A PT-1445?

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Well, I did some further research and it looks like when may not need the Slope Mowing capability. My Dad measured some slopes we do and have done work on and they all came to around 30 or 35. I'm sure a 1445 could handle that. Were now checking out the T18 class trailer package. Now does anyone know if the T18 class trailer is over grossed like the T12 class trailer. If we bought a 1445, it would be in a Trailer Package. Sidenote: Hows the 1445 performance for those of you that own one? I actually found one who owns one in Marysville, Michigan so I could go check one out if I wanted But I'm gonna call Chris and PT and ask him about the 1445 and Trailer Package Prices

 

[ponytug]

I own a 1445 and love it. However, if you intend on mowing 30-35 degree slopes, I would buy a slope mower. Trust me you want a little leeway for when your downhill wheel catches a gopher hole or your uphill wheel catches an unseen drainage pipe or stump.

My slopes measure out in that range, and I can tell you that I mow them slowly and very carefully. If I were mowing them for a living, I wouldn't do it in a 1445. I believe that there is too much opportunity for you to find an unexpected obstacle while mowing.

With bar tires, the 1445 is traction limited going up 35 degree slopes, i.e. I spin out if I am not careful on our loose gravel/hard earth slopes. I bought the bar tires on Terry's recommendation since I was brush cutting and he felt the bar tires were much more puncture resistant than the turf tires. If you are mowing lawns, I would suggest the turf.

By the way, I found using a 5' piece of angle iron and a slope gauge a useful way to check slopes. The only downside is that every rodent hole and stump will make the slope a little steeper.

All the best,

Peter

P.S. PM with your phone number, and I would be happy to speak with you.

Well, I did some further research and it looks like when may not need the Slope Mowing capability. My Dad measured some slopes we do and have done work on and they all came to around 30 or 35. I'm sure a 1445 could handle that. Were now checking out the T18 class trailer package. Now does anyone know if the T18 class trailer is over grossed like the T12 class trailer. If we bought a 1445, it would be in a Trailer Package. Sidenote: Hows the 1445 performance for those of you that own one? I actually found one who owns one in Marysville, Michigan so I could go check one out if I wanted But I'm gonna call Chris and PT and ask him about the 1445 and Trailer Package Prices

 

[woodlandfarms]

I second Peters suggestion.

 

[ponytug]

Just to clarify the 1445 traction: it is traction limited on my ground. I would easily believe that in most other situations, the wheels could sink in enough to get traction.

One other point, on wet grass, you will want extra stability. I had the 1445 out a few weeks ago mowing some lush weeds on a 25 degree side slope and the whole tractor started sliding sideways on the wet morass. I had visions of getting some lateral speed and hitting an obstacle, and tipping. That ended the job for me, and I pulled the plug on the mowing and eased the tractor off of the hill.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Bob999]

Just to clarify the 1445 traction: it is traction limited on my ground. I would easily believe that in most other situations, the wheels could sink in enough to get traction.

One other point, on wet grass, you will want extra stability. I had the 1445 out a few weeks ago mowing some lush weeds on a 25 degree side slope and the whole tractor started sliding sideways on the wet morass. I had visions of getting some lateral speed and hitting an obstacle, and tipping. That ended the job for me, and I pulled the plug on the mowing and eased the tractor off of the hill.

All the best,

Peter

I have an 1845 with turf tires. I can work a 35 degree slope with firm dry turf. On the other hand, if it is damp I will loose traction and slide a bit if working cross slope and spin wheels if trying to go up slope. I don't have any slope greater than 35 degrees but I second Peter's comments about conditions that can increase local slope seen by the tractor. I also believe that when working with a 3500-4000 lb machine (including attachment) that a margin of safety is imperative.

 

[ponytug]

Bottom line: mowing steep slopes isn't like mowing your grandfather's front lawn. There will be times when it is a no go for mowing, regardless of the mower rating.

Be thankful it isn't a fire area: I have a flow chart on the side of the refrigerator for figuring out when it is fire safe to mow.

All the best,

Peter

I have an 1845 with turf tires. I can work a 35 degree slope with firm dry turf. On the other hand, if it is damp I will loose traction and slide a bit if working cross slope and spin wheels if trying to go up slope. I don't have any slope greater than 35 degrees but I second Peter's comments about conditions that can increase local slope seen by the tractor. I also believe that when working with a 3500-4000 lb machine (including attachment) that a margin of safety is imperative.

 

[Phils]

I have a flow chart on the side of the refrigerator for figuring out when it is fire safe to mow. Peter

How about sharing your chart Peter? I'm pretty cautious about mowing if there's ANY risk of a spark starting a fire, but if I or anyone else gleaned even one more helpful hint it would be appreciated.

Phil

 

[woodlandfarms]

I think it says January 10, from 8PM to 6AM so you can see the sparks at night.

Although it seems like a wetter spring than normal...

 

[SnowRidge]

So why are you guys mowing side slope in the first place, instead of up and down the slope? Folks around here who mow(ed) side slope are frequently referred to in the past tense.

 

[ponytug]

I try to mow up and down slope when possible. For instance, two weeks ago, the side slip occurred as I was trying to turn at the top, because I didn't have enough traction to back up the slope in the first place.

I do everything possible not to be side slope, but sometimes you need to turn around.

All the best,

Peter

So why are you guys mowing side slope in the first place, instead of up and down the slope? Folks around here who mow(ed) side slope are frequently referred to in the past tense.

 

[ponytug]

Here is the flowchart that I use to decide when to mow. I got the specifications from the county, who obtained them from CalFire, the folks who look after fires out here.

During fire season, I have water tanks and hoses ready, just in case.

To be frank, if it is even close to the "Don't Mow" point, the tractor stays inside. I also use the same flow chart to regulate any spark producing event outdoors.

All the best,

Peter

How about sharing your chart Peter? I'm pretty cautious about mowing if there's ANY risk of a spark starting a fire, but if I or anyone else gleaned even one more helpful hint it would be appreciated.

Phil

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Well we really acutally had one slope that was 35 degrees. That one only required a Bush Hogging every once in a while. All the others are under 29 degrees. We'd have Turfs on the machine if we do buy a 1445. Those Skid Steer type tires look like they'd damage Turf. But on the other hand if we needed Traction and Turf Saving, could we buy both sets? Yes.

Me and my uncle also have another chance to look at a PT. Theres a man who owns a 1445 in Mayville (originally thought it was Marysville. Chris's accent confused me).
We'll call him up and ask him about it and if we can check it out.

Reason we're looking into the 1445 is it matched our needs more than a 1845 or 1850.
Mowing on 20-30 degree hills is only one task we have to do. The 1445 has a better lift capacity which we actually need more now.

But Peter if you got an more suggestions fire away. I could really use them.

 

[ponytug]

PT recommended those skidsteer tires to me over the turfs. They had one primary reason: better resistance to punctures. The turf tires supposedly have better traction.

Except for wheel slip "burn outs", PTs are amazingly gentle on surfaces. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised.

If you plan to do a great deal of brush cutting, I would recommend reinforcing the brush cutter. I would suggest welding 2" square iron tubing on the upper surface of the mower, connecting the attachment plate base to the front wheels, an angled set of bars from the plate through the air to the front wheels, and a round, roller bar between the front wheels, or ahead of them to push over saplings and heavier brush. I think that there are photos on another thread of someone's reinforcement of the deck with angle iron. In the interests of full disclosure, it is on my do list, but I haven't done it yet; I don't have a welder and my buddy keeps saying he'll come over...

If you can mow down the 35 degree slope, I don't think you will have issues. You can use the weight of the tractor to help you out. Having lived in Michigan and brush cut trails through the woods, my concern for you is traction on wet or lush grass.

All the best,

Peter

Well we really acutally had one slope that was 35 degrees. That one only required a Bush Hogging every once in a while. All the others are under 29 degrees. We'd have Turfs on the machine if we do buy a 1445. Those Skid Steer type tires look like they'd damage Turf. But on the other hand if we needed Traction and Turf Saving, could we buy both sets? Yes.

Me and my uncle also have another chance to look at a PT. Theres a man who owns a 1445 in Mayville (originally thought it was Marysville. Chris's accent confused me).
We'll call him up and ask him about it and if we can check it out.

Reason we're looking into the 1445 is it matched our needs more than a 1845 or 1850.
Mowing on 20-30 degree hills is only one task we have to do. The 1445 has a better lift capacity which we actually need more now.

But Peter if you got an more suggestions fire away. I could really use them.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Thanks for the advice Peter. If you have a camera, could you take some video of your 1445 in action? Mowing and any other stuff.

 

[ponytug]

Hard to believe in this day and age, but we don't have video capabilities.

MossRoad has posted a link to mowing with his 425, both lawns (which we don't do) and brush.

Woodlandfarms also posted some of his 1845; You might want to read the full thread there.

I hope that this helps.

All the best,

Peter

 

[SnowRidge]

Hard to believe in this day and age, but we don't have video capabilities.

Are you sure? A lot of digital still cameras have video capabilties. I know both of ours do.

Even some cell phones have it.

 

[ponytug]

OK. Guilty as charged.
My cell phone does have video. 176x144 pixels.

"Y'all see that thar red blob, thaz me n my PT mowin 'r brush n 'r back field.
See! Lookee thar, that durk thing wur a kaiote bush! That wur it gittin run down..."
​

I'm not sure it would be an informative video, especially with the quality alternatives...

All the best,

Peter

Are you sure? A lot of digital still cameras have video capabilties. I know both of ours do.

Even some cell phones have it.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

I've seen the 1850 and the 425. For some reason I got an itch to see a 1445 now.
LOL that sounds a very educated narration.

 

[SnowRidge]

OK. Guilty as charged.
My cell phone does have video. 176x144 pixels.

"Y'all see that thar red blob, thaz me n my PT mowin 'r brush n 'r back field.
See! Lookee thar, that durk thing wur a kaiote bush! That wur it gittin run down..."
​

I'm not sure it would be an informative video, especially with the quality alternatives...

All the best,

Peter

Ya just gotta stand a little closer.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Weh-ll! I punched in the name of the man who owns a PT-1445 in Mayville, MI. Thats not far from me at all. I'll call him up tomorrow as Chris at Power-Trac was nice enough to give me his name, phone number, and city (even though Chris got it wrong). So Friday, if things go well, I'm going to stop out there with my uncle and check it out. This is the final step in deciding a Power-Trac, even though I'm pretty sure the 1445 is the one for us.

I got to go to work tomorrow so I'll be back later on if not then Friday.
Friday I'll have some pics and video if we go see the 1445.

See you Power-Trac people tomorrow!