Power-Trac Respond to e-mail?

[yonny_eric]

I'm interested in getting a PT-425 as it appears to be really good fit for what I would like to accomplish. I emailed them twice (info@power-trac.com) with no response. It seems very odd for a niche company not to be more receptive, all the more so considering sales are factory direct. I can already hear the knee-jerk responses - "Just give them a call". Well, I have speech impairment, so conversations are, shall we say, an exercise in frustration. Anyway, is this (lack of ) assistance what I should expect from Power Trac? Thanks

 

[American Bulldog]

They are not very receptive to doing anything different than what they have always done. They have a great product line, but they seem to constantly fumble at the 5 yard line, so to speak.

There is a nice used one on the used PT's section, maybe you should try emailing him.

 

[funpilot]

Funny, I just decided today that I am simply not using my 425 enough these days. It has the backhoe, several buckets, a never used stump grinder, rarely used 60 inch grass cutting deck, a trencher, etc. Always garaged. Let me know if you want to send emails about it.

 

[frischtr]

You could email one of the sales guys direct. Maybe that would work out better than the other address. Check your PMs.

 

[MossRoad]

I'm interested in getting a PT-425 as it appears to be really good fit for what I would like to accomplish. I emailed them twice (info@power-trac.com) with no response. It seems very odd for a niche company not to be more receptive, all the more so considering sales are factory direct. I can already hear the knee-jerk responses - "Just give them a call". Well, I have speech impairment, so conversations are, shall we say, an exercise in frustration. Anyway, is this (lack of ) assistance what I should expect from Power Trac? Thanks

Welcome to TBN! :thumbsup:

Power Trac does not do well with e-mail. After 9 years of ownership, I can tell you it is an exercise in futility to get in touch with them via e-mail. That is just a fact and the only reliable way to communicate with them is over the phone.

Perhaps you could have a relative or acquaintance call them and set up a line of communications for you so that you and they can agree on an e-mail address to correspond through?

 

[Gravy]

If all else fails, I usually drive past the factory about every other week. I will be going by twice this week - once tomorrow and again on Thursday or Friday. I usually have time to drop in and talk to somebody. No promises, but I might be able to get the ball rolling for you.

 

[yonny_eric]

Thanks to everyone for their responses. I forwarded my questions directly to "Chris" in sales with the hopes that he will respond.

Maybe none of you are curious, but not to leave anyone in the lurch (so to speak), here are my questions (paraphrased):

1.It is my understanding that the standard engine is a Robin ENH72. I have had numerous requests for an environmentally friendly (aka "green") alternative. It would seem Robin's EH72 LP/NP should be a direct swap and having such an option would give me an edge over the competition. Is this possible?

2. Any possibility of a 48" flail mower? Really like this approach vs. rotary

3. I'm also curious about the disc/6-blade attachment (K178) for the brush cutter; are there any pictures?

 

[J_J]

Hi Gravy,

I didn't know you lived that close to the factory. Perhaps you could check out something for me if you have the time. I have been trying to find out which engine was used in the early PT-1445. It is a Ford 45 hp gas engine. What I need is the model number, and a parts manual.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Yonny. What part of the country are you in?

the LP idea sounds intriguing, but what are your thoughts on where to put LP tank?

 

[yonny_eric]

I live in SW Maine.
Similar to how Exmark does it with their Turf Tracer HP; a 20lb LP tank would sit in the same spot as the gas tank. There appears to be plenty of clearance. To permit the 33lb forklift tank, it might be better to have it lie horizontal like this.

- eric

 

[American Bulldog]

Thanks to everyone for their responses. I forwarded my questions directly to "Chris" in sales with the hopes that he will respond.

Maybe none of you are curious, but not to leave anyone in the lurch (so to speak), here are my questions (paraphrased):

1.It is my understanding that the standard engine is a Robin ENH72. I have had numerous requests for an environmentally friendly (aka "green") alternative. It would seem Robin's EH72 LP/NP should be a direct swap and having such an option would give me an edge over the competition. Is this possible?

2. Any possibility of a 48" flail mower? Really like this approach vs. rotary

3. I'm also curious about the disc/6-blade attachment (K178) for the brush cutter; are there any pictures?

I can answer these questions for you.....

1. No

2. No

3. No

Let me know if I am wrong.

 

[MossRoad]

I can answer these questions for you.....

1. No

2. No

3. No

Let me know if I am wrong.

Well, that's blunt but not too informative. :laughing:

I'm pretty sure the original poster would like to know the reasoning behind the answers.

 

[J_J]

Here is a pic of the 6 bld setup that Red Zebra installed on his machine. Cost $265.

K-177 is for the 425

The six blades are locked down with two bolts.

The second picture is a picture of the Meg-Mow system. These blds swivel.

 

[ponytug]

Dear Yonny_Eric,

First, welcome to TBN.
Second, propane conversions are not that difficult for off road vehicles. There will be a loss of power, since you can't get all that gas and air in the same engine volume. So, if you really want propane and can live with the reduced power, it is a DIY task. If you are doing this for environmental reasons, you might consider home brew ethanol from some local source, e.g. apples or going for a 1430 and running it on biodiesel. (You could even repaint the 1430 in green and gold to advertise the environmentally friendly nature of your business...)

If you need the flail mower, I'd write them a letter and ask. Flails tend to take a fair amount of power to run and it may be a power issue, but I don't honestly know. When I bought my 1445, PT was certainly open to a variety of one off modifications, but that may have changed.

All the best,

Peter

Thanks to everyone for their responses. I forwarded my questions directly to "Chris" in sales with the hopes that he will respond.

Maybe none of you are curious, but not to leave anyone in the lurch (so to speak), here are my questions (paraphrased):

1.It is my understanding that the standard engine is a Robin ENH72. I have had numerous requests for an environmentally friendly (aka "green") alternative. It would seem Robin's EH72 LP/NP should be a direct swap and having such an option would give me an edge over the competition. Is this possible?

2. Any possibility of a 48" flail mower? Really like this approach vs. rotary

3. I'm also curious about the disc/6-blade attachment (K178) for the brush cutter; are there any pictures?

 

[J_J]

46 in flail. Price is $5995.00 Not made by PT

Flail Mowers For Skid Steer Loaders

 

[American Bulldog]

Well, that's blunt but not too informative. :laughing:

I'm pretty sure the original poster would like to know the reasoning behind the answers.

I was told by Chris that they will not deviate off of standard parts for a machine, no exceptions. That means that they will not do a propane engine, and they will not do a special flail mower. I am pretty sure about that. On my 1460 I wanted a different set of tires, because the turf tires they use are not rated to handle the weight of the machine. Chris told me basically that they would not get me a different set of tires at any price. If PT won't do the tires, they definitely aren't going to do any of that other stuff.

On the picture, I may be wrong, but it seems like a huge task for them to take pictures. On their cheesy website they can't even get pictures of the correct attachment for the machine. When I look at the 1460 attachments, most of the pictures are for a different machine, and are a different size attachment. This amazes me, as their sales mostly come from the website. If it was not for this forum, and the several happy PT owners, I would never have purchased a PT. From the website it appears that they haven't got their act together.

 

[MossRoad]

From the website it appears that they haven't got their act together.

We all know that. That's why most of us advocate never to buy a PT sight unseen, un-driven and un-researched thoroughly. We all know they are a very quirky company with a niche product that could be a lot better but would cost a lot more. You gotta wanna work on the machine yourself from the get go and know there is limited support.

 

[SpringHollow]

I certainly have gotten the impression that PowerTrac will make mods. In fact, people here have had them install different wheel motors.

What i am sure they are not desirous of doing is to take a stock machine, remove things, credit you for what they take off, then add the new items. I am not sure they would do an unproven mod either.

Most people are not willing to pay for all of the labor that would be required. Even a tire swap costs them hours by the time they research it, make arrangements etc.

Ken

 

[TRUKFXR]

American Bulldog,
Where did you get the boom chain-saw. I have never seen anything like it.

 

[KentT]

I certainly have gotten the impression that PowerTrac will make mods. In fact, people here have had them install different wheel motors.

Ken

Yep...

There's a 425 owner who posts here who got them to put larger wheel motors, wider wheels and tires on his 425 when he bought it, so he could use it on the beach...

I had Terry give me an estimate on putting larger wheel motors on mine. He was going to cut off the wheel motor boxes, use the later style bolt-ons, and White CE motors. I chose to use the CharLynn S series motors instead, and modify my wheel motor boxes -- for about $1K less.