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ToolcatWonka5610
Gold Member
I live in Michigan. We got some steep hills here.
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Power-Trac purchase
- Thread starter ToolcatWonka5610
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woodlandfarms
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2006
- Messages
- 6,137
- Location
- Los Angeles / SW Washington
- Tractor
- PowerTrac 1850, Kubota RTV x900
The upside of the PT is its versatility, speed of the versatility (you don't spend a lot of time messing with attachments) and its stability on slopes.
Downsides are that it does not have a ton of ground oomph or front end lift (A bobcat would have more). It can come from the factory poorly put together (generally an easy fix but after shelling out 30K you kinda begin to wonder). You are your own repairman (things break on all tractors, so I don't think discussing reliability is fair). There are some long standing design flaws that to owners should be simple for PT to implement but they seem stuck on the same design.
IMO, if you are the sole operator (or you and your dad) and you do not mind turning a wrench the PT would be fine for your business. The 1430 requires a bit of maintenance due to the design of the engine cooling system. This maintenance is critical, and in an environment where you let the machine be operated / maintained by someone else, you are probably asking for trouble.
The trailer system appears to be quite nice, and reasonably thought out. I have not seen other tractor systems set up as effeciently.
One thing about PT's implements. They are good, but sometimes you can find better cheaper (or maybe just better).
But for me, the PT is the only way I could have taken my property from the mess it was to the way it looks today.
Downsides are that it does not have a ton of ground oomph or front end lift (A bobcat would have more). It can come from the factory poorly put together (generally an easy fix but after shelling out 30K you kinda begin to wonder). You are your own repairman (things break on all tractors, so I don't think discussing reliability is fair). There are some long standing design flaws that to owners should be simple for PT to implement but they seem stuck on the same design.
IMO, if you are the sole operator (or you and your dad) and you do not mind turning a wrench the PT would be fine for your business. The 1430 requires a bit of maintenance due to the design of the engine cooling system. This maintenance is critical, and in an environment where you let the machine be operated / maintained by someone else, you are probably asking for trouble.
The trailer system appears to be quite nice, and reasonably thought out. I have not seen other tractor systems set up as effeciently.
One thing about PT's implements. They are good, but sometimes you can find better cheaper (or maybe just better).
But for me, the PT is the only way I could have taken my property from the mess it was to the way it looks today.
OP
ToolcatWonka5610
Gold Member
That one thing that caught my eye was the trailer package. We being Landscapers need that transportablitiy and ease of attachment changes. We wouldn't mind turning a wrench on one. Me and my Dad are both in the mechianical field so it shouldn't be a problem.
SnowRidge
Elite Member
woodlandfarms
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2006
- Messages
- 6,137
- Location
- Los Angeles / SW Washington
- Tractor
- PowerTrac 1850, Kubota RTV x900
I was thinking about the whole reliability thing. I mean, we have maybe 90 people on our who owns what where list. Clearly (although I have never seen another one) PT sells enough of these to keep their doors open. We never seem to hear from that many new people, so maybe either their machines suck so much, or they don't have reliability issues.
I guess I am saying I am not sure what the cross section of this group really is compared to the real world uses of the PT.
Only brought up for discussion...
I guess I am saying I am not sure what the cross section of this group really is compared to the real world uses of the PT.
Only brought up for discussion...
SnowRidge
Elite Member
Mostly home users, a couple of ag/forestry users (moi), and maybe three or four commercial users.
OP
ToolcatWonka5610
Gold Member
I like the Ventrac a lot. To us it seems like it's too small a machine for OUR landscaping jobs. Plus, Power Trac you get more bang for the buck (Ventrac wants too much for a smaller machine). Plus it's got better versatility and you got the front loader. The PT 1430 seems like a good enough sized machine for us but I want to talk to the people at Power-Trac (I tried to contact them today but there way no answer at sales). I'm still looking into the 1445 but does anybody know the about price of the 1430 and/or 1445 and Trailer Package?
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J_J
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2003
- Messages
- 18,952
- Location
- JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Tractor
- Power-Trac 1445, KUBOTA B-9200HST
OP
ToolcatWonka5610
Gold Member
I got the prices of the the Tractors and Attachments, I just need the prices for the Trailer packages for both machines. If anybody has any idea, let me know.
J_J
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2003
- Messages
- 18,952
- Location
- JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Tractor
- Power-Trac 1445, KUBOTA B-9200HST
The price of the trailer pkg will depend on what attachents you add.
http://www.power-trac.com/t12class.htm#tr12
Make up a list and give them a call.