About to take the PT plunge

[MossRoad]

Another question...very minor...what's your opinion of the armrests? Are they handy? Comfortable? Get in the way? The cost is small, but if they end up in the way, then obviously quite a waste.

They do not get in the way when folded up.

They will fall down into working postion on their own, so expect that.

They will get the rear corners rubbed off by the engine compartment in extreme articulation/oscillation angles, so expect that.

The longer I have them, the more I like them. When driving in reverse, they are extremely useful. I feel like the engineer of a train, leaning on them and going FULL SPEED REVERSE. Think about that.... 8MPH in reverse with 800 pounds of stuff in the bucket riding 2" off the ground! What I have found is that when transporting heavy loads going forward, the tractor will start bucking forward and backward. Each time the bucket hits the ground, it tries to stop forward momentum sharply, digging into the ground. However, by going in reverse, the bucket simply acts like wheelie bars and if it does bump the ground, it just skids along and does little to slow the direction of travel.

I also like them for mowing, as I can keep one hand on the wheel and hold a beverage in the other.

 

[Gravy]

I'll complicate the issue some more. No need to thank me...

PT is developing a prototype 4xx machine with a 30+hp Kohler engine (PT-430?). I expect it will be a fair bit more expensive than the current 425, but it will have lots MORE POWER! If I were in the market for a replacement for my 425, I think I'd wait for that one.

Gravy

 

[BobRip]

I'll complicate the issue some more. No need to thank me...

PT is developing a prototype 4xx machine with a 30+hp Kohler engine (PT-430?). I expect it will be a fair bit more expensive than the current 425, but it will have lots MORE POWER! If I were in the market for a replacement for my 425, I think I'd wait for that one.

Gravy

Let's see
PT180 - $5500
PT422 - $7500
PT425 - $10000
PT430 - $12500 (Just a guess, but seems about right)

 

[Homebrew]

Thanks for the info Gravy. Maybe I should wait for all the used 425's to hit the market when everyone wants to upgrade to the new one.