Anonymous Poster
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New Toy Ventrac3000
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Glad to hear there are now others on the board with Ventracs. I have been very pleased with my current Ventrac 4200 and Steiners in the past. Maybe the critcal mass will develop to start a forum for those of us interested in articulated tractors like Ventrac and Steiner.
JackIL
JackIL
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Hi Duane,
I also purchased a Ventrac 3000 in February of this year and I have been very pleased with it. I have a 48 inch blade and a 52 inch mower, plan to get a slip scoop sometime. It worked great on a steep, unpaved driveway when we had a 15 inch snow. Haven't done any mowing yet but have been hauling a lot of firewood.
Hope to hear of any tips on this forum. There's not a lot of talk on the tractor forums about the Ventracs, I think the owners are too busy out having fun with the tractors!
Dan
I also purchased a Ventrac 3000 in February of this year and I have been very pleased with it. I have a 48 inch blade and a 52 inch mower, plan to get a slip scoop sometime. It worked great on a steep, unpaved driveway when we had a 15 inch snow. Haven't done any mowing yet but have been hauling a lot of firewood.
Hope to hear of any tips on this forum. There's not a lot of talk on the tractor forums about the Ventracs, I think the owners are too busy out having fun with the tractors!
Dan
davesisk
Platinum Member
Cool on your new toy...er...uh...tool... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Just thought that I might mention that the Power-tracs are articulated tractors as well, so you're welcome anytime to wander over to the Power-trac forum here on TBN...since the Ventrac's and Steiners are so similar yet so different, it might lead to some VERY interesting discussions.
Dave
Dave
19th_VA
Gold Member
Just curious, what does such a machine cost?
MossRoad
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The Power Trac website lists all of their prices(although the website seems to be down this evening /05/08/2003).
davesisk
Platinum Member
I'd say the most popular models are probably the PT-422 ($6500 w/ no attachments) and PT-425 ($8500 w/ no attachments). They just introduced a cheaper model called the PT-180 that comes in at $4500 w/ no attachments (It's very similar to my 13 year old PT-1418, see link in my signature.) They have some big honkin' diesel models that are up into the $25-30K or so range. Quite a few to choose from. The attachments are very fairly priced compared to something like Bobcat attachments, but not quite as cheap as most 3PH attachments (like in $300 for a simple bucket, around $600-900 for several different mowers, $1200 or so for augers, stump grinders, trenchers, grapple bucket, etc.). There's 40-some different attachments for these things, some of them unpowered and some hydraulic powered by the hydraulic PTO on the machine. Check out the web-site that MossRoad mentioned (when it comes back up).
In a nutshell, I'd say the PT's have capabilities and attachments similar to Toro Dingo's and all the Dingo clones (hydraulic powered machine and attachments) at about half the price, and they share the turf-friendly articulated steering with the Ventrac's and Steiners. I really like mine, even though it is 13 years old! (But then, I pretty much like anything that even remotely resembles a tractor or loader... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)
Dave
In a nutshell, I'd say the PT's have capabilities and attachments similar to Toro Dingo's and all the Dingo clones (hydraulic powered machine and attachments) at about half the price, and they share the turf-friendly articulated steering with the Ventrac's and Steiners. I really like mine, even though it is 13 years old! (But then, I pretty much like anything that even remotely resembles a tractor or loader... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)
Dave
19th_VA
Gold Member
Interesting and far more useful alternative to your basic lawn tractor. Maybe when my jungle turns into a lawn, I'll need a smaller model to mow.
OP
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Hi Duane, was wondering if you could give an update on your 3000? Pros/Cons also do you have the front loader. Pretty much made up my mind today that this is going to be my next machine like to hear your feedback on it. Thanks Stan da'man /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
OP
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/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifHi Stan,
I've been mowing for about a month now and love the job that the deck gives me. I must admit that when I purchased the Ventrac I was going to get a 52" deck and ended up getting a 60". I was a little worried about the possibility of scalping but have found the deck to give a great cut. Cleanup of the deck has been super easy. There is very little build up of anything under there. I've been spraying it with Mo-Deck after cleaning and don't really know if it's been helping, but I know it sure hasn't hurt. I helped my father mow a ball field last week because he couldn't get on it with his tractor & finish mower. Also his wood ZT would get stuck and spin the wheels. I wouldn't usually mow something like that but with all the rain we had to do something. Some spots were actually up to an inch deep in water. I ended up mowing the whole thing and when I got done, flipped the deck up and cleaned it out with a hose! No scrapping needed! My father is actually thinking about trading his Woods on one! As for the scoop I got it about a month ago and have used it to move gravel into a barn I built and place dirt in low spots around the yard. I got the 30" scoop so as not to overload the machine and have not regretted the call to go with the smaller scoop. I was able to maneuver around the barn and get into tight areas with no problem. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif As you can probably tell I love the thing and so far haven't found anything I don't like. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif When I first started I was using the hand lever but now use the foot control and cant believe how easy it is. Maybe the only thing I would change is to put armrests on the seat. They do sell them & I probably will go for them. Let me know how you make out if you get one.
I've been mowing for about a month now and love the job that the deck gives me. I must admit that when I purchased the Ventrac I was going to get a 52" deck and ended up getting a 60". I was a little worried about the possibility of scalping but have found the deck to give a great cut. Cleanup of the deck has been super easy. There is very little build up of anything under there. I've been spraying it with Mo-Deck after cleaning and don't really know if it's been helping, but I know it sure hasn't hurt. I helped my father mow a ball field last week because he couldn't get on it with his tractor & finish mower. Also his wood ZT would get stuck and spin the wheels. I wouldn't usually mow something like that but with all the rain we had to do something. Some spots were actually up to an inch deep in water. I ended up mowing the whole thing and when I got done, flipped the deck up and cleaned it out with a hose! No scrapping needed! My father is actually thinking about trading his Woods on one! As for the scoop I got it about a month ago and have used it to move gravel into a barn I built and place dirt in low spots around the yard. I got the 30" scoop so as not to overload the machine and have not regretted the call to go with the smaller scoop. I was able to maneuver around the barn and get into tight areas with no problem. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif As you can probably tell I love the thing and so far haven't found anything I don't like. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif When I first started I was using the hand lever but now use the foot control and cant believe how easy it is. Maybe the only thing I would change is to put armrests on the seat. They do sell them & I probably will go for them. Let me know how you make out if you get one.
OP
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Dealer is delivering Saturday, 44" deck, and 30" scoop have waited several years for this day to arrive . Hope the weather is nice. Will advise/update soon /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif stan'daman
OP
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Well my 3000 was delivered late on Saturday morning now it just needs to stop raining out. So far so good the wife is getting adjusted to the machine and how to handle it. Myself been spending time using the 30" scoop in the garden trying to develope a feel for digging( wheel weights might be in order). Will try to have some pics by the end of the week. Stan'daman /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
OP
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/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Glad to hear you've got your new machine. You're probably right about the wheel weights. I'll look into getting some before winter for the blower. Keep us posted on how it's going. I've been moving a lot of fill around and it sure beats a shovel and cart! By the way where did you get it? There aren't a lot of dealers around. I got mine at Messingers in Bethany. If you get the chance I believe that they will be at the Empire Farm Days in Seneca Falls the first week in August. ( I think that's the right time frame ) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
OP
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How can I load a picture? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Bird
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Stanman, first you have to have the picture on your computer (scanned or placed there by a digital camera, etc.), then make sure it is no larger than 100000 bytes (may need some kind of photo manipulating software). Then when you either reply to an existing message, or start a new message, click on the "I want to preview my post and/or attach a file" box just above the "Continue" button. Click on "Continue", then enter the file name and path in the box (or do as I do and click on "Browse", find the file on your computer and open it and that'll enter it in the box). Then click on "Continue" again and you're done.
