New design for the 400 Series?

[pequeajim]

I know this has been brought up a few times, but I seem to remember hearing some talk a little while back about a new 400 series tractor? Any truth to the talk?

[Gravy]

I think it's a back-burner project. They work on the prototype when there's free time. I've been told that it uses a fuel-injected Kohler with 30+hp, and that it *might* have greater lift capacity and/or PTO output. The informally projected release date passed several months ago. I'd guess that there hasn't been a lot of free time, or that there have been design difficulties, or both...

Gravy

[pequeajim]

30 hp Kohler, sounds like a nice combination that would address some of the power issues when mowing up slopes. I hope they size the hydraulics accordingly too.

[PTOuser]

Before I bought my 425 in April Chris confirmed the hp and engine make but told me '09 for production.

[Beechwood]

Originally Posted by PTOuser

Before I bought my 425 in April Chris confirmed the hp and engine make but told me '09 for production.

Thanks for the update on the production date. It will be interesting to see what PT comes up with. I was going to order a new 2425 Next week to replace the 180 I sold...but now I will hold off for a while.

[pequeajim]

Originally Posted by Beechwood

Thanks for the update on the production date. It will be interesting to see what PT comes up with. I was going to order a new 2425 Next week to replace the 180 I sold...but now I will hold off for a while.

Speaking only for myself, if I wasneeding a replacement for a 180, I would not hold off unless I didn't need it for quite some time. Product releases tend to really streatch out, and since the manufacturer has not officially released a launch date, we may get a little frustrated before they actually start selling the thing.

I am looking for some kind of change in engine/horsepower myself, and something within the next year or two would be great. The 425 is the perfect sized platform for me, but just a little under powered for my taste.

Of course, knowing what I know now, I wuld still make the same purchase.

(I know, I know... always wanting a bigger engine and more speed...)

(grin)