A PT-1445?

[ponytug]

Here is the flowchart that I use to decide when to mow. I got the specifications from the county, who obtained them from CalFire, the folks who look after fires out here.

During fire season, I have water tanks and hoses ready, just in case.

To be frank, if it is even close to the "Don't Mow" point, the tractor stays inside. I also use the same flow chart to regulate any spark producing event outdoors.

All the best,

Peter

How about sharing your chart Peter? I'm pretty cautious about mowing if there's ANY risk of a spark starting a fire, but if I or anyone else gleaned even one more helpful hint it would be appreciated.

Phil

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Well we really acutally had one slope that was 35 degrees. That one only required a Bush Hogging every once in a while. All the others are under 29 degrees. We'd have Turfs on the machine if we do buy a 1445. Those Skid Steer type tires look like they'd damage Turf. But on the other hand if we needed Traction and Turf Saving, could we buy both sets? Yes.

Me and my uncle also have another chance to look at a PT. Theres a man who owns a 1445 in Mayville (originally thought it was Marysville. Chris's accent confused me).
We'll call him up and ask him about it and if we can check it out.

Reason we're looking into the 1445 is it matched our needs more than a 1845 or 1850.
Mowing on 20-30 degree hills is only one task we have to do. The 1445 has a better lift capacity which we actually need more now.

But Peter if you got an more suggestions fire away. I could really use them.

 

[ponytug]

PT recommended those skidsteer tires to me over the turfs. They had one primary reason: better resistance to punctures. The turf tires supposedly have better traction.

Except for wheel slip "burn outs", PTs are amazingly gentle on surfaces. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised.

If you plan to do a great deal of brush cutting, I would recommend reinforcing the brush cutter. I would suggest welding 2" square iron tubing on the upper surface of the mower, connecting the attachment plate base to the front wheels, an angled set of bars from the plate through the air to the front wheels, and a round, roller bar between the front wheels, or ahead of them to push over saplings and heavier brush. I think that there are photos on another thread of someone's reinforcement of the deck with angle iron. In the interests of full disclosure, it is on my do list, but I haven't done it yet; I don't have a welder and my buddy keeps saying he'll come over...

If you can mow down the 35 degree slope, I don't think you will have issues. You can use the weight of the tractor to help you out. Having lived in Michigan and brush cut trails through the woods, my concern for you is traction on wet or lush grass.

All the best,

Peter

Well we really acutally had one slope that was 35 degrees. That one only required a Bush Hogging every once in a while. All the others are under 29 degrees. We'd have Turfs on the machine if we do buy a 1445. Those Skid Steer type tires look like they'd damage Turf. But on the other hand if we needed Traction and Turf Saving, could we buy both sets? Yes.

Me and my uncle also have another chance to look at a PT. Theres a man who owns a 1445 in Mayville (originally thought it was Marysville. Chris's accent confused me).
We'll call him up and ask him about it and if we can check it out.

Reason we're looking into the 1445 is it matched our needs more than a 1845 or 1850.
Mowing on 20-30 degree hills is only one task we have to do. The 1445 has a better lift capacity which we actually need more now.

But Peter if you got an more suggestions fire away. I could really use them.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Thanks for the advice Peter. If you have a camera, could you take some video of your 1445 in action? Mowing and any other stuff.

 

[ponytug]

Hard to believe in this day and age, but we don't have video capabilities.

MossRoad has posted a link to mowing with his 425, both lawns (which we don't do) and brush.

Woodlandfarms also posted some of his 1845; You might want to read the full thread there.

I hope that this helps.

All the best,

Peter

 

[SnowRidge]

Hard to believe in this day and age, but we don't have video capabilities.

Are you sure? A lot of digital still cameras have video capabilties. I know both of ours do.

Even some cell phones have it.

 

[ponytug]

OK. Guilty as charged.
My cell phone does have video. 176x144 pixels.

"Y'all see that thar red blob, thaz me n my PT mowin 'r brush n 'r back field.
See! Lookee thar, that durk thing wur a kaiote bush! That wur it gittin run down..."
​

I'm not sure it would be an informative video, especially with the quality alternatives...

All the best,

Peter

Are you sure? A lot of digital still cameras have video capabilties. I know both of ours do.

Even some cell phones have it.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

I've seen the 1850 and the 425. For some reason I got an itch to see a 1445 now.
LOL that sounds a very educated narration.

 

[SnowRidge]

OK. Guilty as charged.
My cell phone does have video. 176x144 pixels.

"Y'all see that thar red blob, thaz me n my PT mowin 'r brush n 'r back field.
See! Lookee thar, that durk thing wur a kaiote bush! That wur it gittin run down..."
​

I'm not sure it would be an informative video, especially with the quality alternatives...

All the best,

Peter

Ya just gotta stand a little closer.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Weh-ll! I punched in the name of the man who owns a PT-1445 in Mayville, MI. Thats not far from me at all. I'll call him up tomorrow as Chris at Power-Trac was nice enough to give me his name, phone number, and city (even though Chris got it wrong). So Friday, if things go well, I'm going to stop out there with my uncle and check it out. This is the final step in deciding a Power-Trac, even though I'm pretty sure the 1445 is the one for us.

I got to go to work tomorrow so I'll be back later on if not then Friday.
Friday I'll have some pics and video if we go see the 1445.

See you Power-Trac people tomorrow!