Buying Advice New Guy

[KMA]

re: the trailer... definitely look around. I was able to find a much heavier duty trailer for only a little more than what Lowe's offers. They are similar sized, but if you park them next to one another you'll instantly see the differences.

The finish blade on the rough cut will not mow as well as the finish mower.

 

[ScoopCzar]

re: the trailer... definitely look around. I was able to find a much heavier duty trailer for only a little more than what Lowe's offers. They are similar sized, but if you park them next to one another you'll instantly see the differences.

The finish blade on the rough cut will not mow as well as the finish mower.

Thanks. Did you buy your trailer new? If so, from where? Maybe I'll save the $300 for the finish blade and apply it toward a 60" finish mower later.

 

[KMA]

I bought mine from Mike Olsefski's in Brooktondale, NY. IIRC he would drive to the manufacturers and pick up loads of new trailers in order to save on delivery costs. He was able to keep the price within a few hundred dollars of the Lowes type products, but they were much heavier duty. You may be able to find similar deals near you. Looking at the Lowe's website, the Carry-on trailers they're showing look a bit better than what they had 6 years ago, but it might be worth a trip to an area trailer dealer for comparison.

The PT does an okay job with the finish mower. It is very stable and more capable than most residential type mowers. It's very long with the mower out front, which may or may not be an issue depending on your lawn. To be honest, I didn't like putting the extra hours on my PT and it also wasn't the fastest time-wise. I had to replace the Robin engine last year and decided I wanted to use my PT for the tractor work only, so I picked up a used commercial zero turn rider for mowing. It was costly and isn't as sure footed, but I am able to mow approx 3 acres in half the time (with a better cut).

Good luck!

 

[ScoopCzar]

I had to replace the Robin engine last year and decided I wanted to use my PT for the tractor work only, so I picked up a used commercial zero turn rider for mowing.

Thanks for the comments, Kevin. What did it cost to replace the Robin engine?

 

[KMA]

Price was $1880 for the 28hp EFI Robin engine from Equipatron, which included shipping and a $100 shaft size upgrade.

Here's a link to the installation thread if you'd like to see more.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/202389-pt422-engine-swap-completed-pics.html

 

[ScoopCzar]

Price was $1880 for the 28hp EFI Robin engine from Equipatron, which included shipping and a $100 shaft size upgrade.

Here's a link to the installation thread if you'd like to see more.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/202389-pt422-engine-swap-completed-pics.html

Thanks, Kevin. I guess you have the world's only PT428. Sounds like a good engine. I wonder if PT would let me order a new machine with that engine in it from the beginning.

 

[flattopp9]

On the trailer idea. I just bought a 16' tandem w/new deck for 800 bucks so I would definately go to bigger than you mentioned. And look around a little. Dale

 

[pajoube]

I have virtually no experience with tractors other than an old Gravely that my dad owned when I was growing up. I own a few investment properties that I am fixing up and renting or selling and plan to do more of that. My biggest property is about 50 acres on a mountain in Western NC--a family place, not something I'd ever sell. I plan to use the PT for gravel road maintenance, brush hogging, trail building, landscaping, and some mowing and gardening. I have made the pilgrimage to Tazewell and demo'ed a 425 with mini-hoe, brush cutter set up with finish mower head, and 10 cu bucket. I've been reading up and watching videos online for a couple of years. Next summer, most likely, I plan to buy one (unless I get convinced something else would be better). I decided to go ahead and sign up on TBN so I could run some of my ideas by you guys to see what you thought of them. Thanks for the welcome!

Welcome to TBN and the world of PowerTrac痴.
You are definitely going about your future purchase the right way. Making the trip to Tazewell was the best advice you could have taken.
I have the 425 and 17 attachments which all come in handy for the particular project. Everything I have purchased I would purchase again.
If you get a chance look up my posted threads and you will find the thread 展hy I Bought a 425 which has many photos.
PJ

 

[flattopp9]

new guy, i really like the idea of the combination haul and garage trailer as it takes the pressure off the sheh space. I always buy used as i can't afford new. Your doing a good job on your due dilengence work. Good luck. Dale

 

[ScoopCzar]

new guy, i really like the idea of the combination haul and garage trailer as it takes the pressure off the sheh space. I always buy used as i can't afford new. Your doing a good job on your due dilengence work. Good luck. Dale

Dale, I was looking at used and found what I thought was a great 7x16 then ran across a factory that sold directly new with 5-yr W, same trailer for about the same price. I have a non-tractor use for it coming up fast, so not having to fix initial bugs on the run appeals to me too. In the end I probably will build some storage on site for the 425. But the trailer gives me a good solution fast and options later. Thanks for the encouraging words to a rookie, Dale.