new to tractors, thinking about a powertrac...

[pequeajim]

I was really undecided which PT I wanted. I REALLY wanted an 1845, but that was not in my budget. The 1430 is a nice tractor, but after driving the 1430 ad 425, I really did not see a huge difference between the two for what I wanted.

I only have 5 acres and 42 up in Maine. I think the 425 will do just fine for me.

Here is a thread of my trip. It has a ton of pictures of the tractors and facility, including the 425 and 1430 side by side to compare sizes.

The Trip to Tazewell Story

 

[Bob999]

<font color="red"> So, how steep do you think that back hill is? Is it 30deg, more? Will a 425 do the job?
</font>

The picture you posted isn't the best for judging slope but I will hazard a guess that it is about a 20 degree slope. But rather than guessing you should get an instrument and actually measure it--I use an electonic level that has a number of alternative read out modes.

 

[RegL]

[coRegl, I'll take you up on that offer, If it wasn't dirty, I am not sure if it it would be worth seeing. What part of CT are you in? I am in New Haven.

So, how steep do you think that back hill is? Is it 30deg, more? Will a 425 do the job?
lor:red] </font>

<font color="black"> </font> I'm in Salisbury, about 4 miles from the NY border.

As far as your slope, looks like it's being mowed now with no signs of wheels spinning and probably not with a 4x4 machine, so I don't think thats going to be a problem.

 

[Rip]

RegL brings up a good point.... what is the current owner using to maintain the property? While whatever he is using may not be the optimum, it may be a useful guide.

May even be able to buy his equipment or use his contract service at least for a little while to give yourself more time to choose right.

Take your time and Good Luck.

 

[MossRoad]

Just from looking at the pictures, and this is completely my opinion and not fact, I would have no problems mowing DOWN the hill /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

It also appears that I would have no problem driving UP the hill with the mower off. But I do not know how well it would work with the mower on. Remember, I have the older model with the weaker wheel motors.

As far as how steep it is...

That's the trouble with pictures... you just can't tell until you actually measure it. 30 degrees is a steep slope. If 90 degrees is straight up and 45 degrees is one foot up for one foot forward, 30 degrees is what... 1 foot up for two feet forward. That is still steep and uncomfortable to walk on. Also, the PT425 gas engine is rated for a maximum degree of operation due to the oiling system. On our Kohler, that is 25 degrees. What is it on the current Robin? That is a real number that you will have to consider, so the best thing to do is first measure the hill to get the actual slope, then purchase a machine that will handle it in all aspects of power, lubrication, etc...


As others have asked... What is currently used to mow it?

 

[Dakar]

It might help Duke in his decision-making process if we could give him some rough estimates on mowing times with various types of PTs and mower configurations. With my 425, it takes me me about 4 hours on average to mow about 3 acres of pasture with a 48" brush cutter. That is doing it on a more or less biweekly schedule, so the grass and weeds do get fairly tall, and it includes a ditch that I move very cautiously in and probably takes nearly an hour of that time.

My actual yard is probably 2/3 of an acre and takes about 50 minutes to an hour, but it has so many trees that I feel like I mow most of it twice. That is done with a 48" finish mower. Hope that helps a little. For me, budget and storage space left me little option on what I was going to buy, but regardless of which model you pick, I can't imagine that you will regret it.

 

[dukenyc]

the owner has been using a John Deere model 4100hst w/ 4 wheel drive. It is a 1999 with 500hrs on it. He will sell it for $11,000 with a 54" mmm and a 47" snowblower.

He goes straieht up and down, never side-wise on the hill. In fact, he said he cant turn it on the hill. He uses 4wd to go up, then backs down, then back up. He specifically said that you need 4wd and that a gear tractor would be really hard to use on the hill.

 

[Rip]

Duke, That JD 4100 would be at the small end of the CUT range with a 3 cyl 20HP diesel. Sounds like it is doing the job, but pretty well maxed out in the process. The PT 425 would probably do it as well, with the 1430 being a better choice IMO.

Also, that MM mower is a finish mower only, not a brush hog at all. 'Cource you can add a rear brush hog, but I would favor a front mounted unit like the PTs have for your trail maintanence tasks.

The price for this used machine sounds high to me, but I do not know the local market for such. Would still suggest a first hand look/drive at several PT machines that may be local to you.

Could also go down to Tazewell with your check book and see/drive all the various models. Too bad it is not a real easy place to fly down to, but not a bad drive down I-81 though. I went to Va Tech in Blacksburg many years ago and it is a real nice area. PT can arrange for delivery to your place at reasonable cost.

 

[PTRich]

I think you should get a 1430 or 1845 and if it does not work out I will reluctantly swap my 425 with you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[pequeajim]

You can buy a VERY cheap angle meter at Harbor Freight, (around $4-5 I think. It works great for measuring the angle of a slope. Just get a 2 x 4, put it on the slope and put the meter on it. you will be suprised at what you think is around 25+ degrees is probably closer to 15-20.

I cut my 2 acres of grass with a finish mower in about 90 minutes. I have a newer 425 with a 60" deck.