MOUNTAINEER 4wd + 4wSteer lawn/garden tractor

FOURTEEN · Mar 19, 2004

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Thanks for sharing your research!!

I had hoped that I had made the right decision when I bought my Power Trac PT-425 last month. However, there has been that nagging feeling that perhaps there was something better out there that I had somehow missed. No more!! After using the PT, reading your posts, and visiting those four web sites, I am delighted to report that I can now sleep most soundly!!

For ME, and MY needs, the PT-425 is far superior to those four machines, or any CUT from JD, MF, NH, or Jinma!!!!

Thanks, again!!

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Bob_Skurka · Mar 19, 2004

14. . . I would have to agree with you that the PT is an amazing machine. I would rate the as good as any premium CUT, and in many ways superior to premium CUTs. As a garden tractor, however, I think there are better machines, given that 85% of the people who buy garden tractors only use them for mowing. The other 15% may also use the garden tractor for pushing or blowing snow. A PT is not as good a mower as the other tractors, and while MY property has some unusual challenges, I was trying to post objective criteria about garden tractors when I started this thread and not dwell on some of the issues we discussed in the PT forum.

I think you made a wise choice with your equipment. I am not ready to get rid of my Kubota or my NH, and I don't regret owning either, but had I known about this forum and PT I might own something else today.

MossRoad · Mar 19, 2004

That last picture really shows the steepness, Bob. Thanks. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Bob_Skurka · Mar 19, 2004

And that is just one of the steep spots.

FOURTEEN · Mar 19, 2004

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"" 85% of the people who buy garden tractors only use them for mowing. ""

That is why I added the caveat "For ME, and MY needs,". I did buy the Brush Cutter, and have used it to mow my meadow (formerly lawn).

I have decided that for my remaining lawn, however, I prefer to continue to use my old 1976 Economy Power King tractor with it’s 48" deck which has 3 blades, rear deck idlers consisting of 6 wide rollers for a beautifully smooth cut, and blade speed that nearly atomizes grass and Autumn leaves!! It is comfortable, fast, has easy non-power steering, cruise control, plus the fun factor of using an antique!

But for everything else, the Power Trac PT-425 is fabulous!!!

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Bob_Skurka · Mar 19, 2004

14 . . . I think I feel about my NH the way you feel about your PT, but we both rely on a garden tractor to do some jobs that it is better suited for than either my NH or your PT. That is why I started my quest to find the best garden tractor. Because not every machine is best for every circumstance we each have a fall back machine and that is usually our garden tractor, and it is usually a "mowing" machine.

yooperdave · Mar 20, 2004

I really like the mower in front of the tractor instead of under or behind the tractor. The grass gets mowed before tractor wheels trample it. Also it is easier to mow under tight spots.

Good luck in your pursuits.

Yooper Dave

Bob_Skurka · Mar 20, 2004

<font color="red"> I really like the mower in front of the tractor instead of under or behind the tractor. The grass gets mowed before tractor wheels trample it. Also it is easier to mow under tight spots.
</font>

I think your statement is why I find the Ventrac & Steiner tractors so attractive. They were designed as mowing tractors and put the deck out front. From the prespective of the limited use that a typical garden tractor gets, they are too expensive, but from the standpoint of being great all terrain mowing machines, I have not found anything that is as good. PT ranks very close. The Mountaineer is a very good compramise. All 4 are turf friendly. All 4 will go where most regular garden tractors fear to tread. I think the mower decks on the PTs are somewhat lacking. The 2 available decks on the Mountaineer both suffer from mowing after grass compression by the front wheels but is the smallest most traditional looking unit and many may favor that, it is also probably the least sturdy and capable of doing much else . . . but then again, most garden tractors do very little else.

My feeling is that most of the PT owners out there probably own 1 tractor, and a PT is probably more like a CUT than a garden tractor in head on head comparisions. I like my Kubtota, I love my New Holland, but I think a PT 1430 could replace them if I was in the market.

The likely PT to Garden tractor comparison would be something like the PT180 to a Cub 3xxx or a JD 4xx or 5xx tractor. At that point the PT would win for versitility and probably for cost against the Deere but the PT 180 would suffer from the smallest mower deck being limited to only a 48" deck. Most of the others offer a choice of 52/54" up to 60" and when mowing an acre or more, that extra 12" is a time saver.

Waldo · Mar 20, 2004

Bob,

Sorry it took me so long to get back with you, we are building our house right now. From your pics I can see it would cost a pretty penny, two arms and a leg to landscape an area that large! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Besides, its our love of the machines that brought us all together here in the first place. Keep us all informed on your quest for the best machine to fill your unique requirements. Great looking lot to by the way.

Waldo