tazewell visit & pt425

[MossRoad]

That plate is very tough. It can take the entire weight of the tractor plus the load. I doubt that you could damage it. Also, remember that the unit oscillates between the front and back sections as well. So if you are going across a slope, you could have the front wheels on level ground and the rear wheels on up to a 12 degree slope and all four wheels will still be on the ground.

 

[davesisk]

This is exactly the digging technique I've used with my old PT1418, which I believe is a little bit lighter than the current 400's series (~1000lbs total). I've only got the large "light material" bucket, but I've certainly done quite a bit of digging with it!

Pick up the front of the machine on the bucket's edge, wiggle it back and forth a few times with the steering, then curl it upward and drive forward at the same time. Works like a charm except in very rocky, rooty, and dry soil. Then, it just takes a little more patience...

Dave