PT-425 Currently Unavailable?

Charlie_Iliff · Jun 9, 2003

haven't been able to stick it so bad I couldn't get out, as I think Charlie has, in horse doo doo of all things, with his turfs. If it weren't for the mud I'd probably do turfs next time.


The bars may be a bit better in mud, but we'd need a same-bog competition to tell. Where I stuck mine in the compost pit, it wouldn't have helped to have anything short of tracks. (Had to do something to entertain my guest Bubernberg, you see.)

Although I like the turfs and have had good service, when they wear out, I may skip the 4 ply bars, but try to track down something similar to the Michelins. Since I bought an Exmark walk behind, I no longer use the PT on my lawn. If Bubenberg's right, though, the bar industrial bars won't be as good in snow. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

For anyone doing any mowing where appearance counts, the turfs are the only answer, and give very little away in any other application.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 10, 2003

I have turfs on my 1460. I bought chains as a back up in case I needed more traction in snow/mud/ice. To date I haven't even considered installing the chains. For traction, The turfs have performed much, much better than expected. In some cases (not mud) I think their traction may even be better because of greater surface contact. The advantages over bar tires (in my opinion) make the decision a no contest in favor of turfs.

Richard

smartguyz · Jun 10, 2003

Umm, unless I am mistaken, the 1460 tire description, according to PT's site, reads as follows: "The tires on the 1460 are 12x16:50, 8-ply Loader Tires" and "Optional Tires- 31-15:50x15, 4-ply Turf Tires; Tractor Width- 66" ALSO "Weight- 5,620 lbs."/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Sure - I believe that will have plenty of grip! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sedgewood · Jun 10, 2003

In some cases (not mud) I think their traction may even be better because of greater surface contact. The advantages over bar tires (in my opinion) make the decision a no contest in favor of turfs.


If it weren't for my mud, I'd heartily agree. I'm convinced by all the comments that turfs are the way to go. So please don't be influenced by my leanings unless you're an old stick-in-the-mud like me!.....

Sedgewood

marrt · Jun 10, 2003

Maybe I'm missing something here. I think most PTs are used in a dirt/mud, grass, and pavement/gravel environment (add snow for part of the year). I think we can all agree that the Bar tires are MUCH better in the mud. And I personally think they are likely better in the snow as well. In the grass, its probably a tie. On a "normal" tractor, the turf tires would win on grass but the PT's full time four wheel drive and articulated steering ensure bar tires do not tear up the lawn. That leaves pavement (primarily). So, unless one is planning to use the tractor on pavement a lot, where wear could be a problem, I don't see why bar tires aren't the obvious choice for most PT's.

Sedgewood · Jun 10, 2003

Bar tires are MUCH better in the mud. 

Having gone into the mud to rescue my neighbors 4WD Tacoma that had been sitting up to its axles for 2 months I can certainly attest to that. He'd run it into a wet section of my field and broke through the sod. And since its battery had long since died, I didn't get any help at all from that end - just slowly dragged it out - didn't break through the sod and never spun a wheel. Quite amazed I was.

smartguyz · Jun 10, 2003

OK, I'm slightly confused, Sedgewood. Are you saying you have turfs on your PT right now, and that they are superior?

-Rob /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Sedgewood · Jun 10, 2003

OK, I'm slightly confused, Sedgewood. Are you saying you have turfs on your PT right now, and that they are superior? 

Uh....no.... I have bar treads which are awesome at wallowing in the mud but otherwise I think inferior to turfs, at least from reading the testimonials here on the forum. I have never owned a set of turfs so I have no personal experience with them to report. I always thought they were for guys with tender grasses to coddle but I've been convinced otherwise by those of you with serious turf tire experience.

If I had both I'd probably only end up putting on the bars to get myself unstuck from the mud and other such substanc /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gifes.

Sedgewood

Anonymous Poster · Jun 11, 2003

Smartguyz

Your cynicism is not relative to the discussion. Of course a 1460 will move more weight than a 425, but in what situations is it better with what tires. I owned an 1845 with both turfs and bars (Ed Ambrose now owns it) and once I put the turfs on, I never went back to the bars. Ask ed what his experience is with both. Based upon my current experience with the turfs on my 1460, my experience with both turfs and bars on my 1845 I vote for and recommend turfs as the better all around. (again, it's only my opinion)

duane · Jun 11, 2003

Richard,

Would love to hear what your doing with the PT1460. Thats one big machine, does it do everything that you hoped it would do?

Duane

smartguyz · Jun 11, 2003

Dear dadrasdad,

I wasn't trying to offend anyone, nor was I trying to be a cynic (i.e. I don't doubt what you are saying). I was simply pointing out that your PT is pretty hefty - it was meant as a humorous remark, since the whole discussion started around the PT425, which is several thousand pounds lighter.

No offense intended. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Rob

Anonymous Poster · Jun 12, 2003

Duane

The 1460 is a wonderful machine and I'm very happy with it. I wanted a machine that would handle a broad selection of skidsteer implements, be very manuverable, and not tear up the turf like a skidsteer. (I use a much smaller 2 wheel BCS tractor for a lot of smaller jobs) I planned on doing that with the 1845, but was very, very, very disappointed with the torque of the wheel motors. I believe that PT needs to change the "gearing" of the 1845 wheel motors. Give up some top speed for more torque or go to a hi low range wheel motor. PT argues that the 1845 is meant to be a mowing machine. Who mows tht fast? I believe Terry agrees with me, but he's in an awkward position. Anyway, the 1460 has all the torque I need and really isn't any less manueverable. And 2400 lbs of lift vs 1200 is great. From what I've read on this forum sounds like the 425 was suffering from lack of torque in the wheel motors and PT has addressed the issue in the most recent 425 release.

Best
Richard

Anonymous Poster · Jun 12, 2003

Smartguys

Thanks for your response. I was too sensitive. Best of luck wiyh your search. Can't go wrong with a PT whether it rides on bars or turfs.

Best
Richard

Anonymous Poster · Jun 13, 2003

Hey Guys - I am running Richards old but still new 1845 and I have both sets of treads - I used the bars for most of the winter and then switched to the turfs to see the difference
-I like the turfs much better - I think they are just a much better all around tire and the bars will damage turf for sure with an 1845 - Maybe in deep mud the bars would be better but I try not to play too much in that stuff

I still have to get over to Richards and check out that monster 1460

duane · Jun 13, 2003

Richard,

Great to hear about your PT1460. I would love to see PT come up with a 2 speed wheel motor configuration, or at least allow the purchaser to specify higher torque or higher speed wheel motors that would best fit their intended use.

Duane

Schultz · Jun 13, 2003

I suppose if you wanted even more drawbar and lifting power you could move to the Low -Trac LT4536 or the LT6040. You'd probilby get some strange looks from friends, neighbors, etc.

Maybe not, but it appears PT already has the solution to your problem, they just haven't implemented it in the 1400 or 1800 series tractor yet . If you look at the Low Trac's their top speeds are 4.5 & 6 mph which provides 9,800lbs of drawbar pull.

smartguyz · Jun 16, 2003

Does anyone know the current availability of the PT425?

Anonymous Poster · Jun 16, 2003

Hey Duane - curious how is the torque on the 2445 - i would suspect that it is set up for much more torque vs speed - I know that Richards machine is - The 1845 (especially with single turfs is for speed) - With the throttle wide open i think it goes like 15 mph - it is faster than they say in their material