Light Material vs Rock and Dirt Bucket

[tracdoc]

On the 425, the jaws of the 4-in-1 are controlled by the hydraulic circuit which engages the quick-attach for all of the attachments. Once the bucket is attached, you de-pressurize that circuit, while the locking pins are engaged, and then attach the hoses to the bucket. Opening and closing are then controlled by the small black hydraulic lever outboard of the operator's right knee. Since the hose couplings are of the same "gender," one can hook up two ways. All that means is that in one configuration, "lever up" will close the bucket, and in the other, "lever up" will open it /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. The newbie here plans to use color coding zip ties on the hoses so get them hooked up the same way each time, and avoid any surprises early on.

 

[tracdoc]

Thanks MR! It's been a delightful process learning about something entirely new to me. You may not recall, but you were the first person I contacted for basic information when I "accidentally" heard about Power Trac on another Forum.
Thanks again.

 

[pairodime]

When do you get your 425? I plan on going this Friday to pick up mine. They say they are just coming together now and hope to have it ready. The 425 will now have the Robins engine and a slightly altered engine compartment layout.

 

[MossRoad]

I appreciate the comments. I have spoken to so many people about these machines that it is getting hard to put the e-mail names to the screen names, here /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I enjoy watching people go through a thought process to decide on the proper machine for them. Even if it isn't a power trac, I'm happy for someone that gets the machine that fits all their needs. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

I have the rock teeth on my Grapple Bucket, but the PT-425 still doesn't like digging into my compacted red clay!

I have found that it more efficient to loosen a large area with the Potato Digger, then scoop up the loose soil with the LM Bucket. Of course, the quick attach makes it easy to switch between these attachments.

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[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> Of course, the quick attach makes it easy to switch between these attachments. </font>

And that is the key with these machines. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

You can switch unpowered implements in 15 seconds without getting off the machine. So you can take the potato digger, rip up an area, jam it into the ground, hit the lever down by your knee to disconnect, back away, drive into your bucket, hit the lever again to attach it and go scoop up the spoils. You can get much more work out of these smaller machines than is possible with a conventional tractor of the same size, even larger ones, because of this quick attach feature. In my opinion it is the major selling point of these machines. It allows you to be so much more productive compared to conventional tractors in landscaping/homeowner type chores. It really is the right tool for the job. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

Exactly!!
When recently excavating for my Morton Building, my neighbor with his fancy 45 hp New Holland with a big bucket and a box blade came over to prepare a level site.
True, he could rip up and move lots of heavy clay dirt, but it was slow going getting around the trees and trying to smooth out the rough spots. Reluctantly he suggested that maybe the Power Trac could be of some help. Within an hour he was singing the praises of the little PT-425 with the LM bucket !! To onlookers I'm sure we looked like a bomber and a fighter! As he hauled the heavy stuff, I would swoop in behind and around him to spread and smooth! It was very effective to run at nearly full speed in reverse with my bucket in 'float' scraping the loose dirt. (No worries about stability on fast turns, or on uneven ground, with the reversed wheels!!) At first with the bucket nearly vertical, then progressively more horizontal as the surface leveled out. Then compacting the ground with my "roller bucket", and finally preparing a nice flat finish with my "MiniHoe skid scraper"!!
For a smaller project the Potato Digger/LM Bucket method would have done the job, but for this project, Danny and 'Big Blue' were a BIG help!! I'm still not quite sure who helped who the most, but I do know that the tag team of David and Goliath were hard to beat!!!!

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[tracdoc]

Pairodime,

Our units must be "birthing" together as we speak. I will be getting mine after PowerTrac gets back from their 1 week shop vacation next week.
Boy, am I glad to have the support of this Forum as I embark on this adventure!