Is a Power Trac for me?

Wayne County Hose · Feb 4, 2008

Okay, I've been looking at your guys' Power Tracs. I looked on the Power Trac website. I need something a little more nimble and lighter than my Massey Ferguson #85 and my Allis-Chalmers WD-45. I think a Power Trac might do it, but you guys tell me. I will be going thru the woods with it, and would like to know if it will sink into softer soil as easily as an ag tractor. The WD has a narrow front end, so it is extremely nimble in the woods, but is just too large for stuff around the yard. I have 4 acres at home with a pond and the soil is frequently on the wetter side. I'm in a hunting club where we have about 160 acres and would like to make food plots for the critters. I would do the heavy work with the ag tractors.
I thought about a skid steer, but they are on the heavy and expensive side, and I would get my teeth knocked out going up and down the mountain.
So, what do you think? Need more info, just ask me.

KentT · Feb 4, 2008

IMO, a 1430 might just be the ticket for what you have in mind. More torque for climbing on slopes than the 400 series, yet still relatively small and lightweight. Total weight under 3,000 with a rough-cut mower for example, yet still only 53" wide (without the mower or other attachment) and a turning radius of 52" at the inside wheel. FEL is rated at 1200 lbs and six feet lift. 12GPM PTO at 2500PSI, will operate a 60" rough-cut or 72" finish mower.

It that's still too large (or expensive) then I'd suggest you request a wheel motor upgrade on the 425 (like JD-Beach did) to get larger, approximately 18ci wheel motors, instead of the 14.7ci ones that I think are stock on the new ones. FEL is rated to 800 lbs and five feet lift. 8 GPM PTO at 2500 PSI, will operate a 48" rough-cut or 60" finish mower.

Note that the 425 with Robins engine is rated to only 20 degree slopes, due to engine oiling, AFAIK, while I THINK the 1430 is rated to 30 degrees. You'd want to confirm these, if you're going to be working on slopes.

Note also that neither of these are "commercial-duty, industrial-grade" machines like a small skidsteer may be. IMO, they're HD consumer, light commericial or rental fleet level of build. That's why they weigh so little, in comparison to some competitive products.

ernemats · Feb 4, 2008

I have a 422 and it leaves very little foot print in wet ground, probably less of an imprint than my foot would walking. Give us some more information on what you will be doing, mowing,etc. and what kind of slopes you will be going on.

BobRip · Feb 4, 2008

Since PT does not have local dealers, it would be good to know if you are handy with small engines and can work on or learn to work on hydraulics. PT's warranty is one year, parts only. If works for me, but is it OK for you.

J_J · Feb 4, 2008

Wayne County Hose said:
Okay, I've been looking at your guys' Power Tracs. I looked on the Power Trac website. I need something a little more nimble and lighter than my Massey Ferguson #85 and my Allis-Chalmers WD-45. I think a Power Trac might do it, but you guys tell me. I will be going thru the woods with it, and would like to know if it will sink into softer soil as easily as an ag tractor. The WD has a narrow front end, so it is extremely nimble in the woods, but is just too large for stuff around the yard. I have 4 acres at home with a pond and the soil is frequently on the wetter side. I'm in a hunting club where we have about 160 acres and would like to make food plots for the critters. I would do the heavy work with the ag tractors.
I thought about a skid steer, but they are on the heavy and expensive side, and I would get my teeth knocked out going up and down the mountain.
So, what do you think? Need more info, just ask me.

I believe your best bet is to truck on down there to Tazwell and drive one or more and ask lots of questions, after reading all the post on this forum. Take a trailer with you in case the buying bug bites you

SpringHollow · Feb 5, 2008

Feel free to come to my place and try the 1850 if you end up thinking that is one you might like. Might be over kill for your needs. Great if you have really steep side slopes - can theoretically bush hog 45ｰ slopes but i do not like brown pants so I have not personally tried that steep. With just single tires, it has way less ground impact than the 25 - 45 HP CUTS I have owned. With duals on, it has less ground impact than my atv. This past fall, i was pulling out loads of firewood on wet trails. The small trailer has four flotation tires on it. Other than mushing the grass some from repeated trips, it was fine. No ruts. My trails are almost always wet (have to be careful when walking that you do not leave your boot behind stuck in the mud) and it has worked well. During spring run off, i would not try it since the mud will be a few feet deep and after a day of steady heavy rain, you even have to be careful (the idiot loggers literally buried their large 4wd skidder to the top of the wheels - maybe 5' deep? - and had to get a large bulldozer to pull it out). But I have used it in medium rains with duals and it was fine. If the ground is relatively dry (it's never dry here), singles are fine. Also run singles in the winter.

Ken

Ken

Wayne County Hose · Feb 5, 2008

Bob Rip- 22 years as a mechanic mainly on electric/propane ic over hydraulic systems. Looking on their website, I don't think there is much on these I can't repair.

J_J- I think you're right. But, I'll leave the trailer home. If I bring an empty trailer anywhere, it always comes home loaded.

Ken- Thanks for the offer. Looking at these on their website and seeing the specs, I kind of thought that they should be pretty good on wet ground. This is exactly what I'm looking for. I am afraid if I do get one, that I just may get over confident or misjudge some ground and bury it. I guess if I get one, I'll also get a good winch.

The brush hogging and serious pulling, I'll leave to the 2 ag tractors. The bulk of the work with this unit would be carrying small loads to places around the mountain and doing some light road work on the old logging roads. Will also use it for light dirt work around the house, but once that's done, it's done. I know these aren't industrial machines so I wouldn't expect it to do industrial work. If need be, I do have enough industrial machinery available to me. All the excavating companies around here are all my customers.

MossRoad · Feb 5, 2008

If you end up getting one, seriously consider getting a mini-hoe and a grapple bucket. Those two tools would be my number one and two picks if I had to do it over again.

woodlandfarms · Feb 5, 2008

Have you seen this list?

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...c-owners-state-9-a.html?highlight=Owner+state

I am sure if any of those owners listed are still active in your area they would gladly let you take it for a spin...

Carl