor is turned 180 degrees from mine and set at the very rear of the engine compartment so that the cooling fan is pointed out the back.
- In front of the engine is his tram pump, which is hydraulically operated VS my cable operation.
- In front of the tram pumps are his two PTO pumps. Mine are behind my engine.
- His fuel tank is in the hood. It was very easy to open the hood. I was very surprised as I expected it would take more force.
- The battery and hydraulic filter are mounted way up high, where my fuel tank would be. This looked like a much superior setup than mine. Everything was much more accessible.
- His treadle assembly is the hydraulic version and the foot pedals require a very light touch compared to mine, which I have to stomp down on due to the spring tension in my hydroback assembly.
- His wheel motors are mounted much diffently than mine, They are on individual brackets that are bolted to the frame, whereas mine are mounted on a different type of bracket that is welded to the frame.
- He also has the higher lift height. I noticed the front shelf of his model where the lift cylinders are attached is deeper than mine, with a large recess in the front.

All in all I’d have to say I liked his tractor better than mine! Shh!!! Don't let her hear that.

The PJ's are wonderful people. My wife and kids really took to them. (Paul makes a mean bowl of popcorn, too.) I look forward to the day when we can meet up again.

We had a discussion regarding the folks that frequent the Power Trac forum here on TBN. The combined knowledge of the folks here is amazing. But what is more amazing is the way we treat each other. TBN in general and the Power Trac forum in particular is a unique and special place. I've enjoyed hanging around here for the better part of 6 years. Conversing with all of you is one of the highlights of my day. Hopefully in the future more of us can meet up and share a meal or just a beverage and talk tractors, family and life in general. Thanks to all of you, and Paul in particular, for making it this way.

David G.

 

[ronjhall]

It's always great to meet up with other TBN'ers.
But the PINK shirt is a bit much even on the Power Trac forum.

 

[marrt]

A fine looking bunch if you leave me out.

Moss, have you lost weight? Or maybe all the older pictures of you include a winter coat.

Thanks for review. Very interesting. The design of Paul's tractor is my favorite PT. I can remember when I frist saw them at the factor. Lot's of improvements. Too bad they only kept that exact design a year or two (with the fuel tank on top and wrapped muffler).

I agree with your comments about the forum. Lot's of good people here. Cheers.

 

[Barryh]

Sounds like you had a great time. Interesting on the 425 update. How did you like the corn palace? I remember seeing some sort of documentary on it, was pretty cool, and a lot of work.

 

[MossRoad]

My youngest daughter picked the color to tye-dye the shirt... kind of like those father's day neckties .

Yes, I have lost some weight. I was at 223 at my peak. I was at 213 before we left for vacation. I was down to 204 the day we got back and was at 202 yesterday morning.

The Corn Palace was pretty neat. What was very intersting was along the halls they had pictures of just about every year that they did it. Some were missing from years that they had hard times and couldn't justify using the plant products to decorate. Also, it is still an active convention center and a basketball arena. They also have good popcorn, but not as good as Paul's.

 

[pajoube]

Thanks for the warm comments David.

This was a rare opportunity for me to have another TBNer and PT425 owner to talk with face to face. Asking my many questions showed my ignorance regarding engines but David was very gracious explaining each point, just as he does as a TBN moderator. David and his family are wonderful people who I hope will come again. His comment about a PT get-together would be really great. I could name (but I won’t) a few PT owners that are real characters that would be fun to meet.
Life goes on but the memories will last a long time. My wife just said she was calling David’s wife regarding his comment about wanting a newer 425. Sorry David.
For those that get to Indiana you must stop and say hello to David, a real treat is in store. And if coming out West please let me know and I will have the coffee on and if evening, the popcorn ready.
PJ

 

[pequeajim]

Thanks for the warm comments David.

His comment about a PT get-together would be really great. I could name (but I won’t) a few PT owners that are real characters that would be fun to meet.
PJ

I for one would LOVE to get together with some kind of PT gathering! Find a central spot and let's have it!

 

[MossRoad]

I for one would LOVE to get together with some kind of PT gathering! Find a central spot and let's have it!

I would host it if I had a larger home, more than one bathroom and some place for folks to park. In a couple years I hope to have those requirements...

I already have enough land and plenty of places to "test" implements. Dirt piles, brush piles, long grass, thick trees, etc... plenty of room to play. Also plenty of room for a few campers I just need to get the house built!

 

[BillCroasmun]

MR, How are the plans for building going by the way? I can't remember off hand if that is in the near horizon or down the road several years.

I've read some very neat threads on the other TBN forums of people building barns with upstairs living quarters on their land so they could live there until their dream house could be built. Many of them though have had the kids move on and with a family of four at home that option could become very cramped for you.

 

[MossRoad]

MR, How are the plans for building going by the way?

Well, let's see...

We got married in 1985. Bought a very small 2BR house( 720 sq. ft.) and paid it off real quick. Then bought 20 acres in 1989 or 90. Paid that off real quick, too. Had lots of it re-forested and installed the foundation for a 24x32 two story garage in the spring of 92. #1 daughter came along shortly thereafter . Garage went on hold. Bought a larger 1300sq. ft. 3BR house in 1995. Paid that off real quick, too. Got plans for house on land. Started getting quotes. Looked to start building in 97. #2 daughter came along in 97 . Plans went on hold again. Then came school, braces, etc... all that fun stuff. As you can see by our pattern, we like to pay as we go. We won't be able to do that with the new house. Wife and I want it, but don't want mortgage... .

Soooo.... currently we have basic floor plan that we like. Ranch style house with walkout basement. Living room, dining/kitchen, master bedroom/bath, 1/2 bath and laundry on first floor. Storage, recreation, two bedrooms and full bath in basement. It should look something like the pictures I've attached, except it will be in a clearing in the woods, not floating on green computer animated surfaces. The spot on the property is picked. We are questioning friends about the builders they have used and we have sent preliminary paperwork to some financial insitutions to see how much $$$ we can qualify for. Then we have to hold our breath and jump in.

 

[pajoube]

Very nice David, but I don't see the barn anyplace on those plans. The new tractor, attachments, workbench, welder, etc. need space of their own.
PJ

 

[bbabineau]

Beautiful home and it looks like lots of PT uses with retaining walls etc... However, I don't see the six car garage for the toys. Assume the foundation for the barn will also be built to store the toys. I may have put my barn too close to the house because I seem to be always getting oil on the block drive.

 

[MossRoad]

... I don't see the barn anyplace on those plans. The new tractor, attachments, workbench, welder, etc. need space of their own.
PJ

Here's one rendition. If I go with 10' walls it will look something like this. It is a similar distance from the house as your carriage house, maybe a little more. One wide overhead door. One double door for the shop area. 4' wide stairs to the 2nd floor. I'm also thinking of putting in a small loading dock to the right side of the garage, since it is set into a small hillside. Could be handy and would cost nothing extra but PT seat time and gas. I have plenty of locust timbers that will last a long time if treated.

So if you come in off the highway, there is a small S curve right, then left, then about 250' straight back up a slight incline. A left turn will take you past the front of the barn and then a sweep to the right will take you to the house, about 150' away. If you would have gone straight instead of left towards the garage, that will take you to the house as well. I want a circle road that sweeps past the house. We had one when I was a kid and I loved it.

 

[pajoube]

That is perfect. I can just see the PT owners reunion in the back 40, each digging his own area, testing those attachments. Then to the new garage to use the welder and bench for repairing the damage from the test area. Then back to the play area to test another attachment. Hey, do you think PowerTrac would send a rep. to talk with us and bring a few new attachments for us to review.
David, I can see your place becoming very famous as a meeting of the owners each year.
PJ

 

[BillCroasmun]

We are questioning friends about the builders they have used and we have sent preliminary paperwork to some financial insitutions to see how much $$$ we can qualify for. Then we have to hold our breath and jump in.

Great story MR and fine financial planning. Not many today seem to care about the amount of debt they carry as long as they can make the payments. That approach doesn't do that well for unplanned expenses or family emergencies.

Before we built our home the wife and I took a couple trips out to Bristol Indiana to visit Pinnacle Homes and we were very impressed. We were actually just about to commit with them when we switched to a local builder due to some issues with the local site manager who would of been handling the modular build. Not sure if you've investigated todays modular structures but they are not the poorly built mobile home of the past. These homes are built to your states stick built building codes and can be built to custom plans as well.

The wife and I actually have regretted our decision to not work through the issues we had with the site manager because we could of had about 15% more sq ft for about 8% less in cost. That missing square footage had a couple features we now wish we had. Mind you we are still very grateful everyday with being blessed enough to live in a new home on a few acres in an area that we really love.

 

[MossRoad]

Not sure if you've investigated todays modular structures but they are not the poorly built mobile home of the past. These homes are built to your states stick built building codes and can be built to custom plans as well.

Yes, there really are some nice manufactured homes out there now. Just like built on site, but built in a factory instead. They are attractively priced and by looking at the finished product, you'd never know it was built somewhere else and moved there. It is a huge industry around here and supports much of our local economy.

However (isn't there always a However?), they do not offer some of the features that we want that will have to be built on site... sunken living room, higher ceilings in a few places, and long spans so there are few supports in the basement. We need to frame out the roof with trusses to get the inside ceilings that we want in the living room, dining room and kitchen. Maybe the master bedroom, too if we have the $$. I like vaulted and cathedral ceilings in a ranch style house. We had them when I was a kid. Really opens up the room. Put a nice ceiling fan and/or a chandelier up there and it really looks nice.