Rip
Platinum Member
G'Day.... Can understand some of your dilemma.... I got my PT-1845 and F-series used and the price was right.... they are way too $$$$ for personal use IMO.
The PT was built like a tank, 45 HP Deutz engine plenty of power and durable like Kubota. Very stable with minimal ground clearance but full skid-plate underside, so scraping bottom not a problem, but can (and did) get hung up on rock or stumps... no worries, just drag it off.
As you are near the factory, no worries on parts or real service, but you seem to be familiar with other machinery. I was mostly winching (hyd Warn running off the PTO circuit), grappling, chipping, etc on 20 to 35 deg rocky hillsides in between standing trees. After too many rock-cut tires I foam filled them for durability and even more stability and traction. (Fluid filling better for grass/dirt traction and stability if no need the cut protection.) I also spaced out all 4 single wheels for more side-hill stability. I have no experience with the PT hyd mower decks. My snow blower was a 72" from SkidSteerSolutions with my own mounting plate. Articulated has its pros & cons.... but overall quite good.
The F-Series is a factory-built Frankenstein of B and BX parts with somewhat lower CG (smaller tires) than the B/BX that maneuvers like a fork-lift.... have to always be aware of the ass end when near fences, trees, buildings. With what I mentioned above, they are very well suited for my steep paddocks with no (more) rocks or stumps. The 60" deck (came on the F-2880) probably better suited for tight maneuvering or undulating terrain than the 72". I did fabricate double-ended skidbars of 3/4' solid round for deck ends to minimise digging in in dips, and couple fixed anti-scalp wheels in rear center of mower deck for the humps.
I recently made up (could not find right size down here!) set of cross-link tire chains for main drives, but check clearance with deck corner anti-scalp wheels if you do. Only use them on the steepest sections when grass very dry = slippery.... ordinary cheap chain as only limited use on grass.... Bonzer!
Overall, prefer the F-series for my primarily mowing purposes here, but the PT was great for what I had to deal with in the Rockies. For bit more versatility (since my only machines here) I fabricated a manual tipping carry-all (like made for 3pt hitch), but would do it hyd if do over again. Also forks and dedicated 60 gal fire tank w/Honda and 12V pumps/hoses. Was going to sell the F-28 after I got the F-36 set up right, but worth more to me as full back-up and everything is interchangeable!
Good Luck!!! Cheers, Rip
Either should work for you.... hard to say which would be best.
The PT was built like a tank, 45 HP Deutz engine plenty of power and durable like Kubota. Very stable with minimal ground clearance but full skid-plate underside, so scraping bottom not a problem, but can (and did) get hung up on rock or stumps... no worries, just drag it off.
As you are near the factory, no worries on parts or real service, but you seem to be familiar with other machinery. I was mostly winching (hyd Warn running off the PTO circuit), grappling, chipping, etc on 20 to 35 deg rocky hillsides in between standing trees. After too many rock-cut tires I foam filled them for durability and even more stability and traction. (Fluid filling better for grass/dirt traction and stability if no need the cut protection.) I also spaced out all 4 single wheels for more side-hill stability. I have no experience with the PT hyd mower decks. My snow blower was a 72" from SkidSteerSolutions with my own mounting plate. Articulated has its pros & cons.... but overall quite good.
The F-Series is a factory-built Frankenstein of B and BX parts with somewhat lower CG (smaller tires) than the B/BX that maneuvers like a fork-lift.... have to always be aware of the ass end when near fences, trees, buildings. With what I mentioned above, they are very well suited for my steep paddocks with no (more) rocks or stumps. The 60" deck (came on the F-2880) probably better suited for tight maneuvering or undulating terrain than the 72". I did fabricate double-ended skidbars of 3/4' solid round for deck ends to minimise digging in in dips, and couple fixed anti-scalp wheels in rear center of mower deck for the humps.
I recently made up (could not find right size down here!) set of cross-link tire chains for main drives, but check clearance with deck corner anti-scalp wheels if you do. Only use them on the steepest sections when grass very dry = slippery.... ordinary cheap chain as only limited use on grass.... Bonzer!
Overall, prefer the F-series for my primarily mowing purposes here, but the PT was great for what I had to deal with in the Rockies. For bit more versatility (since my only machines here) I fabricated a manual tipping carry-all (like made for 3pt hitch), but would do it hyd if do over again. Also forks and dedicated 60 gal fire tank w/Honda and 12V pumps/hoses. Was going to sell the F-28 after I got the F-36 set up right, but worth more to me as full back-up and everything is interchangeable!
Good Luck!!! Cheers, Rip
Either should work for you.... hard to say which would be best.
