MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 60,525
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
I use it for bushhogging, discing and box blade work. The only complaint was traction, but filled rear tires helped with that. It is also very fuel efficient. Moss, tell me a little about the tractor in your avatar. I have a use for a compact machine with a loader to get into some tight spots that the 5103 wont work in.
Its a PowerTrac PT425 made by PowerTrac in Tazewell, VA.
Versatile Tractors,Compact Tractors,Trailer Packages,Landscaping,Utility Vehicle Rentals,Mowers-Power Trac
American made. Factory direct only. NO dealer support. Great phone support and quick parts shipping if needed.
Several sizes of frames. 400 series are gas. All others are Deutz diesels.
Why I like mine? Garden tractor Kohler engine gets parts anywhere (new ones use Robin engines and have reported cold weather starting problems).
All hydraulic drive with 1 wheel motor at each wheel.
Forward is right foot, reverse is left.
Hydraulically articulated (bends in the middle). And oscilates +- 12% in center. Extremely stabile on rough ground and slopes.
Won't scuff the grass, either in tight turns.
Machine weighs about 1500 #
Can lift about 800#, but much less as you get away from the FEL arms.
All attachements on the front. Powered implements are hydraulically driven. Mowers, tillers, trenchers, stump cutters, etc...
Quick attach sytem means I can change non-powered implements in less than 15 seconds without getting off the tractor. Powered implemtents require me to hook up hydraulic hoses, so that adds another 30 seconds.
It fits in the back of a pickup truck with an implement attached.
Goes through a 48" garden gate (60" mower has to be disconnected and turned sideways, but the pallet forks and quick connect make that job a breeze).
Solid plate steel construction. NO sheetmetal or plastic anywhere.
Darn near bullet proof underside, too.
I could go on, but it really suits my needs very well. I actually look forward to changing attachments like a Swiss army knife. My old 3pt was not fun to do that on.
Drawbacks:
Limited lift height. Won't load a standard size pickup from the side. I have a car hauler trailer, so a non-issue for me.
One speed. No high/low range. 0-8mph. Great for mowing, moving material, etc... but not enough torque to pull ground engaging equipment.
So, tiller = yes, great but dirt plow = no way.
Can't pull stumps with it but can run circles around anything else when doing chores like mulch, gravel, snow removal, mowing, etc...
I guess you just have to analyse your chores and get the machine that does most of them the best. Price was outstanding for what it does. I'd purchase again, which is a good plug for PowerTrac.
Click on my little animated tractor icon. That'll take you to my old website, which has a bunch of videos of my PT425 in action.