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

Charlie_Iliff · Feb 8, 2003

If you go to the 1800 series to get the larger mower you loose the ability to install a backhoe. I guess that's what I meant by specialty machine. 

Pacesetter: I found out about Power Tracs in the first place while researching slope mowers. I'd finally gotten thoroughly tired of sliding rides down hills on a JD 950 with 72" rotary, So far, after a year, I've been pleased with the 1845 mowing, but have been often amazed at its other capabilities. For the hoe, I bought a Lackender extenda-boomer. It doesn't have all of the capability of a subframe mounted hoe, but I was able to sink a septic tank in less than a day. Maybe a true backhoe would have been faster, but this one is a lot less expensive than the cheapest backhoe.If you search on Lackender, you'll see quite a bit about it and the new Power Trac hoe.
I cut about two acres of lawn and 20 of pasture. I think my next look will be at a couple of Bubenbergs Kunz Acrease wing mowers. He cuts large areas with them and the 425, doing about a 12 foot swath. He's out of power with that rig and the PT 425, so take a look at his scheme to put a separate engine on the PT cutter deck. -- Only Bubenberg

Whether specialty or not, PTs are a lot of fun, do a lot of things, and, as you can see, their owners like to talk about them.

Pacesetter300 · Feb 8, 2003

Wow Charlie, the things you learn. I have been interested enough to get the Power Trac video but wasn't aware of the Lackender setup. That makes things more promising if the current irons in the fire fizzle. Hazmat mentioned a rental place not far from our place in Mass. I just might have to take a ride out.
Thanks so much!
Pacesetter

MossRoad · Feb 8, 2003

( If you go to the 1800 series to get the larger mower you loose the ability to install a backhoe. )

You can still add a backhoe.
Click here to see what Ed did to get a full backhoe on a PT400 series machine. I don't see why you couldn't do that for an 1800 or 1400 series machine as well. Just use one of the 2400 series hoes. Or get a hoe like a cadplans design. It would be pretty easy to get off and on, too. Just like any other PT attachment.

PhilNH5 · Feb 8, 2003

Folks,
Well today I went to the NH Farm and Forest Expo. That did not help matters. There was a Kubota dealer from Plainfield, NH and he had great prices - at least for New England. BX2200 plus FEL and 54" mmm for $13000. By far the best price for a subcompact I have seen in these parts. Spent a long time talking with him. His first question to me was were did I live and then he tried to steer me to a much closer dealer. But I don't like the local Kubota dealer. So we talked delivery (1 hour away) service and price. I almost fainted at the 13K price as my other quotes from aforementioned local dealer were up at 15K.

So this changes everything. I started by lusting after the BX series a few years back. As we all know there was no real competetion in the sub compact market. Then I was leaning very heavy towards the MF GC2300 after seeing it at an ag fair last September. I have been to that dealer twice and as I said I really like him. But his price was a little high as well at 13,700 for FEL and 60' mmm. Especially when I see prices of 12,500 listed at TBN for the BX2200 in the same configuration.

Then I discovered the PT forum. A great little unit at a phenomenal price. I was close to buying site unseen just from the great testimonials here at TBN. Now with a reasonably fair price on the BX2200 I have to rethink everything. I need to revisit the MF dealer and see if he can do better. I am sure the entry of the GC2300 and Deere 2210 into this market has caused the Kubota price to come down. Good news for folks like me.

Left my name and # with an upstate Deere dealer for a 2210 quote. Seemd odd that he couldn't tell me the price at the show. My local Kubota dealer was there. Couldn't get a firm price from him on the BX2200 either. But he had a BX1500 and a price of 11,290 with 48" mmm and a FEL. That seems pretty good as well.

So I am off to Moss Roads site to re-read why he bypassed the BX in favor off his PT.

Thanks again for all the input. Phil

MossRoad · Feb 8, 2003

What a problem... too many nice tractors to consider AND a fairly honest dealer! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

( So I am off to Moss Roads site to re-read why he bypassed the BX in favor off his PT. )

I think you'll find that I did what I did because I did it. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

The Kubotas are fantastic machines. If you go that route, I'd go for the biggest HP engine that you can afford. You will never regret more power.

landscapercarl · Feb 8, 2003

The Robin motors I feel are the only weak point. we got a 2422 in April and run it 5 days a week and machine wise it's like having an extra 3 guys around. Picks up 3" shade trees and the back hoe digs through all types of soil. We can empty a small dump full of gravel with just the driver in 40 minutes and haul it accross the lawn and not leave a mark. All of our customers think its really neat. Will probably buy another model in a couple of years. (no Robin Engine). We did have a bad Hydraulic pump and they sent us new one and our mechanic installed it in no time.

bubenberg · Feb 8, 2003

how does a 2422 differ from a 2425 and are they still making them? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

waterglyn · Feb 8, 2003

I would also like to add something to my original reply concerning support. True with the Kubota you will have a dealership that will handle the work for you if you should have any trouble but the power trac people are very good at talking you through repairs on the phone. I purchased a used power trac that needed a new treadle cable. I didn't know that the cable was the problem so I called power trac and gave them the symptoms. I was told step by step of what to check, how to check it, and what the possible problems could be. The next day I ordered the cable. When it arived I called them back and was walked through the process of installing the cable. The guys at power trac were very receptive and eager to help me. They also helped me the first time I changed my hydraulic filter and bled the system. Again I was very pleased with the help I received over the phone. You need to be willing to get your hands dirty and service the tractor yourself if you purchase a power trac, but to me, this machine is worth it. As I said in my other post, this machine is easy to operate and is a very capable machine. My Kubota's so-called quick attach cannot begin to compare with the power-trac quick attach. I will be ordering the 4-n-1 bucket next week and plan to use this instead of the loader on the BX. There are really only 2 things that I would like to see different on my 425 and those are a little more lift height and a diesel motor. These would only improve what is a great machine already.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 9, 2003

Phil,
I was one of the folks that encountered the hard starting problem on the PT-422 and recently replaced the coils myself. I am by no means a mechanic but found that the simplicity of design of the Power trac makes it relatively straight forward to do this type of repair. I believe there are something like 16 bolts, two electrical connectors, a fuel line, and throttle and choke cable that have to be removed to allow the engine to be pulled. No special tools are needed. The whole process of lifting the engine to replace the coils took me about an 1 1/2 hours when doing it for the first time.

The simple design gives you options when you need repairs. Robin America was willing to pay for the local service center to pull the engine and replace the coils. However, because I thought I could get it done quicker and don't yet have my own trailer to haul the tractor, I did it myself. While I also like the Kubota BX series, I couldn't imagine tackling any significant engine repair on that vehicle myself. I think the simplicity of the Power Trac design will be even more important to me after the warranty expires and a repair is needed.

Bottom line for servicing the vehicle is that all reports are that the phone support from Power Trac is good and anything that fails that is beyond my rather limited capability for repair can likely be easily removed from the tractor and taken to a service shop that specializes in that item (Robin engine or hydraulic motors and pumps).

Despite some initial disappointment due to the hard-starting nature of my new tractor, I am still very satisfied and often amazed by its performance. I also consider that it remains an excellent bargain when compared to other compact (or sub-compact) utility tractors and high end garden tractors.

Good luck in whatever you decide, but don't let the "service it yourself" part of the Power trac intimidate you.

bubenberg · Feb 9, 2003

( There are really only 2 things that I would like to see different on my 425 and those are a little more lift height and a diesel motor. These would only improve what is a great machine already )

 AMEN Brother!