Money where my mouth is.

Goose1776 · Jun 29, 2021

Friday, I’m going to gather all my rubles and shekels, and pay for my PowerTrac and attachments.
Anyone think of any reason, I shouldn’t get any of the highlighted attachments???
Not sure how well a couple of them actually work, but could see benefits in having
I am going to get 2 custom plates, and weld one to an SSQA adapter, the other to a 3point quick hitch, so as to use a couple of my current tractor attachments

Thoughts?

jjp8182 · Jun 29, 2021

Just me (and I'm not all that familiar with Power Trac equipment), but if the post hole digger head uses standard auger bits it might be worth doing a price comparison on the auger bits.

...and if it doesn't take one of the standard sizes (e.g. 2" hex, 2-9/16" round) it may be worth considering whether it's worth adapting one from either a skidsteer or mini-skidsteer/stand-on compact loader just to future-proof myself against unforseen tasks and avoid being tied to a non-standard auger bit shank.

Just my $0.02 though....

m5040 · Jun 29, 2021

I would just get the 54" grapple bucket and not the 4 in 1, teeth, and 60" bucket. The grapple bucket comes with teeth, and it is far superior for handling brush compared to the 4 in 1 with is really only good for getting higher dump height.
Try out the stump cutter to see if it works like you expect.
I hope you have enough work to justify the cost of a power rake.
If you spread salt, the machine is going to get very rusty.

Goose1776 · Jun 29, 2021

Jjp8182. Good point on auger bits, I’ll have to look. As I already have the 6” and 9” on a current PHD. Was going to sell it, but may be $$ ahead keeping the bits from it to re use.

Goose1776 · Jun 29, 2021

m5040 said:
I would just get the 54" grapple bucket and not the 4 in 1, teeth, and 60" bucket. The grapple bucket comes with teeth, and it is far superior for handling brush compared to the 4 in 1 with is really only good for getting higher dump height.
Try out the stump cutter to see if it works like you expect.
I hope you have enough work to justify the cost of a power rake.
If you spread salt, the machine is going to get very rusty.

The buckets, I’m not sure about. Was planning to use The 4in1, for digging, some light grading, pulling out lots of old fence posts, back dragging out old fence rows etc.
I’m also going to be getting a Wicked55 grapple from EA, again. But it’s back ordered 3-4 months. Lol
The stump cutter is definitely one, I’m undecided about, Terry did tell me I could use it as a makeshift wheel trencher, as well. But it may not work real well at either task…
The power rake, I won’t use as often as I should, with as much as it costs, but the few times I will use it, I can see it being very worthwhile.
Good point on the spreader, I won’t be spreading salt, but was planning fertilizer and pellet lime, and I wouldn’t want that blowing back on me either. So may scratch that one out right away
Thanks for the input.!!

Midniteoyl · Jun 29, 2021

You can always rent equipment when needed for those few times. I agree with forgoing the 4 in 1. Not worth it, IMO. A chain and your normal bucket can pull fence posts.

jjp8182 · Jun 29, 2021

Goose1776 said:
Jjp8182. Good point on auger bits, I’ll have to look. As I already have the 6” and 9” on a current PHD. Was going to sell it, but may be $$ ahead keeping the bits from it to re use.

May even end up cash ahead by selling and buying new 36" or 48" bits from a local source if those prices are current.

For example: just looked at website for a local (to me) company (Skid Steer Attachment Depot – Skid Steer Attachment Depot carries high quality skid steer, excavator, mini skid steer and tractor attachments and more. Browse our online catalog.) and saw new Lowe 2" hex auger bits being advertised at:
$199 for 6" dia. x 36" length ($239 for 48")
$370 for a 12" dia x 36" length ($395 for 48")
and $645 for a 24" dia x 36 length

So the price comparison could be very worthwhile.....

Also may be worth considering getting another extra backer plate to make an adapter for mini-skidsteer attachments as they tend to be lighter and require less hydraulic flow than full-sized SSQA attachments. Not sure the sort of hydraulic flow output Power Tracs have, but the mini-skidsteer attachment requirements tend to be more inline with what compact tractors provide.

Goose1776 · Jun 29, 2021

Current. Updated slimmed down list.
Thinking I can always get more attachments later… thanks to all, and feel free to keep input coming, I’m sure I’ll change my mind again. Lol.
And it will help the next person making the same decisions.

MossRoad · Jun 29, 2021

I'd sure try and get forks for it if at all possible. The pallet forks are one of my most used attachments. If anything, get some SSQA forks for your adapter. That may be cheaper. But certainly find a way to get some forks.

Goose1776 · Jun 29, 2021

MossRoad said:
I'd sure try and get forks for it if at all possible. The pallet forks are one of my most used attachments. If anything, get some SSQA forks for your adapter. That may be cheaper. But certainly find a way to get some forks.

Definitely.
I have a set of forks from Artillian, they are by far my most used loader attachment. Those and a future ea wicked grapple are my reason for the SSQA adapter

MossRoad · Jun 29, 2021

Just be sure to remember the combined weight of everything added to the FEL and the distance out from the quick attach male plate on the FEL will all add up to lessen the overall lifting capacity.

jpolcyn · Jun 30, 2021

I'd get the diesel instead of the gas. But that's just me.

MossRoad · Jun 30, 2021

jpolcyn said:
I'd get the diesel instead of the gas. But that's just me.

There isn't a choice. If you want a diesel engine, you have to go with a larger framed machine. The smaller frame models come with gas engines.

3Ts · Jun 30, 2021

What are you going to use the 6" auger for? It's a pretty close fit if you're setting 4x4 posts. I use a 9" for 4x4 posts. I can see 6" for pipe posts.

sirmombo · Jun 30, 2021

I have the 1430 with many of the attachments referenced. The post hole auger works well. I bought the augers from PT, but I think any auger with a 2 inch round coupler would work.

I use a WIX 51759 hydraulic filter. That filter is $22.71 on Amazon and someone at PT told me it's the same filter. The gasket is a little harder to fit though.

I have the grapple bucket and the larger light materials bucket. The grapple bucket works well for brush and is better for scooping up some material. I think the teeth and shorter width help it cut through rotting hay or semi frozen compost better than the larger bucket.

The brush cutter does well on fields, but I wouldn't use it instead of a finish mower. It does virtually no mulching. It's almost like cutting with a hay bine. I also have the finish mower that does a nice job.

The 1430 is by far the handiest tractor I have. My only disappointment is the bar tires and the wiring around the starter solenoid. The bar tires started losing air almost from day one and dry rotted to the point of needing to be replaced within three years. Carlisle Trupower tires are a nice upgrade, It has a solenoid that feeds another solenoid mounted on the starter. Two connections on the first solenoid failed about a week after I got it. That may not be an issue with the gas engine. Mounting the solenoid on rubber bushings seems to help. I only had one broken connection during the last 6 years.

Goose1776 · Jun 30, 2021

jpolcyn said:
I'd get the diesel instead of the gas. But that's just me.

The unit I’m getting would still be the diesel version. It’s the demo unit of the old 1430, so one of the last of its kind.

Goose1776 · Jun 30, 2021

Sirmombo.
Thanks for the information.!

woodlandfarms · Jun 30, 2021

Jeez, I was going to add notes but after reading everyone hit the high notes. Get lots of adapter plates (or make your own like I did, they are easy to make). Get a pickle fork. don't buy the 4 in 1 but do buy a grapple. Mower is brush only, never tried the fine cut cut but very tempted.... 12" and 30" auger bits... I got a big bit to plant trees with and that makes my wife happy.

marrt · Jun 30, 2021

I have most of those attachments. The vast majority I got used or they came with a used tractor. Also, most of my attachments are for the 425. The experience may be different with a more powerful tractor.

Buckets: All buckets are good (I have all of them including the utility grapple). I use the large bucket the most by far. The 4-in-1 is good to dump something in the back of a pickup truck as a regular bucket doesn’t work so well (bucket tilt is limited when at full height). Also, the 4-in-1 can pick up a log for easy sawing (but so can the grapple bucket or utility grapple or mini hoe with thumb). I would buy a piranha bar WAY before the short bucket teeth.

Mowers: Both the finish and brush cutter work very well.

Post Hole Digger: The post hole digger is fair in my view. It’s handy to be out front and the ability to apply down pressure is great. Seems to put a lot of stress on the arms.

Stump Cutter: Have it but never used it. From comments on here I would put it in the fair category. I wouldn’t personally buy it and would rent a better machine if needed.

Rotary Tiller: Would also put in fair category. It “might” till up virgin soil with enough passes but I wasn’t impressed. It seems to work best travelling in reverse. It also catches a lot of stones that will lodge between the tines and cover. It’s not as good as a tiller used with a conventional tractor.

Rake: Works ok for some stuff. Not sure I would buy it.

Salt Spreader: Have it but never used. I’d need to spread a lot of salt/fertilizer before I could justify.

Power Dumper: It’s decent. Again, easier to drive in reverse than push. I would probably buy it.

Mini Hoe: Works really good to lift logs for cutting. Doesn’t work so good for actual hoe work. Puts a LOT of stress on the lift arm’s.

What you’ve missed or may want to consider:
Potato Digger: This is great to loosen soil so you can scoop or till. Can be used for trenching. Very useful in my opinion.

Forks: A must have in my view. I might buy them elsewhere and weld on a quick attachment since the PT version is a bit expensive.

Cement Mixer: This is the one attachment I’m wanting but don’t have. I mix a fair amount of cement from time to time. Would be great to mix in one location (like from the back of a pickup) then drive and pour in another location.

Lift Boom: Another fairly cheap attachment that’s been quite handy. Can use like an engine lift. Also, to remove heavy loads from the back of a pickup.