OK, here goes, new guy with long question.

ernemats · Feb 24, 2007

I have used the mini hoe to dig several ditches greater than 2 hundred feet long in mostly hard packed clay about 15 inches deep and it did a good job. Quite often the rear of the pt would come off the ground when really hard digging. I could dig about 30 feet or more in 1 hour. In shale it does good if you can get the hoe under and lift up on the shale, it will not dig down through it very well as you cannot get enough down pressure to do more than scratch a layer or two off at a time.

jbman · Feb 26, 2007

OK then, those are some pretty strong testimonials for the mini hoe. Thanks very much. That is a big deal for me, because that hoe is one of the main reasons I want the machine. I live very close to you Fourteen, so if you're able to dig with it, that's about as good a proof as I could ask for.

I just knew, because that's the way it is, that the logical recommendation is to go with the more robust machine if it is possible at all. That's pretty much the way it always goes... I go in thinking I am going to spend X dollars... and then it always ends up I end up spending X++ dollars... Oh woe is me.... heavy sigh.......

Thanks yet again for the help and advice... and the pics too.

By the way, I just spent the better part of a rainy Sunday going through old posts here. What a gold mine of info!

kjm3232 · Feb 26, 2007

I have used my mini hoe to help dig out dirt to put a shed on. What i did was dig down into the dirt then go in reverse to loosen the dirt up. at the end i would turn either left or right knock the dirt out and go back to where to i started but just a little bit off to the side dig down, go in reverse and repeat the process. Once i have a 4 ft or side section of loosen dirt. i would take the mini hoe off and put on the bucket and scoop the dirt out. i would repeat this process until i had a area dug out and then leveled to put the shed on that space The space i cleared this way was 16 by 20.

FOURTEEN · Apr 23, 2007

jbman said:
I'm actually right down the road from you Fourteen, in Hurdle Mills, so I may
try to con you into letting me stop by some time for some knowledge transfer, as obviously you have plenty of it, and I have almost none.

Sorry that I didn't notice this part of your post earlier!!

For 98% of the reasons stated here, get the PT-425! Although I sometimes would like more, I have never wished for less capability!

YOU ARE MOST WELCOME TO DEMO IN EFLAND!! Being gainfully retired, I am available almost anytime by appointment.

I have a PT-425 with Bar tires on reversed wheels, and the Grapple Bucket, Brush Cutter, LM Bucket, Forks, MiniHoe, Stump Grinder, and Potato Digger. After over 330 hours of use, without any snow plowing or grass cutting, I can easily show you how to best use any of these attachments, and why the PT-425 is the only way to go!!!!

jbman · Apr 23, 2007

Hey there neighbor! I'm glad to report I followed the advise and I am now the proud owner of my very own PT-425. Just got it last week. This weekend I had a blast learning about it. I started on getting the ditches dug on the driveway sides, I used both the backhoe and 4 in 1 bucket for that, then I had to take a couple trees down, so I used the PT to tension the trees to go where I wanted, and then to clean up the logs. Then I went down and cleared some brush that has been sitting for a year. I had a blast. I'm far from an expert, but I got significantly better with the machine as the weekend went on.
( pics soon KentT

)

Thanks very much for the offer. Although I have a machine now, I'd still like to stop by sometime. Been reading here, and I know you are a very knowledgable guy I could learn a bunch from.

Thanks again,
Jim

FOURTEEN said:
Sorry that I didn't notice this part of your post earlier!!

For 98% of the reasons stated here, get the PT-425! Although I sometimes would like more, I have never wished for less capability!

YOU ARE MOST WELCOME TO DEMO IN EFLAND!! Being gainfully retired, I am available almost anytime by appointment.

I have a PT-425 with Bar tires on reversed wheels, and the Grapple Bucket, Brush Cutter, LM Bucket, Forks, MiniHoe, Stump Grinder, and Potato Digger. After over 330 hours of use, without any snow plowing or grass cutting, I can easily show you how to best use any of these attachments, and why the PT-425 is the only way to go!!!!

FOURTEEN · Apr 24, 2007

Glad to hear it!

Now reverse your wheels and you will be, (to coin a phrase), "Good To Go!!"!

Also I strongly recommend the Grapple Bucket for brush/woods work! The 4in1 is excellent for dirt work, and can do some Brush/woods work, but the Grapple Bucket is the best! You are welcome to try mine.

jbman · Apr 24, 2007

My original plan was to get the grapple bucket, but once I got up to Tazewell for the demo, I decided on the 4in1. Not sure if I made the right choice or not yet. I'm still pretty clumsy with the bucket, but, as I said in an earlier post, I did get alot better with it as the weekend went on.

I'll have to set something up with you to stop by and meet ya - and try to absorb some knowledge.

Thanks again,
Jim

FOURTEEN said:
Glad to hear it!

Now reverse your wheels and you will be, (to coin a phrase), "Good To Go!!"!

Also I strongly recommend the Grapple Bucket for brush/woods work! The 4in1 is excellent for dirt work, and can do some Brush/woods work, but the Grapple Bucket is the best! You are welcome to try mine.

FOURTEEN · Apr 24, 2007

FOURTEEN said:
Now reverse your wheels and you will be, (to coin a phrase), "Good To Go!!"!

Let me revise that to:

Reverse your wheels, solidify your seat, and buy a ‘Suicide Knob’! Then, you will be, (to coin a phrase), "Good To Go!!"!

PS: When you buy the Grapple Bucket, you get the heavy duty Rock & Dirt Bucket and the Rock Teeth for FREE!!

jbman · Apr 25, 2007

That suicide knob does seem like it would be a good thing. While trying to ditch the driveway, I was scooping dirt from one side and dumping it on the other side which slopes off. Lots of manuevering - that knob would be helpful. Where'd ya get that thing? Is that a Walmart type of thing or do the auto stores have those. Oddly enough, I haven't had a use for one of those up till now.

In fact, I haven't seen one since about 1963.

Thanks, Jim

\

FOURTEEN said:
Let me revise that to:

Reverse your wheels, solidify your seat, and buy a ‘Suicide Knob’! Then, you will be, (to coin a phrase), "Good To Go!!"!

PS: When you buy the Grapple Bucket, you get the heavy duty Rock & Dirt Bucket and the Rock Teeth for FREE!!