Power Trac PT425

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 9, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Rich
When I was at Power Trac, I saw the manufacturing setup for the rubber on the snow blade. It was a guy named Mike with a roll of reinforced rubber about 1/2" thick, a saber saw, a 3/8" electric drill and a box of bolts. I liked the setup so much I got the rubber on my blade. (By ordering it, I have prevented snow, and even cold weather in Maryland.)
I got the rubber primarily to keep the blade from removing my blacktop. It is forgiving, but you still stop fairly suddenly if you hit something.
I would think bolting on your own rubber strip would be pretty easy.

Scott_F · Mar 9, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Rich,
The PT425 price sheet that I got earlier this year with the video/info pac shows the rubber lip kit as a $200 option. It's the only option that seems to have been removed from the list now posted on the web page. Is it just me, or does that seem like a lot of money for a piece of rubber?

Scott

Charlie_Iliff · Mar 9, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Scott:
It's probably $25 worth of rubber, 5 or 6 holes, a strip of steel and some bolts and nuts. Doing it yourself will certainly save if you can find the rubber.

MossRoad · Mar 10, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

I didn't ever look at the PT2422 price sheet that closely. I know what you mean about hitting something. I remember your post about hitting your head. That is one of the reasons I always wear my seatbelt. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. My driveway is all paved, but I do have a few grassy areas that I plow as well. If I am in the grass and I hit the edge of the pavement, the machine stops RIGHT NOW!!!. I don't know how flexible the rubber strip is, but it would be inteesting to look into. Maybe if I saw some pictures of it or saw it in person, such as Charlie did, I would be able to fabricate one.

I haven't noticed any wearing down of my plow blade yet, nor any damage to the asphalt so far. You made a wear strip for your snow plow, didn't you? Could you give us a little more detail on measurements?

kcook · Mar 10, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

I like the rubber strip idea, my snow blower has rubber strips on it, I can get right down to the ground with out worring about tearing up my blower.

KCook

PTRich · Mar 10, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

I used a piece of 3/8" by 4" bar steel. Used carriage bolts with an impact. The place I bought the steel from punched the wholes for me in the bar. The wholes are punched in the middle of the bar and I drilled wholes in the blade so the bar hangs down about 3/4 of and inch. Since the wholes are in the middle of the bar I can just flip it over when it wears out.

PTRich

Brent_Griffith · Mar 11, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Scott F

I'm a PT422 owner and I certainly echo everything I've read on this thread about the Power-Trac units. They're a well built, versatile, rugged machine. I don't see how you could get anything close to this value anywhere else. As long as it suits your needs in how you're going to use it, its a great machine.

But, since I haven't seen anyone else address your question, I'd just like to state my opinion about the pricing in your original post: Is the PT-425 worth an extra $1000?

Certainly that's a personal opinion question. But I think the big thing about deciding would boil down to local service and parts availability/knowledge. If there's someone local who is able to service the unit under warranty and get parts, information, etc., then either engine would be fine. It really is just personal preference.

Kohler makes a fine engine, and I've got several of their smaller engines on some of my equipment. This is the first larger engine from them that I looked at.

In my opinion, the nominal 3HP difference really isn't an issue. I ended up buying the PT-422 for the savings in money. Looking at the power output and torque data on both engines, there isn't a tremendous difference. And when you consider that the test specs each manufacturer uses, I'm not convinced that you can compare the two. When I was looking into the same issue, there was some conflicting information on Kohler's website as to the testing standard used when presenting their data. My conclusion at that time was that I was comparing apples to oranges when comparing the test data. Plus, I don't think Power-Trac would "under-size" an engine. Either engine is driving the same hydraulic pump at the same speed. For the type of work and implements the tractor is designed for, I don't think one engine will out-perform the other. But, you should ask Power-Trac why they offer both and why one might be preferable over the other.

Reliability is the other big factor. Your experience and that of others on this site is your best guide. The Kohler engine has a longer history, so more people will have experiences with them. Robin's only been in the US since 1971, and isn't as widely distributed, so you'll find less info on them. I don't know of any source for objective failure data on either engine.

So, I would recommend checking on where the closest Robin dealer/service supplier is. If its not close, then don't consider the Robin.

Finally, I would recommend you get the ROPS as well. Just be careful getting in and out. It's solid — more than your head.

Good Luck! I know you'll be pleased with either one.

Scott_F · Mar 11, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Brent,
Thanks, good advice. I checked and the nearest Robin service center is about 45 min. away, the nearest Kohler service is about 20 minutes away. I may call both places and see how they "sound" just to get an idea of who would be easier to get along with if I needed service. I would expect (hope) that neither engine should need any major maintenance for some time, and even if they did, I could probably get it at any decent small engine repair shop.

Scott

PTRich · Mar 11, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

Scott F.
I hope I did not give the impression that the Robin is a bad engine. Robin is made bu Subaru wich has a good reputation of building a good small motor. My engine choice was more personal preference and service availability, though I do not think I will have ANY problems for many years. I change my filters every 50 hours and use quality synthetic oil. Brent is probably right, Power Trac has nothing to gain and everything to loss by selling you a inferior motor. If there was a problem with Robin motors there are plenty of others they could switch to, including a smaller Kohler.

Good Luck PTRich

MasonDixon · Mar 11, 2002

Re: Power Trac PT425 4\' Brush Hog Works Great

I just took delivery of a PT422 last Friday. I was all set to place an order for a 425, but they dropped the price of the 422 by $500 so I bit.
I am extremely pleased with the performance. I understand why everybody is so enthused about these machines. Even my wife is enthused about the little tractor. She mowed with it a couple of hours yesterday afternoon after only a couple minutes of instruction. I used the front bucket quite a little bit Saturday and Sunday to push limbs, haul fill sand, scrape up dirt from high spots etc. The quick attach feature of the PT is one of the best ideas I have ever seen on any tractor. All totaled My wife and I put about 6 hours on the machine this weekend. I was all set to work it after I got off work today but it is pouring rain. I'll probably have to figure a way to do some draining with it tomorrow.
Jim