new pt

[ernemats]

Welcome:
I have a 422 with almost 1,300 hours 8 + years of moderately hard usage on it and so far my only repairs have been to replace a treddle cable and a worn hub. I am located about 1 hour east of Pittsburgh which would be a little closer than Tazwell, let me know if you want to come down and test drive mine.

 

[valjo]

We JUST bought a PT. It's on the road to be delivered to us as I type this, WOOHOO! Just 3 more hours til it gets here, I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess everybody has a unique decision-making process, but my thought is that if you want to get talked into buying a Power Trac, go spend a little time with an owner/enthusiast.
We recently met a couple who own a 422, and that's how we discovered these machines. They love, love, love it, and only wish that they had splurged on the diesel, because they use it a lot, they have a large property and could use the extra power. When they showed us how easy the implements attach, and how easy the machine maneuvers, we were instantly enamored.
My husband had already been researching other tractor/front end loader options, so had an idea of what he was looking for. If we could have talked our friends into selling their used 422, we would have bought it for a 'starter model'. Since we were buying new, however, we bit the bullet and got the diesel because we have a big acreage with big projects to do.
We did go to Tazewell, just to 'kick the tires' so to speak, but we actually learned what we needed to know to make our decision from reading the posts on this forum and spending time with a PT owner. When I look at how much simple lawn tractors are selling for, I think the upgrade to a 422 (or 425) would be VERY easy to justify. Summary: find a PT enthusiast and spend some time with them and their machine. IMHO you may get more input for your decision that way than from going to Tazewell.

Valerie

 

[ldabe]

"PT 1430, brush cutter, finish mower, mini hoe w/thumb, utility grapple, 4-in-1 bucket, post-hole digger, trencher, tiller, core aerator, forks, and a rake."

Val,
I have great envy ;~)

Enjoy!

 

[markpin]

Thank you for all of your replies and advice. It seems as though this is the right machine, and with the help of PT and the willingness of the users of this forum to help each other, I believe I could probably tackle the repair issues if (or I should say when) they come up. I do like that it's center of gravity is low as I do have a few slopes to work on and around. I would still like to find someone within a few hours of Cleveland, OH who has one...If anyone knows of someone, please let me know... Thanks again for all of the help!
Mark

 

[markpin]

Ernemats,
Thank you for the offer to see your machine...
Let me check the map... Where are you (what town) east of Pittsburgh? I am about 2 hrs from Pittsburgh...
Mark

 

[ernemats]

I'm about 9 miles north of Ligonier on route 711, 47 miles east of the Monroeville, Pa. turnpike exit route 22 east. It takes me about 1 hour to get to Monroeville from my house.

 

[BillCroasmun]

markpin,
I have a PT-180 just about 45 min to an hour SE of Cleveland (depending on which area your from). It used to take me 50 min to drive to work in Independence.

I'll PM you my phone # in case you want to swing by and look at it. Basically, the major differences b/w it and the 422 are:

• Lack of third hydraulic circuit (limits the types of attachments)
• Lack of Hydraulic cooler (never been an issue for me and I have mowed 3 to 4 hours straight in 85-90 deg temps)
• Smaller (but cheaper) attachments (e.g. large material bucket isn't as large, mower not as wide, etc.)
• 4 less horsepower.

If you just want to see what a PT is and how it works you'll get the picture.

As everyone on here will tell you, you never want to buy undersized equipment and regret it but who knows you may just be just impressed enough with the 180 to get one and and have more $ for attachments!