Buying Advice Yet another - what should I get?

[v11m]

It seems like a rite of passage for potential tractor owners to post here, so here goes.

Moved to a 2.5 acre sloped wooded lot about a year ago. I've been through all the seasons to know that I need something more than my assortment of hand tools.

I am drawn to the PTs due to their simplicity, ruggedness and DiY nature.

Short term I have a lot of dirt to move around (need to create some level space for the kids, my entire yard is sloped), trees to clear and brush to move. Some additional special projects will be assisting with a log cabin for the kids (potentially digging footers and lifting logs), spreading gravel for the driveway extension and clearing a trail through the woods. Maintenance will include mowing (though with the trees the grass isn't all that great), leaf pickup (a lot of leaves) and moving around mulch in the spring. Snow clearing is needed (150' driveway), though I have a snow blower for that - which I could sell.

I have the same challenges as most - 422 v 425?, to mini-hoe or not (I've broken multiple hand shovels, so why not)? Rent or buy some of the specialty implements, e.g. stump grinder, tiller, rake, etc.

I believe I'm good with the light material bucket, utility grapple and 48" mowing deck and forks. I'll probably also pick up a yard sweeper and cart.

I could also go used or with a different line - a new and delivered PT 425 is probably $15k+. It looks like a similar Kubota would be $18K.

Any words of wisdom from the forum would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to the TBN Power Trac forum! :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

How many degrees are your slopes?

Digging footers would be cheaper with a weekend rental of a small tracked excavator. That's what we did for a 24x30 garage. 4' down 2-3' wide all the way around only took a couple hours in our sandy soil. Removed some small trees and returned the machine for a half day rental instead of the whole weekend rental! :thumbsup:

PT's excel at moving large amounts of loose material from point A to point B. Much faster than a conventional tractor of the same size. Way faster. Excavating virgin soil really depends on the soil. As I mentioned, I have sand. No issues at all. I can dig a massive hole in minutes with the large material bucket, or the small rock bucket with teeth. Several members have a ripper tooth that they loosen up hard soil with first, drop the tooth, grab a bucket and off you go. Repeat. That's one of the main advantages of the PT quick attach system. Changing implements without getting off the seat is like pulling a tool out of your tool belt. It's that easy.

Lifting logs you want to be very certain of weights. The PT has an 800# lift at the quick attach plate. You add forks and a foot out with a 12" log and you're realistically looking at 600#ish range. So be aware of that. However, parbuckling logs up the walls using the PT for motivation would probably be very doable.

Leaf pickup is a sticky issue. Since the mower decks are rear discharge and no leaf pickup option, you have to get creative. I use a tow-behind ground driven leaf sweeper and it works fine for us. Sometimes I mow as I sweep and I can get about 10:1 reduction in leaf volume and 90% pickup. I keep a rope tied to the hopper and right behind the drivers seat and dump without getting off. Works well for me.

I have a 60" power angle snow blade with gauge wheels. Works great for snow removal here. How much snow do you get in a season and what are your average snowfalls in inches?

If it's within your means, get the 425 over the 422. That will give you more hill climbing power with a 48" mowing deck running. I run a 60" deck, and PT said not to get the 422 for that size deck. Since you're getting a 48" deck, well, that's extra HP available for the wheels. Also, as I recall, the 425 has a higher lift capacity, two steering rams VS on on the 422, and it comes with the ROPS/Canopy standard. And, I think, but check to be sure, the 425 now comes with the Kohler engine. Cold weather starting issues have been mentioned with the Robin engines. I leave a Kohler in my 2001 model 425. Started down to -5F without booster assist. Did use carb cleaner as starting fluid, though.

I do not have a mini-hoe. But I think I could find many, many uses for it, like transplanting/removing shrubs and landscaping.

Good luck in your deliberations. :laughing:

 

[v11m]

Thanks for the reply.

My non-wooded portion is more or less all gradually sloped (walk out basement) - losing 20ft or so over 200ft, so that would put me at a 10% slope. I wouldn't think there would be too much of concern. It is annoying to camp on however.

Sandy soil as well and partially the reason the grass doesn't stick (doesn't help that the dog rips out divots after she finishes her business). The potato digger would be a good addition - thanks.

I'm just outside of Chicago - so we probably had ten or so good snows this year at 6in+. It was colder this year, so a lot of it stayed around for a few months. I probably would have enough places to push it, though one side of my driveway is a retaining wall, so maybe I'm better off with the blower.

 

[MossRoad]

Another thing to think about...

Get a blank quick attach plate with your order. In the future, weld, or have someone weld for you, a 2" receiver to the blank plate. It's then really easy to put in a triple ball hitch for moving trailers, weld a cheap potato digger from Rural King onto some 2" stock, make a light duty boom pole, subsoiler, cable burying device, etc....

It's always cheaper to get as much as you can in the initial shipment if you go with a PT. Shipping individual items later ads up on shipping costs.

 

[Marks481]

If it's within your means, get the 425 over the 422.

I have the 422. I wish I had the 425. Well worth the extra money. "False floor" in the drivers cab is a PIA, single steering arm has a built in defect that (eventually) requires some substantial welding to repair. Not enough power to really keep my bush hog spinning while driving at speed. An extra 6" of lift height would be so welcome.

Swapping out for a bigger engine has been on my winter-to-do list for years now....

Mini Hoe is a must have.

Instead of buying PT's grapple, recommend you buy a Wicked Root Grapple or a Wicked Root Rake. If you ship them the adaptor plate, they will weld it on.

Sub Compact BX Tractor Mini Wicked Root Grapple 33"

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/369385-demand-pt-grapple-2.html

 

[SpringHollow]

I find a mini hoe with thumb to be extremely useful for moving logs and cutting firewood in addition to digging holes and trenches. The mini hoe and snow plow are my two most used items. However, I have a larger PT and a swinging mini hoe which increase the usefulness. I do not believe I have used my grapple bucket since getting this mini hoe. The narrow 6" bucket on the mini hoe gives more room to get a chain saw in where you need it. I also have a fixed mini hoe that can dig down to 5' and has a 12" bucket. This one is handy for deep holes but also when you want to continually swap between bucket and mini hoe (the swinging mini hoe has 4 hose connections that need to be made).

Ken

 

[v11m]

Quick update - just 'checked out' and my order is being processed. Should be fun.

Ended up going with a 425, utility grapple, light material bucket, potato digger, forks, rake, & mini hoe w/thumb.

Now I just have to pick my first project - preparing the land for seeding, adding a 'shelf' to create a paver deck on my sloped back yard, remove some stumps, bring the logs to the future cabin site or clear out the brush to the burn pile.

 

[joshlee]

Welcome to the club! The 425 is a nice machine.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Hmph... Only 5 projects, clearly you haven't really thought this out. I would say you are staring at a good 30 or 40 projects by the time you think it out, and when you start rolling around there will be a never ending list. I have a note pad in my office, It is so bad I have to text myself while on the tractor, when I see something I need to do, then when I get in to the office I write it all down on the pad. pages and pages....