Power Trac PT425

[Charlie_Iliff]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Rich
When I was at Power Trac, I saw the manufacturing setup for the rubber on the snow blade. It was a guy named Mike with a roll of reinforced rubber about 1/2" thick, a saber saw, a 3/8" electric drill and a box of bolts. I liked the setup so much I got the rubber on my blade. (By ordering it, I have prevented snow, and even cold weather in Maryland.)
I got the rubber primarily to keep the blade from removing my blacktop. It is forgiving, but you still stop fairly suddenly if you hit something.
I would think bolting on your own rubber strip would be pretty easy.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Rich,
The PT425 price sheet that I got earlier this year with the video/info pac shows the rubber lip kit as a $200 option. It's the only option that seems to have been removed from the list now posted on the web page. Is it just me, or does that seem like a lot of money for a piece of rubber?

Scott

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Scott:
It's probably $25 worth of rubber, 5 or 6 holes, a strip of steel and some bolts and nuts. Doing it yourself will certainly save if you can find the rubber.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

I didn't ever look at the PT2422 price sheet that closely. I know what you mean about hitting something. I remember your post about hitting your head. That is one of the reasons I always wear my seatbelt. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. My driveway is all paved, but I do have a few grassy areas that I plow as well. If I am in the grass and I hit the edge of the pavement, the machine stops RIGHT NOW!!!. I don't know how flexible the rubber strip is, but it would be inteesting to look into. Maybe if I saw some pictures of it or saw it in person, such as Charlie did, I would be able to fabricate one.

I haven't noticed any wearing down of my plow blade yet, nor any damage to the asphalt so far. You made a wear strip for your snow plow, didn't you? Could you give us a little more detail on measurements?

 

[kcook]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

I like the rubber strip idea, my snow blower has rubber strips on it, I can get right down to the ground with out worring about tearing up my blower.

KCook

 

[PTRich]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

I used a piece of 3/8" by 4" bar steel. Used carriage bolts with an impact. The place I bought the steel from punched the wholes for me in the bar. The wholes are punched in the middle of the bar and I drilled wholes in the blade so the bar hangs down about 3/4 of and inch. Since the wholes are in the middle of the bar I can just flip it over when it wears out.

PTRich

 

[Brent_Griffith]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Scott F

I'm a PT422 owner and I certainly echo everything I've read on this thread about the Power-Trac units. They're a well built, versatile, rugged machine. I don't see how you could get anything close to this value anywhere else. As long as it suits your needs in how you're going to use it, its a great machine.

But, since I haven't seen anyone else address your question, I'd just like to state my opinion about the pricing in your original post: Is the PT-425 worth an extra $1000?

Certainly that's a personal opinion question. But I think the big thing about deciding would boil down to local service and parts availability/knowledge. If there's someone local who is able to service the unit under warranty and get parts, information, etc., then either engine would be fine. It really is just personal preference.

Kohler makes a fine engine, and I've got several of their smaller engines on some of my equipment. This is the first larger engine from them that I looked at.

In my opinion, the nominal 3HP difference really isn't an issue. I ended up buying the PT-422 for the savings in money. Looking at the power output and torque data on both engines, there isn't a tremendous difference. And when you consider that the test specs each manufacturer uses, I'm not convinced that you can compare the two. When I was looking into the same issue, there was some conflicting information on Kohler's website as to the testing standard used when presenting their data. My conclusion at that time was that I was comparing apples to oranges when comparing the test data. Plus, I don't think Power-Trac would "under-size" an engine. Either engine is driving the same hydraulic pump at the same speed. For the type of work and implements the tractor is designed for, I don't think one engine will out-perform the other. But, you should ask Power-Trac why they offer both and why one might be preferable over the other.

Reliability is the other big factor. Your experience and that of others on this site is your best guide. The Kohler engine has a longer history, so more people will have experiences with them. Robin's only been in the US since 1971, and isn't as widely distributed, so you'll find less info on them. I don't know of any source for objective failure data on either engine.

So, I would recommend checking on where the closest Robin dealer/service supplier is. If its not close, then don't consider the Robin.

Finally, I would recommend you get the ROPS as well. Just be careful getting in and out. It's solid — more than your head.

Good Luck! I know you'll be pleased with either one.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Brent,
Thanks, good advice. I checked and the nearest Robin service center is about 45 min. away, the nearest Kohler service is about 20 minutes away. I may call both places and see how they "sound" just to get an idea of who would be easier to get along with if I needed service. I would expect (hope) that neither engine should need any major maintenance for some time, and even if they did, I could probably get it at any decent small engine repair shop.

Scott

 

[PTRich]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Scott F.
I hope I did not give the impression that the Robin is a bad engine. Robin is made bu Subaru wich has a good reputation of building a good small motor. My engine choice was more personal preference and service availability, though I do not think I will have ANY problems for many years. I change my filters every 50 hours and use quality synthetic oil. Brent is probably right, Power Trac has nothing to gain and everything to loss by selling you a inferior motor. If there was a problem with Robin motors there are plenty of others they could switch to, including a smaller Kohler.

Good Luck PTRich

 

[MasonDixon]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

I just took delivery of a PT422 last Friday. I was all set to place an order for a 425, but they dropped the price of the 422 by $500 so I bit.
I am extremely pleased with the performance. I understand why everybody is so enthused about these machines. Even my wife is enthused about the little tractor. She mowed with it a couple of hours yesterday afternoon after only a couple minutes of instruction. I used the front bucket quite a little bit Saturday and Sunday to push limbs, haul fill sand, scrape up dirt from high spots etc. The quick attach feature of the PT is one of the best ideas I have ever seen on any tractor. All totaled My wife and I put about 6 hours on the machine this weekend. I was all set to work it after I got off work today but it is pouring rain. I'll probably have to figure a way to do some draining with it tomorrow.
Jim

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Re: Power Trac PT422

MasonDixon:
Welcome to the select Power Trac owners' group. We aren't formally organized, but we seem to have one major thing in common. We all watched and thought for a long time before we bought such an offbeat machine, but uniformly it has exceeded our expectations.
Congratulations.

 

[pajoube]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Brent,
Very good advice, thanks for the clear approach.
I agree with Charlie that there should be a club for owners of these machines. At least a ball cap with Power Trac and TBN on the front. I didn't know about the price reduction on the 422. This may force me to move up my purchase date.
Paul

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

You want to know the truth? I just wanted the biggest engine that they offered in that platform /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif, (are you happy with that answer?) /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Congratulations on a great machine!!, Now update your profile a little bit so we can get some counts of Power Trac owners. There's only three of us listed, and it looks like Rich was either cussing at his or had his caps lock on when filling out his profile /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

<font color=blue>I just wanted the biggest engine that they offered...</font color=blue>

Now that's the REAL right answer. Gotta appreciate basic honesty. It's the same reason I want the bar turf tires when I buy - just because they look good.

Scott

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Charlie,
I called WR Long and asked them about making a smaller 4 in 1 bucket. Basically what they would do is make a narrower version of your bucket (for about the same $$ as your bucket). I think that would probably still be a little too heavy for the 422/5 so I guess I'll drop the 4 in 1 idea for now. I've noticed that they make 4 in 1s for the little stand-on skid steers - probably about the right size for the 422/5. I might consider that in the future, but I'm guessing they're probably a bit pricy.

Scott

 

[kcook]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

You guys are making me jealous, I hope to get one soon. I will continue to read these postings and ask questions. You all have been a big help upto this point!

Thanks, wish I had one as well!

KCook

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Scott:
Mine is the heavy duty version in that size. Its shipping weight , including tooth bar, was 505 lb which certainly would be too heavy. They told me the lighter version would have been about 350 lb, as I recall, also in 60" width, but without the tooth bar. If they narrowed that one, you would still probably be looking at over 300 lb, but plenty strong.
I don't recall the names, but a couple of other fabricators have been mentioned on the list. If someone is making one for something like a Dingo, it might be perfect. If I come across any info, I'll post it.

 

[Brent_Griffith]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Scott F,

I just remembered that I also wanted to comment on the filter location you asked about. I don't know about the Kohler, but with the Robin engine getting at the filters is less than optimum.

The hydraulic filter is tucked in the right front corner (probably the same location as on the PT425) of the rear section of the machine. The top of the spin on housing that holds the filter is pretty much flush with the top of the lower half of the rear section (that is, the solid metal part — "green painted part" — not the half that tilts up for access to the engine,etc.) just behind the hydraulic tank. With the engine, pump, and hoses in and out it gets pretty crowded. Its not necessarily extremely difficult to change the filter but its not what I would call easy either.

The engine filter on the Robin sticks out horizontally on the same side as the hydraulic filter. There isn't a lot of extra clearance betwen the side of the lower section of the machine and the filter to make this real easy either. I've not changed it yet, but that time is coming soon. If you're interested I'll take some pictures and post them.

Anyway, it is something else to consider when making the decision. It might not seem like a big deal compared to the $1000 difference between the two machines, but if its something you're going to do often and its frustrating to do, then it might not get done when it should!

Brent

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Charlie,
You're right, it was the lightweight version he was talking about, but it would probably still end up around 300lbs. He also mentioned he needed at least 7" clearance outside the loader arms for the clamshell cylinders, so it could still end up being wider than suitable for the 422/5. When all is said and done, I probably want and 4 in 1 more than I need a 4 in 1. The guy who did the final grading at the new house did a pretty good job with just a plain bucket on his TLB. I also really want one of those little CADdiggers like your Lackender.

Thanks,
Scott