Power Trac PT425
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bubenberg
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Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
on steeper hills and wet grass, i sometimes have to unhook my trail mowers and or slow down to accommodate the pt hydraulic system
on steeper hills and wet grass, i sometimes have to unhook my trail mowers and or slow down to accommodate the pt hydraulic system
Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
PTRich and Bubenburg thanks for sharing your experience. I will put this to the test tonight ... if it dosen't rain. I did put my wheel back on the mower deck last night and venture out onto the hill just to see if i imagined the wheel coming off the ground or what. It was getting dark, so I did no more then put the joystick in float, drive out onto the hill and stop. Tried rocking the PT422 side to side by pushing on the rops. Seemed pretty stable, the front definitely moved independantly of the rear. The rear half didn't budge. So i ventured out a little further, started to lose traction on one front wheel. So i backed up and traction returned to the front wheel. So i drove forward, this time not stopping until my wheel was a good 4"- 6" off of the ground. When I backed up the wheel came back down. It was dark by now and the only light was from the lamppost. So ... back to the garage for the little pt that couldn't ... or wouldn't. Tonight i will try bubenburgs and ptrich's suggestions.
PTRich and Bubenburg thanks for sharing your experience. I will put this to the test tonight ... if it dosen't rain. I did put my wheel back on the mower deck last night and venture out onto the hill just to see if i imagined the wheel coming off the ground or what. It was getting dark, so I did no more then put the joystick in float, drive out onto the hill and stop. Tried rocking the PT422 side to side by pushing on the rops. Seemed pretty stable, the front definitely moved independantly of the rear. The rear half didn't budge. So i ventured out a little further, started to lose traction on one front wheel. So i backed up and traction returned to the front wheel. So i drove forward, this time not stopping until my wheel was a good 4"- 6" off of the ground. When I backed up the wheel came back down. It was dark by now and the only light was from the lamppost. So ... back to the garage for the little pt that couldn't ... or wouldn't. Tonight i will try bubenburgs and ptrich's suggestions.
Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
Marrt, when you visit powertrac next week perhaps you could inquire about putting fluid in the tires? This may be a moot point after further experimentation so maybe i shouldn't ask this until i play some more. But since i thinking out loud here, i'll at least put my thoughts down. The person i spoke with (Terry) indicated that the wheel motors wouldn't stand-up to the additional weight. But this doesn't make sense to me since all of their machines use the same design and and the rest are quite a bit are heavier then mine. The rear of this machine has to 2 to 3 times the weight of the front and they use the same wheel motors (i assume) ... so the more i think about it, the more i think fluid in the front tires would not be a major problem and if the motors did wear out prematurely possibly they could be replaced with beefier motors. Could the PT422 wheel motors be replaced with those on the PT1430 and what if any modifications would be required???
Marrt, when you visit powertrac next week perhaps you could inquire about putting fluid in the tires? This may be a moot point after further experimentation so maybe i shouldn't ask this until i play some more. But since i thinking out loud here, i'll at least put my thoughts down. The person i spoke with (Terry) indicated that the wheel motors wouldn't stand-up to the additional weight. But this doesn't make sense to me since all of their machines use the same design and and the rest are quite a bit are heavier then mine. The rear of this machine has to 2 to 3 times the weight of the front and they use the same wheel motors (i assume) ... so the more i think about it, the more i think fluid in the front tires would not be a major problem and if the motors did wear out prematurely possibly they could be replaced with beefier motors. Could the PT422 wheel motors be replaced with those on the PT1430 and what if any modifications would be required???
OP
MossRoad
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- Aug 31, 2001
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- South Bend, Indiana (near)
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
I thought that I replied to this earlier today, but apparently I didn't.
I don't believe that any parts are the same on different series. All the 400 parts might be similar. But I think the bigger the series, the bigger the parts.
I thought that I replied to this earlier today, but apparently I didn't.
I don't believe that any parts are the same on different series. All the 400 parts might be similar. But I think the bigger the series, the bigger the parts.
PTRich
Gold Member
Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
When the tire came off the ground did you check to make sure the joy stick was in float at this time? To double check run the tractor with no mower on the exact same hill. Since the mower floats it adds no weight to the machine, if the wheel does not come off the ground something is wrong. Either the tractor float is not working properly or it is popping out of float and you are not aware of it. Also keep in mind the plate for the mower should be as verticle as possible. Please let me know how you make out. I will be off line till sat night. Again, these machines specialize in these situations you should be able to mow across the hill.
PTRich
When the tire came off the ground did you check to make sure the joy stick was in float at this time? To double check run the tractor with no mower on the exact same hill. Since the mower floats it adds no weight to the machine, if the wheel does not come off the ground something is wrong. Either the tractor float is not working properly or it is popping out of float and you are not aware of it. Also keep in mind the plate for the mower should be as verticle as possible. Please let me know how you make out. I will be off line till sat night. Again, these machines specialize in these situations you should be able to mow across the hill.
PTRich
Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
No i didn't think to check the float, but the quick-attach plate was in a verticle position. Rain kept me from any more expermination last night, so maybe tonight.
Good idea i'll run the PT out there without the deck also.
No i didn't think to check the float, but the quick-attach plate was in a verticle position. Rain kept me from any more expermination last night, so maybe tonight.
Good idea i'll run the PT out there without the deck also.
Anonymous Poster
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Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
Dear PT guys,
I stumbled across the info on the PT machines a month or so ago and feel like the PT 425 comes closest to meeting my needs as anything I have seen. I almost bought a JD4100 last summer but couldn't bring myself to pay big bucks for a machine that didn't really fit my situation. I have 64 acres in rural north Mississippi. I have to mow and maintain about 5 acres and about a mile of trails on the property boundary. In addition I have some erosion (both minor and major) to fix. My only hesitation in getting the PT425 is its weight of only 1000 lbs. With such minimal weight, is it possible to do serious "dirt work." I know a 2500 lb tractor could, but I really don't want to deal with having the implements behind me, a 3-pt hitch, and a high center of gravity on hills. I would appreciate any feedback from the PT guys on the capability of the PT425 to get down and dirty with erosion problems. If I am convinced that the PT425 can handle my dirt work, I will start looking for the best financing I can get and put in my order pronto. Thanks in advance. Ken in Mississippi.
Dear PT guys,
I stumbled across the info on the PT machines a month or so ago and feel like the PT 425 comes closest to meeting my needs as anything I have seen. I almost bought a JD4100 last summer but couldn't bring myself to pay big bucks for a machine that didn't really fit my situation. I have 64 acres in rural north Mississippi. I have to mow and maintain about 5 acres and about a mile of trails on the property boundary. In addition I have some erosion (both minor and major) to fix. My only hesitation in getting the PT425 is its weight of only 1000 lbs. With such minimal weight, is it possible to do serious "dirt work." I know a 2500 lb tractor could, but I really don't want to deal with having the implements behind me, a 3-pt hitch, and a high center of gravity on hills. I would appreciate any feedback from the PT guys on the capability of the PT425 to get down and dirty with erosion problems. If I am convinced that the PT425 can handle my dirt work, I will start looking for the best financing I can get and put in my order pronto. Thanks in advance. Ken in Mississippi.
ernemats
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- power trac 422, and agco-allis 5660, ,1845 power trac Greenworks CRT 426
Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
Ken:
I have a similar situation as you i have 64 acres ,mostly steep hills with about 5 acres i mow and about 2 miles of roads and trails i mow. I have had my 422 power trac 2 years and my wife and i use it for mowing with good results. As far as using it for repairing wash out areas it might do it depending on soil type and how much you have to do. I just have the regular bucket without teeth and it will do a decent job if the soil is not to hard and you are not in too big a hurry. As far as the weight of the tractor goes power trac has admitted it weighs 1300 pounds + not the 1000 they used to claim and pound for pound it will do a lot of work for that size a machine if you have the right attachments and learn how to use them.
Ken:
I have a similar situation as you i have 64 acres ,mostly steep hills with about 5 acres i mow and about 2 miles of roads and trails i mow. I have had my 422 power trac 2 years and my wife and i use it for mowing with good results. As far as using it for repairing wash out areas it might do it depending on soil type and how much you have to do. I just have the regular bucket without teeth and it will do a decent job if the soil is not to hard and you are not in too big a hurry. As far as the weight of the tractor goes power trac has admitted it weighs 1300 pounds + not the 1000 they used to claim and pound for pound it will do a lot of work for that size a machine if you have the right attachments and learn how to use them.
OP
MossRoad
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Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
I'd surely feel safer on slopes on my PT425 than on a conventional tractor. However, I've never used a conventional tractor of the same size as my PT for dirt work, so I can't compare the two.
I have turfs and can spin the tires pretty easily if I take a too agressive bite. You might consider R4s instead of turfs. I plan on ordering a second set of rims with R4s to compliment my turfs when I start doing work in the woods on the slopes in a few years.
Did you see my video on the parking space that I installed? It shows the PT425 with turf tires and the small bucket with teeth. It did an excellent job of digging up turf and topsoil that had been compacted by cars and trucks for years. Also, the ground was partially frozen. You might want to check it out.
I also considereed the JD4100, however, my knees hit the steering wheel and it felt like I had to climb up on it. That gave me a feeling of top heavyness, which I never get on the PT425.
My advice is test drive all of the different brands in person. See what they can do in undisturbed soil. See how you like the cut of the mower. See how you like changing implements, etc... You might find a better machine for your needs. You might chose the PT400 series. Good luck on your tractor hunt.
I'd surely feel safer on slopes on my PT425 than on a conventional tractor. However, I've never used a conventional tractor of the same size as my PT for dirt work, so I can't compare the two.
I have turfs and can spin the tires pretty easily if I take a too agressive bite. You might consider R4s instead of turfs. I plan on ordering a second set of rims with R4s to compliment my turfs when I start doing work in the woods on the slopes in a few years.
Did you see my video on the parking space that I installed? It shows the PT425 with turf tires and the small bucket with teeth. It did an excellent job of digging up turf and topsoil that had been compacted by cars and trucks for years. Also, the ground was partially frozen. You might want to check it out.
I also considereed the JD4100, however, my knees hit the steering wheel and it felt like I had to climb up on it. That gave me a feeling of top heavyness, which I never get on the PT425.
My advice is test drive all of the different brands in person. See what they can do in undisturbed soil. See how you like the cut of the mower. See how you like changing implements, etc... You might find a better machine for your needs. You might chose the PT400 series. Good luck on your tractor hunt.
PTRich
Gold Member
Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
I have the PT425 and use the small bucket with teeth to dig. It works very well. I have the bar tires and my ground is very rocky. We also have a Yanmar that weighs about 3600lbs, it does not dig as well but the bucket is slower and has no teeth on it. I mow with my bar tires, they leave no impressions on the grass (possibly because they are so wide). I have been very happy with my machine and hope to help Reds so he is also happy with his. Keep watching this site, I hope to be able to put together my "grademaster" and will share my findings with everyone.
I have the PT425 and use the small bucket with teeth to dig. It works very well. I have the bar tires and my ground is very rocky. We also have a Yanmar that weighs about 3600lbs, it does not dig as well but the bucket is slower and has no teeth on it. I mow with my bar tires, they leave no impressions on the grass (possibly because they are so wide). I have been very happy with my machine and hope to help Reds so he is also happy with his. Keep watching this site, I hope to be able to put together my "grademaster" and will share my findings with everyone.
OP
MossRoad
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
"Grade master" ? Sounds interesting. I'll watch for your posts. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
"Grade master" ? Sounds interesting. I'll watch for your posts. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Anonymous Poster
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Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
Dear MossRoad, PTRich, ernemats, and other PT Guys,
Thanks for the valuable feedback. The information on the PT425 and dirtwork is encouraging. I will continue to watch for your experiences relating to PT425 dirtwork capability. I will be heading to a meeting in the Northeast at the end of May and am planning a visit to the PT place in Virginia. I think the chance to actually try out the PT425 will make the decision for me. Over the past year I have looked at and tried a bunch of tractors and spent tons of time on the net researching tractors. My wife thinks I have become obsessed. I am taking her with me so she can try the PT425 herself, since she enjoys mowing our property. I pretty much had her talked into a new NH TC29 when I found the PT discussions and realized the PT is what I have been looking for. Her only problem with the P425 is that it looks like a golf cart instead of a tractor. I need to convince her that the machine can really do what we need regardless of the golf cart look. I was looking at close to $20k for the NH with fel, mower, bushhog (same as brushhog) and a few other goodies, so $12-$13k for a PT425 with more functionality looks real good. I am hoping that my visit to Power Trac will end a long and somewhat frustrating quest for the "right tractor." Your honest and informative comments are much appreciated. Thanks again. Ken in Mississippi
P.S. By the way MossRoad, a few weeks ago I downloaded all your videos so I could analyze carefully the digging sequences. It looks good, but my dirt is concrete-like red clay, so its hard to make a direct comparison.
Dear MossRoad, PTRich, ernemats, and other PT Guys,
Thanks for the valuable feedback. The information on the PT425 and dirtwork is encouraging. I will continue to watch for your experiences relating to PT425 dirtwork capability. I will be heading to a meeting in the Northeast at the end of May and am planning a visit to the PT place in Virginia. I think the chance to actually try out the PT425 will make the decision for me. Over the past year I have looked at and tried a bunch of tractors and spent tons of time on the net researching tractors. My wife thinks I have become obsessed. I am taking her with me so she can try the PT425 herself, since she enjoys mowing our property. I pretty much had her talked into a new NH TC29 when I found the PT discussions and realized the PT is what I have been looking for. Her only problem with the P425 is that it looks like a golf cart instead of a tractor. I need to convince her that the machine can really do what we need regardless of the golf cart look. I was looking at close to $20k for the NH with fel, mower, bushhog (same as brushhog) and a few other goodies, so $12-$13k for a PT425 with more functionality looks real good. I am hoping that my visit to Power Trac will end a long and somewhat frustrating quest for the "right tractor." Your honest and informative comments are much appreciated. Thanks again. Ken in Mississippi
P.S. By the way MossRoad, a few weeks ago I downloaded all your videos so I could analyze carefully the digging sequences. It looks good, but my dirt is concrete-like red clay, so its hard to make a direct comparison.
Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
Ken, like your self, I have been looking for some times look at all the machines on the market. The big selling point I liked was the quick change, my wife like to mow and us my old tractor, the quick change will assist her in working around the yard as it is so easy to remove and replace different attachments!
KCook
Ken, like your self, I have been looking for some times look at all the machines on the market. The big selling point I liked was the quick change, my wife like to mow and us my old tractor, the quick change will assist her in working around the yard as it is so easy to remove and replace different attachments!
KCook
bubenberg
Platinum Member
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- PT425, Kubota L2050, 3 hydrostatic Exmark mowers. Z21D Kubota ZTR, 2 Kunz acrease wing mowers, 1 rough cut kunz mower, one vintage grasshopper ztr, one vintage gravely ztr, various large garden tracto
Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
ken, the golf cart look is not a selling point of pt but a virginia state requirement that vehicles over a certain horsepower rating must have a rops system installed.
on the other hand, if you work ever around tree work, you will be happy to have that canopy above your head. hope that will help to make another selling point or two to the proper authorities.
ken, the golf cart look is not a selling point of pt but a virginia state requirement that vehicles over a certain horsepower rating must have a rops system installed.
on the other hand, if you work ever around tree work, you will be happy to have that canopy above your head. hope that will help to make another selling point or two to the proper authorities.
Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
I took the tractor out friday night ... no attachments ... drove across the hill out front of the house. PT was just fine. Only the slightest hint of wheel lift in one or two places. So PT passed this test with flying colors.
Today i cut the rear yard. Almost finished cutting the rear hill before the front wheel lifted off the ground. The joystick seemed to be in the float position. So i raised the mower deck, which lowered the wheel, put the joystick back into float and finished mowing the yard. No more problems.
Next i venture back out to the front yard, make sure i'm in float, start across the front hill, get about 30' out, the wheel comes off the ground. When i lift the mower deck, the tractor drops back down. If I put it in float again, the mower deck actually puts enough pressure on the ground to lift weight off the front wheels tractor. You can feel and see the front of the tractor lift up. This does not happen on level ground unless you put the joystick in lower instead of float. In your experience is this normal? Is it possible for the incline to cause the float to malfunction ? If i drive forward from this position ... the front wheel will lift up. It seems like the loader arms are pushing down on the mowe deck and lifting the tractor up. Not both wheels, just the front (uphill side) wheel. Now, if i go in reverse ... the wheel comes back down. I can drive in reverse as long as i want without any problems. I don't really want to cut my hills in reverse.
So ... i can drive across the hills with no problems with no attachment. I can drive across the rear hill with almost no problems with mower deck attached . The front hill is a big headache! Backwards seems to be no problem except for the small fact that the mower deck is on the front.
Opinions ... comments ... please!!!???
I took the tractor out friday night ... no attachments ... drove across the hill out front of the house. PT was just fine. Only the slightest hint of wheel lift in one or two places. So PT passed this test with flying colors.
Today i cut the rear yard. Almost finished cutting the rear hill before the front wheel lifted off the ground. The joystick seemed to be in the float position. So i raised the mower deck, which lowered the wheel, put the joystick back into float and finished mowing the yard. No more problems.
Next i venture back out to the front yard, make sure i'm in float, start across the front hill, get about 30' out, the wheel comes off the ground. When i lift the mower deck, the tractor drops back down. If I put it in float again, the mower deck actually puts enough pressure on the ground to lift weight off the front wheels tractor. You can feel and see the front of the tractor lift up. This does not happen on level ground unless you put the joystick in lower instead of float. In your experience is this normal? Is it possible for the incline to cause the float to malfunction ? If i drive forward from this position ... the front wheel will lift up. It seems like the loader arms are pushing down on the mowe deck and lifting the tractor up. Not both wheels, just the front (uphill side) wheel. Now, if i go in reverse ... the wheel comes back down. I can drive in reverse as long as i want without any problems. I don't really want to cut my hills in reverse.
So ... i can drive across the hills with no problems with no attachment. I can drive across the rear hill with almost no problems with mower deck attached . The front hill is a big headache! Backwards seems to be no problem except for the small fact that the mower deck is on the front.
Opinions ... comments ... please!!!???
Sedgewood
Platinum Member
Re: Power Trac Mowing Performance
<font color=green>Is it possible for the incline to cause the float to malfunction ? If i drive forward from this position ... the front wheel will lift up. It seems like the loader arms are pushing down on the mowe deck and lifting the tractor up. Not both wheels, just the front (uphill side) wheel. Now, if i go in reverse ... the wheel comes back down. I can drive in reverse as long as i want without any problems. I don't really want to cut my hills in reverse.
</font color=green>
Reds, this description reminds me of something I've found with my 1845 that may be relevant to your problem. I can backdrag all day long with the bucket or rake or whatever in float. If I try to "forwarddrag" in float the tractor starts to try to climb over the attachment, lifting the front wheels off the ground. I'm a bit annoyed by this since I used to "forwarddrag" fairly often with my old 484 and FEL with no problem. It would be nice to be able to push debris with the rake over uneven ground in float but alas it's not possible. I think the climbing must be related to the arm geometry. My guess in your case is that on the side hill your mower is for some reason not rolling easily enough to keep this forwarddrag/lift action from happening. When the front lifts up the front of the tractor will pivot around the pivot point the mower hangs from and will roll toward the downhill side keeping the downhill wheel on the ground and lifting the uphill wheel. So, what's keeping the mower from rolling freely? High grass against the deck? A wheel digging in. The attachment plate not centered so mower can swing forward enough. I seem to remember seeing at the factory an older model 1845 with a stabilizer running from the mower deck back to the tractor frame to keep the mower from swinging back. You might start by watching carefully for clues to whatever it is that is keeping the mower from rolling freely. Hope this helps.
<font color=green>Is it possible for the incline to cause the float to malfunction ? If i drive forward from this position ... the front wheel will lift up. It seems like the loader arms are pushing down on the mowe deck and lifting the tractor up. Not both wheels, just the front (uphill side) wheel. Now, if i go in reverse ... the wheel comes back down. I can drive in reverse as long as i want without any problems. I don't really want to cut my hills in reverse.
</font color=green>
Reds, this description reminds me of something I've found with my 1845 that may be relevant to your problem. I can backdrag all day long with the bucket or rake or whatever in float. If I try to "forwarddrag" in float the tractor starts to try to climb over the attachment, lifting the front wheels off the ground. I'm a bit annoyed by this since I used to "forwarddrag" fairly often with my old 484 and FEL with no problem. It would be nice to be able to push debris with the rake over uneven ground in float but alas it's not possible. I think the climbing must be related to the arm geometry. My guess in your case is that on the side hill your mower is for some reason not rolling easily enough to keep this forwarddrag/lift action from happening. When the front lifts up the front of the tractor will pivot around the pivot point the mower hangs from and will roll toward the downhill side keeping the downhill wheel on the ground and lifting the uphill wheel. So, what's keeping the mower from rolling freely? High grass against the deck? A wheel digging in. The attachment plate not centered so mower can swing forward enough. I seem to remember seeing at the factory an older model 1845 with a stabilizer running from the mower deck back to the tractor frame to keep the mower from swinging back. You might start by watching carefully for clues to whatever it is that is keeping the mower from rolling freely. Hope this helps.
Sedgewood
Platinum Member
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