About to take the PT plunge

[Homebrew]

Hi all,
I've been eyeing up the PT's for a couple of years now and I think I'm about to take the plunge. I have about 3 acres full of field stone and underbrush I plan to clear. I also plan to use the PT to mow the lawn. At current prices I can get the PT180 with brush cutter, rock bucket, and stump grinder for about $7k. I hope to be able to cut all the underbrush..consisting mostly of cherry saplings and greenbrier. There's also quite a bit of rock to move.

I think the mini-hoe would be nice, but I just can't seem to justify the extra cost of the 4xx machines and I think I can get rid of the larger trees by chainsaw and stump grinder rater than digging with the mini-hoe.

I understand that the brush cutter gives a reasonable finish cut, so I only plan to get the one mower.

Any suggestions or things I should be considering?

Thanks!

 

[KentT]

What do you plan to do with the brush? How do you plan to move it?

Without the AUX PTO (i.e. the quick-attach) hydraulic circuit, not only are you precluded from using a mini-hoe, but also a grapple or grapple bucket. While you could add the hydraulics to do that, you'd also then have to modify or build the grapple or grapple bucket, because PT doesn't sell them for the 180 mounts...

IMO, if you can swing it at all, you'd be much happier with at least a 422 and a grapple or grapple bucket long-term, when it comes to dealing with handling the brush...

I understand the $$$ limitations -- I was initially looking at a new 422 but luckily found a low-hours, used 425... something else to consider. I've been quite pleased with mine, even if I continue trying to "upgrade" it for my specific needs.

I don't have stump-grinder, so I can't speak to that, but I do have stumps. I view stump-grinding as more a "one time" issue when clearing land. I had an excavator remove some, while on site, but didn't want to pay for him to remove all of them. I left some around the edges of the clearning. You may want to consider renting a "dedicated" stump grinder and doing all the stumps at one time, and spend the you'd save on a different implement that you'd use more long-term...

 

[ponytug]

I agree with KentT- commercial units can do alot, and it is important to look into the cost/benefit of renting a stump grinder, or chipper, or...

All the best,

Peter

 

[BobRip]

The PT stump grinder is not the best attachment. It does the job, but you really need a lot more power behind it. It's OK for small stumps (6 inches) not so good for big ones (18 inches and up).

 

[SpringHollow]

Just to clarify, i was impressed with the larger stump grinder for the PT1850. Did a fair number of stumps, some as large as 24".

Ken

 

[Homebrew]

Thanks for the advice guys. I had forgotten about the auxillary hydraulics not available on the 180. I guess I still have to mull it over some. Although I don't have immediate need of the mini-hoe (well...I guess I could dig out smaller stumps), it would be nice to be able to add later.

I think dropping the stump grinder might be good advice. As stated, once the lot is clear, I wouldn't likely use the implement. This brings up the question of the grapple bucket....let's say I brush hog, I could move the larger stuff that doesn't get mulched by the mower by hand or by pulling with a chain. Does the grapple have long term utility once the brush clearing is done? Is it handy for being able to pick up and grab loose rocks laying around? What else do you use it for?

It seems I always end up right here...get the PT180 w/ bucket, brush hog for ~$7000...better size up to get the extra hydraulics: PT422 w/ grapple bucket and brush hog for ~$9500....hmmm, for an extra $2500, I might as well just get the PT425! I just went from $7000 to $12000 in no time!

I guess the good news is that the concensus seems to be that I wouldn't be sorry if I get the 425. Hmmmm.....

 

[MuncyBob]

You will not be sorry for any 4XX PT based on your intened uses, but the 180 without the aux. hydraulics would probably come back to haunt you. If I was to consider a PT today and had the time to wait for a used one I would go that route so I could afford more attachments! For now the 422 and mower/rock bucket have been great but wish I had the grapple and some other tools/toys too!

 

[KentT]

This brings up the question of the grapple bucket....let's say I brush hog, I could move the larger stuff that doesn't get mulched by the mower by hand or by pulling with a chain. Does the grapple have long term utility once the brush clearing is done? Is it handy for being able to pick up and grab loose rocks laying around? What else do you use it for?

If you get the grapple bucket (which I'd recommend) over the dedicated grapple which is less expensive, you'd be getting what PT calls the heavy-duty rock bucket (with longer cutting teeth than what's optional on the rock bucket) and the grapple mounted on it. You can use it for most anything you'd use the HD bucket for -- i.e. the grapple, when opened fully, seldom gets in the way. So, you could use it for all kinds of landscaping task, grading and levelling spots, moving topsoil and mulch, etc. I've found that you can actually haul a bigger load of some things like mullch in the grapple bucket than in the regular HD bucket (I have both and very seldom use the HD bucket) because you can use the grapple to clamp down on the material in the heaping bucket and help hold it in.

I'm still in the "woods-scaping" process around the perimeter of the clearing in my heavily wooded property, and I've found the three most useful implements, by far, in order are:

1. Grapple bucket
2. Minihoe with thumb
3. Rough-cut mower

Your mileage may vary, but that's the implement package that I'd recommend based on your described needs. You may want to check out my "journal" of work at this site and see how I've been using them:

Loon Landing: Our Own Golden Pond

 

[KMA]

It seems I always end up right here...get the PT180 w/ bucket, brush hog for ~$7000...better size up to get the extra hydraulics: PT422 w/ grapple bucket and brush hog for ~$9500....hmmm, for an extra $2500, I might as well just get the PT425! I just went from $7000 to $12000 in no time!

If the 180 was going to be sufficient power-wise and in lift height/capacity but you decide you want the aux hydraulics, than I think I'd recommend the 422 over the 425. The 422 is significantly cheaper than its bigger brother, and would allow you to get several attachments with the money saved. The 425 is great when you need the extra power and features.

Good luck!

 

[KentT]

One other use that I've found for the grapple bucket that I failed to mention is using it for a "quasi" land-scape rake. The teeth on it are about 5'" or 6" long, so it is very handy to tilt the bucket and point the teeth down, then backdrag with the bucket to rake up a pile of leaves, small limbs and other debris, then scoop them up with the bucket and haul them away. For example, my friend uses it to clear all the old corn stalks, tomato vines, and such off his garden at the end of the season. I have a landscape rake, but haven't used it for this purpose, because this saves changing implements, just rake, scoop, haul and repeat...

You can see how long these teeth are on this picture -- in addition to a partial view of the brush pile I had to deal with:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/108503288_69c90b7c10_b.jpg