Power-Trac 1460

[jimpod]

I've been reading your posts for weeks. There are some real knowledgeable people here, so I thought I'd ask for your opinions. I know I'm looking for a lot that may not be possible in one machine, but here goes. A machine for home and construction use (grading, loading (2000 lbs. +), working in tight places, site & woods cleanup, stable on steeper grades with quick and easy attachments and about 8000 total lbs for under $40,000). I hoped the answer was the PT 1460 but have some doubts after trying it out at the factory. I'm comparing it to my Kubota M6800 (68 hp, 4 wd, loader)- a great tractor but not for all those jobs, especially on steeper slopes. My concerns are:
1. The PT 1460 was easy to stall: It didn't seem to have nearly the power or traction of the M6800 under load.
2. Maintaining it. There have been many difficult maintenance issues voiced on this forum. In nearly 25 years of owning a total of 3 tractors (2 JD's compacts and the M6800, used 50-100 hrs./yr) I've followed routine maintenance more frequently than called for, had a few flats and 2 new batteries, but that's about it. I know that I've been lucky, but just what am I getting myself into with the PT?

For background, I've considered and used a bunch of good machines:
Skid-Steer; tears up the ground plus not real stable
Compact Track Loader: easy to bury to the pan in wet conditions
Compact Wheel Loaders: The smallest is about $40,000 (Kubota).
Articulated tractors: This is what I want, but as you all have said repeatedly,
there isn't much out there. The Buhler (Canadian) starts at $80,000

Been wracking what's left of my mind. I'd sure appreciate ANY feedback on the PT1460 or ANY other ideas?

jimpod

 

[J_J]

If you are going to operate a PT, especially on hills, you will have to give up on that old habit of pushing harder. I am thinking that you stalled the 1460 by stepping on the treadle a bit hard. You have more traction if you give a little treadle.

It's not like a four-wheeler, give it a lot of gas and zoom on up the hill.

2400 lbs lift and lift height of 8 ft. is darn good.

 

[J_J]

$43,800 will get you the 1460 and trailer pkg. You can add to that or add later, You can also customize you trailer pkg.


Please fill out a profile so we will know what part of the country you live in. There might be someone close by.

 

[Rara Avis]

I've been reading your posts for weeks. There are some real knowledgeable people here, so I thought I'd ask for your opinions. I know I'm looking for a lot that may not be possible in one machine, but here goes. A machine for home and construction use (grading, loading (2000 lbs. +), working in tight places, site & woods cleanup, stable on steeper grades with quick and easy attachments and about 8000 total lbs for under $40,000). I hoped the answer was the PT 1460 but have some doubts after trying it out at the factory. I'm comparing it to my Kubota M6800 (68 hp, 4 wd, loader)- a great tractor but not for all those jobs, especially on steeper slopes. My concerns are:
1. The PT 1460 was easy to stall: It didn't seem to have nearly the power or traction of the M6800 under load.
2. Maintaining it. There have been many difficult maintenance issues voiced on this forum. In nearly 25 years of owning a total of 3 tractors (2 JD's compacts and the M6800, used 50-100 hrs./yr) I've followed routine maintenance more frequently than called for, had a few flats and 2 new batteries, but that's about it. I know that I've been lucky, but just what am I getting myself into with the PT?

For background, I've considered and used a bunch of good machines:
Skid-Steer; tears up the ground plus not real stable
Compact Track Loader: easy to bury to the pan in wet conditions
Compact Wheel Loaders: The smallest is about $40,000 (Kubota).
Articulated tractors: This is what I want, but as you all have said repeatedly,
there isn't much out there. The Buhler (Canadian) starts at $80,000

Been wracking what's left of my mind. I'd sure appreciate ANY feedback on the PT1460 or ANY other ideas?

jimpod

GT Series

 

[ponytug]

Dear Jimpod,

Welcome to the discussion group!

I think that it would be really helpful to you, if you could explain a bit more on what your needs are, what terrain you intend to use it on (use a slope meter or a level and get numbers-"steep" is hard to interpret, but a 38 degree slope is pretty clear), and give us some idea of what your skill set is. Then, some of the more experienced members can give you the benefit of their considerable experience and expertise in a context that is helpful to you.

Thoughts on your initial email:

• Stalling
  
  The hydrostatic transmissions operate with the most power with the engine govenor set high, and the treadle just eased open. As JJ mentioned, you probably applied (inadvertently) full treadle, rather than backing off to get maximum torque, and stalled it. I've stalled mine probably twice since I bought it, so I suspect that you would probably get the hang of it quickly.
  However, tractors with granny gears will outpull hydraulic systems. Hands down.
  They also do wheelies. ​
• Maintenance
  
  Yes, Virginia, you will have to maintain it.
  Yes, it will probably break more often than other tractors made in higher volumes.
  If this is a deal breaker, you need to buy something else. e.g. An Aebi, or a Carrero, or a Kubota with duallies and wheel weight installed.
  That said, the PTs are just a motor, several pumps and some pistons, with accessories like draft control and a hydraulic steering. All pretty simple.​

If you have been reading the posts, you will have realised that

• the PTs are really good at what they do,
• they could be manufactured better than they are,
• their post sales support is pretty thin compared to other companies,
• and there is a dedicated group of supportive enthusiasts here.

You just have to figure out what works for you relative to the PT's strengths and weaknesses. We are here to help.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

The Kubota M6800 is going to have much more traction and power to the ground than the PT1460. It weighs more, has gears and a range selector, and is designed to pull things.

 

[jimpod]

Thanks for the advice, and pardon my delay, as I have been away.
The Power-Trac is fairly priced with a great assortment of attachments, and the people at the factory are nice. However, the warranty is the worst that I've seen, and problems seem far too frequent. I can't understand that. The machine is about as simple as could be. It seems that you really need to like working on the machine to own one, and I don't. I appreciate your honesty. By the way, the 1460 outweighs the Kubota. Many thanks, guys.
Jimpod

 

[MossRoad]

It seems that you really need to like working on the machine to own one, and I don't. I appreciate your honesty.

Yep. That is the way it is. You sound like you thought out the options and chose the best one for you. That is the way to do it. So many folks rush into stuff and then are disappointed. Best of luck with your smart decision.

 

[J_J]

Thanks for the advice, and pardon my delay, as I have been away.
The Power-Trac is fairly priced with a great assortment of attachments, and the people at the factory are nice. However, the warranty is the worst that I've seen, and problems seem far too frequent. I can't understand that. The machine is about as simple as could be. It seems that you really need to like working on the machine to own one, and I don't. I appreciate your honesty. By the way, the 1460 outweighs the Kubota. Many thanks, guys.
Jimpod

I have a Ford 8N, a Kubota 4 wheel drive hydrostatic, and a Power-Trac. and a Dixie Chopper hydrostatic mower. Guess which one I use the most. The PT of course. Now with that said, you have to know the purpose that you will use the machine. I don't think that there is a tractor out there that will preform more task than the PT, or similar machine , and the number of attachments is awsome . If you are ever in a job that requires lots of attachments, and only one trailer, then the PT trailer package is the way to go.

 

[ponytug]

Dear Jimpod,

I'm glad you had a good look and kicked the tires and decided what would work best for you.

As a favor to us, can you tell the folks at PT why you didn't buy one?

All the best,

Peter

Thanks for the advice, and pardon my delay, as I have been away.
The Power-Trac is fairly priced with a great assortment of attachments, and the people at the factory are nice. However, the warranty is the worst that I've seen, and problems seem far too frequent. I can't understand that. The machine is about as simple as could be. It seems that you really need to like working on the machine to own one, and I don't. I appreciate your honesty. By the way, the 1460 outweighs the Kubota. Many thanks, guys.
Jimpod