2425 VS 425 Power Trac for new buyer

[FAZTRAC]

Thanks for feedback.

That 1430 is a sweet machine. The Deutz aircooled motors Ive seen are bulletproof and run continuously on drainage pumps for weeks at a time. Good motors and the $6K difference in cost between 425 and 1430is probably worth it, but.... then there is the $+++for attachments
guess I'll make a trip to Taze Land and try comparo on both to be sure.
These appear to be the right articulated machines for my program.

 

[Gravy]

Thanks for feedback.

That 1430 is a sweet machine. The Deutz aircooled motors Ive seen are bulletproof and run continuously on drainage pumps for weeks at a time. Good motors and the $6K difference in cost between 425 and 1430is probably worth it, but.... then there is the $+++for attachments
guess I'll make a trip to Taze Land and try comparo on both to be sure.
These appear to be the right articulated machines for my program.

My 425 is a better bang for the buck for me, but if I had more bucks a 1430 would be a better choice. If you are going to run it a lot, the fuel savings will defray a lot of the price difference. My 425 with the Robin gas engine uses somewhere around 1-1/2 and 2 gallons per hour when I'm working it full out.

In comparison, I've run diesel mini-excavators and a full-sized diesel backhoe that used less than half that much while moving 10 times as much dirt.

I love my PT, but it's an underpowered gas hog. If you can swing it, go diesel.

 

[MossRoad]

I've been to that area many times. I think the 425 may not have enough power to climb the hills around there on a consistent basis. Be sure to investigate that issue thoroughly before you make a purchase.

And welcome to TBN!

 

[MossRoad]

No chance of you going to PT to test the machine and bring it home yourself? You can't be that far away from Tazwell if you're in Tennessee. It's pretty well recommended around here to at least try it before you buy it. PT's can be a bit quirky.

You ever drive across Tennessee east to west? 440 miles! :laughing:

 

[frischtr]

You ever drive across Tennessee east to west? 440 miles! :laughing:

Still relatively close. I didn't know he was in FL though. I drove 7 hours to Tazewell with my old man and a trailer. Not a bad trip at all...:thumbsup:

 

[Carpenter]

I'd also recommend the 1430. I just about beat my 425 to death digging with the hoe and bucket. I do a lot of digging so I bought an L39 to keep from destroying my favorite little tractor. When the situation calls for moving a lot of loose material I still get on the 425; it will run circles around the L39 and is much better for tight spots and delicate work. Horses for courses.

 

[FAZTRAC]

My next door neighbor has a little Kubota 22 that he cuts terraced veg gardens into the hillsides with a front loader and rear mount rototiller. I have not seen this activity but he says the the pucker factor is pretty high:laughing: Kubota is offering a BX25 with 48 in loader and backhoe combination for $16K out the door, 3 cyl Diesel. that was another option. Lots of dealers around our area. Lots of attachments... but not articulated.
Anyone ever refit a 425 with a Diesel? The bare Kohler can be had for $1700 brnd new for replacement. Gotta weigh the cost of fuel against the cost of engine. How does Power Trac build these things for 11K$

 

[frischtr]

You'd have a hard time fitting a diesel into a 425. You would more than likely have to mod the tub and other things, which would eat into the cost savings by quite a bit. Plus you'd still have a 425, with less weight, power, lifting, and digging capacity than a 1430. $6k extra for the 1430 gets you more than just a diesel.

 

[MossRoad]

My next door neighbor has a little Kubota 22 that he cuts terraced veg gardens into the hillsides with a front loader and rear mount rototiller. I have not seen this activity but he says the the pucker factor is pretty high:laughing: Kubota is offering a BX25 with 48 in loader and backhoe combination for $16K out the door, 3 cyl Diesel. that was another option. Lots of dealers around our area. Lots of attachments... but not articulated.
Anyone ever refit a 425 with a Diesel? The bare Kohler can be had for $1700 brnd new for replacement. Gotta weigh the cost of fuel against the cost of engine. How does Power Trac build these things for 11K$

It was only $8K back in 2001! :laughing:

 

[KentT]

Though I still live in Massachusetts, I have a 425 that I'm using in the foothills of the Smokies southeast of Knoxville (actually in Walland, near Townsend). Mine is a 2000 model with the Kohler CH-25.

I had to upgrade the wheel motors on it, from the stock White RS-series 12.5ci to Char-Lynn S-series 22.6ci, in addition to reversing the wheels, in order to get the slope capability and stability I need. The new 425s have slightly larger displacement wheel motors (White CE-series 14.3ci), but still not enough low end torque for those hillsides, especially when hot, IMO.

I too would recommend the 1430 in a new machine. You still may need to widen the stance, unless you work up and down the slopes almost entirely. I would strongly recommend against the 2425 -- the center of gravity is simply too high for use on East Tennessee hillsides.

You can get a better idea of the terrain I'm using it on at this link:

Loon Landing: Our Own Golden Pond