OK, here goes, new guy with long question.

[jbman]

phhpttt.... MossRoad, that was the sound of my afternoon coffee being sprayed across my monitor and keyboard........ towels!! I need towels!

That does look like it would take some getting used to. Pucker effect, I bet!

I used a little backhoe on one of those mini-mite tractors once, a few years back, which is the sum total of my tractor experience. It seemed to me that I really couldn't dig in and get a reasonable scoop with the hoe without setting the stabalizers set. I was wondering if the hoe would just pull the PT rather than digging in. I didn't realize the PT mini-hoe didn't move to the side either, but looking at the setup I can see that now. So there are more limitations than I was aware of, and I am glad to be finding out about them. I still keep seeing you folks with prior CUT experience saying that now you have the PT you would not go back, so I still have to believe the advantages outweigh the disadvanges. My problem is I don't know the disadvantages of the CUTs either!

If I am not careful here, I am definately going to learn something. Thanks again for taking the time to explain these things.

Jim

 

[MossRoad]

A couple more...

Perfectly normal, so don't let it discourage you.

 

[BobRip]

. It seemed to me that I really couldn't dig in and get a reasonable scoop with the hoe without setting the stabalizers set. I was wondering if the hoe would just pull the PT rather than digging in. I didn't realize the PT mini-hoe didn't move to the side either, but looking at the setup I can see that now. So there are more limitations than I was aware of, and I am glad to be finding out about them. I still keep seeing you folks with prior CUT experience saying that now you have the PT you would not go back, so I still have to believe the advantages outweigh the disadvanges. My problem is I don't know the disadvantages of the CUTs either!


Jim

JBman, a couple of points I would like to clarify. I don't feel this not moving the minhoe left of right is a limitation. You just turn the steering wheel left or right and the minihoe follows. It does not seem to be much of a limitation, although it might be a small one. On the other had, you don't have to put the outriggers up and down. This can be a nuisance. If you want to move the machine, you just press on the pedal. I am sure there are pros and cons to both arrangements, but this is definately not crippling and the advantages balance the disadvantages.

As far digginig in, I have found the best way is to put down weight on the bucket and then curl it. This seems to dig OK. More weight would help, but she is what she is. Just a note, I have been using a 12 inch bucket on mine (standard is 8) and it is working fine for my digging. However, It has been a wet year and I have a lot of swampy and wet land. I have not done much digging on hard packed clay. Maybe others can chime in. I have not done a lot with the minihoe, so I hope others will comment.

 

[toy]

phhpttt.... MossRoad, that was the sound of my afternoon coffee being sprayed across my monitor and keyboard........ towels!! I need towels!

That does look like it would take some getting used to. Pucker effect, I bet!

I used a little backhoe on one of those mini-mite tractors once, a few years back, which is the sum total of my tractor experience. It seemed to me that I really couldn't dig in and get a reasonable scoop with the hoe without setting the stabalizers set. I was wondering if the hoe would just pull the PT rather than digging in. I didn't realize the PT mini-hoe didn't move to the side either, but looking at the setup I can see that now. So there are more limitations than I was aware of, and I am glad to be finding out about them. I still keep seeing you folks with prior CUT experience saying that now you have the PT you would not go back, so I still have to believe the advantages outweigh the disadvanges. My problem is I don't know the disadvantages of the CUTs either!

If I am not careful here, I am definately going to learn something. Thanks again for taking the time to explain these things.

Jim

The ease of changing implements is a real plus I mean a real plus in my book. On one of the other forums they were talking about buying an extra tractor to keep from changing out emplements and that says a lot. The thread that I am refering to is on build it yourself I beleive and it had something to do with towing a trailor with the tractor. A lightning storm just went through and I had to get off line for a few minutes I would like to add that I am real satisfied with my pt but also the only other tractor that I have had is a sears craftsman lawn and garden tractor which is really a ridding lawn mower but it has done that job well.

 

[jbman]

First, MossRoad, wow... so did I read in previous posts here that you could usually get out of the PT Pucker position by straightening the wheels again? If not, it looks like it might be a tough sitiuation to straighten out.

Second, BobRip, thanks for the clarification on the mini-hoe. It is one of the more important implements I want. Digging almost anywhere on my land is really difficult with a shovel and I'm really hoping the mini-hoe helps me out.

Third, Toy, thanks for the encouragement. Right now I can't walk outside without thinking about the things I can use the PT for. Weather just 'broke' here too. So, it won't be long till I load up the bike and head up to Tazewell for that demo. In the mean time I am going to keep reading here and learning.

Thanks all. Jim

The ease of changing implements is a real plus I mean a real plus in my book. On one of the other forums they were talking about buying an extra tractor to keep from changing out emplements and that says a lot. The thread that I am refering to is on build it yourself I beleive and it had something to do with towing a trailor with the tractor. A lightning storm just went through and I had to get off line for a few minutes I would like to add that I am real satisfied with my pt but also the only other tractor that I have had is a sears craftsman lawn and garden tractor which is really a ridding lawn mower but it has done that job well.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

First, MossRoad, wow... so did I read in previous posts here that you could usually get out of the PT Pucker position by straightening the wheels again?

I took the picture of Hans in PT pucker mode. We were testing the grapple on the boom five feet in front of the machine. As you can see, a couple of hefty chunks of hardwood were enough on the end of the lever to pick up the back end when it was turned. After the picture was taken, Hans straightened it out, picked up the load and put it on the truck in front of him.

Even quicker than straightening the machine is merely to smack the lever forward and drop the load. Then, you can straighten up and pick it an inch or two to see if you are going to be able to handle it. It's gotten so the PT pucker is part of normal operation, and not very intimidating, but it is a reminder that you're near the limit.

Hans has put his on the side, climbing a pile. I have come close with the 1845 twice, once with a spool of electric wire hanging from the lift boom on a steep side hill, and once on the steep side of a berm with a grapple bucket trying to move an overhead branch. Both times were the result of operator stupidity, not a weakness in the machine. The 1845 is so capable on hills that I tend not to be as careful as I should.

I think it would be very hard to turn any PT over if you have the load low unless you drive where one side isn't supported. Please always keep the load low on a PT or any machine with a lift. Anything can turn over.

 

[MossRoad]

First, MossRoad, wow... so did I read in previous posts here that you could usually get out of the PT Pucker position by straightening the wheels again? If not, it looks like it might be a tough sitiuation to straighten out. ....

Thanks all. Jim

As Charlie said, if you are in that position, just push the joystick forward to slowly lower the FEL arms and the rear end will settle down and you can re-think what you're doing. If you panic, you can always slam the joystick forward harder into float and the rear will drop fast. You really do get used to it so you know when you are pushing the machine's limits.

 

[RegL]

As Charlie said, if you are in that position, just push the joystick forward to slowly lower the FEL arms and the rear end will settle down and you can re-think what you're doing. If you panic, you can always slam the joystick forward harder into float and the rear will drop fast. You really do get used to it so you know when you are pushing the machine's limits.

As said, after a few times you get used to the pucker. I have the back end of my 1430 in the air quite often and don't give it a second thought. I've actually moved some heavy stuff around with only the front wheels on the ground. Only trouble is you can't steer and you get some funny looks from anyone watching.(remember that old song about the ant and the rubber tree plant.) By the way, this is another advantage the PT has over the CUT. Two wheels off the ground on a PT might make you pucker up a little. Two wheels off the ground on a CUT will most likely send you the hospital or boot-hill.

 

[BobRip]

As said, after a few times you get used to the pucker. I have the back end of my 1430 in the air quite often and don't give it a second thought. I've actually moved some heavy stuff around with only the front wheels on the ground. Only trouble is you can't steer and you get some funny looks from anyone watching.(remember that old song about the ant and the rubber tree plant.) By the way, this is another advantage the PT has over the CUT. Two wheels off the ground on a PT might make you pucker up a little. Two wheels off the ground on a CUT will most likely send you the hospital or boot-hill.

I am routinely carrying about 120 pounds of weights on the back of the PT. The machine will lift a lot more and rides better when backing up hills.

 

[FOURTEEN]

""That does look like it would take some getting used to. Pucker effect, I bet!""


PT Pucker is like driving a RWD car on snow covered roads. Each Winter, the first few times that the rearend slips to the side, your heart skips a beat. But by Spring you go down the road with the rearend swinging like a barn door, and think nothing of it!!




""I was wondering if the hoe would just pull the PT rather than digging in. I didn't realize the PT mini-hoe didn't move to the side either, but looking at the setup I can see that now. So there are more limitations than I was aware of""


Not really!! The advantages are many, the limitations are few!!
Here's a picture of my PT-425 digging an electric trench to my Morton Building. I dug from both directions, then did the center section. A few planks across the trench allowed me to easily proceed and pile the dirt well off to the sides. If I dropped a wheel into the trench, the PT just drove up and out of it! The amount of oscillation limits how far a wheel can go into a hole, and the PT doesn’t become unstable at all! NO stabilizers required! With my wheels reversed and the light weight of the PT-425 there was also less danger of the walls caving in!
The curl of the bucket does the digging, not the force of the arm. So you lower the arm, scoop out a bucket full by curling the bucket, lift the arm, then use the steering wheel and pedals to dump the dirt wherever you want it.


Buying a PT is like buying a car. Most people do NOT buy the cheapest one, or the one with the smallest engine, or the one without a nice AM/FM/CD, or without A/C, etc!! They get the best one they can that will be a pleasure to own and drive. So, get the PT-425 and enjoy that better PT, or try to save a few bucks and live to regret it!!