Power Trac Users

[JamesR]

I'm a first time poster that has become somewhat intrigued with the Power Trac and was wondering if it would be suitable for my needs. The information supplied in the Power Trac forum is wonderful, and most folks seem to be happy with their particular Power Trac and it's performance. I have generally monitored the Kubota/New Holland forums for information on subcompacts and have only recently began monitoring the Power Trac forum. I would like to commend you folks for the tone, level of friendliness, information, and support you provide on the forum.

With that in mind, I was hoping some folks in West Virginia or Eastern Ohio would contact me to discuss and provide information on their Power Trac. I am close enough to Tazewell to easily make a visit, but would like to discuss the machine with unbiased owners prior to the trip.

Any contacts provided would be great.

Thanks.

 

[Phils]

WELCOME James!

Sorry but there aren't any "unbiased" owners of PowerTracs.

Reading through the past threads should alert you to all the potential problems. These can be as serious as we want to make them. Currently I'm dealing with a vaporlock problem that will shut my PT down if I use it straight for an hour or so. I consider it a minor inconvenience but hope to have it rectified soon.

Before buying a PT I went back to the beginning of the PT threads and read 'em all.

The PT is a hydraulic landscape machine. It can do the jobs of CUTs, but it'll take longer. It can go and do things that larger machines can't (or "can't without destroying what you've already finished"). It's quick (something that can't be accurately described, but is obvious when you actually get some "treadle-time"). "Neck-snapping quick" is more accurate.

Take a vacation to Reno! I'm only 3 hours away and will give you a demonstration of the capabilities I've learned.

Phil

 

[pajoube]

Welcome to the PT forum. Your correct about our passion for our machines. Like most on TBN I searched for over a year and then another year reading about PowerTracs before buying.
You need to look at MossRoads video clips and my thread that reads "Why I Bought a PowerTrac 425" which gives many pictures of what this machine can do.
Here are owners from Ohio and West Virginia, not sure of their location in each state but you could contact them by clicking on their name (when in TBN) and asking. I'm sure they all would welcome you to come and test drive.
WV
425 TOY
180 BARRYH
425 ATWOOD

Ohio
425 CA956
422 MAUJER422
1430 MOBIL1
180 BILLCROASMUN

PJ

 

[Piedmont3]

James,
Welcome to TBN ! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have a PT-425, it is a little over a year old, has roughly 55 hours on it. I have had a couple of minor problems with my PT. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I am very happy with both the machine and the support I have received from PT and Robin. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif If you come out to Oklahoma for any reason you are welcome to come try mine out.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tracdoc]

Hey, Mountaineer, and welcome to the PT Forum. Having lived in WV for some 15+ years, I am quite fond of the State and its folks.

I've had a 425 for almost 2 years, with the usual assortment of implements. The only one which I have not used at all is the snow blade (Arrrggghh!!!). We just have not had any snow since the day I picked it up in Tazewell. Go figure. I love my machine, and would recommend it w/o reservation. The people at Tazewell are great, and a pleasure to do business with.

Hope that you find that a PT fits well with your needs.

 

[ernemats]

James:
Welcome to the pt forum. I have a 422 six years old and about 850 hours on it. My wife and I just love it and to date we have had no problems worth talking about. It is one unique machine that is very versitile and rugged.
What kind of jobs do you have in mind?

 

[BobRip]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am close enough to Tazewell to easily make a visit, but would like to discuss the machine with unbiased owners prior to the trip.

Any contacts provided would be great.

Thanks. )</font>

James, I am a totally unbiased owner of a 422. I have had it since 2000 and have about 500 hours on it. I love it! Oh, maybe I am not unbiased.
My best recomendation is to read every thread on this website. It is the cheapest information you can get, and if you are going to spend $10000 plus on a machine and implements it is well worth the time. I bought my machine long before there was a TBN, and had little information available. I based my purchase upon 2 people's opinions and 15 minutes of driving one. TBN would have been a big help. Of course you should drive it and talk to people as well. I am in the Richmond Va. area, so it's a little far. Go to Tazewell and they will let you drive one, or two, or three, try any attachment that you like and play around in a pile of gravel.
Good luck.

Bob Rip

 

[Barryh]

Hi James,

Sent a reply to your PM. Give me a call if your still interested in coming out to take a looksee at the 180. These are great little machines. Now that I have mine I wouldn't be without it /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Any contacts provided would be great.)</font>


<font color="red"> The most important thing to remember is that there is only one Power Trac machine! Nothing else compares! If you want a CUT, you can choose from several brands that are about 90% the same, but the unique features that make a Power Trac so useful are only available from Power Trac!

Concerning problems, look at the size of the service departments of any of the popular brands of CUT and visualize how many problems they must resolve! Then add up all the Power Trac problems listed here on TBN, and I am sure that you will find that by comparison the Power Trac is a very reliable, rugged, nearly trouble-free machine!! You should not count engine problems, because you are as likely to suffer an engine problem regardless of what brand machine it happens to be powering.

Check the list of attachments and what they can do for you. If your jobs match the Power Trac attachments, then the Power Trac is the machine to get. However, if your main job, for example, will be plowing a field, then a CUT will most likely be better for that purpose.

</font>

 

[MuncyBob]

Come up to the Little League World Series this summer in Williamsport and drive a 422 if you are still deciding by then...it took me a long time(maybe I'm a slow reader) to make my purchase but I have no regrets...2 years and pushing 200 hours, still saying it's the best tool I've purchased and wonder why it took me so long to but it! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[JamesR]

Thank you all for the responses I've received to my initial post. They've all been very helpful.

In regard to ernemat's question of my intended uses for the machine, it primarily will be for mowing approximately 2 acres, scraping, and snow removal. My house has only been recently built, so I will have a number of landscaping challenges in the next couple of years. Also, my folks will soon be building about a stone's throw from me. The machine would also be used at their place (also about 2 acres).

I've taken the time to read many of the posts on this forum and have received a nice video from Power Trac. Based on this combination of info, I've become more convinced that the Power Trac would be a better machine for my intended applications. My dad and I plan on making an appointment to visit Tazewell in the near future.

Again, thanks to all who post to this forum. Your level of friendliness and the tone of your posts are unmatched.

James

 

[bbabineau]

James

I visited Tazewell last month and was very impressed with the company and the products. My wife and I both tested both the 425 and 1430 and came away knowing what we wanted. We purchased a 1430, brush cutter, PHD, 4 in 1 bucket, forks and a lift boom. Perhaps more later when the budget allows. I hope we will receive our PT in early March so now the wait begins.

I hope you and your dad have a great trip but don't bring your check book unless you already know that you want to buy because the temptation is too great if you just want to look.

Bob

 

[JamesR]

bbabineau:

Great advice on the check book. I'd already planned on leaving the truck and utility trailer at the house so I couldn't haul anything back. The only problem I see is Power Trac's video said they accept credit cards!!! The only solution is discipline on my part, which could be a problem.

Thanks for the advice and info on your trip. Hope you'll be happy with your purchase.

James

 

[MossRoad]

James,
Have you seen the videos of our PT425 in action on my website? They are a few years old, but give a decent idea of some of the things the tractor can do.

If you haven't seen them, click on the little animated PT icon in my signature and that will take you to the website.

 

[JamesR]

MossRoad:

I have definitely taken a look at your website. As a matter of fact, I've looked at it several times. You've truly done a great job and provide loads of valuable information.

Also, I spoke with Scott at Power Trac today to get details on a visit to their facility. During the conversation, I informed him that there was a fellow on Tractorbynet with a better website for Power Trac than their own!! He found that quite amusing, said he had heard quite alot about your site, and assured me you weren't on their payroll /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. At a minimum, they should probably put you on their Christmas card list.

All joking aside, your website is great and has definitely been a major factor in my "leaning" toward a Power Trac rather than a subcompact Kubota or New Holland.

Thanks,
James