Ordered the videos from Kristi at PT

[TimOb]

My decision will soon be made. It's gonna be a 180, 422 or 425. Have any of you arranged your own shipping? If so, who did you use and how did it work out?

So far, I have 2 quotes. 1 from PT, who uses Overnight and 1 from Highway Freight.

I'm thinking it might just be safest using Overnight even if they cost a little more.

Thanks,
G

 

[Piedmont3]

If you use overnight, I would suggest that you, Have Scott at PT put the keys in a FED-EX envelope and send the keys directly to you.
I had my 425 shipped via Overnight and they drove it, fouled the plugs and left the key on for 82 hours. thats what the hour meter said when I went to pick it up. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Scott sent me a new hour meter and a new set of plugs, and a new edging for the fops.(it was crinkled in a couple of places). /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I was able to finally get it started after replaceing the plugs and jump starting it.
The PT has been GREAT.
Overnight Shipping was AWFUL!!

 

[MossRoad]

PT arranged the shipping for us with Overnight. I ordered on a Friday and received it on Monday or Tuesday in Indiana!

What to expect if you order one....

Take a small can of gas with you to the shipping terminal. They are not allowed to ship it with any gas in the tank.

The unit will probably have some paint rubbed off on it due to shipping straps rubbing. Don't worry. They unit is solid steel, no plastic, is tough and can take it. Just touch up any rub areas with JD Green spray paint from TSC. It is a very close match.

Take a trailer or a pickup truck with sturdy STEEL ramps, not wood. Make sure the ramps attach to the trailer. If you use a pickup truck, remove the tailgate and make sure the ramps attach to the truck. You don't want a slip of the ramps to ruin your first minutes with the tractor.

Go slowly and gently. The foot treadles can be touchy and allow for FAST movement of the tractors, especially with the throttle set high.

Take your time and spend a few hours getting use to the tractor in an open area. Remember, just because it is very small doesn't mean it is not powerful. It is a machine to be respected. That goes for all people operating it (ignore past pictures of Hans and Fourteen riding wheelies. Hans is a test pilot and Fourteen is... well, Fourteen).

You WILL put a hole in the side of your garage sooner or later with the bucket. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Use the hole to pass an air line through so you can blow off the PT outside after use. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[bbabineau]

My 1430 was shipped using Overnite and I too had a few problems - perhaps not unexpected. The ignition was left on at one transfer station so the meter had 10 hours on it before the battery went dead. The draft control was turned on and the light switch in the on position (probably the cause for the dead battery). Additionally I had two skids of attachments and Overnite stacked them contrary to instructions from PT and contrary to what they were paid to do (ship skids on the floor of the truck).

I spoke with PT and they were going to have a "once again" with Overnite to sort out the problems.

I will admit that the delivering location of Overnite (Bakersfield CA) went overboard to help - they dedicated a forklift to the charging of the battery on the PT since it was in the back end of the trailer - once we were able to start the PT they spent all the time needed to help load the skids and the PT on my trailer (18 foot car hauler).

Suggestion by someone was not to include the key with the PT - I think this could be a problem as the PT must be driven onto and off the truck as it moves from transfer station to transfer station- you don't want to pull it off as the wheels will not turn with the ignition not running or I would not want them to lift it with the forklift.

Bottom line, unless I could have picked it up myself or had PT deliver with their service then the next best was probably Overnite as they at least have some experience and it was not an altogether terrible experience. We had the few scrapes and a wheel on the mower was damaged from stacking the skids but that too was an easy fix.

 

[PABenz]

I had mine delivered by one of the local guys that PT used instead of the overnight freight company. It cost about $350 to deliver to Pittsburgh......they drove it right to the house with no problems at all. That was back in April of 2004.

 

[BillCroasmun]

I also had the private carrier deliver mine to NE Ohio for about $350. Fast non-stop service b/w Tazwell and your house. If you live close enough it's hard to beat! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[pajoube]

I used Overnight and except for a few scratches, it arrived with two pallets in very good condition.
The key needs to be left with the tractor for Overnight to drive on and off at each transfer point. I think for the most part, Overnight did a professional job.
As MossRoad said, bring some extra gas and pliers or wire cutters to brake the bands on the pallets. You will need to get to the forks or bucket to load the rest into your vehicle.
PJ

 

[Marks481]

I had no complaints about overnight... it was kind of a shock when I backed up to the dock, and the dockworker came driving up on my PT. Some rubbed spots on the paint, but no problems.

The only close call came when I went to unload the pallet with the mower deck from the back of my truck using the PT. The controls are very sensitive on raise lower, and not immediately intuitive. I recommend practicing a bit with something that you wouldn't care much if you dropped it. I tilted instead of raised, and came a hair away from dropping the mower on it's side from 3' in the air... of course, it probably would have just knocked a chunk from the driveway and not dented the mower deck. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Highridge]

I've had a great experience with a private carrier. They brought the PT and attachments up on a trailer, unloaded it in my yard, and that was that. No muss, no fuss. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Barryh]

Private carrier to the front door. Of course he did get lost it was dark out. He called me to meet him.

Was kind of cool seeing it for the first time setting up on the trailer. Drove it off right into the garage.