Hooray - I'm finally ordering a PT 422

[ewl]

I have one last question before ordering from Scott. I need a bucket for garden work, but also need to move brush and fallen branches/trees to keep paths clear. Can a grapple bucket function as a regular bucket when you don't have to grab something, like wood chips or gravel? Or, what would be a better alternative? I'm also ordering the mini-hoe, brush cutter and dozer/snow blade. My regular finish mowing will continue with my Sears D5000 [it also has a Johnny Bucket] Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[TimOb]

Ewl,
Give some serious consideration to the 4n1 bucket. I use it that and the mini hoe very often. Forks are also something that will always come in handy (unless you have a dedicated forklift).

 

[pajoube]

I have one last question before ordering from Scott. I need a bucket for garden work, but also need to move brush and fallen branches/trees to keep paths clear. Can a grapple bucket function as a regular bucket when you don't have to grab something, like wood chips or gravel? Or, what would be a better alternative? I'm also ordering the mini-hoe, brush cutter and dozer/snow blade. My regular finish mowing will continue with my Sears D5000 [it also has a Johnny Bucket] Any advice would be appreciated.

Kesp us informed of what you order and when it will be shipped. We love to hear the first time stories.
I have both the large and 4n1 buckets, each have their uses. The 4n1 is heavier duty but smaller.
PJ

 

[tracdoc]

Congratulations on choosing a PT!!!

As others have noted on this thread, I too recommend consideration of the 4n1 bucket. It is sooooo very useful, and can pitch in to do some grapple work---maybe not quite as efficient as a dedicated grapple bucket, but pretty darn good. I also have the LM bucket which I have fitted with the Markham toothbar. That setup is a real workhorse. As has been discussed here at length, the LM and "rock" buckets are made of the same materials. The toothbar stiffens/strengthens the LM bucket. You just have to be prudent in loading the bucket, not so much in using it to dig. If you overload the LM, the floor may being to show signs of a sag.

One of our members had posted here quite recently on a grapple/thumb attachment that can be fitted to the mini hoe. Since all my "saved posts" have vaporized with the changeover of the servers/format of the Forum, I am sorry that I can directly link you to the post. You might try a search with terms such as thumb, grapple and mini-hoe.

Bottom line for my $0.02 is to go with the LM bucket and the 4n1. Do keep us posted, and of course we will love to see some pictures.

 

[Marks481]

Here is a link to the ebay vendor for the thumb:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7630672611

The vendor expressed interest in making a size more suitable for the PT425, which (by me best recollection) would be 10.5x3".

Here is a link to the old thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78623

 

[TimOb]

Also, consider the 425. As someone else once said (I think it was JJ), it's not the amount of land you have, but what you're going to be doing with the machine. I only have 1/2 acre, but have lots of slopes. I've also pushed it hard to get old fence posts in concrete out and moving big rocks. The bigger wheel motors definitely help on the slopes. Along with the upgraded steering cylinders, engine and lift height made it well worth the additional cost. I'm not regretting my decision to go with the 425.

Either way, you're getting a very useful machine.

Tim

 

[ewl]

Thanks so much for the feedback. Because I discovered that Power-Trac is on vacation next week, delaying my order, I read hundreds of posts on this forum and got a consensus of the most logical equipment for my needs. I have cancer and in no way can walk my 30 acres, even to the relatively nearby pond, so clearing and maintaining paths is the primary function of this tractor to allow me to drive around and enjoy my property. As a result, I decided to switch to the 425 after evaluating the slopes and terrain that I have to clear, which has a few significant hills and valleys. The brush cutter remains the obvious choice to cut the paths, and I chose the grapple bucket over the 4-in-1 for other brush and log clearing because it's dedicated, and faster at those tasks although not as versatile overall. Finally, I'm ordering the Mini-Hoe for its versatility --from being able to knock low branches off trees and planting, to excavating for a shed. I've eliminated PT's Snow blade because it seems to be best for snow, and too weak for land of the clay&rock variety that I have. Does anyone know of a third party blade narrower than 60", possibly 45" to 48"?. [I would have a Quick Attach plate mounted]

Thanks again for the great information - I'm looking forward to July 10th to place this order and becoming a REAL member of this forum. ---- Ernie

 

[MossRoad]

The brush cutter remains the obvious choice to cut the paths, and I chose the grapple bucket over the 4-in-1 for other brush and log clearing because it's dedicated, and faster at those tasks although not as versatile overall. Finally, I'm ordering the Mini-Hoe for its versatility --from being able to knock low branches off trees and planting, to excavating for a shed. I've eliminated PT's Snow blade because it seems to be best for snow, and too weak for land of the clay&rock variety that I have.......Thanks again for the great information - I'm looking forward to July 10th to place this order and becoming a REAL member of this forum. ---- Ernie

That sounds like a good choice of implements. I have the snow blade and have attempted to push dirt with it. Spreading loose dirt is easy, but scraping hard soil just won't work. You made a wise decision if dirt work was your main use for the snow blade.

The brush cutter on the 425 is a brute. It destroys anything in its path... do yourself a favor and make sure you get solid front tires with it instead of the inflatable type. You won't regret it. Also, don't let anyone within a hundred yards of you while operating it. It can really fling things with great force. If you have to operate it near buildings, try to operate driving away from the buiding. Also, depending on how hard you use it, you will eventually break off the bolt that holds one of the blades on. There is a spacer inside the bolt hole on the blade. This is what the bolt snugs up against and the blade pivots on. If you toss a blade, most likely, you will find everything but the spacer. Order one or two spare spacers with the brush hog and keep them with your maintance kit. They are about $6.00 each. The bolts can be purchases locally, but by the time you hunt around for a spacer, the six bucks was money well spent. I cleared about two acres and mowed about a mile and a half of trail 8' wide in four hours last weekend. One acre was really heavy brush and brambles. I tossed a blade in a hidden stump about an hour into it. I had to load up the tractor and take it home to change the blade. It takes about 20 minutes to change a blade. You need an impact wrench, adjustable wrench, allen wrench and a gear puller. I have it down pretty good. I was able to do it on the trailer without unchaining the tractor. But these are some things that you should know. I've tossed two blades in 5 years. Not too bad, considering how hard I use it.

Order yourself two or three extra hydraulic filters. They have to be changed every 50 hours. If you are like me, you will go through one or two a year. It just saves on the shipping if you order it all at once.

 

[toy]

Thanks so much for the feedback. Because I discovered that Power-Trac is on vacation next week, delaying my order, I read hundreds of posts on this forum and got a consensus of the most logical equipment for my needs. I have cancer and in no way can walk my 30 acres, even to the relatively nearby pond, so clearing and maintaining paths is the primary function of this tractor to allow me to drive around and enjoy my property. As a result, I decided to switch to the 425 after evaluating the slopes and terrain that I have to clear, which has a few significant hills and valleys. The brush cutter remains the obvious choice to cut the paths, and I chose the grapple bucket over the 4-in-1 for other brush and log clearing because it's dedicated, and faster at those tasks although not as versatile overall. Finally, I'm ordering the Mini-Hoe for its versatility --from being able to knock low branches off trees and planting, to excavating for a shed. I've eliminated PT's Snow blade because it seems to be best for snow, and too weak for land of the clay&rock variety that I have. Does anyone know of a third party blade narrower than 60", possibly 45" to 48"?. [I would have a Quick Attach plate mounted]

Thanks again for the great information - I'm looking forward to July 10th to place this order and becoming a REAL member of this forum. ---- Ernie

You never mentioned getting the forks, in my opinion they are well worth the money if you can get them. When I was buying my 425 pt I didn't think that I would use the forks that much but someone either made mention how useful they were or suggested that I get a set of forks which ever way it was that was a real good suggestion I never thought that I would use them as much as I do. I am always needing to move things around and I got a couple pallets from a local store [for free] that I load down to transport supplies. Hope your health improves and you get to enjoy your pt for many years to come.

 

[Phils]

I wanted to second MR's recommendation on getting extra spacers for the brushhog blades. I threw a blade last month fortunately near the end of the day and had to wait over a week to get the replacement spacers from PT. I also ordered bolts as these have a shoulder (where the spacer rides) that wasn't available on the bolts I found locally.

And Toy's suggestion to get the pallet forks is a good one. I wouldn't have bought them except for the urgings of members here. I use them a lot. I had a very large "carport" (24 x 30) installed for my PT. Everything stored under it is on a pallet now. I use pallets to load things into the back of my pickup, which has really saved my back. Everything in my "tractor-port" is either on a pallet or is an implement. I could empty the thing in 20 minutes if I wanted to use it for a rainy day BBQ, for instance.

I fully concur with your other choices. Waiting is the hardest part.

Post pictures!!

Phil