Considering a PT but concerned about support (A little Long)

hazmat · Feb 7, 2003

Phil,

Taylor rental in Sudbury, MA (Route 20 near Marlboro)rents Powertracks. Might be worth contacting to check it out first hand. You could ask them what they do for service.

MossRoad · Feb 7, 2003

Hi Phil,
Glad you liked our website. It's fun for me to keep track of my own stuff there, and I get a kick out of other people enjoying it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I'm not familiar with the MF2300 or Deere 2210, but I did heavily consider the BX2200, NHTC21D, JD4100 and a Cub #### I forgot the number. All four were very nice machines. I won't go into why I didn't purchase any of those machines here, but I will tell you why I purchased the PT425 and not the PT422... at the time there were no Robin dealers nearby and I was familiar with Kohler. Also, I wanted a 60" finish mower and Power Trac recommended the extra HP to spin it. At the time, the price per horse power between the PT425 and PT422 were nearly identical and the total price difference was only $1500.00. And, the PT425 came with the ROPS/Canopy: it was a $500.00 option on the PT422.

I have some pretty good experience with 3PT hitches behind me(pun intended) and I will do everything I can to never go back to that system... well, that's a pretty negative thing for me to say, especially since so many people have that system, and find it perfectly adequate. I am not trying to offend anyone, so please don't take it that way. I actually have a bad back and the Power Trac system is very comfortable for me to operate for long stretches of time(longest, 5 hours without getting off).

If you've watched the videos on my website, you know that it is no exageration and completely factual that you can drop an implement, like the FEL, and switch to a different implement, like the forks, in 15 seconds without leaving the seat(just look at the clock in the corner of the video). If you switch to a powered implement, like a mower or brush hog, it ads a whole 'nuther 15 or 20 seconds to the process because you have to hook up or detach two quick disconnect hydraulic hoses.

Have you ever hooked up a brush hog on a 3pt hitch? If not, you really should try it sometime, just to see what it's like. Even with a quick hitch, I doubt that anyone could come close to that timeline /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As for support; the factory has excellent phone support. There is no dealer support(as you know) and that might be a very good reason for you to consider the other brands. It is refreshing to see that you have a fantastic impression of your dealer. That says a lot.

Look, I have no affiliation with Power Trac. I am totally satisfied with my PT425(even with the whimpy brush hog tires). I will have no bruised ego if you don't like my tractor or buy a different brand. However, I will be dissapointed if you do not do your research and end up with a machine that you are not happy with. I completely agree with the THREAD HIJACKERS (just kidding) /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif that you should look at some other brands besides the ones that you have mentioned. After all, that's one of the things TBN is about... gathering and sharing information about tractors. Look around some more, test drive as many different brands as you can, don't leave out the non-big 3 machines( Kioti and Mihandra, to name a few). Operate them. Change some implements. If you decide you need a dealer, go with the brand that the best dealer sells.

Keep asking questions.

If you don't buy a Power Trac, come back here and tell us why. We really want to know.

Hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Now I have to go.... and you thought your post was long /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

MossRoad · Feb 7, 2003

( Not to hijack this thread from the PT folks. )

I don't think you are hijacking a thread, I consider it an exchange of information. Bring it on... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

NH makes some great machines. Very well thought out and comfortable, too. Well worth looking at, in my opinion. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MossRoad · Feb 7, 2003

( The conventional tractors are all good machines, and you'd probably be satisfied with quite a number of them. A Power Trac of comparable capability, however, is cheaper, more versatile)

Well said, Charlie!

( and you can have fun explaining it to your neighbors.)

Boy, ain't that the truth... it always attracts attention and never gets negative comments, especially in operation. Once someone sees what it can do, how well it can do it, and how fast it can do it, they want as much information as you can give them.

PhilNH5 · Feb 7, 2003

Folks,
Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate it. Hazmat thanks for the offer. I have been to Chapperel's Milford area store. I like the NH Boomers. I was hoping to spend a little less. That was why I started to look at the sub compacts.

I have been looking at these things for 4 years so I don't have to rush into anything. But I have been seriously considering the PT422 now due to the sale price. I was almost ready to order and the cold start thread started. that gave me cold feet.

My wife is all for purchasing a tractor. She gave me the thumbs up last summer when we spent 2 hrs getting a large rock out of her rose garden. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif But I am the one dragging my feet now. Funny how things change.

The input on this thread has been very helpful and has alleviated some of my fears.

Thanks again. Phil

bubenberg · Feb 7, 2003

have the quick hitch on my kubota (rake, blade, snowblower, brush hug, finish mower)... no comparison between the PT quick attach and any other devices out there including some skid steer quick attach devices. it is not enven fair to compare. the q/a from pt has been used, prooven for many years in the mines, where time, space are of escence.

MossRoad · Feb 7, 2003

( I think they are speciality machines. The attachments are expensive for what they are and from what I've read some don't work as well as 3 PT attachments (some work better) )

I don't think they are any more specialty machines than any other CUT, I just think they are special /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. In my opinion, they mow, FEL, brush hog, snow plow, till and dig post holes (and a lot more) better than a traditional tractor of comparable size. Traditional tractors are, in my opinion, better at traditional agricultural tasks, such as field plowing, than a Power Trac, but that's not what most compact utility tractors are used for(as far as I can tell).

As far as the implements costing more, I did some comparison when shopping for tractors, and found the tractor and the implements to be less expensive than comparable items of similar strength and construction. Here's what I got in December of 2001, just for comparison( some prices have changed since then, so just use this for comparison at 2001 dollars):

$8000.00 PT425 25HP hydraulically articulated full time 4WD, 8GPM hydraulics at 2500PSI, ROPS and canopy.
$300.00 Small FEL bucket
$100.00 Teeth installed on small bucket
$400.00 Large FEL light material bucket
$1200.00 60" finish mower
$900.00 48" brush hog
$450.00 60" power angle snow blade
$250.00 30" pallet forks
$120.00 Custom attachment plate for future projects
$100.00 Loading ramps(the PT400 series can fit in the bed of a full sized pickup truck)
Extra set of blades for finish mower
And I ordered the arm rests as well.
Here's a link to a picture of the total package.

Grand total: $12,591.64 including shipping to South Bend, IN in December, 2001.

All of the steel is very heavy and there is no sheet metal on anything except the belt guard on the finish mower.

I think, for heavy duty implements, those were outstanding prices at the time. We also have to remember that the FEL arms are included with the price of the tractor, and each attachment comes with its own quick attach plate already installed. And there are no drive shafts to purchase for the powered implements, as they all come with their own hydraulic motors. And one more thing (I promise). A 3pt hitch does not have power down, unless you add a top link cylinder and valves at considerable cost. 3pt implements rely on their weight to engage the ground. The Power Tracs have power up, down and float on all implements. You can bring the weight of most of the tractor down on the implements for added force. If you ever consider post hole attachments, this is important.

Hope I've helped to change your mind and haven't bored you to death... as you can read, I like to listen to myself. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

MossRoad · Feb 7, 2003

Having just read waterglyn's post, he can give you the best and worst of both worlds opinion, as he has a Power Trac and BX22. I bow to his experience with both... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Anonymous Poster · Feb 7, 2003

I can tell you this - If you go with the PT you will become addicted to it - yes maybe there are some complaints as with any equipment - but the all the positives far outweigh the negatives - I have looked around for a long time - the PT is unique - there really isn't anything else quite like it
and once you have one - you will love it

But - you should do what you are doing - check out many units - but you should try and see a PT -

MossRoad · Feb 7, 2003

( Have any of you tried a "quick hitch" on a conventional three point tractor? Just wondering how it compared to the PT quick attach system )

No. I would like to see one in action. From the looks of them, I could have used one when I was operating my IH2500b(big tractor = big, heavy implements).

( how is the owners manual for the PT? Do they have a "Service Manual" That might alleviate some of the fears that Phil has. )

Very sparse. No service manual that I know of. The only service that you have to do is change filters and regular lubrication. They are covered(briefly) in the book. What several PT owners have done is take the phone out to the machine and talk to the technician at Power Trac while they performed the procedure. Then it becomes painfully clear that it is a simple machine to work on for the regular maintenance. As for the Kohler engine that I have, I purchased manuals from a local Kohler dealer for about $25.00 and follow Kohler's maintenance recommendations exactly, except that I change the oil and filters more frequently than recommended.