new member-long time anonymous-heading to Tazewell

[Jim1958]

The BOSS and I will soon be visiting the Power Trac factory in VA. Most interested in the PT-425 and PT-1430. How much of a slope can they safely handle? We have 5 acres-all flat except for 270' of 40° to 45° ditch. Must I consider moving up to an 1845 or will dual tires do the trick? Are they available on the 425 or 1430? I'm waiting to find out if the county will allow me to tile and fill the ditch. Anyone have any idea how much it would cost for 16" corregated/perforated tile for this project? If the tile project becomes a reality I won't have to worry about slope. Do any 425 owners wish they had gone with the extra power of the 1430? Thanks for you help.

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The PT425 is limited to 20 or 25 degrees(can't remember exactly) because of the Kohler engine's oil system. I don't know what the 1430 is rated for slopes. I don't think dual tires are available for either the 400 or 1400 series units.

For the price difference between an 1845 and a 425 I think you could tile and fill the ditch and have some spare change /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

So now the question is, which size machine do you need for all of your jobs besides the ditch? Would you prefer the 425 for its compact size(a definate plus in some situations) or more umph and a diesel with the larger machines? Also, don't forget the lift height. While the 425 lift height is fine for me, is it fine for you?

So what jobs are you needing to do?

 

[pajoube]

Don't forget to take many pictures and post for the rest of us.
PJ

 

[Jim1958]

I don't know what the future requirements may be but lift height is not important to me at this time. My primary needs are mowing, dirt and gravel moving/spreading, snow removal and possibly stump grinding. I could probably go for a planter head auger too but most of my tree holes were already dug by hand. I'm not sure if i'll plant enough additional ones to justify the auger expense.

 

[Jim1958]

Is a digital camera necessary? I've wanted to get one anyway but is it a must? Never posted any pictures. I'm going to have to learn how.

 

[BrianP]

Hi all, My first post. I too am looking to buy 425 or 1430.
Is the ditch you are trying to mow close to the road??
I own a mowing Business & at my house we spray are ditch with Pramitol. It kills everything for a year. Its just dirt.
You can buy it at TSC. It also leachs , so dont spray by trees or bushes. Just a quick note On the Kolhers. I put 4800 hours on my one of my 25hp. and am now needing to put rings in it. Kolher make a great DEPENDIBLE MOTOR.

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> Is a digital camera necessary? </font>

I'll jump in here. A regular film camera can be used, if you have a way to scan the prints after they are developed. Several places(like Walmart) offer a way to put scans of your prints on CD for your computer for a fee.

Anyway, the photo has to get into electronic format somehow in order to post it on TBN.

As far as digital cameras go, there are too many options to cover here. Just remember that the more MEGAPIXELS the better. A 2.3 megapixel camera or higher is fine for getting images that are suitable for electronic transfers and reproduciton on a computer. And they are very capable of getting pictures that can be printed up to 5x7 and still look like a photo. 8x10 is pushing it. For that, you need more megapixels. Anyway, there are some discussions on this in the related topics and photos forums. A decent 2.0 megapixel camera can now be had for under $200.00. Hope this helps.

Take lots of notes at Tazewell and test drive as many things as possible. Then go to other tractor brand dealers and test drive the heck out of everything they let you. You will know what feels the best for you. Make your final decision based on what you are most comfortable with in regards to function, necessity of dealer support, comfort with the machine, etc... Above all, take as much time as needed to become comfortable with your decision. Don't rush into anything. Even if you don't settle on a Power Trac, come back here and tell us why. We need to know these things so we can improve our own machines /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Enjoy your trip.

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN, BrianP!

Glad to hear you have had good success with your Kohler. I can report only about 100 hours on mine after the first year. At that rate, it should last 48 years( I should be so lucky) /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[marrt]

<font color="green">Do any 425 owners wish they had gone with the extra power of the 1430?</font>

I, for one, wish I had gotten a 1400 series. Not really because a need a bigger machine. More because I just want a bigger one.

When first considered the Power Trac, I had a lot of reservations due to the lack of a dealer network (e.g., resale value, service, etc.). I didn't want to "take a bath" if I didn't like the tractor. The 1430 is a lot more money than the 425. I doubt the overall differences in capabilities are equal to the difference in price unless you plan to put A LOT of hours on it. Therefore, to save money, get quick CFO approval, and avoid taking a huge bath if I didn't like the tractor, I decided to go with the 425. I don't regret that decision. It was the right one for me at the time. Now however, I like the 425 so much that I would like to upgrade to a Diesel 1400 series. If I can ever find time to get down to the factory, I will test the 1430 against the 1445 and make a decision.

I want to be clear however that the 425 is a great machine and is, in my opinion, one of the best overall values on the market for a highly capable utility tractor. When I drove a used 1430 recently, my first time on the machine, I came away more impressed with how close its performance matches the 425, rather than how different it was. As a complete generalization (everyone's circumstances are different), I would say that the 425 is the right choice for most homeowners with small acreage (3-5 acres) to maintain (no flames please). One can certainly rent more capable machines for a reasonable fee for those odd one-off jobs. That's if you want to let logic dictate part of your decision making process. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just to prove how magnetic the 425 can be, my wife indicated last weekend that she would help me mow because I have so many projects. Now to put this in perspective, she has NEVER mowed the lawn in any form or fashion in the 18 years we have been together. She doesn't like the noise and dust and frankly is a little scared of mowers. She has a right to be as they are dangerous if one isn't careful. Anyway, she got up this morning and asked me to get the tractor set to mow again. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Although she wouldn't admit it, I think she was looking forward to it. Later.

 

[Bob999]

I went to Tazwell planning to buy the 1430. I had been assured by the sales people that it was suitable for a 30 degree slope. I asked for a demo on slopes comparable to those I would be mowing--a max of about 30 degrees. The fellow who took me out for the demo pointed to an area at the "farm" and said he thought it was about 30 degrees. I put my measuring instrument in that area and it was about 15 degrees. We walked the area and found a bank created by a road cut that measured between 25 and 30 degrees. The demo man shook his head and said "that is really steep". He tried it with the 1430 but was unable to hold it on the slope. We discussed the matter and it was clear that his view was that the 1845 was the appropriate machine for such steep slopes.

Another matter that I didn't fully understand until that morning is brakes. The 425 and 1430 do not have service brakes--they depend on the hydrostat--which is fine as long as you don't have a failure on a steep slope that results in a runaway. They also have a parking brake but it is not useful for stopping a moving machine. The 1845 has an emergency brake system that automaticially applies if you lose hydraulic pressure.

I opted for the 1845 primarily for the safety--stability on steep slopes because of dual wheels and an effective emergency brake system. An additional advantage is comfort--the tilt seat makes mowing steep slopes much more comfortable.