<font color="red">I'd like to ask if you can speak to some of the improvements that have been made in the PT425 as a result of commentary, and how this differs from what was before, and how this makes life better.
Also, I'd love to hear your views on how the PTs are simply less expensive for their quality and capability than anything else you've seen - can you write up a little 'for example' comparison?
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I'll give it a try, but hope that others will chime in.
First, on the new 425, we are advised that there are larger, higher torque wheel motors. Although that may slow top tramming speed a bit, it is likely to make slope handling, particularly with the 60" mower, a bit better. Some reports on the prior 425 have been that it runs out of climb power when swinging the big mower, requiring cross-hill mowing.
The new machine also has increased lift height. There has been a fair amount of comment about the relatiely low lift height of the 425 before, although it has been reported as quite easy to use ramps if, for instance, you want to load a pickup from the side.
I can't say the changes were directly related to our communications with PT, but they do address two fo the issues.
Regarding quality versus price, Power Tracs are welded up from sheet steel. The quality of the welds is superb, and the steel is oversized nearly everywhere. The engines, pumps, motors, controls, etc., are all off-the-shelf items, of good quality. Visual inspection is the best confirmation. There isn't any swoopy fairing or engine cover -- only solid heavy structure. If you compare the power ratings and other specs, to other tractors, I think you will find none to compete in the PT's price ranges. I can't cite specific price comparisons off the top of my head. I suggest that you look at two or three other tractors that might do your job, and get prices on them and on the implements you'll need. I suspect you'll find that a PT will deliver more capability for the price. Particularly if you look at the soon-to-be available 180, or the 422, the price is below a good commercial mower, but has a lot more flexibility. Then look at things like lift capability with the loader. The PT can lift a lot.
For the core advantage of the PT over its competition, look at Moss Road's website, and his video clip of changing implements. I have had days when I used a mower, a post hole auger, pallet forks, a lifting boom, a front hoe and pushed a dump trailer using a trailer hitch adapter on the front of the PT. The change from one implement to another is effortless and takes as much as two minutes only rarely. Going back and forth from one to the other is now a normal procedure. Even with a quick attach setup on the front end loader of a standard CUT, you can't get close to that level of convenience. (Make sure in any price comparison, you price a CUT with a loader and quick change system. The PT comes with loader standard except the bucket.) And if you are changing 3-point implements on the rear of a CUT, you will plan your jobs to avoid any change, and you will find ready use for a store of prybars, hammers, and three-point specific expletives. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
On our place, we have a fairly wide collection of machinery, including four good conventional tractors from a Kubota
B7100 up to a John Deere 2240. I don't use them any more.
I hope other PT owners will chime in, but if you look at the old posts, you'll see a lot more raving about the PT capability than complaining about shortcomings.
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