Newbie here I need some advice on PT

[royalslover]

I have been cutting grass for a living for 20 years. I want to branch out into some light landscaping. I am getting ready to build my own tractor because I cant' find anything that would serve my purposes. That is- untill I came across PT. It would fit what I need except it seems kind of heavy. I'm looking at a used 425 but I'm a little concerned about making ruts and tearing turf. The yards I maintain are all upscale and irrigated. I would be using it primarily to install mulch. Do any of you guys use a PT on nice turf? How does it perform? Have you had any complaints from customers about that "big tractor on my yard"? Also, have any of you used the areator(plugger)? does it work good? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[gotago]

I've got a 425 with bar tires. The only time it's ever left a rut was in a very low, soft field after a rain. On my lawn the PT has been great. With turf tires you shouldn't have any problem.

 

[RegL]

I have the heaver 1430 and use it on customer's lawns all the time. That's one of the main reasons I own it. You will actually do less damage with the PT than a large zero turn mower. The only time when you will do much scuffing is steering when your not moving, such as when your stump grinding or using the mini-hoe. I usually plan on having to do some repair work after those jobs anyway.

 

[woodlandfarms]

my 1850 floats across my lawn. Granted it is 8 wheels but the only damage I get is from being stopped and turning the wheel. Just like any other tractor...

Carl

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN, by the way!

I have a 2001 model year PT425 with turf tires. It has never damaged my lawn.

 

[KentT]

I have been cutting grass for a living for 20 years. I want to branch out into some light landscaping. I am getting ready to build my own tractor because I cant' find anything that would serve my purposes. That is- untill I came across PT. It would fit what I need except it seems kind of heavy. I'm looking at a used 425 but I'm a little concerned about making ruts and tearing turf. The yards I maintain are all upscale and irrigated. I would be using it primarily to install mulch. Do any of you guys use a PT on nice turf? How does it perform? Have you had any complaints from customers about that "big tractor on my yard"? Also, have any of you used the areator(plugger)? does it work good? Any advice is appreciated.

Though I'm not in landscaping, I don't think you'd find anything else that has a loader rated for 800 lbs that will do AS LITTLE damage to the turf as a PT. Though a tracked mini-skidsteer would have a lighter footprint, it will do more tearing if you need to maneuver at all... and it is not nearly as fast to do the same job as a PT. The PT moves quicker and has a far bigger bucket (size or weight capacity)...

 

[SpringHollow]

The 1850 with only 4 wheels installed is fine unless the lawn is very muddy. My lawn hardly ever gets really dry but it has been fine except in the spring when the yard is completely mush. My yard has never burned out in 16 years because of the springs. And that period had 2 years of record drought - we still had to mow once or twice every week and i never fertilize or water. Before i got the PT, i could never drive my tractor on the lawn or trails without ruining them (especially by the tractor's front wheels). The PT is great. The 1850 with duals on has less ground impact than my atv. Then add to that the articulation and you have a wonderful combination.

 

[royalslover]

Thanks for the advice so far. Keep it coming. I'd especially like to here about plugger experience. Is there anything in particular I should look for on the PT I'm looking at? It has around 500 hours.

 

[JD-Beach]

There are a few photos of a 425 moving mulch on a nice lawn in a thread entitled "Movin Mulch" ...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/97163-movin-mulch.html

I'm not sure how to add the link to this reply.

 

[stray]

Do you plan on using the PT for your primary mower? The sad fact is that although the PT will Mow it is not where it shines. Well not at finish mowing anyway. The side mowing and brush hogging I rate very well.

 

[MossRoad]

I think it also depends on the type of grass that you have. We have a very fine bladed fescue and our 2001 model year Kohler powered PT425 does a very nice job on it. When it is thick, in spring before the ground dries out, I have to mow it twice a week or it will leave a windrow on the right side. And, of course, there is no factory grass bagger, and the deck is not a mulching deck, so if you want to bag or mulch, you cannot without tinkering.

Here are some before and after pictures of my springtime lawn, before the draughts kill it each summer.

 

[MuncyBob]

I hesitated to buy the PT for grass mowing based on some previous comments that a dedicated mower would give better results....and a dedicated mower probably would, but the cut I get(comparable to MR's photo) is fine by me. I have found that you must keep the blades sharp or the ends of the grass will suffer from tearing(but you really have to look at it to see it). I LOVE the fact that the mulching eliminates the need to collect the clippings but I still use a different mower once in awhile just to get clippings for our compost pile. I have noticed that after 3 cutting seasons of clippngs(both grass and autumn leaves) going back into the soil that my grass is thicker and seems greener than in years past even with 3 dogs doing what they do!

 

[Red Zebra]

Hey MR......That grass looks so good, it makes me want to take my shoes off and take a stroll! Must be as soft as "walking on a pile of baby ducks"! ....you know, REALLY soft!

 

[MossRoad]

Hey MR......That grass looks so good, it makes me want to take my shoes off and take a stroll! Must be as soft as "walking on a pile of baby ducks"! ....you know, REALLY soft!

Yep! I do that often. The pictures were taken in the spring. The leaves are just budding out and the pool cover is still on. By mid summer, it is mostly dry and prickly and dormant. I do not water it except right in front of the house.