Compact Tractors are Designed All Wrong

[timswi]

The compact tractor is a crummy lawnmower. Or it's a crummy tractor. Almost all users will do better to get a utility tractor and a ZTR lawnmower. It will be cheaper, and will allow you to do a better job of both.

I'm not sure I agree with that...My BX is a great compact tractor and a great lawnmower...Couldn't ask for more than I have in one machine...It is a SCUT, not a CUT...Not sure if that diverts your opinion on the matter. Not arguing, just my opinion.

 

[RoyJackson]

timswi and SGBotsford:
You know you're posting to a three year old thread, right?

 

[bp fick]

timswi and SGBotsford:
You know you're posting to a three year old thread, right?

Actually, a thread begun over a decade ago!!! Aged, like fine wine or aged as in a PC with a i286 processor?

 

[MossRoad]

Each machine has its pros and cons. For us, the Power Trac PT425 had too many pros to ignore.

It is hydraulically articulated. All implements are in the front where we need them. I can change non-powered implements in 15 seconds without getting out of my seat. I can changed powered implements in under a minute by simply disconnecting/connecting some hydraulic hoses. It is full time all wheel drive. Since it articulates AND oscillates, all of the wheels stay on the ground more of the time in uneven terrain. Extremely low center of gravity. Incredible lift to weight ratio. It is built out of plate steel. No sheet metal or plastic. Have I mentioned how much I have enjoyed it for the last 10 years? :laughing:

 

[RoyJackson]

Actually, a thread begun over a decade ago!!! Aged, like fine wine or aged as in a PC with a i286 processor?

Maybe to see if there have been any improvements (how does one define "improvement"?) over the last decade.
Moss Road's PT is, IMHO, the most functional and efficient CUT available to the typical residential owner/operator with 5 acres (plus or minus). This especially applies to those with SCUTs (Kubota BX series) and smaller CUTs (Deere 2xxx series).

But a lot of us want a tractor that looks like a tractor. Reckon some of us (me included) miss the days in the sandbox with the Tonka toys (me included...now I have a 2.5 acre sandbox with no sand).
I'll suggest that describes a lot of TBNers, rather or not they'd admit it...

 

[MossRoad]

I still have my Tonka toys! :laughing:

And my matchbox cars and hotwheels, too.

Another thing I like about my little PT425 is that it is only 42" wide, so I can drive it through my gates. I can also back it up ramps into the back of a pickup truck with an implement attached, which was real handy until I got my trailer. I did a lot of short notice volunteer work at the church/school and little league. :thumbsup:

Power Trac makes several different models in varying size and capability. They even have a 45 degree slope mower.

Check out their website for some interesting reading.
Versatile Tractors,Compact Tractors,Trailer Packages,Landscaping,Utility Vehicle Rentals,Mowers-Power Trac

I will say that they are not good for tasks like plowing fields or pulling stumps. However, they do have tillers for landscaping and quite strong hydraulics for digging stumps with a mini-hoe, as well as stump grinders, trenchers, post hole augers, etc... quite a few attachments available from the factory.

You gotta like working on machinery, though, as it is factory direct with NO DEALERS! I like that kind of work, so I have no problems maintaining and modifying my own machine. If you know and trust a good mechanic, just about anyone can work on them. Very simple machines.

 

[jinman]

Actually, a thread begun over a decade ago!!! Aged, like fine wine or aged as in a PC with a i286 processor?

Must be that the "forum archeologists" just got a new research grant.:laughing:

Started by glennmac. . . good grief!

 

[MossRoad]

Must be that the "forum archeologists" just got a new research grant.:laughing:

Started by glennmac. . . good grief!

About 4 months after you joined.

 

[timswi]

timswi and SGBotsford:
You know you're posting to a three year old thread, right?

I know..It was stirred back up again..Might be something relevant coming out of it ...Who knows...Didn't cost me anything

 

[boggen]

well if i had the money, for a new tractor, power-trac would be it hands down.

looks like a pretty good price base vs other manufacturers plus attachments seem reasonable compared to other manufacturers.

 

[boggen]

I know..It was stirred back up again..Might be something relevant coming out of it ...Who knows...Didn't cost me anything

any chance of the mystery tractor of john deer being like a power-trac?:licking:

 

[RoyJackson]

any chance of the mystery tractor of john deer being like a power-trac?:licking:

I wouldn't put money on it...

 

[MossRoad]

John Deere 8020.

[youtube_browser]RHE3S6Gbj6M[/youtube_browser]

 

[czechsonofagun]

But a lot of us want a tractor that looks like a tractor. Reckon some of us (me included) miss the days in the sandbox with the Tonka toys (me included...now I have a 2.5 acre sandbox with no sand).
I'll suggest that describes a lot of TBNers, rather or not they'd admit it...

No question about it:thumbsup:

 

[DFB]

Wow some things just keep going and going...

1999 JD4100 no leaks no creaks no squeaks

 

[MossRoad]

Wow some things just keep going and going...

1999 JD4100 no leaks no creaks no squeaks

I could say the same thing about my father in law.... he's 83 and acts like the energizer bunny! :laughing:

 

[SpringHollow]

I like how the original poster basically described a Power Trac.

Ken

 

[MossRoad]

I like how the original poster basically described a Power Trac.

Ken

Yep. Pretty close. :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

Time to bump this thread back up and report my Power Trac PT425 is still great for our needs after 10 years! :thumbsup:

I had the opportunity to watch a couple Kubotas moving horse manure around a couple weeks ago while volunteering at a therapeutic horse riding center. I was quite impressed with their power and traction, and the deisels were very quiet. They were much much stronger than my PT425. However, they were painfully slow when it comes to the task of moving large amounts of loose material ( like road apples ) long distances. I'm fairly certain I could have done the job in half the time or less. And the buckets could not curl back enough for my liking when down on the ground. Many times when they would crowd the bucket and then lift up, much of the heaped material would fall out. I don't think the buckets were deep enough either. And no 'power down' on the 3pt hitch on the smaller tractor meant the back blade had to have a lot of extra weights added to it to keep it from hopping over things.

Other than that, they were pretty sweet machines. Slow but sweet. I could see owning one if I had some harder ground engaging tasks to do like plowing dirt or pulling stumps. :thumbsup:

 

[slowzuki]

The cheapest Kubota loaders don't have a linkage on the bucket and very little roll back and dump range. They do come with various size buckets though. My "little" 50 hp Kubota doing similar tasks to what you describe will out work my 100 hp tractor with a bucket twice the size unless there is a long drive that would require a range change in the Kubota. My big tractor even has a reverser on it but its just too clumsy for some precise tasks.