IslandTractor
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2005
- Messages
- 15,802
- Location
- Prudence Island, RI
- Tractor
- 2007 Kioti DK40se HST, Woods BH
With your caveats, the 425 sounds like your baby. Go for it. And good luck.
another new guy with questions (long)
- Thread starter dwkdnvr
- Start date
- Views: 2511
toolz_not_toyz
Gold Member
Seems to me a 425 or 1430 would be your best bets. I would just hire out any of the major work because that way you will get a skilled operator that can bring a really big machine.
While the 425 is definitely capable of doing a lot, as others have pointed out, I think it may work against you if you try to take on too many large jobs for too many hours. First of all, you're going to spend a heck of a lot of time when something could get done much more quickly with larger equipment. Second of all, you need to consider that no machine has an unlimited MTBF. Save you PT for the smaller jobs and ongoing maintenance.
One more thing. When determining your budget do not forget to take shipping into account. From PT to Seattle was about $1800 just last month. That's for my 425, and three pallets of accessories.
While the 425 is definitely capable of doing a lot, as others have pointed out, I think it may work against you if you try to take on too many large jobs for too many hours. First of all, you're going to spend a heck of a lot of time when something could get done much more quickly with larger equipment. Second of all, you need to consider that no machine has an unlimited MTBF. Save you PT for the smaller jobs and ongoing maintenance.
One more thing. When determining your budget do not forget to take shipping into account. From PT to Seattle was about $1800 just last month. That's for my 425, and three pallets of accessories.
Spiffy
Veteran Member
Always looking into the future when that extra ft or few hundred pounds of lift could come into play, I'd second the 1430.
However, even then, you need the right tool for the job to achieve major jobs in a timely manor [i.e. my 2445 is a little ***** cat compared to many jobs that just beg for machines bigger than 10 ton and 100hp; on the other hand, let's see them dig a trench inside an existing barn with 8ft doors.], so maybe the 425 is the bang for the buck.
OK...confused myself...what was my point?....How about maybe it can come down to either a gas or diesel preferance or just purely how much the accountant will allow!
Oh, BTW PT guys, check out this thread:
NH Thread
However, even then, you need the right tool for the job to achieve major jobs in a timely manor [i.e. my 2445 is a little ***** cat compared to many jobs that just beg for machines bigger than 10 ton and 100hp; on the other hand, let's see them dig a trench inside an existing barn with 8ft doors.], so maybe the 425 is the bang for the buck.
OK...confused myself...what was my point?....How about maybe it can come down to either a gas or diesel preferance or just purely how much the accountant will allow!
Oh, BTW PT guys, check out this thread:
NH Thread
FOURTEEN
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2004
- Messages
- 1,042
- Location
- Efland - Triangle of North Carolina.
- Tractor
- 2004 Power Trac PT-425
<font color="blue"> (I value any feedback and opinions) </font>
<font color="red"> Buy a 90% machine with 90% attachments! Most likely a PT-425. I mean that if 90% of the time you will be lifting less than 700#, don't buy a PT-1430 to lift 1000# once in a while - instead make two 500# loads. The MinHoe on the PT-425 will dig most of what the PT-1430 will, it just takes a little longer. Most people buy vans even though once in a while they could use a bus!
With practice it is absolutely amazing how much work, and how quickly, a PT-425 can perform.
And after those few 'big' jobs are done, you will enjoy the small size, the light weight, the minimal collateral damage, the lower cost, and the nimbleness of the PT-425!
PS: Sometimes a lot of the fun is seeing what that little machine can do, or finding a way for it to do it!!
PPS: I don't believe that any homeowner/landscaper would ever wear out a gas engine in a PT! And if they did, by that time the rest of the PT would most likely need replacement too!
</font>
<font color="red"> Buy a 90% machine with 90% attachments! Most likely a PT-425. I mean that if 90% of the time you will be lifting less than 700#, don't buy a PT-1430 to lift 1000# once in a while - instead make two 500# loads. The MinHoe on the PT-425 will dig most of what the PT-1430 will, it just takes a little longer. Most people buy vans even though once in a while they could use a bus!
With practice it is absolutely amazing how much work, and how quickly, a PT-425 can perform.
And after those few 'big' jobs are done, you will enjoy the small size, the light weight, the minimal collateral damage, the lower cost, and the nimbleness of the PT-425!
PS: Sometimes a lot of the fun is seeing what that little machine can do, or finding a way for it to do it!!
PPS: I don't believe that any homeowner/landscaper would ever wear out a gas engine in a PT! And if they did, by that time the rest of the PT would most likely need replacement too!
</font>
tracdoc
Platinum Member
The 90% rule. I like it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Merry Christmas to all my fellow TBNers
J_J
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2003
- Messages
- 18,952
- Location
- JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Tractor
- Power-Trac 1445, KUBOTA B-9200HST
Have you considered the used machines on the Power-Trac web site. You just might find more bang for your bucks. Trailer set and all. I found a used setup, and could not pass up the deal I got. $37.000 if new for $6.500 Have had very few problems with any of it. Your budget will tell you what you can live with. I have a Kubota hydrostatic 4 wheel drive tractor, but I only use it to drag the road. You can always sell if you aren't satisfied with the performance, but if you can get the right size for the task at hand, you will just sit back and smile thinking I'm glad I got the right size and not settled on something less.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Have you considered the used machines on the Power-Trac web site. You just might find more bang for your bucks. Trailer set and all. )</font>
Absolutely. In fact, if I had a vehicle that could deal with the ~7k GVWR of the trailer kit, I'd be seriously considering one of the 2425 packages that are up now. I'll continue to watch the site, although the logistics of cross-country shipping might make things difficult.
Absolutely. In fact, if I had a vehicle that could deal with the ~7k GVWR of the trailer kit, I'd be seriously considering one of the 2425 packages that are up now. I'll continue to watch the site, although the logistics of cross-country shipping might make things difficult.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
Buy a 90% machine with 90% attachments! Most likely a PT-425. I mean that if 90% of the time you will be lifting less than 700#, don't buy a PT-1430 to lift 1000# once in a while - instead make two 500# loads. )</font>
Well, I think this is basically the philosophy that most non-pro's have to adopt. There are always two categories, the 'manageable' stuff, and the 'big stuff'. The challenge is to choose the tool that minimizes the 'big stuff', while not busting your budget. Even after checking out the BX23 level stuff based on IslandTractors post, I come away feeling that for us in our situation the 425 is the way to reduce the 'big stuff' to a minimum.
Of course, then there's the question of what attachments to get.......
Buy a 90% machine with 90% attachments! Most likely a PT-425. I mean that if 90% of the time you will be lifting less than 700#, don't buy a PT-1430 to lift 1000# once in a while - instead make two 500# loads. )</font>
Well, I think this is basically the philosophy that most non-pro's have to adopt. There are always two categories, the 'manageable' stuff, and the 'big stuff'. The challenge is to choose the tool that minimizes the 'big stuff', while not busting your budget. Even after checking out the BX23 level stuff based on IslandTractors post, I come away feeling that for us in our situation the 425 is the way to reduce the 'big stuff' to a minimum.
Of course, then there's the question of what attachments to get.......
J_J
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2003
- Messages
- 18,952
- Location
- JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Tractor
- Power-Trac 1445, KUBOTA B-9200HST
In stead of shipping, a 24 ft Ryder or U-Hall truck should be sufficient to carry whatever you purchase. or pull a trailer package. Also, if there is a rental place that carries the PT in your area, you just might rent one and try before you buy, or visit with someone from this forum that has a PT.
toolz_not_toyz
Gold Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( In stead of shipping, a 24 ft Ryder or U-Hall truck should be sufficient to carry whatever you purchase. or pull a trailer package. )</font>
AFAIK U-Haul's policy doesn't permit tractors to be carried inside their trucks. I got by just dandy with three pallets of stuff inside a 14ft truck and then using a 5x9 ramp trailer to haul the PT 425. Everything just fit so if you're buying more or getting a bigger PT you'll need something else. See the following thread for information on my delivery experience.
Picking Up the PT from Overnite
As for the size of equipment. I think for 40 acres I'd be leaning towards a 1430 if budget allows. But again, it all depends on your needs. Clearly, no PT will match the dirt moving ability of a large CAT.
AFAIK U-Haul's policy doesn't permit tractors to be carried inside their trucks. I got by just dandy with three pallets of stuff inside a 14ft truck and then using a 5x9 ramp trailer to haul the PT 425. Everything just fit so if you're buying more or getting a bigger PT you'll need something else. See the following thread for information on my delivery experience.
Picking Up the PT from Overnite
As for the size of equipment. I think for 40 acres I'd be leaning towards a 1430 if budget allows. But again, it all depends on your needs. Clearly, no PT will match the dirt moving ability of a large CAT.