422 versus 425

MossRoad · Jun 2, 2005

<font color="blue">it is no bulldozer!! </font>

No, but since you suggested to me to sharpen my teeth on the small bucket instead of leaving them rounded, it does a pretty good impression of one. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

FOURTEEN · Jun 3, 2005

<font color="red"> Maybe on IN sand, but not on NC clay!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif</font>

MossRoad · Jun 3, 2005

I agree that dry clay might as well be a brick wall. We just don't have the weight to break it up with the FEL bucket. I don't think any small tractor in our weight class will do much better.

In rock quarries, they blast the material into little bits before hauling it out with loaders. We have to do the same thing with hard stuff like dry clay... bust it up first with a ripper, tiller, plowshare, etc... then haul it out with the loader. Here's what I use to bust stuff up when needed. I drive back and forth a few times making a checkerboard pattern in an area. With it being in the front, you can re-trace your lines a little deeper each time if needed. Then scoop out the chunks with the toothed bucket and haul it out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

pah · Jun 3, 2005

I bought a 422 rather than a 425 or 1430 because I already had a larger machine (an older jd crawler c/w loader/excavator bucket and a woods backhoe all in very good working condition ) In the past 13 months since buying the 422 I've put 270 hrs on it with only minor problems. In fact Ive hardly used my larger machine at all. I have 20 acres of hilly woodland and rough pasture. I've done lot's of landscaping, ditching, small pond excavation, grass? cutting and woodlot work ( I heat with wood ). You won't go wrong with either one but If the money and or more attachments are important go with the 422.

Phil_VA · Jun 3, 2005

Thanks to everyone for their responses to this post and the other one I have on attachments. Still no clear decision yet, but I really appreciate the feedback.

I'm leaning towards the 425, but having the extra money to spend on getting more attachments initially is pretty tempting.

- Phil

KentT · Jun 3, 2005

Phil,

I'm pretty much in the same dilemma that you are, but my rationale is to buy the bigger tractor to begin with... attachments can be added later, when the need arises and the $$ are available. You can't inexpensively go back and "re-do" the tractor decision...

blackwell · Jun 3, 2005

The 180 & 422 has one steering cylinder now , the old ones had two and would steer at 300 to 500 psi, with one the pressure would be 600 to 1000 psi under wheel scooting conditions. The cylinder is rated at 3000 psi. SO? One cyl allows the machine to steer twice as fast and reduce the need for a knob on the steering wheel. I think its a good idea on the small machines.
EB

BobRip · Jun 3, 2005

You are probably right. It gives PT the option of a cheaper machine without much loss (if any) in useability. Despite my desire to have a 425, my 422 works very well. I would not trade it for any tractor that my neighbors have.

Bob Rip

BillCroasmun · Jun 3, 2005

I don't have anything to compare to but I haven't "felt" any strain in turning my 180 w/ one cylinder. As you have said Blackwell it steers FAST!

Now I don't do a lot of high torque steering, like in swampy/marshy areas but I have been in a few interesting situations such as hanging the mower deck above a drainage ditch to cut the weeds and then had a front tire slip over the edge. One quick and effortless twist of the wheel and it's "popped" itself right out of the ditch easy enough.

Marks481 · Jun 4, 2005

The Robin 22HP and 25HP engines look like they are interchangeable. Same base size, bolting ring, and shaft diameter (slightly different shaft length). $1299 for 22HP, $1499 for 25HP. Goes to show that the upgrade in engine isn't driving the price difference between the 422 and 425 (looks easy to upgrade the engine if you want, and could probably recover most of the cost selling the replaced engine on Ebay).

PT180 owners would have a little more trouble, since the 18HP shaft is a different diameter (1.125 vs. 1-7/16"), so it wouldn't be as simple.

Anybody know the brand and model of the wheel motors used on the 180/422/425? How about the hydraulic pumps?