A yer ago i cud not spel powr trak guy, an now i are wun!
After much consideration (and a $500 pt425 discount), I went with the pt425 instead of the pt422 that I said in my earlier posts I would get. (I was more than a litttle nervous about the Robin engine because the local Kohler repairman said he could not even order Robin parts.)
Got my pt425 and a bunch of attachments delivered to my home at about 7:30 am on Sat., Dec 21. I've put about 7 hours on the machine since then. I live on 63 acres with about 5 to take care of, plus roads/trails around the perimeter. A lot of chores have been waiting for the power-trac. Here a brief rundown with comments:
Saturday, Dec 21: The machine is sweet, except for the seat. I have a Craftsman 23 hp riding mower (with liquid-cooled Kohler engine) that has a nice, big, cushy seat with a suspension. The pt425 seat is small and hard. Rough ground is a spine-rattling experience. Power-trac really should offer a better seat (for more $ ?). The steering wheel is a bit wimpy too, but I can live with it. Also, the steering wheel seems a little loose (not play, but loose). Is that normal? As noted by others, the seat belt is too long. Ran over it a couple of times then folded it and taped it up with duct tape.
The machine is so simple to use, I found it confusing for awhile. My two riding mowers require a lot of hand action to change direction. I kept reaching for the lift lever to change direction. I am beginning to get used to doing less.
Used the forks to move 3 dead trees to my house for cutting for firewood. Amazing feeling to pick up an entire downed dead tree and carry it off!
I have 200 yards of gravel driveway that, and after depositing the trees, it suddenly seemed in need of grading. Switched to my boxblade. After about 20 min, the driveway looked worse than when I started. After an hour or so, I had it looking almost as good as when I started! Bummer. My neighbor has done it for me in one pass with a 6' boxblade and a big JD. Either I need a different tool or more skill. Time will tell. I did discover the boxblade can be used to push stuff. It even has a lip on the front for pushing. Nice substitute for the snow/gravel blade, which I didn't get.
Next I switched to my big bucket (love the quick attach) and headed out to move a dead dog and dead buzzard on the road in front of my property (The buzzard must have come to eat the dog and got hit by a car). Scooped 'em right up and deposited them on my property for Sunday burial. Darkness set in and I had to quit for the day.
Sunday, Dec. 22.: After church, I hooked up my mini-hoe and went to dig a grave for the dog and buzzard. I was impressed with the mini-hoe. The extra effort to use the quick attach lever to curl the bucket was not a problem for such a short job. For my digging chores, I think it will do just fine. Even with my lack of skill, I had a decent grave in less than 10 minutes. Probably could have done it by hand in 15 minutes, but it was nice not to have to. Went back to the house, and got my big bucket to fill the grave. Big mistake. Should have used a shovel. Made a big mess. Tried to clean it up. By the time I got done, it looked I had buried an elephant instead of a dog and a buzzard! Clearly, skill is big part of the man/tractor equation.
Monday, Dec 23: Decided to check out the bush hog ( I think it's brush hog up north). Did a few small things and then headed out to clear trails on the perimeter of my land. Bummer. I looked down and one of the bush hog wheels was off the rim. I couldn't believe it. After 20 min of easy use and the wheel is off!? Pretty disgusting on a new machine. I hope I didn't ruin the tire. I've got to see what Moss Road says about this.
Wife says I've got to get my stuff out of the garage. Used the forks to move railroad ties around like toothpicks (the real thing, not landscape timbers) Set up a nice area with railroad ties where I can keep my stuff off the ground and covered up with a tarp. I definitely am improving my control of the machine.
Got dark and started to rain. Guess my "work" is over til things clear up.
Things to try next: Post-hole digger and tiller. Finish mower will have to wait until spring. This winter, I've got to fence about 20 acres and put in a walkway down to the lake. I will use the post-hole digger for the fencing and the tiller to cut out a path to put in railroad ties and river stones. Will post my observations on PHD and tiller in due time.
Finally, I want to express my gratitude to tractorbynet and all the power-trac guys in this forum. I feel fortunate to have discovered power trac about a year ago (has it really been that long?). Plus, I would not have had the courage to buy a one-of-kind machine with no service network, without the knowledge and confidence I got from this forum during the past year. Every time I use the quick attach, I say to myself: "Boy, I'm glad I didn't buy a regular tractor!" There is no question in my mind that the pt425 will do more of what I need to do and costs less, than any compact tractor on the market. There are some bigger jobs I will have to hire out, but for 90% of my needs, the pt425 is a VERY good solution.
A joyous and safe holiday season to all!
- Ken in Mississippi (Yes, I am ashamed of Trent Lott. I hope he has learned something.)
After much consideration (and a $500 pt425 discount), I went with the pt425 instead of the pt422 that I said in my earlier posts I would get. (I was more than a litttle nervous about the Robin engine because the local Kohler repairman said he could not even order Robin parts.)
Got my pt425 and a bunch of attachments delivered to my home at about 7:30 am on Sat., Dec 21. I've put about 7 hours on the machine since then. I live on 63 acres with about 5 to take care of, plus roads/trails around the perimeter. A lot of chores have been waiting for the power-trac. Here a brief rundown with comments:
Saturday, Dec 21: The machine is sweet, except for the seat. I have a Craftsman 23 hp riding mower (with liquid-cooled Kohler engine) that has a nice, big, cushy seat with a suspension. The pt425 seat is small and hard. Rough ground is a spine-rattling experience. Power-trac really should offer a better seat (for more $ ?). The steering wheel is a bit wimpy too, but I can live with it. Also, the steering wheel seems a little loose (not play, but loose). Is that normal? As noted by others, the seat belt is too long. Ran over it a couple of times then folded it and taped it up with duct tape.
The machine is so simple to use, I found it confusing for awhile. My two riding mowers require a lot of hand action to change direction. I kept reaching for the lift lever to change direction. I am beginning to get used to doing less.
Used the forks to move 3 dead trees to my house for cutting for firewood. Amazing feeling to pick up an entire downed dead tree and carry it off!
I have 200 yards of gravel driveway that, and after depositing the trees, it suddenly seemed in need of grading. Switched to my boxblade. After about 20 min, the driveway looked worse than when I started. After an hour or so, I had it looking almost as good as when I started! Bummer. My neighbor has done it for me in one pass with a 6' boxblade and a big JD. Either I need a different tool or more skill. Time will tell. I did discover the boxblade can be used to push stuff. It even has a lip on the front for pushing. Nice substitute for the snow/gravel blade, which I didn't get.
Next I switched to my big bucket (love the quick attach) and headed out to move a dead dog and dead buzzard on the road in front of my property (The buzzard must have come to eat the dog and got hit by a car). Scooped 'em right up and deposited them on my property for Sunday burial. Darkness set in and I had to quit for the day.
Sunday, Dec. 22.: After church, I hooked up my mini-hoe and went to dig a grave for the dog and buzzard. I was impressed with the mini-hoe. The extra effort to use the quick attach lever to curl the bucket was not a problem for such a short job. For my digging chores, I think it will do just fine. Even with my lack of skill, I had a decent grave in less than 10 minutes. Probably could have done it by hand in 15 minutes, but it was nice not to have to. Went back to the house, and got my big bucket to fill the grave. Big mistake. Should have used a shovel. Made a big mess. Tried to clean it up. By the time I got done, it looked I had buried an elephant instead of a dog and a buzzard! Clearly, skill is big part of the man/tractor equation.
Monday, Dec 23: Decided to check out the bush hog ( I think it's brush hog up north). Did a few small things and then headed out to clear trails on the perimeter of my land. Bummer. I looked down and one of the bush hog wheels was off the rim. I couldn't believe it. After 20 min of easy use and the wheel is off!? Pretty disgusting on a new machine. I hope I didn't ruin the tire. I've got to see what Moss Road says about this.
Wife says I've got to get my stuff out of the garage. Used the forks to move railroad ties around like toothpicks (the real thing, not landscape timbers) Set up a nice area with railroad ties where I can keep my stuff off the ground and covered up with a tarp. I definitely am improving my control of the machine.
Got dark and started to rain. Guess my "work" is over til things clear up.
Things to try next: Post-hole digger and tiller. Finish mower will have to wait until spring. This winter, I've got to fence about 20 acres and put in a walkway down to the lake. I will use the post-hole digger for the fencing and the tiller to cut out a path to put in railroad ties and river stones. Will post my observations on PHD and tiller in due time.
Finally, I want to express my gratitude to tractorbynet and all the power-trac guys in this forum. I feel fortunate to have discovered power trac about a year ago (has it really been that long?). Plus, I would not have had the courage to buy a one-of-kind machine with no service network, without the knowledge and confidence I got from this forum during the past year. Every time I use the quick attach, I say to myself: "Boy, I'm glad I didn't buy a regular tractor!" There is no question in my mind that the pt425 will do more of what I need to do and costs less, than any compact tractor on the market. There are some bigger jobs I will have to hire out, but for 90% of my needs, the pt425 is a VERY good solution.
A joyous and safe holiday season to all!
- Ken in Mississippi (Yes, I am ashamed of Trent Lott. I hope he has learned something.)
