Grading 4 in 1 bucket or regular bucket and blade

[kcook]

We have a lot of landscaping to do around the house, also snow to move in the winter, what is a better set up? WE would also be getting a Mini Hoe, 48" mower and forks with a 425, this could be as early as this winter

We are still looking at other tractors but I keep coming back to the power trac, for the money it will do everything we need.

KC

 

[MossRoad]

My snow blade works great for snow and leaf removal. I tried the large bucket on snow and it did lousy compared to the plow. I like the large bucket for heaping load of loose material like mulch and soil and the small bucket for excavating. I would like to get a 4-in-one bucket, but they didn't make them when I purchased mine and I need a post hole digger and trencher before I buy the 4-in-one.

If I was purchasing today, I would probably go for the plow and 4-in-one, and possibly the large material bucket if I could afford it.

 

[kcook]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My snow blade works great for snow and leaf removal. I tried the large bucket on snow and it did lousy compared to the plow. I like the large bucket for heaping load of loose material like mulch and soil and the small bucket for excavating. I would like to get a 4-in-one bucket, but they didn't make them when I purchased mine and I need a post hole digger and trencher before I buy the 4-in-one.

If I was purchasing today, I would probably go for the plow and 4-in-one, and possibly the large material bucket if I could afford it. )</font>

We will only be able to get either the 4 in 1 or the bucket and blade. It works out to the same price.

KC

 

[MossRoad]

Boy, that's a dilemma. I think most folks would go with the 4-in-1 if pushed for the choice. It is far more usefull for other things.

 

[kcook]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Boy, that's a dilemma. I think most folks would go with the 4-in-1 if pushed for the choice. It is far more usefull for other things. )</font>

I was looking for some advice on those of you have have used the equipment

We hope to go down and see the PT's early next year

KC

 

[tracdoc]

Hi kcook,

As MR has suggested in posts way back, might be good to make a list of what you reasonably anticipate doing. That should also help with your choice of the machine, too. Not only should it help with selecting a PT vs some other CUT, but also between the 425 and the very able and powerful 422. Put a ROPS on the 422 as Stray has done, and all of a sudden you have a great machine AND lots of $ with which to buy other toys....er, I mean implements, of course.

From my few hours seat time experience, the 4-in-1 seems to have wider range of utility for my basic landscaping needs. With open jaws, you can back drag or rake. You can also dump to a pick-up w/o having to raise the load too high (read that as unstable). Just move the closed bucket over the pick-up bed, and then open the jaws. Voila! Dumped with precision. Almost looks like I know what I'm doing.

MR's comment on snow removal is right on. We don't get much here, but others have told me the same. If you need to remove snow on a regular basis, a snow blade would be a far better choice.

Size of the PT 4-in-1 bucket is close to the size of their regular small bucket. From trying it at Tazewell, it picked up about 80-90% of small bucket volume. Smaller bucket means more trips. If that's an issue, then I would consider the larger bucket. It's made of the same material as the regular bucket, so the perception that "light materials" means cheap or weak construction is a false one. Your limit with the large bucket is the # lbs you can SAFELY raise before the PT tips on its nose, the infamous "PT Pucker." If I had to choose between the small or large bucket, I would definitely get the large. It's not so large as to be awkward, and it can do all the small bucket can and more.

Choices, choices, dictated by money, money... Why is it always that way??

 

[kcook]

I plan on grass cutting as number 1, some light grading of the section of drive way thats not paved. Also snow removal, we can get alot 6" a night or so.

The other is we plan on digging some shallow trenchs, moving some rocks(not to big) for landscaping(around the whole house, and some large raised piles along one section of my land) and lots of moving dirt. Also some brush/tree moving (dead on the ground).

As you all have found out, Im sure there will be much more as I find out what this PT can do

KC

 

[pah]

I have a current model 422 and 4 in 1 with 175 hours. Most of this time has been spent landscaping an old pasture and sawmill site. Ive moved 120 yds of sand fill and 75 yds of topsoil so far. As an example I've put in 120' of trench for rasberries using the backhoe attachment. after moving the spoils and rocks with the 4 in 1 I was able to fill the trenches with manure and topsoil precisely once again with the 4 in i . { drive up position bucket, open bucket, done} Other landscaping jobs like spreading crushed rock, picking up and placing large rocks, pulling out small trees and brush, moving logs are all a breeze with the 4 in 1. In summary I think this attachment makes the powertrac a better machine. Good luck with your decision and eventual purchase.

 

[FOURTEEN]

" we plan on digging some shallow trenchs "

If you want to save money, your shallow trenches are less than 18" deep, you want to dig long shallow trenches much faster, you don't have large or deep holes to dig, you need to loosen the soil to pick it up with the bucket, you need to turn over the garden, you want to blend in mulch to make better topsoil, you want to pull up medium stones and roots, no hydraulic hookup, switch to and from bucket without getting off the PT, and need a good lifting hook, consider getting the PT Potato Digger instead of the MiniHoe!!

PS: These comments are not theoretical! I own and use both of these attachments!!


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[425trailer]

I have the snow blade on a 425, it has proven it's woth last winter. I have removed the wheels as they were more pain than gain on paved surface. I have found the rubber edge to work very well. It is impressive seeing the large piles that can be pushed with this small tractor without ever becoming irreversibly stuck. I also use the 4 in 1, allowing dumping loads at a greater height than possible with the other buckets.

Good Luck!