<font color="blue">Hi guys - loading a pickup isn't something I envision doing a lot, but I'll ask anyway - With the PT425 and the large bucket, what's the clearance with bucket dumped? Is it large enough to get into your average pickup without needing to use ramps?
How about the maximum lift capacity at full height? I can't find this on PT's site. Anyone know the breakout force? Raising time with no load?
</font>
The lift height on my PT425 is 52". The bucket will just barely clear the side on my 1/2 ton pickup(which sits low to the ground) with the bucket curled all the way back. If i were to try to dump the bucket, the flat of the bottom of the bucket would hit the side wall and I cannot dump into it. It will, in no way, ever be able to load a pickup from the side while on flat level ground. Be very clear on this. It just won't do it. Period. I don't know how well the new 425 model will do with the 60" lift, but I would like to see pictures of it on Power Trac's website if this is possible. It would be a good selling point to those that have to load a pickup. I load my car hauler trailer from the side with no problem.
If you're talking about dumping into the back of the pickup from the rear, you won't get past the tailgate. If I remove my tailgate, I can get one or two bucket loads into the very rear of the pickup bed, but that is about it. I would't want to drive up my ramps into the rear of my pickup to dump loads. It is too steep. The ramps that I got from PT are great for loading the unit into the truck, but not for continuous in and out like loading would require.
Maximum lift capacity is listed at 800 pounds. But that doesn't say where the load is calculated. I will tell you this: I think the 800 pounds is without the bucket. A few weeks ago, I put 40 of those 8" X 16" x 1.5" concrete patio blocks into the small bucket. Had them stacked up over the top. 40 made it a little squirley when turning(do a search for PT pucker and read on). 41 and I wasn't going anywhere. I don't know how much they weigh, but, I can guarantee that those blocks don't weigh anywhere near 20 pounds apiece(40 X 20 = 800). I'll have to weigh a few some day(I don't own a scale) and let you all know what's what.
