Power Trac and grass cutting

[MuncyBob]

I've recently been following some posts on the PT...sounds like a great machine but have not read much on it's grass cutting quality. I need a tractor that will be used 50% of the time grass cutting and most of the rest of the time as a loader into a small manure spreader.....loading capability seems to be just what I'm looking for but how do they cut on uneven terrain? Currently using my Farmall 140 with a 5' belly mower and the resulting cut leaves a lot to be desired around the house...it's ok for open fields but I'd rather cut with my push mower the 2 acres around the house(did that all last summer and don't want to do it again this year!). Is the PT right for the job? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Trojan6]

Give me a couple of days and I will let you know. I'm currently in the same position, and my PT180 gets here either today or tomorrow.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Have you reviewed Moss Road's excellent web page about his PT-425? If not, it's well worth your time. Here's a quote from his 50 hour review:

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The sixty inch finish mower works well. It makes a very nice cut. It has a wide range of height settings. One drawback is that you need two wrenches to change the cutting height on each wheel individually. While I never change the height on my home lawn, several places that I occasionally cut while doing volunteer work like it a little shorter. Takes about 5 minutes to change the height. The mower deck is very loud and leaves a little windrow on the right side if the grass is thick. The rear plastic wheels seem a little thin. It you turn too fast on a very tight turn they will tear up the lawn a little. Slowing down on the tightest turns solves this. I will still look for wider wheels with rounded edges as a replacement option. Also, it is important to be sure that the tilt control is set to the middle of its travel when mowing or the pitch of the mower could bind on tight inclines. The deck is easy to clean with the front lift arms raised all the way. A garden hose and a long handle hoe turned upside down make quick work of any stubborn grass. )</font>

 

[MuncyBob]

Like Xmas in spring for you!! I'll be looking for your post on this and congrats on your purchase.

 

[MuncyBob]

Bill, thanks for the info....that's a good site Moss Road put together on this tractor. Been looking at the PT for about a month now and also wondering if it would be worth my time/$$ to rent a trailer and go to Va. to pick up the tractor and implements myself from North Central Pa. know anybody with experiences in hauling their own PT home?

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I don't know what your tax rules are in PA. If you pick up the machine in Tazewell, they have to charge you Virginia sales tax. If you arrange for them to ship, they don't charge the tax and have a guy with a one-ton and equipment trailer that brought my 1845 to Maryland for a reasonable rate.
There are a number of owners in your area who may chime in, and also who should be able to give you a look at the machines and a demo of the grass cutting.

 

[ernemats]

I rented a uhaul box truck and went to Va. to pick my 422 up 4 years ago. Like Charlie said they charge you Va. sales tax if you pick it up , but you get to test drive all their equipment plus they give you a 4 hour class on servicing, plus they took us out to lunch and put us up in a motel for a night. What equipment are you planning to purchase? You are welcome to check mine out when you are down this way.

 

[MuncyBob]

Not sure which one yet...don't need a commercial grade but I do have 4+ acres to cut(if I cut it all at one time)...and last year we were cutting every 5 days or so right up until late October! One of the smaller ones is probably all I can afford...as long as it will lift horse manure into a small spreader and give me a good finish cut then I'm happy! Moss Roads seemes to be happy with his finish cut and it seems he has a new meaning for "man's best friend"..LOL! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif If there are any owners in PA I'd love to see their's in action....

 

[jol1269]

well im located in ga. just below atlanta . i picked mine up in october a nice lil 425 with the large bucket ,forks and post hole digger and 12'' auger . im not sure of just long a drive you have from pa. but my drive was about 7 hrs mmmmmmmmm all be it 80- 85 mph . the load road fine i have a dodge 2500 2wd . i will be making another trip very soon as i need a mower now , mini hoe and ill be make the trip once more . as far as the taxes go hire your wife or son or neigbor to make the drive with you then you can skip the taxes and get the benefits of the class and the test driving of all their equipment . this is how i did mine no problems and you wont be the only one driving another plus /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Disclaimer...Just remember, many states are starting to crack down on out of state purchases. If you don't pay the sales tax in VA you still may be required to pay it at home. Don't know about internet purchases, though. End of disclaimer...

I am still very satisfied with the quality of the cut from the 60" deck. I may actually sharpen the blades this year /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I haven't touched them since purchase two years ago. I have an extra set, so I will change them out soon.

Yesterday morning, I was mowing. I was stopped, but turned the wheel hard. The left rear wheel of the mower caught the edge of the driveway very hard and I snapped the axle right off. Made a dirt could real quick. Turns out the axle is just a nice bolt, but the hardware store was closed. I found all the hardware that fell off. I will be out 1 bolt, 1 washer and since I am doing a total rebuild of the axle, I will splurge for two brand new lock nuts. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You should be able to mow 2 acres in well under an hour. I do one in about 25 minutes if I take my time... 18 minutes if I do a lousey job.

How high is the side of your manure spreader? The PT425 that I have will not side load a pickup truck, but will side load a car hauler trailer to its limits. I think if I had a manure spreader that was a little too high, I would find a good parking place for it and build a small ramp to drive the PT up to load it. This one little inconvenience is far outweighed by all the good aspects of the 400 series frames.