Can I touch your PT?

kmaz · Oct 23, 2006

Hey guys...and girls you've all heard it before well this stories no different.
for the longest time I researched all the typical subcuts to replace my 26 year old bolens diesel. Countless hours spent on tractobynet. I still havent ruled out the BX (amazing prices), But I cant stop thinking about the versatility of the PT. I literally bring the PT literature wherever I go (Im really diggin the PT...fiance...NOT SO MUCH) And to think I almost didnt give it a chance. Anywho , I need to see one up close and personal. I live in Charlton N.Y. (Albany,Saratoga) and id rather not go door to door asking people if they have a PT so I was hopeing someone out there within a couple hour drive would be kind enough to show me theirs ( preferably 422, 425) Thanks so much
By the way my name is kris and im a pthaulic

MossRoad · Oct 24, 2006

Welcome to TBN.

You may also want to call Power Trac and see if they know of anyone near you that would be willing to show you the machine.

I also considered the BX. Can't go wrong with a Kubota. However, the price of the base BX at the time was the same as my PT with several attachments. Also, I was looking for a gas tractor(yes, I'm one of the few that favors gas over diesel

), and the quick attach feature of the PT really sold me, along with the better maneuverability and ability to get in and out of tight spaces than a conventional tractor. Couple that with the fact that I could drive it up into the bed of my pickup truck and I was sold.

Other machines I looked at were the NH TC25D and JD4100 and a Cub Cadet model(can't remember which one right now). But the PT won out and I never regretted it. It is the best machine for the jobs I have to do.

Be sure to test drive as many brands and models as you can and take your time in your decision making process. This is a big purchase and you want as much information as you can get your hands on.

KMA · Oct 24, 2006

Kmaz,

I live in Owego, NY (13827) which I'm guessing would be about 3 hours if you drove west on 88 and eventually west on Rt. 17. I have a 422. Our screen names are eerily similar too...

Charlie_Iliff · Oct 24, 2006

If you haven't already done it, check Pajoube's listing by state for NY and MA, and send a private message to each for exact location. I know Sedgewood's within a nice Autumn afternoon drive, but he has a much modified 1845. Still may be worth a trip.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/87377-power-trac-owners-state-6-a.html

JackRobin · Oct 24, 2006

kmaz said:
Hey guys...and girls

There are chicks on this forum that dig tractors?

kmaz · Oct 28, 2006

Thanks for the responses guys, and yes KMA our screen names are "eerily similar". By the way did you ever resolve your crooked bucket issue?

Kris

FOURTEEN · Oct 28, 2006

MossRoad said:
(I'm one of the few that favors gas over diesel)

Add me to your 'few'!! After considering the noise, the smell, the special fuel, the higher purchase price, the higher maintenance cost, the higher replacement cost, the heavier weigh, the larger size, etc, I think that it is hard to justify getting a diesel for most residential or even light commercial work!!

For what a PT-1430 costs, I can get a PT-425 with a few spare engines!! It will have a quieter pleasant sound, no smell, use just ordinary gas, be cheaper and easier to maintain, be more maneuverable and easier to truck or trailer due to its smaller size and weigh, and do most of the same jobs quicker and easier!!

RegL · Oct 28, 2006

FOURTEEN said:
Add me to your 'few'!! After considering the noise, the smell, the special fuel, the higher purchase price, the higher maintenance cost, the higher replacement cost, the heavier weigh, the larger size, etc, I think that it is hard to justify getting a diesel for most residential or even light commercial work!!

For what a PT-1430 costs, I can get a PT-425 with a few spare engines!! It will have a quieter pleasant sound, no smell, use just ordinary gas, be cheaper and easier to maintain, be more maneuverable and easier to truck or trailer due to its smaller size and weigh, and do most of the same jobs quicker and easier!!

yes, but one thing the PT1430 can do that the pt 425 can't, is pick up a pt 425 and drop it in the dumpster. So ya better watch out what you say. We know where you live.

I have to admit, that diesel is a little loud and smelly.

FOURTEEN · Oct 29, 2006

RegL said:
yes, but one thing the PT1430 can do that the pt 425 can't, is pick up a pt 425 and drop it in the dumpster.

Maybe!! But, so far, after nearly three years of PT-425 ownership, I have never had the desire, or need, to pick up a PT-425 and drop it in the dumpster!!!!

I did, over the years, have 3 huge logs that my PT-425 couldn't move, so I cut each one in half!! Problem solved!!

The PT-425 weighs 1,387# plus whatever attachment happens to be mounted. The PT-1430 is rated to lift 1200#. So, your scenario, although cute, is probably not actually possible!!

Spending 60% more money to occasionally lift 50% more doesn't sound like a good deal to me! In my case, 3 times in 3 years, if those logs weighed 800# to 1200#! If they weighed 1200# to 1600#, I would have had to cut them in half anyway, even with a noisy, smelly, expensive, and ponderous PT-1430!!

MossRoad · Oct 29, 2006

I'd have to say the the PT425 is just about perfect for most homeowners...however, acording to a few commercial users that frequent this board and one professional landscaper that lives in my hometown and owns two PT425s and one PT1430, the difference between a 1430 and a 425 is like the difference between a PT425 and a CUT... that is, while the 425 is a sweet machine, for real, hard professional work, the 1430 is the way to go.

I think we PT425 owners tend to abuse our machines beyond the design limits on a frequent basis.

Tractors4u · Oct 30, 2006

FOURTEEN said:
Add me to your 'few'!! After considering the noise, the smell, the special fuel, the higher purchase price, the higher maintenance cost, the higher replacement cost, the heavier weigh, the larger size, etc, I think that it is hard to justify getting a diesel for most residential or even light commercial work!!

Noise, I think it depends on the diesel, I have a 32hp diesel CUT and would much rather hear it than my 18hp gas lawnmower. It isn't as loud.

Smell, mine exhausts out the bottom, I rarely smell the exhaust and I would think with a rear engined PT you wouldn't smell it that often.

Special Fuel, most reseidential types are already dealing with special fuels that they have to mix for their weedwhacker, chain saw, leaf blower, etc. While diesel is more a expensive fuel right now, a diesel engine sips fuel compared to a gas engine. I wish my lawnmower was diesel right now.

Higher maintenance cost. Hmmm, not sure what maintenance costs you could be talking about, maybe higher priced oil or fuel filters.

Yes a diesel powered vehicle, tractor, etc will cost more. That is for sure, I think that they cost too much more, but they will last longer and while you could buy extra engines for the cost of the diesel, I would rather deal with a longer lasting low maintenance engine to begine with.

Heavier/Larger Size. Diesels are not limited to large tractors, my first diesel tractor was a Bolens G152 that weighed around 1200-1300 pounds. Of course Deere and Kubota have a few lawn tractors that are diesel. I am intrigued by the PTs and would love to see something like the PT425 in a diesel. I have contemplated getting one someday to to compliment to my conventional CUT, but I would want a diesel.

MossRoad · Oct 30, 2006

I might have been tempted to get a diesel if it came in the PT400 series frame size IF I lived in a warmer climate(although, our winters are getting pretty mild now). The only experiences I have had with diesels in winter were bad ones and related to cold weather starting. I have never failed to get a gas engine to run in minus 0 conditions, but have had plenty of diesel "no go" situations... and that is when I really need my tractor to run... when it is howling cold, snow across the drive and I have to go earn my bacon getting product out to a hundred thousand customers.

Tractors4u · Oct 30, 2006

I know what you mean MossRoad. My 96 F250 Diesel had the glow plugs finally give out last year at just under 200,000 miles. I kept procrastinating about taking it to the shop for new plugs. Even in our mild north Alabama climate, during the winter I had to plug the block heater up at night to ensure it would start in the morning. With hot glow plugs I have never had a problem. I know you guys further north have harsher winters than we do. My experience with winter starts has been dependent on the brand of diesel. I had a little Yanmar 18hp 2 cylinder that had NO kind of cold weather starting aid and I saw it start on the first try within seconds of turning the key at 28 degrees. I had a few Hinomotos that required the glow plugs to start them first thing in the morning in summertime. A 1995 GMC 6.5l diesel I had was the same way. First start of the day always required letting the glow plugs do their thing. With the F250, it will start on most days unless it gets really cold. My 32hp Deere with a Yanmar diesel has only seen the glow plugs used once and that was to make sure the glow plug light worked.

ClintBlake · Oct 30, 2006

RegL said:
I have to admit, that diesel is a little loud and smelly.

Yes, but once you get hooked on the smell, there is nothing like it. You definitely do not buy a diesel for economy.

FOURTEEN · Oct 31, 2006

Tractors4u said:
Yes a diesel powered vehicle, tractor, etc will cost more. That is for sure, I think that they cost too much more, but they will last longer and while you could buy extra engines for the cost of the diesel, I would rather deal with a longer lasting low maintenance engine to begine with.

Heavier/Larger Size. Diesels are not limited to large tractors.

Very few residential owners will ever have to replace a gas engine in their PT. (One PT poster changed his gas engine after 10 years for about $1,000.) I wouldn't spend $6,000 extra for a PT-1430 to maybe save $1,000 10 years from now!! And this is based on the myth that diesels last forever!
Every lawn mower and lawn tractor that I have owned over the years was replaced because it was worn out, but their gas engines still ran fine!

I was comparing the size and weigh of a PT-425 versus a PT-1430!

Tractors4u · Nov 1, 2006

FOURTEEN said:
And this is based on the myth that diesels last forever!
Every lawn mower and lawn tractor that I have owned over the years was replaced because it was worn out, but their gas engines still ran fine!

I was comparing the size and weigh of a PT-425 versus a PT-1430!

I never said that they last forever! I said they last longer! Colectively speaking, I don't think that is a myth, but rather an undeniable truth! Sure from time to time you will have a gasoline engine that will run for years or rack up an incredible number of miles, but on average, a comparablely sized diesel engine will outlast it!

MossRoad · Nov 1, 2006

Ford 8N, arguably the best selling tractor ever... 50 year old gas engines.
Farmall H, second best selling tractor ever... 50 year old gas engines.
Power Trac 400 series tractors... O.K., I won't attempt to make that leap.

kmaz · Nov 9, 2006

well guys, I finally got over to see "scarg", a past frequent forum poster who lives in Argyle N.Y. What a beautiful hunk of land he's got!! Anyways he's got the 422 ..and although he's had his share of problems, he would get it again and after driving it Im making my plan to head down after thanksgiving week to pickup my 422 or a 425....their lies the dilema. I guess ill figure that one out there. I am a little dissapointed now to her about scotts departure, especially after reading how much he was involved with everything. Oh well that stuff happens.
I also once again would like to thank Steve, ("scarg") for taking the time to go over his 422.

Kris