Power-Trac purchase

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Yeah thats what it looks like I gotta do. But I noticed you have a 1445. That may be the tractor we end up with. What do you think of it as far as performance, reliability, etc?

 

[SnowRidge]

So is that 10K gross weight rating an option, or did they swallow real hard after Mobil1 posted about being stuck with a 7,000 lb trailer that grossed 8,600 lbs on the state's scales and start building them with heavier axles in the first place?

 

[MossRoad]

So is that 10K gross weight rating an option, or did they swallow real hard after Mobil1 posted about being stuck with a 7,000 lb trailer that grossed 8,600 lbs on the state's scales and start building them with heavier axles in the first place?

Good question.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

So is that 10K gross weight rating an option, or did they swallow real hard after Mobil1 posted about being stuck with a 7,000 lb trailer that grossed 8,600 lbs on the state's scales and start building them with heavier axles in the first place?

The 10K gross is for the T18 class tractors. 7,000 is for the T12 class. 14,000 for the T24 class.
But is that illegal; a trailer grossed at 7,000 actually at 8,600? I'm only 14 so I don't know.

 

[J_J]

Yeah thats what it looks like I gotta do. But I noticed you have a 1445. That may be the tractor we end up with. What do you think of it as far as performance, reliability, etc?

You have to understand that my 1445 is about 16 years old. I have the only 1445 with a gas engine and radiator, and it uses the three point attachment hookup. It is pretty reliable. I have replaced several pumps, and rebuilt hydraulic cylinders.

 

[SnowRidge]

The 10K gross is for the T18 class tractors. 7,000 is for the T12 class. 14,000 for the T24 class.
But is that illegal; a trailer grossed at 7,000 actually at 8,600? I'm only 14 so I don't know.

If you look closely at the T12 page that JJ linked, you will see that they mention a 10K rating, but it looks like it might be an option. It really isn't clear if it is standard or not.

Yes, towing a trailer that is rated for 7,000 lbs gross with an actual gross weight of 8,600 lbs is very much illegal.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

If you look closely at the T12 page that JJ linked, you will see that they mention a 10K rating, but it looks like it might be an option. It really isn't clear if it is standard or not.

Yes, towing a trailer that is rated for 7,000 lbs gross with an actual gross weight of 8,600 lbs is very much illegal.

Ok, I looked at that and it looks like thats the standard weight. I got the PT DVD and it says something about the gross weight for each trailer package. I'll check right now.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

DVD said 7,000 gross for the T12 class so that 10,000 gross must be an option.

 

[ponytug]

Given that it is a dual axle trailer, the math would be 2x7,000, which would be 14,000 gross.

At some point the total weight becomes an issue for your driver's license, and you may need to upgrade your license to a commercial type.

I like my 1445, which we have had for almost two years. We have used it to brush hog, spray, rototill, level a terrace in a hillside for a garden, plant trees, build a subsurface drainage and relevel a corral. I can't imagine running this property without a PT. (Well, I can, and it would involve lots of minimum wage labor.) I have routinely hit the lifting limit moving waterlogged clay soil and large pallets of material, but we just take a couple of boards off or get a leetle less greedy on the soil bites. (FYI the 1445 won't lift a full pallet of pavers- you need to move up to a 1460 to do that.) Brush cutting is a dream come true; you get to cut the brush down before you have to drive through it. What a concept! I am on the verge of welding reinforcement angle iron on the mower deck. It just flexes more than I think is good for it; for commercial use, I would do it in a heartbeat and I would add reinforcement from the front wheels to the Q/A plat and add a brush turner between them. (a reinforcing pipe with a second pipe around it to push stubborn brush over- it will make heavy brush hogging faster. The PT unit will do it, but the deck lip catches on trees occasionally.) The largest trees that I have taken out are about 4" oaks- you notice it, but they all go away.

We had the seals on both rear motors fail, the first at 8 hours, the second weeped, but never quit, so after 10 months, I replaced it. PT said that they had never had it happen. Given that I got my orignal back as a replacement for my second, I am inclined to believe it isn't common. Other than that, nothing major. I added extra lights under the top of the ROPS for night work, and rewired the switch to have upper or lower lights as needed, plus added a 12V socket to run sprayer pumps.

The fit & finish on the units is pretty crude, but the essentials are there. If you plan to do alot of leveling and slope setting, I would get the power rake and a laser height controller, and get teeth put on the 4N1 for ripping into soil. You will probably pay for it in the savings on the first job.

I could tell stories for days, but it is one handy machine. For commercial use, I would consider specifying flat face hydraulic couplers to minimize oil spills as you make/break connections.

I would consider the size of the unit- it is either a plus for getting more work done or a minus, because you can't drive through a human size gate into a backyard. YMMV...

The Aebi is a better engineered, more ergonomic tractor, but much more focused on pure agriculture-plus it is about four times the price.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you want other questions answered.

All the best,

Peter

 

[SnowRidge]

Given that it is a dual axle trailer, the math would be 2x7,000, which would be 14,000 gross.

7,000 GVWR trailers are commonly built with 3,500 lb axles. I believe that is what is being referred to here.

 

[SnowRidge]

We had the seals on both rear motors fail, the first at 8 hours, the second weeped, but never quit, so after 10 months, I replaced it. PT said that they had never had it happen.

Peter

They need to replace that stuck recording.

I've also had two motors lose seals. In the case of the "high torque" White motors on the 425s, PT got a shipment of bad motors from White with hard seals. That according to one of the PT sales staff who was venting to me in regard to White and how they do business. It seems White wouldn't take them back and only offered to send PT new seals. Talk about the kettle and the pot.

 

[ponytug]

I called PT and spoke with Terry, who says that the 1445 trailer is rated at 10,000lbs, with 2x5,000lb axles. He says most people don't fully stock the trailer. (I asked about those who did...and got an answer along of the lines of "well, you could add bigger axles, but why worry?")

My aluminum trailer has two Dana 7,000 lb axles. The trailer is specified at 12,000 GVWR, as it is not uncommon for manufacturers to derate, just not PT.

All the best,

Peter

7,000 GVWR trailers are commonly built with 3,500 lb axles. I believe that is what is being referred to here.

 

[SnowRidge]

I called PT and spoke with Terry, who says that the 1445 trailer is rated at 10,000lbs, with 2x5,000lb axles. He says most people don't fully stock the trailer. (I asked about those who did...and got an answer along of the lines of "well, you could add bigger axles, but why worry?")

My aluminum trailer has two Dana 7,000 lb axles. The trailer is specified at 12,000 GVWR, as it is not uncommon for manufacturers to derate, just not PT.

All the best,

Peter

The 7,000 lb discussion is regarding the 1430 trailer, not the 1445. Mobil1's complaint was that his 7,000 lb PT trailer grossed out at 8,600 lbs. The question is or was this: Is the 1430 trailer still a 7,000 lb unit with a 10K option, or did they go to a 10K trailer as standard?

What we don't know is how Mobil1 got to 8,600 lbs. Was it just his PT and PT built implements on the standard trailer, or was there something else on there?

 

[horticattleman]

Good luck

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

So lately, I've been away from PTs for awhile (I'm a High School Freshman OK?!?). A few days ago I was showing my Dad somethings about the 1445. While on the site, he pointed to a PT and asked what that one was. It was the 1430. I told him about it and he seems to think it my be better for us than the 1445. Only thing is the lift is only 1200lbs. Everything else we like about the 1430. Nice size, price and other stuff.

We haven't forgot about the 1845 either. Too expensive new (we can afford it but we wouldn't be able to get many attachments). Isn't a 1845 a 1430 with a 45hp engine, Dual wheels ad different pumps and stuff basiclly?

Any have any opinions on the 1430 for Landscaping work?

 

[IrTxRx]

Regarding the 1430, i just posted my 1 year review. Perfect machine for landscaping (especially being able to get into small spaces), as long as you have access to a well equiped hydraulic shop. See my recent post.

 

[ponytug]

The 1430 is a 30HP version of the 1445, which is 45HP. Lift, mowing width all go up or down proportionately.

The 18XX are dual tire versions specifically designed for steep slopes, and there are a number of engineering changes from the motors to the width of the tub to the motor attachments that have been altered to support the steep slope functions.

Does that help?

I looked at the 1430 and decided for my steep slopes that I need more horsepower. YMMV. On the other hand, I thought that I need the 1800lb lift, which I do, but having used a PT for awhile, I realize that I don't need that often and for lift alone, I could have gotten by with 1430, without issue, as the recent post by IrTxRX succinctly summarizes.

All the best,

Peter

So lately, I've been away from PTs for awhile (I'm a High School Freshman OK?!?). A few days ago I was showing my Dad somethings about the 1445. While on the site, he pointed to a PT and asked what that one was. It was the 1430. I told him about it and he seems to think it my be better for us than the 1445. Only thing is the lift is only 1200lbs. Everything else we like about the 1430. Nice size, price and other stuff.

We haven't forgot about the 1845 either. Too expensive new (we can afford it but we wouldn't be able to get many attachments). Isn't a 1845 a 1430 with a 45hp engine, Dual wheels ad different pumps and stuff basiclly?

Any have any opinions on the 1430 for Landscaping work?

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

One thing I've been wondering about; what the heck is Draft control?
I've heard of it but I have no clue what it does.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

One thing I've been wondering about; what the heck is Draft control?
I've heard of it but I have no clue what it does.

Never Mind Chris at PT told me what it is. I'm familiar with a Draft Control. The machine we were looking at before PT, Ventrac, had it. I know it as Weight Transfer but every company has a different name for it.

Also, Chris told me that the man in Mayville that has a 1445 that were going to go see also has a 1430. Now thats convience! It's a newer 2007 model.

 

[Gravy]

(I'm a High School Freshman OK?!?)

I've just gotta comment on this.

I'm absolutely delighted to welcome a high school freshman who:

Can spell.

Can ask sensible questions.

WILL ask questions.

WILL LISTEN to the answers.

AND THEN DECIDES FOR HIMSELF!!!

Keep at it!