425 Operatioanal costs over time

02Doc · Jun 30, 2004

I'm like a lot of the newfers out there. First I was convinced that I'd get a BX and life would be wonderful, then I came accrossed Moss Roads website and life and more specificly my idea of the right tractor for me changed. My question as of this posting is: has anyone accually done a cost analyisis of operating a 425 for 100, 500 or a thousand hours. How much do the parts to fix the most common problems cost. Are the parts really available from other vendors other then PT. Im reallly impressed with PT easy on and off attachments. There is noticalbe ankle fatiuge after running one for just a short time. But I think that can be solved with the Wal-Mart strap
solution or the 2X6 suggestion someone made in another thread. Now there is the issue of the untried Robins engine in the 425. My only experience with tractors was with a Ford 9N with the distributor in front. Is the 425 easier to work on . I made my trip to Tazwell, but couln't really get a feel for potential design flaws that would make it difficlt to wok on. What do you long time PT 425 users have to say. Any help would be appreciated.

NJBill · Jul 1, 2004

Welcome to PT world 02doc.
I own a newer PT422 which is reasonably comparable to a PT425.I was an automotive service person for many years. I was also born in England.
Now if you have ever owned a British Spitfire, you cannot help but enjoy an association with the famous PT 425.
Thinking along the same lines, since when did happiness and contentment ever be measured in monetary values.
Go to it and be happy, and good luck with your choice.
Have a wonderful day.
Bill

MossRoad · Jul 1, 2004

Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Glad to see you've been doing your homework. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Our PT425 only has 150 hours on it going into our 3rd summer. The only costs that I have incurred over the original purchase price are, as I can recall:

- One pair of solid tires for the brush hog(which I switch to the finish mower and snow plow in season)... approximately $50.00.

- Oil and filter for engine every spring...(2Qts Mobile1 and Kohler filter) $15.00.
- Hydraulic oil filter every 50 hours... $8.00 (as I recall).
- Tub of high speed grease and grease gun... $25.00(still have over half a tub of grease left).
- Bottle of Simple Green Cleaner to keep it pretty... $10.00.
- Gasoline... I run mine at high throttle most of the time and it burns about 1.2-1.5 gallons per hour(Kohler engine).
- Every 8 hours of operating time it requires about 15-30 minutes of my time to grease, clean and inspect, depending on operating conditions.
- One can of JD green spray paint for touch ups... $3.00.

That's all that I can think of that is needed. Not needed but greatly used and appreciated are a spinner knob $10.00 and extra lights up under the canopy, less than $30.00.

Hope this helps.

ernemats · Jul 1, 2004

Welcome to the power trac forum. I have a pt 422 which I have owned for 4 1/2 years with 620 hours on it. My only expense other than the normal oil, filters fuel and grease have been new spark plugs and a new mower belt. I usually run my power trac at a little over half throddle and use a little less than 1 gallon of fuel per hour.

RegL · Jul 2, 2004

These guys are leaving out one big routine expense. About every 20 to 30 hours you will develope a need to buy a new attachment. LOL

pajoube · Jul 3, 2004

From past experience I can second that /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
PJ

MossRoad · Jul 5, 2004

Well, we didn't want to discourage anyone! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

SnowRidge · Jul 6, 2004

For the non-diesel PTs--and for any gasoline powered 'tractor'--the most significant life-cycle cost is probably going to be an engine rebuild or replacement at somewhere around 2,000 hours. A diesel powered machine can be expected to last much longer.

The 2,000 hour estimate is just that, and it is based on my delving through various forums habituated by lawn/landscape professionals who use Kohler powered equipment. Robin longevity may or may not be comparable.

Another wild card is the EPA regs which have forced the small engine manufacturers to produce products that run cleaner--which can be translated to leaner and hotter, in most cases. It doesn't appear that the effect this will have on longevity has become apparent yet. It is not likely to increase it, however.

One other important life cycle cost consideration that should be made when weighing PT's versus conventional CUTs is the cost of implements. PT implements tend to cost more than those for CUTs, since there is intense competition in the 3 ph market.

As others have alluded, routine maintenance costs for the PTs will probably be lower than for a CUT, as there a few consumables, and they tend to be relatively inexpensive.

There will also be no labor costs--as you will probably be doing it yourself. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

MossRoad · Jul 6, 2004

Do the implements really cost more? When I was shopping for tractors I did some price comparrisons and to get all the implements I wanted came out much cheaper for the PT than a conventional CUT. I had to figure in the cost of an FEL for the CUT to compare apples to apples, and that added considerable $$ to the pricetag on the CUT. The major portion of the FEL is included in the price of the PT. When you weigh in the FEL arms come with the tractor, the implements for the 400 series seemed like a bargain. The buckets were under $400. The 60" finish mower was only $1200. The power angle snow blade was only $450. The pallet forks were only $250 and the 48" brush hog was under $1000. And considering the powered implements had hydraulic motors on them, that was pretty good pricing. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

SnowRidge · Jul 6, 2004

Moss, I think it is really necessary to consider the base prices as PT plus 'standard' bucket versus CUT with loader to start out on an even keel.

The other implements are higher for the PT, although it is difficult to make an oranges to oranges comparison. For example, the PT finish mowers don't adjust for height readily, but you can buy a much bigger 3ph finish mower that does adjust for height without getting out a wrench for about the same price you pay for the smaller PT mower.

Bush hogs: I bought a 6 footer for my Branson for $500 new. I got an exceptional deal because there were no transport costs, so the average person would have paid about $700-$800 for the same unit. That is still less than what a 4 footer costs for the PT.

Regarding the forks: Quick disconnect forks for my Branson would have been $600, if I had bought them, but they would have been much longer and wider. They would have fit standard pallets. The PT-425 forks are really narrow and don't fit standard pallets--at least not the few I have lying around.

I had to build small mini-pallets for use with the PT forks.

If I took the time to go through the PT catalog and compare the various implements to what is available in the 3ph market, I am certain the overall cost of the PT versions would me more. The laws of economics virtually dictate it. Once someone buys a PT, Power Trac has a captive customer. I'm not saying they abuse this fact, but anyone who buys one should certainly be aware of it.