422 vrs 425

[MossRoad]

In 2001 the PT425 and PT422 were identical except for these things that I remember:

25 HP Kohler VS 22 HP (don't remember if it was a Kohler)
ROPs was standard on the 425 and cost $500 extra on the 422.

As I recall, at the time of purchase in 2001, after I did the math, the price per HP between the PT422 and PT425 was identical, so I bought the HP and the ROPs was free.

There are a couple reasons I went with the higher HP motor.

First, Power Trac recommended the extra HP if I wanted to use the 60" mower VS the 48" mower. I wanted the larger deck, so I took their suggestion.

Second, I like to have the largest engine available in a given frame size. I saw no reason to get the smaller engine when the price per HP was the same and I could afford it at the time. The price per HP today is much different. However, you get the ROPS, stronger wheel motors, two turning cylinders and higher lift height, as well as a bit longer machine than the 422, so there are some structural difference.

 

[MossRoad]

In 2001 the PT425 and PT422 were identical except for these things that I remember:

25 HP Kohler VS 22 HP (don't remember if it was a Kohler)
ROPs was standard on the 425 and cost $500 extra on the 422.

As I recall, at the time of purchase in 2001, after I did the math, the price per HP between the PT422 and PT425 was identical, so I bought the HP and the ROPs was free.

There are a couple reasons I went with the higher HP motor.

First, Power Trac recommended the extra HP if I wanted to use the 60" mower VS the 48" mower. I wanted the larger deck, so I took their suggestion.

Second, I like to have the largest engine available in a given frame size. I saw no reason to get the smaller engine when the price per HP was the same and I could afford it at the time. The price per HP today is much different. However, you get the ROPS, stronger wheel motors, two turning cylinders and higher lift height, as well as a bit longer machine than the 422, so there are some structural difference.

I searched for "price rops pt425" and found a post I made in December of 2001...

Re: Power Trac PT425 Quick Change Challenge
The 418 and 422 use Robbins engines and have 18 and 22 HP respectively. The 425 uses the Kohler Command 25HP engine.

The 418 does not have a hydraulic oil cooler and fan, the 422 and 425 do.

The 418 and 422 do not come standard with ROPS. The 425 does.

Price difference:
$6000.00 for PT418
$7000.00 for PT422, 4 more HP and hydraulic oil cooler.
$8000.00 for PT425, 7 more HP, Kohler Engine and hydraulic oil cooler ROPS and canopy.

Every one that I talked to are happy with the Robbins engine except one landscaper, who said that his 18HP died at 300 hours. Did not tell me why it died. I've always been partial to Kohler and there are several good places around here to get them serviced under warranty if needed. I looked at it this way. The gain in HP between the 18 and 25HP units is over 33%. The price difference is also a gain of 33%. So I am paying the exact same amount for each HP and I get the ROPS, canopy and hydraulic oil cooler free!( is this great math or what?)

 

[Barryh]

I searched for "price rops pt425" and found a post I made in December of 2001...

Re: Power Trac PT425 Quick Change Challenge
The 418 and 422 use Robbins engines and have 18 and 22 HP respectively. The 425 uses the Kohler Command 25HP engine.

The 418 does not have a hydraulic oil cooler and fan, the 422 and 425 do.

The 418 and 422 do not come standard with ROPS. The 425 does.

Price difference:
$6000.00 for PT418
$7000.00 for PT422, 4 more HP and hydraulic oil cooler.
$8000.00 for PT425, 7 more HP, Kohler Engine and hydraulic oil cooler ROPS and canopy.

Every one that I talked to are happy with the Robbins engine except one landscaper, who said that his 18HP died at 300 hours. Did not tell me why it died. I've always been partial to Kohler and there are several good places around here to get them serviced under warranty if needed. I looked at it this way. The gain in HP between the 18 and 25HP units is over 33%. The price difference is also a gain of 33%. So I am paying the exact same amount for each HP and I get the ROPS, canopy and hydraulic oil cooler free!( is this great math or what?)

The 425 is defiantly the way to go. I have the wife just barely talked into the price of a 422. It's just a couple thousand more honey.

Now, if I could figure out how to get her to go with the extra 4.500.00 I'd be in business. As much as I would love to have a 422 / 425 they are not priorities around here.

Reason being the 180 has done its jobs way to well, which makes for a very hard sell on a machine that cost almost twice as much.

 

[kmaz]

In my mind its easily worth the $2,500 to upgrade from the 422 to the 425. I dont think its been mentioned before but the oil cooler is also bigger along with the cooling fan. also , out of curiosity is the articulation joint on the 422 or the 180 a replaceable bearing insert like the 425 or is it like the rest of the ball joints on the tractor?
Kris

 

[BobRip]

Ah... big wheel motors. I was a bit confused, sorry about that.

Big wheel motors and also big wheels. I don't know about the tram pump or top speed.

 

[KentT]

When PT switched to the high torque wheel motors on the PT-425 in early to mid 2003, I think it was, top speed declined slightly. PT eventually dropped the previously stated 8 MPH top speed from their spec sheet. The last time I looked, it was unstated.

SnowRidge,

I think Bob's referring to the configuration that JDBeach (I think that's right) ordered at an even higher cost than a standard PT-425. It has 1430 wheel motors and bigger 26x12x12 tires...

JDBeach did that for use on the sand at the beach. I presume Bob's interested in the higher flotation for his swampy backwoods...

I'm not sure how much the 3" taller tires would compensate for the larger displacement wheel motors -- especially when I don't know size of the 1430s wheel motors. I'd guess that they'd add about 1mph or so back to the equation.

For example, with the upgrade from 12.5ci to 22.7ci wheel motors, I'm expecting the top speed of my 425 to be around 4.5 (down from 8+). Swapping the 23x10x12 tires to 26x12x12 would increase that top speed back up by about 1.2 mph, as I recall, from my calculations. That's my fall-back position if I find that the 22.7ci motors are simply too slow. If I'd gone to approximately 18ci motors, I may have had sufficient torque -- but if I found that it wasn't, my only recourse would've been to go to smaller tires, which isn't easily done. I can't afford to swap out the wheel motors twice... I can afford to replace a set of tires.

 

[BobRip]

SnowRidge,

I think Bob's referring to the configuration that JDBeach (I think that's right) ordered at an even higher cost than a standard PT-425. It has 1430 wheel motors and bigger 26x12x12 tires...

JDBeach did that for use on the sand at the beach. I presume Bob's interested in the higher flotation for his swampy backwoods...

Your thoughts are correct. Although the swamp is as dry as a desert right now. There is hope that it may rain again someday.

 

[Barryh]

I love my 422, and have seldom encountered situations where I wanted more wheel torque. The sngle steering cylinder actually has an avantage: you don't need to put a "knuckle buster" on the steering wheel, because it is less then a turn from lock-to-lock, so you don't have to rapidly spin the steering wheel while driving.

The disadvantage of the single cylinder is that it obviously concentrates stress, and one individual here has had the steering cylinder mount rip loose in the footwell. PT foolishlessly put a drain hole near the mounting, leaving only a small ligament to support the stress. I frequently take off the deckplate to check for any indication of stress fractures in this area, and will someday probably weld some reinforcements to the cylinder mounts to eliminate that worry. I would like to think that PT has changed their design to eliminate this flaw, but really doubt it, since they don't really seem to listen to this forum or implement feedback into their design.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/62158-broken-frame-pt-422-a.html

Does anyone with a 422 see a way to reinforce this cylinder mount area as in bolting a larger steel plate to the bottom or top with out having to do any welding??

 

[Barryh]

Sorry if these questions have been done to to death on here. I was wondering how much the newer wheel motors cost at this time. In case I wanted to add some later on down the road.

I normally try not to count my chickens before they've hatched but, I may have sold my PT as of next week the jury is still out.

If so then sometime this spring / summer I'll be in the market for a 422. After reading all of your comments and thinking about it. I still think the 422 is more than a capable machine with 800 pounds of lift the same 40 attachment assortment, and for the most part can do anything the 425 will do.

The only worrisome factor that comes to mind would be the one steering cylinder. I'm sure if I keep an eye on it, and I may even have it reinforced right off the bat. It should be fine.

I have mostly flat ground with some slight upward grades some small ravines to cross, so if the torque is anywhere near as good as my 180, which will climb some fairly steep hills. I really won't need the higher output wheel motors around here. If I ever move and have a lot of steep hills I can always upgrade the motors.

I've never found that I needed the extra height, and like another poster on here. The bucket lifts high enough to move rocks logs or anything I need to move in or out of my F-150. And my truck stands pretty tall. If I ever find I need a little more height. It's simple enough to make a small loading ramp to get up higher.

 

[KentT]

Sorry if these questions have been done to to death on here. I was wondering how much the newer wheel motors cost at this time. In case I wanted to add some later on down the road.

I normally try not to count my chickens before they've hatched but, I may have sold my PT as of next week the jury is still out.

If so then sometime this spring / summer I'll be in the market for a 422. After reading all of your comments and thinking about it. I still think the 422 is more than a capable machine with 800 pounds of lift the same 40 attachment assortment, and for the most part can do anything the 425 will do.

The only worrisome factor that comes to mind would be the one steering cylinder. I'm sure if I keep an eye on it, and I may even have it reinforced right off the bat. It should be fine.

I have mostly flat ground with some slight upward grades some small ravines to cross, so if the torque is anywhere near as good as my 180, which will climb some fairly steep hills. I really won't need the higher output wheel motors around here. If I ever move and have a lot of steep hills I can always upgrade the motors.

I've never found that I needed the extra height, and like another poster on here. The bucket lifts high enough to move rocks logs or anything I need to move in or out of my F-150. And my truck stands pretty tall. If I ever find I need a little more height. It's simple enough to make a small loading ramp to get up higher.

Barry,

I can't remember the exact prices -- it's like buried here in some of my old posts -- the White CE wheel motors that are used on the new PT 425s should be available for about $300-325 each. But, I'm not sure if the new PT-422s use the same "bolt-on" wheel motor mounting box/frame that the new PT-425s use. If they use the old-style welded on boxes that were used with the White 12.5ci motors, then that adds more work to convert... so, figure close to $1500 to upgrade them, add $500 for the ROPS, and you're looking at the remaining $500 price difference giving you the second steering cylinder and the larger engine, plus 6" higher lift. IMO, if you think you might need the wheel motor torque, it makes more sense to buy it up front...

As far as lift height, the 4-in-1 bucket will dump into PU beds and such better than the regular buckets, since they can dump out the bottom, which could help offset that limitation in some cases. The limiting factor is tilting the bucket to dump its contents -- which isn't necessary with the 4-in-1. If lift height is really an issue, there are other workarounds, such as front-hinged buckets like this one...