Power Trac PT425

[Moon]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

Sorry Charlie! My bad. I hadn't looked at that many 1845's, but the ones I did see on the PT site were all duals; so i assumed yours was the dually kind. opps
Do you have any pics of yours you'd care to share?

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

No bad at all Grey. Power Trac's web site and price lists are a bit misleading, in that they don't show all options and combinations. I didn't know about the particular configuration of mine until I drove it at the factory.
I posted a number of pictures in the Power Trac customization thread. One, showing the 4 n 1 bucket is at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=custom&Number=110463&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=1845%204%20n%201&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=50&Old=allposts&Main=99458>link</A>
Others are near that post. If you search on 1845 you can find some where we welded the trailer hitch on.
I can't compete, however, with MossRoad's website on the 425.

 

[Moon]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

Wicked looking 1845 Charlie! I'm really jealous! The rigging for the bucket looks extra heavy duty. I just got the literature from Power Trac today. Adding up everything I'd like to get right off I'm at 15k for a PT425, 60' mower, brush hog, auger, 4" trencher, bucket w/ teeth, and forks. Also want to go with the R4 tires. I still have to see and drive the unit, and i've got to try out a kubota and maybe a NH compact. Mowing is a high priority item for me and whichever unit can do best on the slopes will probably get the nod. I'm probably within a month of making my purchase. The hunt really is fun....but i can't wait to get some seat time.

 

[Moon]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

Opps, I sent that last post too soon.
Taint no-one on here that I've seen giving MossRoads web site a run for the money. A BIG Thanks to MossRoad for taking the time and sharing his experience with us PT wannabe's. THANKS DUDE!!!!

 

[marrt]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

Like I have seen on this site numerous times, if you want a prompt response from PT, you have to call them. Don’t email them. I emailed a request for literature and a video some weeks ago. Thursday, the literature came but no video. There was a note saying the video was being revised and they would put me on the mailing list.

Anyway, on Tuesday of last week, I had called PT and spoken to Chris. I asked him for literature and a video. On Friday, both the literature and video arrived from Chris /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif. So the moral of the story….write an email if you want to wait two and a half weeks or call them and wait two and a half days. In any case, I think both responses were very prompt given my experiences with other companies. I’m not complaining.

I had to actually go out and buy a VCR to watch the tape, which I still haven’t actually watched. My old VCR died and I didn’t replace it since I use TiVo with DIRECTV for most TV entertainment. The video rental store is too far away to rent movies. The wife was asking me to get her a VCR so she could do her yoga tapes so I actually gained a few “points” by bringing a VCR home. Just can’t let her catch me watching my PT tape. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. To each his own form of relaxation.

However, I must admit that it will be hard to pick a PT422/PT425 over the latest BX deals. Check out Carver’s site <A target="_blank" HREF=http://carverequipment.com/cool_season_new.htm>http://carverequipment.com/cool_season_new.htm</A>

New BX 2200 4 wd Tractor
60 inch mid mount mower
LA 211 Loader
plus
48 inch Box Scraper with Rippers
40 inch Rotary Tiller
48 inch Core Aerator
The entire package Only -> $13,595. fob Dunn, NC

Seems like a great deal. A few less implements than you can get with a PT for the same money but you do get that great Kubota diesel engine and resale value. Oh well…decisions, decisions.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

Grey:
A number of people have bought Power Tracs sight unseen and been happy with the decision. They've missed out on part of the fun, however. By all means try to drive as many machines as you can before you buy, including conventional CUTs. It's not only educational, but great fun.
If you go to Tazewell to Power Trac, they will put you up in a motel and you can spend as much time as you want trying out their whole line.
If you get the PT and the trencher, I'll be interested to see how you like it. Unfortunately, before I got the PT I blew a lot of money replacing over a mile of pipe. The rental trencher did a good job, but was slow enough to make the rental company glad they were renting by the day.

 

[bubenberg]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

hi marr,
suggestion: don't take your bx machine let alone any other belly mower brand into hills or uneven ground. i promises you, that you are going to get stuck with that setup. the reason is that a belly mower, referred as mid mount is in my opinion a misnomer, this description nowadays is normally used for commercial mower deck suspension. why the belly mower set up can't get out of these situation without damaging the deck or blades is that the deck has no way to escape upwards.

popping the clutch to lift the front end could be disastrous and rops are a must.

if you want a machine that can handle uneven ground, dont buy a belly mower set up. for 20 to 30% the pt 400 series will do the job. but make sure you oil level is at all time just right, otherwise you risk to damage the engine.

if you need a tractor that can go at more of an incline the hill machine pt 1845/1850, aebi, or less expensive any hydrostatic commercial walk behind (many now have attachments for their larger models).

the commercial mid mount machine has in the above described situation and a good driver, enough tork to lift the front end in the air (pop a wheely) and clear the unevenness on the ground. with the bx belly mower setup or any other such type of mower deck you are going to be stuck.

my repair guy loves to see these homeowner tractors on steroids, 4x4 decks show up at our place for body work on the brand new beautiful belly mower deck. The reason why they come to us is our hourly rate is in the high teens per labor hour. at the kubata dealer it is in the fifties and you wait for weeks to get something done.

as i indicated before, we own several kubota machines and would not trade them for any thing. my star ship for smaller and complicated landscapes is a kubota ZD21 mower: fastest, best cut, stable, pops wheelies to get out of troubled areas, excellent on hills (sideways) and uphill, but has the same decease as any single axle mower, downhill it becomes at times a sled and you better have no pond at the bottom. inside joke among us hill mowing test pilo.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

You're welcome.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

Good reading! Sometimes I go back and re-read it just to find something. I've become a BIG fan of the search function.

 

[Reds]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

This is a great thread. So great in fact I took delivery of a PT422 this past Wednesday. Got about 5 hrs seat time under my belt on Sunday. WOW!!! I am even more impressed than I was when I first stumbled across this thread.
I wish to echo the sentiments of others on this forum and thank all of you for your hard work and opinions. Not just to the PT owners that led me down the path to financial ruin ... but to everyone on this forum that shares their knowledge with others, without the biting comments that seem to be common on other forums I've come across. I am truely impressed with both the people and machine (PT).
Dreaming no more!!!!!!!!

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

Another convert! Congratulations on a great machine!

And welcome to TBN. This IS a great community.

What attachments did you get?

 

[PTRich]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

Welcome to the Power Trac team, I think we'll get our own spot on tbn yet!

PTRich

 

[Reds]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

My new toys include: 60" finish mower; 60" rake; 9" auger with pivioting digger head; 5 cu bucket w/teeth;
10 cu bucket;cement mixer; 30" forks; 48" box blade & tiller + one xtra quick attach plate. I ordered way too much stuff and at the same time ... not enough. I've already started a wish list. Am I greedy or what???

 

[Reds]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

PTRich, I believe you just might do that too!!! I'm just a novice at this tractor stuff. But this piece of machinery looks like its gonna be my last. I think it's gonna outlast me!

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

WOW!!! That's quite a bit of tools. I'd like the auger next, then maybe the trencher.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

I've developed a slow leak in the left front turf tire ever since my brush hogging test run through the thick stuff last month. Yesterday I picked up four 16 ounce bottles of Slime at the Auto Zone for $7.99 each. I plan on putting one bottle in each tire.

 

[pajoube]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

Reds,
Congrautlations on your new baby. With the attachments you bought you should be able to handle anything. Very interested in your future impressions on these attachments as you get to use them. Keep us informed on your seat time.
PJ

 

[Reds]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

Mossroad, your right it is. I felt a little guilty when making up the list and seeing just how extensive it was. But a little seat time should cure that!
I definitely wanted the trencher too. But $1600 for just one tool ... I just couldn't jusitify it. Sure would be nice if rental centers carried PT attachments. I did come across one on the internet. You could rent a PT425 w/attachments, trailer ... the whole works. But its too far away from me to be of any use.

 

[Reds]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

Thanks Pajoube, I'll do my best to post my progress. Sunday was spent moving a 20 yard pile of mulch with the big bucket. Once I got the curl and lift concept down it, worked just great.
I went thru 2/3 of that pile in just maybe 3 hrs. This is the only way to move mulch. The Power Trac is so manuverable that I was able to get in close and drop the mulch where I wanted it. The articulation feature really shines here. Just move the steering wheel from side to side and keep and eye on the bucket so you don't put any holes in the house. My only disappointment was with the rake. I had planned on using the rake to spread the material. Didn't seem to work to well. Since the ground wasn't flat, the rake was constantly moving up and down. Actually speared the weed barrier at one point. Seemed easier to use the old hand rake. I won't give up on it just yet though!

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Power Trac Dreaming

Yeah, the big bucket is handy for loose stuff. I spent 5 hours on it Saturday spreading moon dust over a softball diamond infield. Worked really well. I still like the little bucket with teeth for most stuff. And you're right about watching the house. Those teeth would have no mercy on the siding /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif.