425 vs Kubota 7510 or 7520?

MossRoad · Aug 22, 2005

5. Do you like supporting foriegn countries more than your own? 

That point is debatable and tends to fan the fires, so to speak... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

While the PT is made in the USA, there are foreign parts on it. And, many of the CUT manufacturers now have US plants using US workers returning their paychecks to the US economy. Maybe not as American made as the PT, but they are getting there. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

MossRoad · Aug 22, 2005

But if your going to buy throw away implements... 

Having owned my PT425 for going on 4 years and only having 195 hours on it, I bet the cheap implements from discount stores would have lasted that long, too. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I think Snowridge has some very valid points about a captive market, etc... however, I feel the stuff from PT is competitively priced, like the finish mower, brush hog, snow blade, etc... the repair parts like hydraulic motors, brush hog blades, auger bits, etc... are pretty pricy from PT. But I knew that going into the purchase, so it was not shocking.

Do your research before you buy, folks. Be sure to include your time and the versatility of the quick attach feature in your equation. That's what sold me on the unit... getting more done in less time so I can spend more time with family. For a business owner, it would be spend less time on jobs so I can do more jobs and make more money.

MossRoad · Aug 22, 2005

I'm use to 3 pt attachments but after seeing Moss Road's video of hooking up a bucket in 30 seconds... 

That was dropping the forks, backing away, driving up to the bucket and attaching it, all with my left hand because there was a video camera in my right hand. Actual time with no camera for the same job is 15 seconds! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (just wanted to set the record straight!) Watch the amazing 15 second video here!

KentT · Aug 22, 2005

( (So, except for the boom pole, which of those cost twice as much for the PT? Somehow, I can't see the $200 price difference on a boom pole being a prime decision point....) 

OK, let's see. A 48" PT brush mower cost me $900 plus travel expenses, but a locally built 72" 3ph model cost me only $500 plus a $25 delivery fee.

Post hole digger PT $1000 TSC $385

six inch auger PT $200 TSC $109

nine inch auger PT $220 TSC $120

twelve inch auger PT $260 TSC $135

My own PHD cost only $250 with auger since I was able to buy a like new used unit from a friend. Used 3ph equipment is widely available. Used PT implements are virtually nonexistent.

BTW, I am comparing apples to oranges a bit. The PT prices are for PT-425 implements. The TSC implements will fit a wide range of 3ph equipment, including machines with up to 40 PTO HP. If I were quoting from a PT price sheet for a bigger PT model, most of the PT implement prices would be much higher. )

OK, I conceded those three initially...

( 1. Rough cut mower
2. Post hole digger
3. Potato digger
)

When are you going to concede the additional hydraulics (Aux PTO) and hydraulic toplink (bucket tilt) and controls that are built-in to PTs? What would it cost to "plumb in" a grapple bucket or a 4-way bucket on a Kubota BX? What would it cost to "plumb in" a hydraulic toplink to the rear 3-PT hitch?

When are you going to concede the built-in Quick Attach on the tractor, and that every PT implement has any necessary Quick Attach already on it... Compare that to the cost of putting a Quick Attach on a normal CUT for both front loader and rear 3-PT. Now go price some skidsteer implements for that front QA and report back on how those prices compare to PTs...

Some of the attachments for a PT are more expensive -- I'll give you that -- I did initially. But, if a front-loader is part of your needs -- much less a 4-way bucket or grapple bucket -- then the PT prices compare quite well to the CUTs. Also, as Bob describes, the more attachments you buy, the more this savings shows up. To portray it any other way, IMO, is very misleading...

If you don't think that's the case, go look at the profiles of the PT owners on this forum, and compare the total package of attachments that they have -- and IMO, you'll see that they end up with more attachments for their PT than most CUT owners...

IMO, this demonstrates both versatility and affordability....

pequeajim · Aug 22, 2005

This is a pretty good conversation as long as it doesn't get heated...

Some good points. One thing that we may be forgetting is that some of the owners have done a nice job of fabricating adapter plates to use implements from other brands. In addition, I know some guys are having a blast coming up with their own attachments. While not 3pt. attachments, they are pretty useful, and in many cases because it's mounted in front on the FEL arm, more useful.

The PT community seems to breed "build it yourself" kind of guys. Items that are normally found on skid steers like grapple rakes, rock sifters, etc. etc. are easily adaptable for the PT tractors, esecially the 1430 and up.

Heck, just ask J.J., he's got more pictures of stuff than anyone on here /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I for one have gone from a JD445 to a Massey 1225, Ventrac 4200 to my PT. I am very happy with what I have right now. Like MR and Bob both said, you buy a tractor to do what you would like to do. Then hopefully, (as with my 425), you find all sort of stuff that you never thought of that you can now do /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My property is a pretty good fit for this "swiss army knife" of a tractor. Between what I can do with it and the support I get with this PT community, well, life is good....

KentT · Aug 22, 2005

( This is a pretty good conversation as long as it doesn't get heated...

)

Jim, I'm certainly not getting heated, and I hope my comments don't get anyone else heated....

I just think that the typical "PT package" including implements is pretty competitively priced, and to portray it otherwise is not quite "fair." I'll pay a couple hundred more dollars each for one or two implements in order to save thousands on different one...

BobRip · Aug 22, 2005

I am sorry I asked!!!

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just kidding, lots of good comments.

Bob Rip

Bob_Skurka · Aug 22, 2005

Well ALL that I can add to this discussion is that I have at my disposal a Kubota B2910, a New Holland TC24D, a Ventrac 3000 and a Cub Cadet 1862 and if I had known a decade ago what I know today, it is very likely that there would be 2 PTs (a big one and a small one) doing the jobs of those 4 machines, or perhaps the Ventrac 3000 plus a good size PT.

Now don't get me wrong, I love to go out into the farm field behind my house and plant with a tractor, something that is not really easy to do with a PT from what I can see. But that is a fun task and perhaps I would not even do it if I owned a PT. But as far as property maintenance goes, I am pretty darn sure the PT would be a better machine on my rough hilly ground than any conventional tractor. I'm not sure any of them would cut my slopes as well as my little Ventrac, but for doing the work, I have no doubt that they are great tractors.

But don't ask me to give up buying and fixing old tractors, those I will continue to play with no matter what modern equipment graces the garage.

I think folks like me who have played with several brands, and several types of tractors can really appreciate the PT equipment only when we see it. I know my little Ventrac is similar to a PT in many ways, and is a superior mower than the 422/425 but as much as the designs share in theory, there is no way the Ventrac can match the overall versitility of the PT equipment. I'm glad I have the Ventrac for mowing, I considered PT when I bought it and because I was looking for a dedicated mower I know I made the right choice. But never the less, you guys are making me jealous!

J_J · Aug 22, 2005

I just have to put in my two cents, to no one in particular. I own a Ford 8N, a Kubota B-9200 hydrostat,4 wheel drive, diesel. It is what I call the primo tractor at the time. I did everything with it, even had a hyd log splitter for it. I was using it full time until I happen to come across a PT-1445, early 90's model. I have almost retired the Kubota now in favor of the PT. Why, because it is so versatile, and tough and easy to work on. All you need is common sense. I purchased the PT with 7 implements for $6500. Compared with $37,000, with the some implements. Just about everything from PT is well made. If I want parts, I make a call and they send it out the next day, granted some of their parts are at retail, and can be purchased locally or internet at great saving. I don't have a grass cutter for the PT, because I have a 60 in cut Dixie Chopper. All hydrostat and fast. I can cut up a 45 degree hill , but the down hill cut is rather exciting. Would I give up my PT for any other tractor, I think not. It is serving me quite well. You new buyers will only know this if you buy and use the machine. You will wonder why you didn't know about this machine sooner, and you will only get rid of it to buy a larger unit.

Charlie_Iliff · Aug 22, 2005

You will wonder why you didn't know about this machine sooner, and you will only get rid of it to buy a larger unit. 

Or, as Bob Skurka noted, a big one and a little one. I have an 1845, which I try to let no one else use. Our farm has three sizes of John Deere, 2240 with bucket, 950 and 755 primarily used with brush hogs. The PT will work rings around all of them. It won't lift as high as the 2240 bucket, but it will lift as much. There is no comparison in post hole auger work. The PT allows precise placement and down pressure. It is better and safer in every way than the 3-point auger. The post driver is also out front where you can see and accurately place it, with easy minor adjustment. Slope mowing is safer and thus more comfortable. The tiller is heavy duty and runs well. The lifting boom is out in front - again pickup and placement of the lifted load are accurate and easy. The mini-hoe (mine's a Lackender) may not be as good as a full backhoe, but it's a lot cheaper, and beats the dew out of a shovel. The 4 n 1 and grapple buckets are flexible and capable. I have those attachments, and maybe some I've forgotten, and I can use every one of them effectively in a single afternoon without straining my back, barking my knuckles, or wasting my time and vocabulary changing implements.
And I don't mind hearing: "What in the world is that thing?" Or variations with more colorful language.