PT Implement Choices / Questions

wasabi · Feb 7, 2003

Thanks for your encouragement, Scott...does funding come with that opinion to buy 'em all? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Yes, our PT2445 3ph is definately different from most....right now it is not very photogenic...it looks remarkably like a pile of parts in the corner of the shed /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. It may be a while before I post a pic of it mounted....backhoe takes precedent, but it will eventually be put on this spring.

Partially dependent on implement choices, especially the box blade, (chicken and egg syndrome) I'm seriously considering getting a cylinder, an attachment plate and such to retrofit the 3ph ala McChalkey's design ideas to allow down pressure and float features. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Ah, so many ideas, so little time...

MossRoad · Feb 7, 2003

( Look at MossRoad's videos of his 60" brush hog in action, and picture it on the front of yours... )

It's only a 48" brush hog for the 400 series /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif ...

but, it is still a beast /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Anonymous Poster · Feb 7, 2003

Hey Doug

I have the 48 inch tiller - which I am actually keeping for use on the 1845 - I think it is nice equipment - very sturdy as usual - the differences with third party - they usually mount the hydraulic motor separate - and drive the tines with a chain off the motor - PT couples the motor directly to the tines - Not sure which is better - I guess the chain set up might have more torque because you can gear it - and also it would put less shaft stress on the motor - but then the PT unit is far less expensive and for my use which is not that often - it works great -
One thing that I noticed - in rough soil - rocks get caught easily - this is where a reversing valve would come in handy

I have the PT valve but did not mount it - I would rather build it into the PTO directly with a switch - now that all attachments I have are reversable (hydraulic flow)

Also - a flap of some sort to cover the tines and drag on the soil would be nice - most third party units have that

well good luck -

bubenberg · Feb 7, 2003

by far the best mower they got for this series ... right on!

Anonymous Poster · Feb 7, 2003

Doug - I'll throw my two cents in - Re the rake - I have to admit - I don''t like the PT rake very much - It works fine for light debris and lights fluffy top soil - but it has way too much give in the tines for heavy stuff - I think a stiffer york style rake would work better - Oh I found a site on the net that seems to have fairly heavy attachments at decent prices
- I think they are primarily for skid steers - but with a custom attachment plate solves that problem-

I was looking around for a set of forks - the cheapest I had found before this site was Northern at around $650 -
which is still far cheaper than the PT version (It think PT is $1200 which is expensive not sure why they are so high) - But I think this guy has a nice heavy set for around $400 and they are adjustable - I think the guy is in Georgia - I'll check and see if he makes box blades and post his site - the site is lousy - you can tell this guy is super low budget - but if his equipment is ok - thats what counts

wasabi · Feb 8, 2003

Sedge wrote: The blade I find is useless for anything but plowing snow and its not even great for that - the wheels are set too far back from the blade for easy depth control. I also have an 8 foot landscape rake that's a bit too big - 7 foot would be better - and find it good for moving debris around but difficult to grade a road with.
 Ed wrote: I have to admit - I don''t like the PT rake very much - It works fine for light debris and lights fluffy top soil - but it has way too much give in the tines for heavy stuff - I think a stiffer york style rake would work better 

You guys have both got me thinkin now...

hmm...a blade is less than optimum (but I already have one) ....the PT rake should be heavier....is there such a thing as a heavy (ala york) rake that I could bolt onto the blade?

wasabi · Feb 8, 2003

I have the PT valve but did not mount it - I would rather build it into the PTO directly with a switch - now that all attachments I have are reversable (hydraulic flow)


I'm sure this has been covered somewhere but I must have missed it...are some PT implement motors reversible and others not? Clearly the ability to reverse would be excellent to have with augers or the trencher. How does one know? If they are the reversible type, what kind of switch needs to be plumbed into the pto circuit?

wasabi · Feb 8, 2003

Thats ok, it, and your video are still impressive and inspiring. Besides, I have an expandable imagination /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

bubenberg · Feb 8, 2003

i have been known to reverse the hoses on the augers when stuck in the clay. you also can get valves either from pt or at your local tractor store. all depends how often you need to reverse your appliance and is $150.00 (on up) worth it, you not having to get off your seat and ..... etc?

good luck

wasabi · Feb 8, 2003

eminently logical as usual. Besides saving the money, I could benefit from the extra exercise. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Anonymous Poster · Feb 8, 2003

Well not really sure about the switch - I just thought that someone must make some sort of elctric valve that would be mounted inline before the hoses go to the PTO outlet - the switch would only control the direction of flow to the PTO - of course the ending flow would go the same direction internal to the machine

the mechanical one PT has actually mounts on the implement
( I have one for the tiller) - but I would like to actually build it into the machine with an electric switch

Oh the only motor that I know of that is not reversable
is the standard finish mower motor

bubenberg · Feb 8, 2003

was not inferring any hints or insults, one thing i want and hope to be able to see myself installing, after i get my newest toy paid for: the 300 series topdresser w Hydraulics

is a RED BUTTON like Charlie has. this will make manipulating the Lackender backhoe, and thanks to Charlie the multitude of Knuckleboom attachments such as manure grapple much easier.

bubenberg · Feb 8, 2003

( A landscape rake. ) here is what PTRich did.

Look How Need http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/19-138354-Rake.jpg
( Having never used such an item, I'm wondering if I am way off base...what I'm trying to do is, after clearing the trees and stumps, efficiently get the roots, rocks and such out of the way before tilling...is it worth the money? )

to clear the woods or for that matter any other clean-up job, i would look into making, buying or renting (toro) a grapple bucket. i move sizeable trees, brush etc and thereafter cleanup the ground by backdragging with the grapple bucket teeth.

someday i will built an attachment like PTRich has made. am also looking forward to own a pt power rake but for the time being i will invest in a pt (120.00)and toro(400.00) quick attach plate and rent a harley rake from the local rental place.

wasabi · Feb 8, 2003

Yea, a grapple for the bigger stuff for sure...I like your ideas /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif...I'll need to get one sooner or later....in the mean time, for a "cheaper" rake, I was thinking of trying to find or make a removable "rake-bar"... basically tines well attached to a six foot strap of steel to bolt onto the existing "snow" blade. I've looked at some heavy tooth bars, some up to eight inches...that would probably do the trick dragged backwards, but the spring steel tines make more sense to me for raking up roots, small rocks, debris and such.

Rocketman · Feb 9, 2003

I purchased a rake and box scraper from http://www.worksaver.com/ . I've used both for over two years in a prettty demanding environment and I've got no complaints. You make take a look to see if they have a rake that fits your needs.

Sedgewood · Feb 9, 2003

I was thinking of trying to find or make a removable "rake-bar"... basically tines well attached to a six foot strap of steel to bolt onto the existing "snow" blade. 

Here's how I modified my PT rake by replacing their wimpy tines with tedder tines - now it works great for cleaning out amongst the bushes. It's basically tedder tines on a bar - add a piece of 2 inch square tubing to the bar and slide it into your PT quick attach receiver hitch and away you go.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/54-208454-Modified-Rake.jpg

Sedgewood

wasabi · Feb 10, 2003

RM, thanks for the great link. Their stuff looks well thought out and sturdy.

wasabi · Feb 10, 2003

Looks pretty good. I'm thinking now of just buying tines to attach to the blade. Thanks for the insights.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 10, 2003

I would like to maintain my 400 gravel drive. I have been using the dirt/snow blade, the surface is 1" gravel, would the box blade be better? I own a 422.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 10, 2003

Hey John - what kind of tines are those? - they look just like the PT tines - where do you get them - are they similar to the york rake style - they look different