Info on 1430

[Rip]

Welcome to the forum Robert.... while we "Red PTers" are in the minority, it is a growing segment on this board.

While all PTs are a unique and often underrated machine in the greater CUT community, their owners and other close observers value them for all that they do so well and if given the chance may step up the model line, but seldom go back to a regular CUT.

Welcome on board and appreciate your input.

 

[stray]

Hay Robert that was a fine artical. Almost makes me want to trade up from my 422. Trouble is what to do with the 17 attachments. I really like my PT too. Happy tractoring.

 

[Highridge]

Thanks Robert!

I printed that out, it's such a great peice of information. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Highridge]

Also, Robert metioned Bar Tires
Are they really better than turfs? How do they compare for traction? I'm planning on turfs because I don't want to hurt my grass and it does get soggy in the spring.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I now have bar tires on my 1845, after three years with turfs. I think the machine has slightly better traction in fairly deep mud, but not a lot. It's actually a bit worse on slick mud atop frozen ground. In snow, the bars are a little better in wet snow, but again not a significant amount, and no better on ice or dry snow. When I got the machine, Terry Estep at PT, and my main adviser, Bubenberg, told me that the turfs would do better in most conditions,and well in any, provided I kept tire pressures low. They were right. I now know that I can't drive around in deep horse manure & mud, in a swale on a steep hill, with a tree at one end, on bar treads either. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif (Yes, Hans, close to the same place, but this time I got out by myself. I was further from the tree)
Turf tires are certainly better on the grass. They may be slightly less resistant to puncture, but on the 1845 and smaller the bar tires aren't the thick-walled skid steer types. They also are fairly thin, so I put in copious amounts of the bulletproof ultra seal.
If you're mowing a place you want to look nice, the turfs are better, and have few disadvantages.

 

[Highridge]

Thanks Charlie,
I'll probably get turfs. I was reading about how it's possible to "wiggle" out of sticky situations. I like that.
Another thing is the forks for the 1430 are around $1200. I think they're only around $600 for the 425. Is it possible to buy the 425 forks and weld on a 1430 attachment plate?

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I think my forks are probably the same as those for the 1430. They are adjustable, thus requiring a frame with notches and dogs,etc. You might ask PT if they're willing to sell you a set of the fixed-width forks with a T12 adapter plate. You'd have to catch them at the time of a run of fork manufacture, since they do batches.
If that's not an option, they will certainly sell you the adapter plate - T12. It is $150. Forks of various sizes and strengths are available from numerous sources. Most junkyard forks are too heavy, but light ones for small tractors are around. With some cutting and welding, you can build a frame pretty easily to mount the forks to the adapter plate.
As we all know, if you really want to find out how reasonable a manufacturer's price is, build the product yourself. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MossRoad]

FYI, I've bent my PT425 forks on several ocassions. My belief is that on a 1430 you would bend them like wet noodles. I wouldn't do it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Forks at Northern

 

[J_J]

Let me suggest that if you want a strong set of forks, visit a forklift repair shop and see if they have a 16 in carriage with a set of forks that they will sell to you. I picked up a set for about $180.00 for my 1445. I expect they weigh about 250 lbs. Purchase or make an adapter plate and you will have a set of forks three times better that PT's. and are adjustable.
I also cut a one inch hole for a 2 in ball to move trailers and such. Works very well. They are good for about 3000 to 4000 lbs.