Buying Advice Factory contacts

[Badback]

I've tried to get product information (get some questions answered) by calling the factory. So far, I'm always switched to someone who is never there. Pretty frustrating.

I have seen some names mentioned in the threads. Gives me the impression that you folks talk to them all of the time.

Who do you talk to when you need answers?

Are there any direct dial numbers that I should know about?

Thanks,

Badback

 

[MossRoad]

1-800-the-yard

Ask for Terry.

 

[Badback]

Thanks MossRoad,

I called PT and asked for Terry, he called back right away and answered my questions.

He is going to send me something that they called a "parts manual". Not sure just what this.

Is there an operators manual, something that explains the controls and the maintenance schedules?

This would be a very nice addition to your web site.

I got Julie to watch your videos and they went a long way in convincing her that a PT425 is the right choice for us.

Thanks for your help.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks MossRoad,

I called PT and asked for Terry, he called back right away and answered my questions.

He is going to send me something that they called a "parts manual". Not sure just what this.

Is there an operators manual, something that explains the controls and the maintenance schedules?

This would be a very nice addition to your web site.

I got Julie to watch your videos and they went a long way in convincing her that a PT425 is the right choice for us.

Thanks for your help.

I received a very Spartan manual with my PT425 back in 2001. Some of the instructions were incorrect due to model year changes. If you go to the factory to pick up your new unit, they will give you a maintenance class. I do not know if there is any literature included.

Some things I learned after I bought my PT425 that were not in the manual were:

Tighten the big nut on the center pivot every few weeks.
Grease the hidden zerks on the mower deck.

Had I attended a training class, these types of things would have been covered on the implements I purchased.

You really need to sit on one and watch it in operation before purchase so you can compare it to what you know about conventional tractors and other machinery. That way you will know if it is right for you or not.

I made up a task list of what I needed to do now and in the future. Then I started looking for machines that could accomplish those tasks. From that I determined a budget to see if I could afford it. I narrowed it down to several compact utility tractors and the PT. The PT was the right choice for me. I enjoy working on machinery, and knew of the shortcomings of the PT documentation and the pitfalls/advantages of factory direct with no dealer support. I have worked on my own cars since I was driving doing major engine work, repair and replacement and had previous experience driving/maintaining hydraulically articulated small tractors in the form of modified Wheel Horse tractors used for moving aircraft for 5 years. So I knew very well what I was getting in to.

A couple things to consider is the PT425 will not load a pickup truck from the side without a ramp next to the truck. It does not lift high enough. So if you are in the habit of loading material into a truck frequently, consider the lift height. I got around that by purchasing a car hauler trailer. It is low, I can tow the PT anywhere with it and I can load material on it from the sides with no problem. That was in my master plan, so it was budgeted for.

The PT is a good all around tool platform. It is a Swiss army knife. It is not the best tool for some projects, but it is a good tool for many projects.

It is an excellent tool for landscaping. It moves large amounts of loose material, like mulch, stone, and dirt very fast with little damage to existing lawns. It will outwork any machine of similar weight in this task. Period. Exclamation point! It is an excellent snow removal machine. It is a good mower, but not a great mower. It is a beast with a brush hog. It will fit through a 4' gate.

I could go on, but it is all pretty much here in the Power Trac forum already.

There are several folks here on TBN that have opted to buy something else after considering a Power Trac and with good reason. It did not fit their needs for one reason or several reasons.... and we still talk tractors together here on TBN! :laughing: The goal is to get the best machine for you needs, whatever that may be. Just be sure you know what you are getting yourself in to before making a purchase that you may not be happy with. That goes for any brand, make, model and really just about any tool when you think about it.

 

[Badback]

MossRoad,

Thanks for the long reply.

For me , getting out to PT in VA is probably not going to happen. I would like to go, but its just too far. I don't fly anymore, refusing to subject myself to the TSA and airline BS.

Terry is sending a "parts manual", whatever that is. As for operating instructions, one moves a lever to see what it does. I have a good basic understanding from watching a lot of videos, yours included.

Julie an I did a spreadsheet analysis involving scoring tasks by importance and machines by capability. The PT came in ahead. We included maintenance and repair, and price in the analysis. Julie loves this kind of stuff, she's a project manager.

For snow removal we plan to get an FFC 48" from a dealer in Iowa. They wil deliver it for a reasonable price. I like this one, it has a seperate hydraulic motor for the auger (I don't like the exposed chain on the PT model) and a poly lined chute. It is spendy (a Minnesota term for expensive) but looks to be worth it.

An up front mower is a must so that I can get up to the edge of the pond without risking the machine. I will get the 4' brush mower for the outback mowing and use our Xmark ZT for the lawn.

And, like everyone else, I will probably wind up with 20,000 attachments at some point.

In my youth, I did a lot of work on cars. Mostly British sports cars, like my 1966 MG-B. I did some road racing in France in my twenties. At one time Julie had a Belarus (4 wheel oil leak) which required constant attention from me. So, I am comfortable around machinery. I am also good at making stuff and can duplicate most parts if needed. I have CNC machine tools in my basement wookshop.

Calculating from Ford's F150 specs says that the top of the side wall is 56.5" from the ground. If the PT425 can lift to 60", what's the problem? Of course, this is a 2WD pickup, the PT425 is not going to make it over a 4x4.

My requirement is that it can load the manure spreader, which is 48" ground to rail. There is a big tire on the side that is in the way, but I don't think that reach is a problem. We would get the 4-in-1 bucket for this task, so tipping the bucket is not an issue.

The 4-in-1 also looks like it could be used to pull some buckthorn. Anyone have any experience with this or other pest plants?

Julie's Kubota L4610 will take care of everything else.

So, I'm still trying to find a 425/422 owner close to me. The one in Iowa has not responded to my message, maybe he doesn't look at this forum any more. I might have to try the two owners near Green Bay, but that is quite a drive.

 

[KMA]

It moves large amounts of loose material, like mulch, stone, and dirt very fast with little damage to existing lawns. It will outwork any machine of similar weight in this task. Period. Exclamation point!

This is very true. I've moved over 100 tons of dirt and gravel putting in my lawn and drainage ditches. Lots of mulch too. It is supremely appropriate for this type of work. I use the light materials bucket. Scoop up some dirt, move it, dump it and spread it by dragging the angled bucket in reverse... rinse and repeat. So fast.

 

[cqaigy2]

This is very true. I've moved over 100 tons of dirt and gravel putting in my lawn and drainage ditches. Lots of mulch too. It is supremely appropriate for this type of work. I use the light materials bucket. Scoop up some dirt, move it, dump it and spread it by dragging the angled bucket in reverse... rinse and repeat. So fast.

I have a 422, wish i had a LMB for moving lighter stuff. Probably would get a 425 if i did it over, but i would still get a PT. They are really fast compared to my experience with traditional tractors. Maneuverability, quick from forward to reverse, easy to drive and pretty stable with a great ROPs (roll over protection) or as others have said FOPs (falling object protection)

 

[MossRoad]

...Calculating from Ford's F150 specs says that the top of the side wall is 56.5" from the ground. If the PT425 can lift to 60", what's the problem?

The problem is the dump. I could get my bucket over the side of my pickup truck, but I could not dump it. The bucket would hit the top of the side at about level and not dump material out, plus scratched up the truck.

The 4-in-1 would let you drop loose material in, though, as you have figured and as some TBN members have mentioned in other threads.

Just wanted you to be aware of the height limitations.

 

[American Bulldog]

Great post Moss Road!!!!!

Yes the manuals are still really bad. They really haven't changed. There was quite bit of incorrect info in my manual as well. Also, the training class is not the cure all. You need to be a bit handy when buying a PT. Almost everybody ends up modifying their machine, and you also need to be able to fix it.

 

[Gravy]

My 425 will just barely dump over the side of my old Toyota without crunching sheet metal. The side rails are right at 48". The bucket swings down at the back more than you might think.

If your property is reasonably flat, I suggest you look at a PT2425. The center of gravity is higher, but the lift height is 7 feet instead of 5 feet. I don't think it's designed for mowing, though. If your budget will stand it, look at a PT1430. The 6 foot lift would probably be workable, and I'd bet the fuel savings from the diesel would defray the purchase cost difference in a few years.