New member

[menchhofer]

Hello

I have been reading posts in this forum for several months and have decided to post.

I purchased a 1430 2-3 years ago but my trip to Tazewell was not very pleasant.

As an example, I remember talking to Scott and Terry w/regards to the machines, I found neither one of them really knew what they are talking about. I was very disappointed with their general lack of knowledge of their equipment. Scott even told me at one point the reason the 1430 had the ROPS was because the vehicle moved faster than the 425.....thus it had to have the overhead protection /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Anyway, there were many questions posed to them and I was not satisifed with the information I received in return.

It is a good thing I had made up my mind to purchase a 1430 before I got there, for I was VERY upset talking to uninformed people.

Anyway, I love the 1430 and use it reguarly in my tree service business moving logs, brush, etc. It saves us alot of time and the best part is it cost about one-half as much as other machines.

I like this site and I also like how everyone is making their own attachments for their own needs. Just the right place for PT owners.

 

[cqaigy]

<font color="red">I like this site and I also like how everyone is making their own attachments for their own needs. Just the right place for PT owners. </font>

menchhofer

Welcome aboard TBN!

I agree with you one hundred percent /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MuncyBob]

yes...welcome aboard. I guess i never really had to discover the PT sales staff knowledge(or lack of) since I can pick up most anything I need to know right here...this site is priceless to a tractor layman such as myself!

 

[NJBill]

welcome , and thank you for joining in with the fun and all things wonderful. I believe you have every right to elevate yourself into the "A" section of the PT Class. For a person searching for pertinent information, and coming up with negatives at every turn, and still liking and enjoying the product. " Good show "
Bill

 

[Highridge]

So how do you like the 1430? I'm planning on buying one this spring.

 

[menchhofer]

1430 is great. As I stated, I use it in my tree business. I especially like the footprint as it seems to be able to go in customer's yards when other pieces of equipment dare not.

The only modification so far is a caution light, but I am going to add a rear hitch for trailers and eventually a log grapple. Currently I am using the grapple bucket. I have also simply drilled a hole in the bucket to attach a hitch to move trailers and equipment around.

I like the idea of the bucket made out of the oil tank. Very ingenious.

Another idea is the inverted log splitter which I believe would make a good useful attachment. And I may reverse the wheels, not sure though.

 

[pajoube]

Welcome to TBN and the family of PT owners. Sorry about the lack of information from the factory, as others have stated this site is the best.
Do you also use your 1430 for other projects such as snow removal? Do you have the blade or blower?
What other attachments do you have and use that you would recommend?
PJ

 

[Rip]

I'll echo the harty welcome to the clan... it almost seems like that sometimes here, but unlike the typical clan, we do welcome newcomers!

I have an AnBo 5ft lightweight grapple rake on my 1845 and use it a lot for logs and slash... works very well for me.

I also built a boom pole that I can use with log tongs and made an upsidedown "V" near the back end so that I could handle long logs length ways by picking it up off-center near the butt end with the tongs and placing the short end in the V. This keeps the log from swinging around and lets me place it easily in a pile or in the back of a pick-up from the back.

A rope tied to one jaw of the tongs and back to the operator seat lets me jiggle the tongs free of the log (most of the time) so I seldom have to leave the seat. Also helps me set the tongs on a log.

These machines are very handy for log work. I found Terry very knowledgable (on the phone), but often less than forthcoming with technical information due mainly to company owner policy. Scott probably is more technical than many in a sales position, but is also constrained by company policy. Seems like you caught one or both in Blowing Smoke mode though. I bought my machine used from another member of this forum so have only dealt with them from a distance.

Glad you joined the forum.

 

[menchhofer]

I have not thought of the snow blade or the blower. I used to have a bobcat and I just used the bucket to move and push snow so I assume I could do the same with the PT.

I remember I did take note of the PT stump grinder and did comment at Tazewell as to the small size of the wheel. I use a stump grinder as part of my services but the PT grinder would be useless for me. It is probably alright for homeowner use though. I understand the teeth on the grinder are replaceable now whereas on earlier models they were welded on.

While I was in Tazewell, a major snow storm was brewing and it was interesting to see them moving the snow at the shop with the power brooms.

I am all for trying to modifying local implements in lieu of driving back to Tazewell even though it really wasn't that far.

 

[menchhofer]

I will see if I can post this pic of a log grapple I am referring too.

 

[Rip]

That swivel grapple looks like it should work well for log handling. Can you control the rotation hydraulicly?

If you are looking for a grapple rake mostly for slash and brush, look for the biggest "bite" as it can be frustrating to know you are only picking up a fraction of what you could be per trip-cycle. My AnBo is a reasonable compromise although I could have gone the next size up.

I also mounted a Warn 6000 lb hyd winch with 150 ft cable on a removable bracket above the grapple rake to be able to retrieve logs and bundles of slash that I otherwise can not get the tractor to. I built a skidder plate to keep the butt end from digging in while being dragged along.

I am currently converting a BearCat chipper to hydraulic so I can bring it to the slash rather than have to bring the slash to the chipper. It is a machine I already had, and will be somewhat smaller and lighter than the various hyd powered units for skid steers. (140 lb, 4 blade disk, 5" capacity)

 

[menchhofer]

In order for the log grapple to rotate, it would need a "rotator" installed but I assume it would be no big deal.

Your ideas with the grapple rake are thought out very well and the winch would probably be a good idea also.

You also have excellent plans for the chipper. Good luck and keep us posted on the results.

 

[Rip]

Was that log grapple picture you posted yours or one you are looking to get? I've seen similar ones for 3ph and skid steers that have power rotation. For just skidding backwards, it is probably not needed, but to stack or load it would be nice.

Should be putting the chipper to use in a week or so after the recent snow (about 10") melts. Does not take long on this south facing slope.

Yeah, I use the winch a lot since there are still many places I can not go with this machine because it is too rocky or tight, but with 150' of cable & a skidder plate I can retrieve most anything I need to. Hyd winch runs on the PTO circuit with its own direction and flow control valve. 3500 to 6000 lb rated pull is plenty as I can still skid this 4000 + lb machine with all four wheels locked if I am not careful.

 

[menchhofer]

Do you have a pic of your hydraulic winch? I am looking for one to mount on the rear of my chipper to drag brush to the chute?

 

[Rip]

No pic of my winch, but it is a Warn 6000 series hydraulic (can see it on their web site) and looks just like a similar size 12 V electric but will pull hard and long without any problem. It is mounted on a 3/8" plate with a 2" square stub about 6" long so I can mount it in several ways.

This was the smallest hydraulic unit I found and has never lacked for power. Holds 150' of 1/4" and has a nice freewheel control. Cost was a little over $1K with everything.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I also welcome you to the forum, and hope you'll share your 1430 experiences whenever you can. We red PT owners are outnumbered, but also learn a lot not only from other diesel owners, but also the green owners. (And a couple of guys with machines before the current colors.)
I'm sorry to hear of your impression of the guys in Tazewell. I've had a lot of contact with Terry, particularly, not only on my four visits to the plant, but also a number of times by phone when I had a question. The only time(s) he hasn't had a ready answer to a question were when I wasn't framing the inquiry properly in the first place. Once we got on the same wavelength, he's known the answer or told me how to figure it out. He also has been immediate in getting the few parts to me that I've needed for repairs. I'm sure if you ever have a problem with your PT, the people in Tazewell will be able to reverse your negative impression.
But please post regarding the strengths and any weaknesses you notice in your 1430. I think we only have a few owners of that model on the board, and we get a lot of inquiries about that particular machine.

 

[Highridge]

Feel free to post pictures too.
TBN'ers love pictures /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[menchhofer]

Well, maybe I just caught everyone on a bad day when I made my visit. No big deal. I will keep in touch for I read the threads everyday and learn all I can when it comes to the PTs..either red or green...

 

[bubenberg]

Guess some people have not had to call Terry while hanging of a cliff, holding on for dear life, while he very calmly explained how to tighten and loosen some bolts to save my backside.

Former pt test pilot and stunt driver
hrl

p.s. it also would be time that we update our biographies so we all have a little more inside when some of the members of this elite group are making very hard and fast statements.

 

[MossRoad]

We're still wishing for a picture of your wing mower setup. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif