new to tractors, thinking about a powertrac...

[ernemats]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[MossRoad]

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]

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.

 

[J_J]

Did you go to the PT web site to check out the used machines?

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

<font color="red"> I did not realize that the 1845 came with the mower deck, that does make it seem more reasonable. </font>

That's something to check with Power Trac. They change prices and packages periodically.

If they still have it, there's a used 1845 that has new engine and complete inspection, etc. I think it was there when I was last at Power Trac. -- completely apart, so it should be as good as a new one.

 

[pequeajim]

dukenyc

I agree with Charlie. I would verify that with PT to be sure. The 1845 is the only tractor that list a finish cut mower deck in it description. The 1850 lists a rough cut deck. All of the rest do not list a deck at all.

Here's the list of features from PT's web site:

PT-1845

- 45 Horsepower Diesel Engine
- 72" finished-cut mowing deck
- Lift Height- 6'
- Lift Capacity- 1,200 lbs.
- Maximum slope- 40 degrees
- 30 attachments
- Hydraulic Operated Quick Attach
- Articulated Steering
- Dual Tires

So what comes with the tractor and what doesn't?

I would remind them of this when you talk about it.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 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?)</font>

The 425 has a parking brake, but that is not as efficient as the one on the 1845. Maybe some of the 1845 guys can comment. If you're doing a lot of 20 degree mowing, the 425 may not be the ticket for you.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( How do you stop it if you are going down a large hill? )</font>

You can let off the peddle and the tractor will slow to an almost stop, but don't get off of it.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also, how loud is the 425 vs the 1430?)</font>

The 1430 is louder for sure.

Just make sure you plan your budget for what you want to do. With a big property like that you probably want to get a snow blade at the minimum, what about a bucket, pallet forks, etc...

 

[MossRoad]

The 425 doesn't have brakes and doesn't need them. There is a forward pedal under your right foot and a reverse pedal under your left foot... that's it. As you press down on the forward pedal, the reverse pedal comes up and as you step on the reverse pedal, the forward pedal comes up. So, to slow down while going forward you can either let off the forward pedal or push down on the reverse pedal or use some combination of both with both feet. Either way, it's going to stop. The only reason you would need brakes is if a hose broke in the main drive circuit and the thing started to free wheel. This is not a concern for most of us, but you are correct to be cautious with the slopes that you will be working with. That is why the larger machine designed for that duty is more desirable.

I didn't see anywhere on the PT website that the mower was included in the price of the slope mowers. Anybody have a pointer to that?

 

[pequeajim]

Actually, the 425 does have a parking brake, but that is not something that I would want to rely on if a hose cut loose on me. Also, it's nothing like the brake tender included on the 1845. The little pin that used for the brake would probably shear off. The parking brake IS important to use when you get off the tractor, (hopefully not on a hill and not with it running).

You're right though, I have no problems with using the tractor on my steep hill in the back of my house just as you have described. I travel up a less steep slope to get to the top and then mow down on it. My hill looks almost exactly like his and just about the same size.

The text listed above was taken right from the PT web site. The only reason I brought it up is as a point of consideration and it should be denied or verified by PT. It would be silly to consider a purchase and not ask the questions why the 1845 and 1850 are the only ones to list mowers in their descriptions.

It causes the reader to think that the decks might be included. Especially since they are listed as "Slope Mowers".

I'm not saying that they are definitely included, just that they are listed.

On the link, go to the product page, then 1845 and read the description of the tractor features. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I did look at the attachment sheet and the same finish mower is listed there. I don't understand why they would list it under the tractor features?

Worth checking out. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ElBubba]

OK, here I am on a wooded hillside hauling up a small log in my grapple bucket and the main hydraulic line pops. Does this mean I'm in for ride of my soon to be truncated life?

 

[Piedmont3]

It means you had better hit the joystick and drop the load to the ground to let it help stop you or keep you from sliding down the hill. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[pequeajim]

I did give Scott a call just now and confirm that even though it lists it, the finish mower is not included in with the 1845. He apologized for any misunderstanding. Pays to check to be sure... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

He said that he has had the same question raised before, but all they are trying to show is that they consider the 1845 more for finish mowing and the 1850 more for rough cut.

He also said that if you would give him a call at 276-988-6938, he would be happy to send you one of those angle meters that we have been talking about and you can measure all of your slopes when you get back there.

My slopes look similar to yours. Here is the slope behind my house. It measured between 18-26 degrees at different parts with one very small section at 30 degrees.

I used to mow this side to side with my Ventrac, but would not do that with the 425. Now I go around to the top and straight down.

 

[pequeajim]

Here is the left side that I drive up to get to the top of the hill. 10 degree slope, easy.

 

[pequeajim]

Here is the front hill. I can mow this side to side with no problems. I get a little shaky on a couple of spots. I am considering turing the wheels around like Fourteen has done for a little more stability.

The 1430 would probably be better here as it already has a wider stance.

 

[pequeajim]

Last pic of the front hill. I measured the slope from 14-23 degrees. The parts over 20 are very few and are dips that I will be correcting this summer now that I have a great tractor with good FEL capabilities. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif