My first impression of the pt-180

[dturnmire]

I picked up my pt-180 Friday morning and drove it 300 miles back home in the back of my '88 Chevy S10 pickup. I almost bought a BCS 850 tractor because I wanted something that would double as a brush cutter as well as cutting lawns.

My first scare (I had already paid the 10% deposit) was that it wouldn't fit in my truck bed. They simply had to run it over the wheel wells. After getting home I tried it out on the waist high wet grass in the front of my property with the brush cutter with no problems. I did notice the oil reservoir gets quite warm but I suppose that's normal from the posts I've read hear.

The "built like a tank" reputation lives up to it's name. Very heavy duty feel about it. The four wheel drive is amazing as I've had other riding mowers and a Gravely two wheeler that would constanly get stuck in certain parts of my property. I test drove the pt-180 out into the woods that have a tendency to get swampy with no problems at all.

With only 3 1/2 acres I didn't want a full sized tractor but have torn up three riding mowers (mainly the decks) and decided that whatever I got would have to be heavy duty even if I had to wait awhile and let the grass get out of control.

The pt-180 seems like a good compromise between a farm tractor and a riding mower and for the price it can't be beat in my opinion.

The other thing I REALLY like if the fact the brush cutter is out front and not pulled behind like on a farm tractor. To me it's just a lot easier to use. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[pajoube]

Welcome and Congratulations,
From your post you have been lurking for some time, glad you deceided to become a member. If you don't mind, fill out more of the bio like were you live etc. This makes it easier for others to assist you as needed.
Keep us posted on your projects and any interesting happenings.
PJ

 

[Dakar]

Congratulations! Any other attachments? How would you rate the buying experience at PT? How long will the 10% down hold the current price?

 

[ernemats]

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the pt forum.

 

[MossRoad]

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to TBN! Glad to hear the 180 can handle a brush cutter. Just be careful with those things. They can and will fling things very far and are extremely dangerous. Keep all people away and don't mow towards things like the house or car /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Also, don't be tempted to raise the cutter to chop stuff up high. Just knock the stuff over with the blades stopped, then back up and attack it at ground level with the blades running.

Sounds like a great unit. We'd love to see some pictures if you have a digital camera. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[dturnmire]

I plan on getting a Rock and Dirt bucket a Box Blade with teeth, a 42" Tiller and probably a finishing mower in the future.

I thought I was going to have to wait one more week which would push it into June but Christie said if I made the deposit before June that would lock the price in if there was an increase.

I was thinking the Robin was a twin cylinder but I only see one spark plug. Would there be anything particularly dangerous in raising the brush cutter up to trim a few tree limbs?

 

[MossRoad]

Yes. The brush cutter stops for nothing, including your body. Up a few inches is one thing, but up at head level is just plain dangerous. Those blades are heavy and there is an increadible amount of force behind them. I've had large pieces of wood fly out and hit a tree, then come back right past my head, even when the brush cutter is at ground level. Safety glasses are a must. A full face shield would be better.

Like I said before, stop the blades, then lift the brush cutter to full height and push the stuff over. Then back up, start the blades and chop it to oblivion. If you can't push it over easily, it is probably too big for the cutter anyway. My PT425 will push down anyting up to about 1.5 inches when I run it at ground height. Anything that I can't push over easily, I'll just trim around it and go back with the chain saw later. It's faster and safer.

I recall some good brush cutter safety posts in the safety forum. If you haven't used one before, it would be a good read. Be safe. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MuncyBob]

Implements out in front are the way to go...I agree with you, the big reason the PT caught my eye!(much easier to see what you're doing and not so hard on your neck!).the quick attach sold me along with the 4WD and tight turning.