Buying Advice may buy 425 monday - asking advice on attachments

RegL · Mar 4, 2005

( Suppose I do work at 30 degree slope or greater, what would happen? Would I damage the engine or hydraulics? Would there be symptoms to let me know something was amiss? )

First symptom probably would be sledding to the bottom. I know you read alot of claims on the internet about operating on steep slopes but over 30 degrees is going to feel real scary on a 425. I have the 1430 and I don't think it would stay there, brakes or no brakes. Part of trouble is that, usually, the steeper the ground, the poorer the ground conditions as far as traction go's. The sod is usually weaker and it seems it,s either to wet or so dry that the soil crumbles under the tires.

Just an example of how steep we are talking, we have a ski jump here in town and the steepest part of the landing hill is about 35 degrees. The snow cat won't climb it unless we use a winch to help it along and i'm sure you have seen the amount of track a cat has on the ground. Imagine the little amount of rubber the PT has making contact. I love my PT but 30 degrees is to much to ask IMO.

MossRoad · Mar 4, 2005

What could happen if you operate the engine above the rated angle is the oil could run to one end of the crank case or oil pan exposing the oil pickup to air, which will starve the oil pump of oil, which will starve the entire engine of oil. It could cause major damage, or it could do nothing at all. Just depends on a lot of things.

I think it is an excellent idea to buy a cheap angle meter as suggested by others and measure your slopes. I will have to get one this spring for our property. I'd also like to know how steep the ramps are going up into my pickup truck.

MossRoad · Mar 4, 2005

You could have someone weld on the quick attach plate at a local welding shop, or weld a quick attach plate to a steel plate, then mount the steel plate to the BH frame with bolts. Could easily be done by any friend or farmer with a welder or a welding shop. Probably could trade the work for a steak diner. I'd do it for a pizza and a root beer. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 4, 2005

First symptom probably would be sledding to the bottom. 

I second that, but not nearly as out-of-control as the same ride on a conventional tractor with both rears locked. I've done a lot of mowing with single turfs on the 1845. When mowing steep stuff cross-hill, the tractor will slide sideways, announcing its limit, but not violently or enough so it might trip. Going straight down in limited traction, it doesn't accelerate as much as our JD 950, and the slide tops when traction increases or the hill levels slightly. I would bet that on the 425, it would take a very unlikely high-traction steep situation to damage the engine, but there is no question that it can happen. I know I'll be uncomfortable a long time before my engine is on any machine, however.

Bob999 · Mar 4, 2005

The pictures you post don't appear to me to show any areas with slopes of 40 DEGREES. For reference, a slope of 45 DEGREES has a rise of 1 foot for every foot or run. A slope of 45 degrees is considered 100% SLOPE.

Please don't be offended by this question but are you sure that the inclinemeter reads 40 DEGREES and not 40 PERCENT?

A slope of 40% is approximately 22 DEGREES.

I have an 1845 and the steepest area I mow is just over 30 DEGREES. While I have never had any concern about tipping the tractor will simply slide off this slope unless ground conditions are dry and firm. Even a morning dew will result in sufficient loss of traction for the tractor, dual wheels and all, to slide down the slope.

ElBubba · Mar 4, 2005

How would you compare the stability and ground hugging of the PT-425 with a typical garden tractor like my JD GT235? If I can't use a PT-425 to clear the sloping woods behind my house, it loses a lot of attractiveness...

pequeajim · Mar 4, 2005

I used to have a JD 445 which is probably somewhat like the X series tractors that they make now.

I easily mowed my front slope (15-20 degrees) side to side. A couple of places were a little scary as the ground sank in a little over time to create little spots of greater slope. My 425 mows that with no problems right now.

Here's the front hill
The slope behind my house is much steeper, 15-30 degrees, and I would lose traction coming down this hill with both my JD and later with my Ventrac 4200. I never even tried to go side to side on that hill with my JD, but was able to do it a couple of times with the VT. I was never worried that the VT would tip, it would just slide, forcing me to crab to keep the same line.

In the ling run, it was just safer and easier to cut going down the hill. The PT goes down the hill much like my Ventrac, but I would not try to go side to side. It WOULD tip.

pequeajim · Mar 4, 2005

And the back...

I would think that the 425 would go just about anywhere the JD would.

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 4, 2005

How would you compare the stability and ground hugging of the PT-425 with a typical garden tractor like my JD GT235? If I can't use a PT-425 to clear the sloping woods behind my house, it loses a lot of attractiveness.. 

Any 400 series Power Trac will handle hills better than any garden tractor, and much better than garden/small farm tractors like the 755 4wd JD or the Kubota 7100 that I have some time on.

BobRip · Mar 4, 2005

ElBubba, I live in Powhatan county, which is probably an hour or so from you. I left you a private message with my telephone number. You are welcome to try out my 422 and any attachments that I have (see my profile). I have a minihoe by the way. I also have a trencher and grapple bucket.

Bob Rip