possible PT owner

[pagliaccio matto]

I was very happy to discover this forum. It has been a good source of information for me. I am seriously thinking of buying a pt-2425 with backhoe, trailer and about 15 attachments. I plan on using the machine for my new landscape business. I have just returned to the States from a few years in Italy and during that time I saw many articulated tractors in use. I like the articulated design of the PT and havn't seen anything else quite like it on the U.S. market. I would appreciate any feedback about this particular model (pt-2425) that could help me make a decision about purchasing one.
Keep up the good work!

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN!

I have no experience with that model. I do like my PT425. It will be 5 years old this December. The new ones are even better than mine. Many improvements since then. I'd buy another one without hesitation.

 

[BobRip]

I was very happy to discover this forum. It has been a good source of information for me. I am seriously thinking of buying a pt-2425 with backhoe, trailer and about 15 attachments. I plan on using the machine for my new landscape business. I have just returned to the States from a few years in Italy and during that time I saw many articulated tractors in use. I like the articulated design of the PT and havn't seen anything else quite like it on the U.S. market. I would appreciate any feedback about this particular model (pt-2425) that could help me make a decision about purchasing one.
Keep up the good work!

There are many pro and cons on the 425 versus 2425. First I must say I have never seen a 2425, but have owned at 422 for about 5 years, so my opinions are very biased. Take them for true if you see it the same way. The negatives of the 2425 are the extra length (especially with the backhoe installed), the cost difference, and the higher center of gravity.

The 425 has a backhoe available and while it may not be as capable as the 2425, it is very useful.
One of the strengths of the PT articulating tractors is the manueverability. It will work rings around a conventional tractor for most small lot work. Adding a long back hoe out the back takes away from that.

The backhoe on the PT2425 is always available, true and this is a plus, but with the quick removal and installation of attachments on the 425 this is not a real big issue. The PT2425 backhoe is not easily removable.

The higher center of gravity is only a big issues if you are on slopes. So look at your territory. I think also rough ground will be more comfortable on the lower machine. Also getting the 425 in a garage is easier. These machines were not designed to be left outside. Look at your garage door height.

Cost, if you are doing this commerically, $3000 does not seen like much, but it is about 2 attachments or even more.

There appears to be a lot more 422/425 machines being purchased. I feel better buying something that they make a lot of. There is more chance to find and correct the problems. Also the market place is telling you something, most people prefer the 422/425/ (even 180). Think about this and figure out why.

These are just my comments and I hope they will inspire comments from 2425 owners to correct any errors or misconceptions that I might have.
Good luck on your decision.

 

[BobRip]

I was very happy to discover this forum. It has been a good source of information for me. I am seriously thinking of buying a pt-2425 with backhoe, trailer and about 15 attachments. I plan on using the machine for my new landscape business. I have just returned to the States from a few years in Italy and during that time I saw many articulated tractors in use. I like the articulated design of the PT and havn't seen anything else quite like it on the U.S. market. I would appreciate any feedback about this particular model (pt-2425) that could help me make a decision about purchasing one.
Keep up the good work!

I am curious, what machines dominate the European market. Are they more like the 425 or the 2425? My guess is there is a real mixture of machines. Do you have any pictures of these machines?

 

[jfh28]

I am one of the owners of the green tall boys. My decision to purchase a 2425was more based on ergonomics than machine capability differences. My youthful indescretions have caught up to me and I could not extend my leg comfortably in a 425. Which meant pain. With the seating arraingement of the 2425 I am quite comfortable. Dumb reason but I have the same problems with cars. Can't drive my wife's. Maybe that's why she got it!

I have found the 2425 to be everything that I need. I actually like the higher seating as I can see what I'm doing better. It also makes me more visible when I am working near the road. And there is nothing like sitting on a built-in heater in the winter nights. Oddly enough I don't feel the heat transfer in the summer. I have not found the higher center of gravity to be a problem. The few times I have pushed it both intentionally and unintentionally I never felt the machine would tip over. I am glad that I wear the seatbelt at all times.

The backhoe is a very handy device to have behind me. I have never removed it but the process is not that difficult. Besides digging I use it as a brake, accessory carrier, third arm to hold things up, jack to fix the tires and change the oil, and idiot remover to get me out of places I shouldn't be. I do regret not getting the 12 inch bucket.

I have not felt the length of the machine with the backhoe to be a problem. I just finished cutting a trail thru our woods and really got in and out of some tight spots.

Personally I think it's easier to work on than a 425 because you also can remove the floor which opens up the engine comparment even more. The oil filter is in a bear of a place though.

If one of your primary purposes is grass cutting you may want to talk to Scott and Terry at PT. I think that they said the oil runs hotter on these machines and they don't recommend it as a cutter. I do have a brush cutter but I'm done in 20 minutes so it has not been a problem for me.

There are probably things that I can do better than a 425, just as there are things a 425 can do better than me. It all comes down to how you will use it. I strongly recommend that you try out each machine and see which will fit you best. The're both built like tanks.

Let me know if there are other questions I can help you with.

Jack

 

[BobRip]

Jack, thanks for the comments to balance out my bias. Sounds like a good machine. What are some of your uses?

 

[jfh28]

Biggest use is driveway - plowing, grading, removing trees that insist on falling across it. Cutting brush along the road, woods maintance, the rest is just whatever project that comes along to make my life easier. Just finished cutting a trail thru our woods. Next up will be a 200 foot long trench to run a conduit between the barn and house. This will allow me to run a circuit from the generator to the barn and also a data cable for the computer so I can cut my cable bill in half. Currently I have separate service to each building.

Jack

 

[MossRoad]

I ran two seperate conduits to my garage from my house. One was for the electric and the second for computer cable and satellite dish coax cables. Never regretted it. Size them larger than anticipated need if you can. Something will come up later and you'll be happy you spent a couple extra bucks when you did.

 

[BobRip]

I ran two seperate conduits to my garage from my house. One was for the electric and the second for computer cable and satellite dish coax cables. Never regretted it. Size them larger than anticipated need if you can. Something will come up later and you'll be happy you spent a couple extra bucks when you did.

It's a good idea to put a pull string in so you can pull a new wire easily.

 

[pagliaccio matto]

Having problems responding on this forum.

 

[pagliaccio matto]

Thanks for the feedback about the 2425. Here are a few more questions: The soil conditions here in Santa Fe varry from sandy to rocky to clay to hardpan. In some places there is little or no topsoil. The terrain varries from flat to hilly. How will the 2425 do in thease conditions? Also the elevation here is 7200ft. I have read that you lose 3% horsepower for every 1000 ft. rise above 3000 ft on non turbo charged engenies. If this is the case,then I would lose about 12% power! Can this be true? Are there any special problems associated with the 2425? Anyone own a PT 12ft. T-8 trailer? How would you rate it? thanks,
Steve

 

[jfh28]

We're all rock up here, a lot of fractured shale right below the surface, and I haven't had any trouble yet. Keep in mind this is not a full size cat or jd backhoe so there are limitations. My land is on the side of mountain and I can get up anything I've wanted too with it. Won't set any speed records doing it though. Of course what we call mountains you might call flatlands. I think you really need to test a machine in your conditions. Call Scott at PT and see if there is anyone out your way that you can visit.

Jack

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I have read that you lose 3% horsepower for every 1000 ft. rise above 3000 ft on non turbo charged engenies. If this is the case,then I would lose about 12% power! Can this be true?
Steve

Steve: I am afraid it it quite true that you will lose at least 12%. In racing naturally aspirated engines, we have seen that much loss at Bonneville, which is less than 5000 ft., and you can demonstrate it fairly easily in the performance of naturally aspirated airplanes. Manifold pressure decreases as altitude increases, so power goes down.
PT does not currently offer turbocharged engines, so the only suggestion I can make is that you pick the machine configuration most suited to the jobs you need to do, and then get the most powerful one you can afford, so you have some power reserve.

 

[MossRoad]

Or see if PT would build you a custom unit with a turbo Kubota engine!

 

[pagliaccio matto]

I'm sorry to hear that the altitude power loss is true. I think it aplies to to the human body as well at this altitude!
Steve

 

[J_J]

I'm sorry to hear that the altitude power loss is true. I think it aplies to to the human body as well at this altitude!
Steve

I believe there is a way around the altitude problem. Check with the customer service department for the engine manufacture, and see if there is a high altitude kit available. I believe it is a matter of changing out the jets, and retuning.

The body will also compensate for the altitude. It is a slow change, but it will happen.

 

[Bob999]

I believe there is a way around the altitude problem. Check with the customer service department for the engine manufacture, and see if there is a high altitude kit available. I believe it is a matter of changing out the jets, and retuning.

J_J My understanding is that lower atmospheric pressure at higher altitude results in a well tuned engine producing less power than the same well tuned engine will produce at sea level. High altitude modification kits address another aspect of high altitude operation--the fuel air mixture becomes overly rich. However, my understanding is that correcting the fuel air mixture will not restore power levels to those produced at sea level.

 

[catsco]

I'm in Colorado at just under 8,000 feet, and originally had a little difficulty with the mixture being overly rich on my PT-425 (with the Kohler engine).

Never got around to rejetting with the high altitude kit, as after about 300 hours and putting slightly hotter spark plugs it, it runs well.

One thing you might check, regardless of which engine is in your PT when you buy it, is that the choke is entirely released when you open it.

That was part of my problem, in that the choke cable was not correctly adjusted.

Another high altitude issue, especially in the sun during warm weather, is the boiling of the gas in the tank, as here along the front range, the only fuel available is made for low emissions, which puts the boiling point at under 120 degrees.

My PT has the steel tank in the engine cover; makes a great solar heater for the fuel!

Regards, MH