IMO, the worst thing about Power Tracs...

[KentT]

... is the waiting! No instant gratification of going to a dealer -- looking, buying, and taking it home with you...

When I bought Rich's PT, it was several days between when we agreed to a deal and when I finally unloaded it at my house... then, last week I ordered my grapple bucket and mini-hoe and they'll be delivered by my friend either tonight or early tomorrow...

I wanna play with my new toys -- and I wanna play NOW!

I can't imagine what it was like for those of you who bought a new PT, sight unseen, then waited on delivery... or those poor folks who actually had to wait on the next production run!

Thanks for the opportunity to vent to an understanding support group!

 

[Robert259]

When my wife and I went to Tazewell to tour the factory in April, 1999, we spent the night in Bluefield and was at the factory by 9:00 the next morning. We toured the factory. Drove the 425 and 1430.

We decided on the 1430 and attachments by 11:00am. Wrote them a check and filled out the paper work. Found out the difference in them delivering vs. paying Va. sales tax was very little. They took us to lunch.

We started the training program at 1:00p.m. and finished at 3:00p.m. The tractor was already loaded on a truck. When we got to our home in South Carolina about 7:00p.m., the truck and 1430 were setting in our driveway.

I thought that was pretty quick and I've been impressed with the PowerTrac folks ever since. There may not have been a lot of glamor and glitter, but I have been really impressed with the way that they do business. I wish all of my dealings in life had been like that. The PT is one of the best decisions that I have ever made.

 

[cqaigy]

<font color="blue"> is the waiting! </font>

Oh man i know exactly what your saying. I kept going to the shippers web site to see where my PT was now!!! Took alittle over a week including the week-end!

 

[MuncyBob]

For me it was sort of like waiting for that last day of shool to get here...seemed like it would never happen. Then one morning at work I got the call from my wife that the private carrier just called for final directions to my house and he was only 15 miles away. Told my boss I had an emergency...and home I went! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[jol1269]

i think there is something worse than waiting .... i picked mine up from tazewell and i live in ga below atlanta ... now try driving that far from the plant to home with out getting a speeding ticket or trying to find an out of the way place to unload and use the 425 for the first time no i think the wait is much easier on the mind /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[stray]

Guys, I spent at least a year and a half reading this forum and looking at Power-trac's site every day before I bought mine. It would have been longer if Mac hadn't sold me his 422.

 

[LBrown59]

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The big bad thing about PT is no local service for repair, parts and warranty work.

What do you guys do haul it off to Va. every time it needs something?
I can just see the enormous shipping bill to VA and another equally huge bill shipping it back home from Va.

 

[BobRip]

The power tracs are largely made of standard components:
Engines - Robin Subaru - Sold world wide
Plate steel - any welding shop can do repairs
Hydraulic systems - Any hydraulic shop can repair. You can take a damaged hose to most autoparts stores (I use NAPA) and they will make you a new one.
If you do any of your own car repairs you should be able to handle most items.
Tech support - You can call the factory and you will speek to Keith or Scott - People who use and know the equipment. They speak English and are physically much closer to you than most tech support you get today. They are not just factory trained, they are at the factory.

If you do not do any routine mechanical work, I would not recommend buying a PT until you go to the local shops and show them pics and specs on the Power Trac. See what they say. A PT is pretty routine to a hydraulic shop.

On the other hand, I live in Virginia, have a trailer, and could theoritically pull my PT to Tazewell a six hour drive. In four years and 400 hours, I have not done this.

Good luck on any decision.

Bob Rip

 

[pajoube]

i am a non hands on mechanic except for oil change, greasing, etc. The big stuff I take to the local shop who have no problems with this machine.
PJ

 

[pajoube]

There are a couple of things I would like.
1. to have purchased my 425 years earlier than I did.
2. other PT owners a block from me.
3. About twenty of you guys to have coffee with each saturday morning.
PJ