new to tractors, thinking about a powertrac...

ernemats · Mar 2, 2005

I have the 422 and I mow about 5 acres with the 48 inch finish mower in about 3 hours and probably 1/2 acre of that is between 15 and 22 degree slope, and I mow across the slope because it is not practical to mow that area up and down. I use the same carpenter angle finder from Harbor Freight with a magnetic base . I have it mounted on my power trac so I can check the slope. There are several places I occasionally mow down that is around 30 degree , my 422 will not mow up that steep a slope.

MossRoad · Mar 3, 2005

I considered purchasing a JD4100 when tractor shopping. Nice tractor. Base price back around 2001 was $12,500 for the tractor, then you had to buy implements. $11,000 for the tractor, mid mount mower and a snow blower with only 500 hours on the tractor does not sound like a bad price, to me.

I believe the JD4100 would also have better traction and much more pulling power than the PT425. It has a range selector and I believe if you put it in low range and barely touched the forward pedal, it would pull a PT425 all over the place. Very nice machine.

I don't know how it would do on side slopes. That is probably why the owner only mows up.

However, some of the reasons I did not purchase it were:

A. I sat up so high on it that I felt top heavy. Probably just a misconception, but I felt that way, none the less.
B. My knees hit the steering wheel. I'm only 6' tall and it was uncomfortable to sit on it.
C. It cost $12,500 without any implements. I got our PT425 with two buckets, 60" finish mower, 48" brush hog, 60" power angle snow blade, pallet forks, loading ramps, extra set of blades for the finish mower and delivery from Virginia to South Bend, IN for... $12,500.

And some of the reasons we purchased the PT425 were:

A. It was more maneuverable.
B. The quick attach system makes it so much more productive than a 3PT hitch.
C. Stability on side slopes. Low to the ground, yet ground clearance doesn't seem to be an issue as it articulates AND oscillates, so all four tires stay on the ground when a conventional tractor would be on three wheels, or even two.
D. Simplicity of design... this was probably the biggest factor.

I asked before and I'll ask again, did you see any of the videos on our website of the PT425 in action?

MuncyBob · Mar 3, 2005

MR...hafta admit...your videos was a big factor in my deciding process on the PT! I could hardly wait for my wife to see the videos and she was almost as enthused as I was(that's when I knew I would get the ok for the $$!)Thanx again! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

MossRoad · Mar 3, 2005

My daughter just filmed me on the snow plow the other day. It looks much better than the old videos(new digital camera). I will attempt to use my hi tech skills(read the manual) to convert it to MPEG video this weekend and see if it is better quality than the WMV files I was using. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Phils · Mar 3, 2005

MR, I'm another that used your website in my buying decision (but you already knew that). If it weren't for TBN and your site, I couldn't say for sure that I'd be a PT owner now.

I also find it easy to show others interested in purchasing a tractor. At least a couple of times a month (yesterday afternoon was the latest) I'll show one or more of your videos and write down your URL, explaining that TBN and PowerTrac can be accessed via your links. When my customers express further interest in the PT I volunteer mine for a test drive. Dang, I should open a northern CA dealership /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif More fun than what I sell every day [insurance].

Phil

Highridge · Mar 3, 2005

I agree, Mossroad's site is awsome! It's what really got me looking into Power-Tracs. I may not have one, but there's a pretty good chance I will soon thanks to TBN and MR's site.

pequeajim · Mar 4, 2005

I still think he should get a commission.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MossRoad · Mar 4, 2005

A commission? Well, I did get a nice card from them over the holidays, at least. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

They are nice folks with a good product and I got more than my money's worth. That's good enough for me. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

dukenyc · Mar 4, 2005

Please forgive me for not responding to posts more quickly. I am traveling and only have internet access occasionally.

I'll try to answer questions posed in the responses (lets see how good my memory is)
Jim, my "drop dead budget is not really set. ideally I would like to keep it below $20,000, but if i can get a much more capable machine, I guess the max would be $30,000, all-inclusive. I don't really know what I'll use it for other than the mowing and roughcutting.

Bob, I don't have a level, but I think that the hill behind the house is alot steeper than 20deg. The one with the snow should show the grade pretty well. The picture quality really dropped when I dec the file size.

Moss, I did see a couple of the videos. very nice. I haven't had a chance to download them and won't really have a chance to check out the site until I get home from this trip. Thank you for all the input. I am torn about the 4100 myself.

Several people said that they cut 3-5acres of grass in 3 hours with the 425. If I can cut the 5acres in 4hours or less, I would be happy. I am a bit worried about the lack of brakes on the 425, as well as the fact that the engine might not be lubricate if I am on steep slopes? How do you stop it if you are going down a large hill?

Also, how loud is the 425 vs the 1430?

I did not realize that the 1845 came with the mower deck, that does make it seem more reasonable. I'll have to take another look, but it still seems like more than I wanted to spend. Regarding the 1445, it definately shows the operator much higher up than on the 425,1430, and 1845.

Thank you for all the reponses.