Toomanymaples
Member
Hello everyone! I have been enjoying reading up on Power Tracs here on TractorbyNet. Lots of fantastic information here. Thanks!
My wife and I bought a five acre farm. We have a pony, a horse, four ewes, a ram (last month) and a couple of livestock dogs. So far we have been getting by with doing all the farm chores by hand.
The wife has been on me to buy a tractor to help out with bigger jobs around the property, she also wants to start feeding round bales (800lbs) to help save on costs once we start lambing in the spring. Mind you, neither of us have never owned or operated a tractor. She is a real believer in Kubota, we have been to a few dealerships and she is ready to pull the trigger. I have some serious concerns about a 40hp tractor on our land since it is so sloped. So I have been looking into slope capable CUT. I liked the Ventrac but its lack of lifting capabilities would make round bales impossible.
I have spoken with Tazewell and the 1445 seems like a good fit for our needs. After reading up on these forums and learning all I can about the product, I suddenly find myself on the fence. There seems to be a lot discussion regarding issues with these machines. I understand that PTs are simple to maintain when compared to tractors and from what I can tell most folks here really love them.
What concerns me is the amount of posts I am seeing regarding issues with PTs. I understand that without local dealer service and support, there is a need for an online community to come together, and for that reason I understand why more posts about problem solving for PTs might be expected. It is concerning though to see so many issues from Power Tracs. I read one post that said only the ROPS and the tub are non-wearable. I have read other posts about how improperly changing the hydraulic filter puts air in the hydraulics causing issues. I have never worked with hydraulics.
I really want to like Power Trac and I want it to work for us. But after reading these forums, I am struggling with the idea that the machine sounds like it will be failing on me regularly. Who is gonna tell the livestock they can not have dinner until I fix the tractor. I also would not want to deal with the headache of me pushing for this machine, it breaking down at a critical time, and my wife telling me we should have got a Kubota and the sh**storm of other comments I will be getting.
I am very trainable and willing to learn. In the past couple years I have picked up a few trades, basic electrical, plumbing, drywall, etc. I have been a woodworker most of my life and learned to weld in school. I do not have much experience with vehicles, just tinkered around a bit with my 56 Chevy jalopy fixed a couple starting issues. Also worked on my JD lawn tractor replacing the regulator/rectifier. So not a lot of experience mechanically. I also have two grade school kids so time is precious.
I am looking for guidance to see if a PT is a good fit for us:
I need to know what I am in for if we decide to buy a PT so I can prepare my wife.
Not being tractor owners, it would be great to hear from people who have owned both advantages/disadvantages.
With so many posts about issues, it would be great to hear from people what the longest stretch they have owned their PT without any issues.
How long have people owned their PTs?
Are they less or more expensive to maintain than a tractor?
Any advice on how to get the most out of these machines is appreciated.
Many Thanks!!
My wife and I bought a five acre farm. We have a pony, a horse, four ewes, a ram (last month) and a couple of livestock dogs. So far we have been getting by with doing all the farm chores by hand.
The wife has been on me to buy a tractor to help out with bigger jobs around the property, she also wants to start feeding round bales (800lbs) to help save on costs once we start lambing in the spring. Mind you, neither of us have never owned or operated a tractor. She is a real believer in Kubota, we have been to a few dealerships and she is ready to pull the trigger. I have some serious concerns about a 40hp tractor on our land since it is so sloped. So I have been looking into slope capable CUT. I liked the Ventrac but its lack of lifting capabilities would make round bales impossible.
I have spoken with Tazewell and the 1445 seems like a good fit for our needs. After reading up on these forums and learning all I can about the product, I suddenly find myself on the fence. There seems to be a lot discussion regarding issues with these machines. I understand that PTs are simple to maintain when compared to tractors and from what I can tell most folks here really love them.
What concerns me is the amount of posts I am seeing regarding issues with PTs. I understand that without local dealer service and support, there is a need for an online community to come together, and for that reason I understand why more posts about problem solving for PTs might be expected. It is concerning though to see so many issues from Power Tracs. I read one post that said only the ROPS and the tub are non-wearable. I have read other posts about how improperly changing the hydraulic filter puts air in the hydraulics causing issues. I have never worked with hydraulics.
I really want to like Power Trac and I want it to work for us. But after reading these forums, I am struggling with the idea that the machine sounds like it will be failing on me regularly. Who is gonna tell the livestock they can not have dinner until I fix the tractor. I also would not want to deal with the headache of me pushing for this machine, it breaking down at a critical time, and my wife telling me we should have got a Kubota and the sh**storm of other comments I will be getting.
I am very trainable and willing to learn. In the past couple years I have picked up a few trades, basic electrical, plumbing, drywall, etc. I have been a woodworker most of my life and learned to weld in school. I do not have much experience with vehicles, just tinkered around a bit with my 56 Chevy jalopy fixed a couple starting issues. Also worked on my JD lawn tractor replacing the regulator/rectifier. So not a lot of experience mechanically. I also have two grade school kids so time is precious.
I am looking for guidance to see if a PT is a good fit for us:
I need to know what I am in for if we decide to buy a PT so I can prepare my wife.
Not being tractor owners, it would be great to hear from people who have owned both advantages/disadvantages.
With so many posts about issues, it would be great to hear from people what the longest stretch they have owned their PT without any issues.
How long have people owned their PTs?
Are they less or more expensive to maintain than a tractor?
Any advice on how to get the most out of these machines is appreciated.
Many Thanks!!
The utility of a tractor capable of performing the various tasks needed on a slope was enough for me to take a chance and I'm really glad I did. In fact, now that I've had a chance to experience the versatility of the machine, I would have no problem committing the extra money to purchase a 1445 if I had to do it over again.