Is Ventrac tough enough?

[MossRoad]

The power trac attachment plate system is the easiest and quickest as long as your attachment does not require hydraulic power via the quick disconnect hoses-- then you have to turn off the tractor and dismount... I have found the belt driven PTO on the Ventrac much easier to deal with. However, some of the Ventrac attachments also use hydraulic connections as well. So for most attachments that I use I think Ventrac has a slight edge. I chose to buy a power trac for other reasons including the cost factor.

With me not being familiar with the Ventracs, I cannot see how a belt hook up could be easier than a hydraulic hose hookup. It takes me about 15 seconds to get off the PT and connect/disconnect hydraulic hoses. I have had belt powered implements in garden tractors and it required me getting on the ground and inevitably snapping my fingers between a belt and pulley. :laughing:

 

[JohnnyDB]

With me not being familiar with the Ventracs, I cannot see how a belt hook up could be easier than a hydraulic hose hookup. It takes me about 15 seconds to get off the PT and connect/disconnect hydraulic hoses. I have had belt powered implements in garden tractors and it required me getting on the ground and inevitably snapping my fingers between a belt and pulley. :laughing:

Then I would recommend trying it out first as it is very easy and no way to get fingers caught in between the belt and pulley unless you have someone on the tractor tightening the tension lever. Having someone on the tractor while you are hooking up an implement is a nono for any tractor, I don't care which. You don't want them bumping the PTO or doing anything else stupid while you are up front :confused2:.
Advantages: Ventrac Mount System

Takes me about 15 seconds to hook up my mower, and about the same for my scoop or blade. As with any product, just takes a little practice.
I haven't used a PT (would love to sometime!) so I can't compare it to that, but the belt system on the Ventrac with its Electric Clutch PTO is easier and safer than any other belt unit I have ever used.

 

[SpringHollow]

That is a neat belt setup, the best i have seen. - but I do have to smile at the attaching the loader - less than 5 seconds on the PT.

Ken

 

[MossRoad]

I watched the vidoe. That is a pretty slick belt system. I would like to see a video tape of it from the operator's viewpoint. I can't see how the operator can see the attach point to line up with the implement. Is it self aligning?

On the PT I can see the quick attach point from the seat as evidenced by this video where I disconnected and dropped my pallet forks, drove over to my small toothed bucket and reconnected and lifted in 25 seconds driving one handed with a video camera in my other hand. :laughing:

http://mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT425_QAFromSeat.WMV

 

[Large Bear 13]

The PT does look pretty niffty and I'm sure it is the perfect machine for some applications and the price isn't bad either... but it looks to be more of an articulating skid steer, or loader than a tractor. I like my Steiner because I can see what I'm doing when I'm hooking up and when I am doing the work. It just is the little red tractor that can... wth it's low center of gravity, getting on and off is easy, you don't have to step up or pull yourself up to get in the seat

 

[JohnnyDB]

I watched the vidoe. That is a pretty slick belt system. I would like to see a video tape of it from the operator's viewpoint. I can't see how the operator can see the attach point to line up with the implement. Is it self aligning?

On the PT I can see the quick attach point from the seat as evidenced by this video where I disconnected and dropped my pallet forks, drove over to my small toothed bucket and reconnected and lifted in 25 seconds driving one handed with a video camera in my other hand. :laughing:

http://mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT425_QAFromSeat.WMV

As far as visibility goes, the 4000 series Ventrac would definitely be less than the PT for attaching, mainly due to the fact that the engine is in front rather than in the back. On the 3000 series, the engine is in back so visibility is very easy. Kind of what I had said originally, is it takes some practice, then it gets very easy. You lean left or right to see the hitch arm and line it up that way. Really not that difficult, you don't need to worry about the other side, it will align properly if you align the side you are looking at properly. l still would love to try a PT, but haven't ever seen any in the wild.

@SpringHollow That is pretty sweet, but again, different machines for different purposes. I don't think loader is the reason you get a Ventrac and I don't think finish mowing and snow removal is the reason you get a PT In each case, you decide what is most important for you, then the other parts are added benefits!

This is why I love the forums! There is never a one-size-fits all, but I definitely feel like VT and PT have done a good job at fitting two demographics very well. VT and PT owners should be proud of their tractors and should have a healthy respect for the others tractor and manufacturer. Everyone has different needs :thumbsup:

 

[SpringHollow]

Snow removal is one of the main reasons I use the PT. 8' blade on the loader arms with hydraulic tilt although I am getting ready to weld a plate on a V-plow. Although my PT has plenty of hydraulic flow for a blower, I prefer snow blades to snow blowers most of the time because plowing is much faster and no snow in my face. With the blade, I can and do pile snow easily more than 8' high. I can certainly not call the mowing i do as finish mowing since the lawn is 30% weeds. The real short coming of the PT's is if you want to do conventional farming with bottom plows etc. You can rototill farm with them.

Ken

 

[BobRip]

Snow removal is one of the main reasons I use the PT. 8' blade on the loader arms with hydraulic tilt although I am getting ready to weld a plate on a V-plow. Although my PT has plenty of hydraulic flow for a blower, I prefer snow blades to snow blowers most of the time because plowing is much faster and no snow in my face. With the blade, I can and do pile snow easily more than 8' high. I can certainly not call the mowing i do as finish mowing since the lawn is 30% weeds. The real short coming of the PT's is if you want to do conventional farming with bottom plows etc. You can rototill farm with them.

Ken

A picture of the V plow would be nice. Reports of how it works would be very nice.

 

[MossRoad]

The PT does look pretty niffty and I'm sure it is the perfect machine for some applications and the price isn't bad either... but it looks to be more of an articulating skid steer, or loader than a tractor. I like my Steiner because I can see what I'm doing when I'm hooking up and when I am doing the work. It just is the little red tractor that can... wth it's low center of gravity, getting on and off is easy, you don't have to step up or pull yourself up to get in the seat

It is an articulating and oscillating loader. It is nothing like a skid steer. It does not scuff the turf when you turn either, weather rolling or standing still.

For size perspective, I'm 6' tall. I have to sit DOWN on my Power Trac, not up. When sitting on the unit I have 5-6 inches of head room under the steel canopy. When standing next to it, I can rest my nose on top of the canopy.

 

[muddstopper]

Why do you say that? What is it about the Steiner you don't like? Is it Horsepower, size, the operations?

Both machines where built by the same person and as with everything, the second design usually is the better design. I dispise the travel controls on the Steiner, just plain pi$$ poor design. The Ventrac controls are much easier to deal with, forward, reverse and side to side, not joysticks, but better than the seperate levers on the steiner. If you want something that will turn over on a flat lawn, just take the front attachments off the stiener and make a quick turn, but be ready to jump, I guarantee it will flip. I bought My Steiner first and use all of its attachments on my Ventrac. My Steiner has 240hrs on it and I have worn my Ventrac out. When you have both machines to work with and you wear one out and the other doesnt get used, that should tell you which is the perferred machine. I have owned my Ventrac for several years, it was machine number 7 to be sold in the south

 

[Large Bear 13]

Thank you for your input. I have heard this before, and have often wondered why the people that designed Steiner from the start didn't do the changes untill they sold it and then started making another one. I hear there are are some people that do not like the Ventrac controls. or at least wish there were something better... Maybe when Steiner comes out with their new tractor they will have some new features on it that will please alot of customers.

 

[marnett]

I test drove a Steiner 430, Ventrac 4000 series and 3000 series recently all at the same dealer. They were all impressive machines to me. However, coming from a JD 2210 tractor, I was really missing the pedal for forward/reverse motion. When I drove the Steiner, I had a hard time adjusting to the hand lever and that was without trying to adjust an implement such as a blade.

Both Ventracs had the pedal option (standard on the 3000 series) and that helped me acclimate to the machines much more quickly (there is still an adjustment to the whole articulating tractor concept for me). The dealer even indicated they would simply throw in the pedal as it was a relatively inexpensive add-on. I came away thinking the 3223D was what I would want, as the 4000 series was likely too much for my needs. Budget was a factor as well. If I fell into the money, I might go with a 4227, but I have to say the maneuverability and line of sight on the 3000 series is very impressive for a guy who does mostly mowing. Regardless, I'd have to have that pedal option. I cannot imagine running a front-end loader very well having to use my hand to control direction as well as bucket and lift.

 

[JohnnyDB]

I dispise the travel controls on the Ventrac, just plain pi$$ poor design. The Ventrac controls are much easier to deal with

I assume you meant Steiner in the first sentence? Else I am confused, because the next sentence says different?

The only people I hear that don't like the Ventrac controls are longtime Steiner operators or people that are very used to foot control (marnett). Very understandable, people hate things that are different from what they have grown accustomed too. But just like anything, a little time, you get very used to different types of controls. The Ventrac controls are indeed a much nicer ergonomic design than the Steiner controls, but they are different. If you don't think they make more sense think about operating scoops or blades. Palm of your hand can use the auxiliary lever on the Ventrac (One hand total for auxiliary, speed, and direction.) The Steiner you need to operate speed and direction with the right hand, then reach across with your left hand and use the auxiliary. This can be mastered with some work, but it is not near as effective as one handed operation.

In the end I love the controls on the Ventrac. Act as an armrest, not much effort needed to move forward or back and they are very intuitive.

Why didn't the Steiner brothers do the new design from the start or change before selling? Who knows. It was designed in the 70's, maybe that seemed like the best option at the time? They didn't have the idea until later on when they decided to build a commercial piece? Sometimes it takes time away from something till you can refresh your mind on a new route to take? Maybe they had some other learning experience along the way? Interesting question to ask them though.

@marnett
I think you will be very satisfied with the 3000 series. My buddy has one and it is a sweet machine!

 

[toro5xi]

I second the 3000 series. I have the diesel unit and it has had plenty of power for anything I wanted to do. The visibility is also nice.

I did just price out a 4227, what a unit. If I needed more power and weight I would take the plunge I just can not justify it and I would lose too much on my attachments for the 3000 series.

 

[American Bulldog]

I test drove a Steiner 430, Ventrac 4000 series and 3000 series recently all at the same dealer. They were all impressive machines to me. However, coming from a JD 2210 tractor, I was really missing the pedal for forward/reverse motion. When I drove the Steiner, I had a hard time adjusting to the hand lever and that was without trying to adjust an implement such as a blade.

Both Ventracs had the pedal option (standard on the 3000 series) and that helped me acclimate to the machines much more quickly (there is still an adjustment to the whole articulating tractor concept for me). The dealer even indicated they would simply throw in the pedal as it was a relatively inexpensive add-on. I came away thinking the 3223D was what I would want, as the 4000 series was likely too much for my needs. Budget was a factor as well. If I fell into the money, I might go with a 4227, but I have to say the maneuverability and line of sight on the 3000 series is very impressive for a guy who does mostly mowing. Regardless, I'd have to have that pedal option. I cannot imagine running a front-end loader very well having to use my hand to control direction as well as bucket and lift.

I have the 4231TD, and I don't even have the pedal. The pedal tends to get clogged up with grass clippings anyway, and it just isn't very smooth on the 4000 series. The pedal system on the PT's is soooooooo much better.

Anyways, I have come very comfortable controlling the speed with the lever. I don't have any trouble, but I have never used the bucket option. Keeping a hand on the lever is no problem when mowing or plowing.

 

[JD-Beach]

NFL quarterback Jeff Hostetler on a Ventrac ...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lccliABroYk]Professional Mower for NFL Quarterback - YouTube[/ame]

 

[JohnnyDB]

That's pretty cool :thumbsup: