Thanks to all, esp. Bob Skurka...

[Phils]

This forum has saved me much possible grief. I thought I wanted a small tractor (CUT) and was ready to cruise our local dealerships. Then I bought THE BOOK from TBN. After completely reading it, I realized I didn't need a CUT, that I'd end up hurting myself on my terrain (45 acres that sound similar to Bob's).

The "which is the best lawn tractor" thread taught me about brands and styles I've never heard of. Specifically Steiner, Ventrac and Power Trac.

I've ordered the video from Power Trac. I'm curious if anyone here has one, and has the attachments. I'd order the Ventrac but Power Trac has attachments that I'd really like, if they work well. Specifically the mini-hoe and the stump grinder, as I imagine the buckets and brush hog wouldn't be too complex to build reliably.

Probably the worst thing I see about the Power Trac is the shipping from Virgina to California. The fact that there are NO dealers I can deal with as I'd prefer to do any and all work myself anyway, so it's better that the factory would support and encourage that.

Any thoughts or suggestions from you great TUs (tractor users)?

 

[shoppintractors]

<font color="blue">I've ordered the video from Power Trac. I'm curious if anyone here has one, and has the attachments.</font>

Visit the Power-Trac forum here at TBN. You'll find all kinds of Power-Trac owners.

Don

 

[Bob999]

You might want to put your post in the Power Trac forum on this board . There are many owners that post in that forum. I have a PT 1845 and have the mini hoe for it. I like it and think it does a good job. However--it is NOT a full fledged back hoe. I have also been very pleased with the 1845 for mowing my steep (up to 30 degree) slopes as well as more gentle slopes.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="blue"> esp. Bob Skurka... </font>

Gee, my head has swelled considerably . . . and I always thought most people thought that I was full of hot air!

Please go to the Power Trac forum on TBN, there are some really good guys there and while some are advocates, most really can be very objective about the machines. For 45 acres, I would skip right past the Ventrac and Steiners and go up for the larger Power Tracs, but that is just my opinion. The PT stuff is amazing and the larger stuff is slope capable, which seems like a concern for you. I really don't think the Steiners or Ventracs are the right machines for a property the size of 45 acres, but the larger PT are built like large Steiners & Ventracs with a much more versitile front end implement system.

 

[daedong]

Bob Skurka,

What can I say /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Comments like this from a first upper to you is tolerable I am sure your head won't swell that much/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Phils]

I'm so embarrassed that I didn't even SEE the PT forum. Old age is the excuse I'm using, as feeble as it is (over 50 has gotta count for something!). I'd scoured the 'lawn and garden' and 'atv/utility' thoroughly, and never heard of the PT until the thread started by Bob looking for the best lawn tractor. Fortunately a moderator has duplicated my post here.

This category will give me ample reading for the next few days. I called Scott at PT and he is emailing a shipping estimate for all that I want tomorrow.

I'll either be back with questions in a few days, or find that my questions were all answered. The thing that surprises me is that I had put "power trac" in the search engine and got very few hits, with none in this PT catagory. (Today there are 4, 3 of which reference this thread). I must've done something wrong there too, as that should have brought up this PT catagory and slapped me in the face with it -- well, at least had several hundred hits.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Welcome
The PT forum has a lot of information, and there is some more on the modification and attachment forums that weren't moved over when the PT forum started.
For the small PTs, look also at MossRoad's own website - a link is in his sig.
Don't hesitate to pose questions. Even when they've been answered before, there might be some new slants.
I have an 1845 with a Lackender front hoe (the mini hoe wasn't available yet.) I don't have the stump grinder, but have it on my long term list.
Among the raves, you'll find some criticisms, but the PT is the most useful machine I have. For a place your size, the 1845 would be a good choice.

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN.

If you want, click on my animated tractor icon and that will take you to my website. There is some good stuff there that pertains to my thought process when searching for a tractor. Lots of pictures and movies of the PT425 in action, too. Then come back here to TBN and read ALL of the posts in the Power Trac forum. Take a few weeks and really get to know the machine. Be sure to compare other brands as well. Find a machine that you are completely comfortable with not only purchasing, but owning and operating. Lots of stuff to consider before purchas time. Start asking lots of questions in all of the forums here on TBN. You will get honest, intelligent answers from many folks.

Again, welcome to TBN and good luck in your search. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[BillG_in_TX]

<font color="blue"> I had put "power trac" in the search engine and got very few hits </font>

Phils,

When you use the Search function, make sure you change the Date Range selection. The default is "newer than 1 week", which is likely the reason you didn't get very many hits.

 

[MuncyBob]

Funny, I found this forum the same way you did...and glad I did! My PT has been a real time saver...and about to use it for yet another project...getting ready to break ground on a 1 story addition(time for the game room!)........I'm sure the PT will be helpful in moving some dirt around and finish work before the ground freezes here. Good luck in your research! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Phils]

Man.... MossRoad's website is exactly what I needed to read! I was having trouble deciding on which bucket to get. Now I know. I would't have gotten the forks (and think I will now). Now if customers and a certain secretary/wife would just leave me be to read the rest of the posts under this topic......

 

[MossRoad]

Don't overlook the 4-in1 bucket and the grapple buckets that they now offer. Those weren't available when I ordered. If they had been, I would have gotten the large material bucket and the 4-in-1 bucket instead of the small bucket. More $$ but so much more versatile.

 

[Inspector507]

Phils,
You're not just "reading" the posts, you're doing research that could save you a bunch of money on a unit that will work for you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.......

 

[Phils]

Thanks, inspector. And my "research" is complete. I've read every thread in the PT section that I thought might apply to my situation (some topics obviously didn't).

And my 422 is ordered, paid for, and Scott is emailing me photos of the loaded pallets before they ship so I'll have a better idea of how to get the mess all home. May make 3 trips, or may rent a truck or maybe just a trailer to tow behind my pickup.

Because of this forum I saved $100 (got the turf tires, only wanted the bar for puncture resistance and slime will take care of that). I mentioned in another thread that I had a Pug with those turf tires and never had a problem with flats or traction.

Saved another $100, didn't get the armrests because of the comments I read (mostly MR's).

Saved $15 because I was going to order a spare hydraulic filter and then learned (and confirmed) that one already comes with it.

Of course, it went the other way too: I wouldn't have even considering ordering the pallet forks until I read the comments about them. Probably would've skipped the ramps, but ordered them too because of posts here.

So saved $215 but spent an extra $525. This forum's fault. So are you all getting ready to chip in and help me out?

And carrying it farther, I'd not even know about PT but for TBN. Instead of waiting on them to ship it, I'd be already owning and using what would have probably turned out to be a Craftsman riding mower, with a little trailer as the only other attachment. And still using the shovel and 'chunker bar' for digging. And probably have spent many thousands $$ less. And had no fun.

Already scoped out my first project: clearing and leveling and spreading gravel over a spot where I'll have one of those shipping containers placed (going to look/price tomorrow). That will give me a "garage" for the PT and attachments. Can't wait to get started! Again, I'm holding all of you responsible!

Maybe there should be a disclaimer before entering this site (especially the PT part): "WARNING!! You may find this equipment addictive" because it is, and I don't even HAVE it yet!!

 

[FOURTEEN]

You forgot the medical savings from not having to fix your back and hernia!!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[cqaigy]

Welcome aboard Phils!

It's good to see another PT owner west of the Rockys. This forum played a very large part my buying a 422 also, it's a wealth of information and the camaraderie expressed here is very refreshing. I wish I could remember who it was that pointed me toward this forum and Power Tracs. Your going to really enjoy working with your PT, going from one type of attachment to another is greatly simplified so you'll find you use the correct attachment for the job and in a timely manner. I remember using ag tractors and trying to do everything possible before changing attachments because it was time consuming and difficult, so you would end up using an attachment in ways that were not intended /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

We rented a Home-Depot truck to haul our 422 w/brush cutter, blade and small bucket. We attached the brush cutter to the PT and put the others next to the tractor. The truck rental was charged at an hourly rental only, no gas charge or mileage. Just be sure to securely attach your load cause you don't want to dump something on to some poor unsuspecting person following way to close.

 

[pajoube]

Congratulations, this was a long time coming but very worth it.
Keep us informed of the first few hours of fun.
PJ

 

[Inspector507]

<font color="blue"> So saved $215 but spent an extra $525. This forum's fault. So are you all getting ready to chip in and help me out?
</font>

We're really good at spending someone elses money /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Phils]

Wish cqaigy was a little closer, I'd have visited and been able to at least TOUCH one before buying.

Scott emailed some photos, said it was shipping tonight. Got all the implements onto one pallet, with the brush hog attached to the PT. I attached the photo of my new baby.

 

[MossRoad]

Neat! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

That brush hog looks different than mine. The motor is mounted differently and the hoses face the other direction. Then I got to thinking... while the motor is mounted differently, I bet I put my motor on backwards when I rebiult that thing! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif The hoses should be facing backwards and mine are facing forwards. I'll have to go back and look at some old photos, now. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif