fire wood splitter

[SnowRidge]

Yes, that's true regarding the log-splitter. But, with the PT-425 I'm putting hours on a $2,000 25HP engine when essentially the same job could be done by a 5-8 HP $400-500 engine. The PT-425 only outputs about 8 hydraulic HP, perhaps 10 HP max (with no load on anything else, sitting stationary), while running a 25HP engine at full-throttle...

WIth a long-splitter you likely wouldn't need full throttle, but stil...

You are also putting hours on those pumps, too, including the tram pump, even if the machine is stationary. I need a log splitter and have been thinking about a 3PH version, but the more I think about it, the more I think that stand-alone is the way to go.

 

[MossRoad]

Just so it has been said, I am so lazy that I will not do a project because of the hastle of swapping implements on the PT..

Oh, man... that is lazy!

 

[MossRoad]

I think we'll wear out whatever we use. Log splitters, tractors, etc...

I'll agree that you guys make some good points. I just don't want yet another engine to maintain, filter to change, tires to inflate or hitch to have to hook up (splitter typically have the ball hitch, don't they?). With a splitter as a PT attachment, I wouldn't have as much maintenance to do, I think. And it would be easier to move around with a quick attach. Of course, we could cut off the ball hitch and put on the PT quick attach. Or use the ball hitch attachment that many of us have made for out PTs, I suppose.

Anyway, I don't have a log splitter and probably won't get one anytime soon, as my in-laws already have one and I'd never hear the end of it if I didn't borrow it from them. (but it is a hassle because their son always has it at his house and for some reason, even though you never see him do a lick of work he will want to split wood the one weekend a year that I or my in-laws want to use it ). Hmmm.... Maybe I can weasel the hassle factor in my favor and get a splitter of my own that way!

 

[stray]

Snowridge, you make a very good point but individual needs differ on what to do with the life of their machines. If I use my splitter say 10 hrs a year then no problem. If I were to use it 100 hours then I would want a separate engine and would add a pump and engine to mine. Or if I already had a self powered splitter I would never have built the PT one.

AS it stands I use your argument for finish mowing. I have many jobs for my PT and don稚 want to wear mine out (at full throttle for nonstop, hot hours) finish mowing. Side mowing and brush hogging OK. Finish mowing not.
Now that is my situation. I am sure that Moss痴 and others situation will be different. My 2 cents says my PTs hardest and most inefficient job is finish mowing. Thus, even though I already have a PT 48 inch finish mower, I felt justified in buying a 1983 318 John Deere Garden Tractor. If I didn稚 have that 48 inch PT mower then how much more would I feel this way?
This opinion won稚 be popular with someone trying to talk their wife into a PT for mowing the Yard and I am not saying anyone should use their Pt any different than they do. I am just telling my way of using hours on my PT most efficiently for my circumstance.

I would like to hear from others of their situation and why they feel the way they do about what they do with the hours of run time put on their Pt.

 

[SnowRidge]

Most of my hours are from mowing, which is what we bought the PT to do. Power Trac themselves said that mowing is the harder on the machine than anything else. At least, that's the argument they used to talk me out of a PT-422 and into a PT-425. I have to say that I agree with them, especially if you are mowing a tree plantation, instead of a lawn. Mowing rough ground is hard on the machine and the operator. We tried it with a lawn tractor, and it darn near killed it in just a few mowings. Darn near killed me, too.

 

[MossRoad]

I bought mine with the intention of having a mowing machine that could do some front end loader work when needed. Little did I know that it would turn out that what I bought was a front end loader that could mow the lawn when needed. I put more hours on the tractor moving stuff in that bucket than I do mowing the lawn over the course of each year.

You have to remember that I went from a late 60's Simplicity with an under 30" mowing deck up to the PT425 with a 60" deck. Man, I was in heaven. I could leave work at noon, drive home 4 miles, grab a sandwich, mow the 1 acre and be back at work by 1pm. Then the mulch moving, weed cleanup, little league maintenance, church maintenance, firewood gathering all crept up on me and there you go. I brush hog a few hours a year, too. But the bucket gets the most use. Power wheelbarrow!

 

[cqaigy2]

Just so it has been said, I am so lazy that I will not do a project because of the hastle of swapping implements on the PT..

Ok im glad you said this. kinda like a confession.

 

[stray]

du uh? what de he say? and how many inches is that?

 

[MossRoad]

du uh? what de he say? and how many inches is that?

Doesn't matter what he said... he ain't gonna repeat it.

 

[stray]

Yea I thought that was not kosher. As long as everyone knows his post was taken out. Kinda looks like i was insulting someone else now.