I have both the PT and the Ventrac, and I can tell you that the Ventrac is much better engineered than the PT. Not even close. PT is built much beefier though. The Ventrac will out mow the PT. Best mowers money can buy.
I can't even imagine using the VT as a loader. PT has it beat there.
And your point is???
Ventracs are sophisticated expensive slope mowers and PTs aren't. I think we knew that.
PT's are simple (bordering on crude) lower cost loaders that will whack some grass down. Ventracs aren't. We knew that too.
This stuff has been discussed extensively here. It's kinda like comparing a BMW to an F250.
What is the definition of "better engineered"? High-tech, sophisticated and smooth? Or strong, simple, economical and easy to repair? Depends on your needs.
The smallest PT is rated to lift more than the largest Ventrac. How would you respond if somebody posted this in a mowing forum? "I think Ventrac enjoys when their customers get pissed off. I think they all have a laugh after they hang up the phone. They clearly don't care in the least when engineering shortcomings are pointed out. I am sure that they have had 1000 complaints that their loaders are wimpy, yet they do NOTHING!!!! "
Ventracs are about having a pretty stripe pattern on your beautiful lawn, and doing it on steep slopes. They can sorta do some other things, too. PTs are more about clearing land, digging out rocks and moving dirt for a reasonable price. They can do some other things, too.
Both machines are pretty well suited to their primary missions, and both struggle when they stray too far from that mission.
Ventrac apparently offers 8 different kinds of mower attachments, but no backhoe, mini-hoe, 4in1 bucket, boom mower, forks, post hole digger, brush grapple, post driver, ditch filler, tree shear, concrete mixer, winch, etc...
And I'd bet my lunch money for a year that Ventrac doesn't encourage and help it's customers to make their own attachments and modifications. PT does.
Different strokes for different folks.