Lookie this!

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Used PT1850 for sale on Power Trac's website
Used Power Tracs.
I think this would be perfect for us. Attachments and trailer. 310 Hours!
But I'd like to know some things to look for in a used 1850. (Problems, etc?)
What advice do you guys have?

 

[woodlandfarms]

Located in Burlington Vermont, so it would have seen some rain and some snow. Sounds like they didn't use it much for snow as they only have the bucket (and a small one). Oh, its the 4-way.... Still. Not very snow friendly setup.

IMO price seems a bit high, actually very high.

I love the accessory list, two of those items I need and do not have.

Maybe if they threw in the trailer it would be more of a deal.

As for problems, who knows... You won't know till you see it, drive it, and quiz the owner down. If he was sole operator of the gear, probably a safer purchase. If a bunch of his employees used it, you will have a machine probably not as well maintained.

 

[ponytug]

I would ask the seller why it is for sale, and what issues they have had with it.
Generally, PTs are simple: Engine, pumps, hoses, motors, valves.
Mostly: Look for oil leaks.
Check for worn hoses at the hinge for the oil cooler and on the front motors where they come trough the front wall. Feel under hoses in the tub for hidden oil leaks and frayed hoses.
Check that everything runs when hot. PTO, brakes, steering, lift, draft control.
Unless they dumped it in a pond, it should be in pretty good shape. 310 hours in three or four years isn't much.
You might want to check to make sure that the tilt switch on the seat is functional; the seat is at an odd angle in the photo.

I'm with Woodlandfarms. I'd go for the trailer as well at that price.

On the other hand, it is nearly new, but no PT warranty.

All the best,

Peter

 

[woodlandfarms]

Just FYI, that is the way the seat works on the 1800 series. You let it sit, and it drains down (Actually, I think oil is forced into the seat cylinder but have never paid attention to why). But all 1800 series tilt when at rest.

Also, there is a switch on the dash that turns off the seat. For me, this switch has never worked. My seat continued to activate, or actually just start leaning.

So I use that switch now to operate an aux circuit, one that powers my sprayer and electric winch.

Also, for anyone ever trying out the 1850, the seat gets some serious getting used to. It is always on the move (subtle usually) and sometimes it never goes to the correct upright position. It will give your midriff a good workout (someone accused me of pulling a brittney - going fat to skinny) because of this seat.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Also like the attachments it comes with. Everthing we'd need (ex. a Power Rake). We do need the Boom mower and Stump cutter. The 4n1 bucket will be good to have but were still gonna buy a standard 60" 9cu ft Bucket. The 90" mower will be great for Brush hogging and Mower large lawns (and gets the smaller ones done faster ).

How does the 90" mower cut on lawns when changed to a Finish mower (Finish Cut spindles)?

 

[woodlandfarms]

How does the 90" mower cut on lawns when changed to a Finish mower (Finish Cut spindles)?

??? Never heard of this. Something Terry recommended? Swapping the spindles would be no fun in my book.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

??? Never heard of this. Something Terry recommended? Swapping the spindles would be no fun in my book.

The standard 90" Rough Cut mower comes with 3 Stump Jumper spindles for when your mowing Tall Grass, Weeds, and small brush. These spindles can be changed to Regular Finish Mower spindles and hass standard Mower blades. This set up is for mowing lawns.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I am going to step out on a limb on this one. Take a look at the picture below. Now, I only know my little lawn mower and have never seen the underside of a grass mowing tractor mower. One thing I learned here was that the blades need a bit of lift built into them to cut grass better. Also, from what I can tell on my little gas powered mower, the body of the mower deck is designed to help with that suction. If you look at the bottom of the PT deck, well, not much design work for airflow. I had custom blades made for my PT, hardened, and then the edges upturned. I guess the mowing of grass is a bit better due to the suction, but I will tell you the amount of dirt I now have to breath is impressive.

 

[SnowRidge]

I am going to step out on a limb on this one. Take a look at the picture below.

Oh, that's ugly.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Jeez Carl its a brush cutter not a fence mower! What else have you done to that thing?

 

[Bob999]

How does the 90" mower cut on lawns when changed to a Finish mower (Finish Cut spindles)?

I had posted that the PT 72" finish mower I purchased for my 1845 had some scalping issues on rough and uneven ground--not as good as a 62" deck on a Toro Z I had. Basically the PT "finish" unit I purchased has 4 corner wheels and one anti-scalp roller at the front of the deck while most commercial decks in the 5-6 foot size have many anti-scalp rollers in addition to the basic support wheels. Unless the design of the 90" deck is very different than the 72" (that is it incorporates effective anti-scalp features) I would expect that it would have more scalping issues than the 72" finish deck simply because it is wider. If you are mowing smooth and level turf scalping isn't an issue but it becomes an issue the further the turf deviates from table smooth and level.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Jeez Carl its a brush cutter not a fence mower! What else have you done to that thing?

Well, It wasn't intended to show you guys the damage I have done to my mower, but I have found this, drain pipe, fence posts, a ravine, and a brush rake to a d-8 Dozer (HUGE). I have also found tree stumps, my wifes precious trees and tulips, a lot of field mice... Still looking for the guy who was buried on the property but that is another story.

Toolcat, you and your dad do this for a living, you should know how much fun this is...

 

[washita]

now that brings back memories, try catchin up a electric fence wire sometime die grinders and snips are great tools

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Yeah your right Carl. It is fun! Especially with a John Deere 5310 Cab tractor! Can't wait once we get a Slope Mower.

I think you'll find that guy...in bone dust , that is, after your done with him

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Well, It wasn't intended to show you guys the damage I have done to my mower, but I have found this, drain pipe, fence posts, a ravine, and a brush rake to a d-8 Dozer (HUGE). I have also found tree stumps, my wifes precious trees and tulips, a lot of field mice... Still looking for the guy who was buried on the property but that is another story.

Woven fence does stop it, but I found a PVC standpipe with electric wiring and switch for a pool light became powder with hardly any slowing at all.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Say Bob, whats the price of those 72" Lastec mowers run?

 

[Bob999]

Say Bob, whats the price of those 72" Lastec mowers run?

I don't know--I bought it used from another poster on this board who bought it used from PT.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

I don't know--I bought it used from another poster on this board who bought it used from PT.

What did you pay for it? A used Lastec will probly be the way to go if we want a Lastec Mower.

 

[Bob999]

What did you pay for it? A used Lastec will probly be the way to go if we want a Lastec Mower.

$2800 in 2003

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

I had posted that the PT 72" finish mower I purchased for my 1845 had some scalping issues on rough and uneven ground.

I also know PT offers Flail mowers for both Slope Mowers. I'm not too familiar with Flail mowers (I know how they work) but would a Flail Mower cut Lawns good or are they just meant for Rough Cutting?