Power trac Vs ZTM

dbetts · Feb 12, 2005

Okay here's the test Ive been meaning to do for a while. The steepest slope I try to mow is about 22 degrees. Most of the other areas are about 12-15 degrees (I measured them this am) My PT 425 has the higher torque motors.It will take on the 12-15 degree slopes without too much trouble as long as the oil is not too hot. I tried it this morning and even after the cooling fan came on it did fine although it slowed down quite a bit. I was not able to climb straight up the 22 degree slope even with the mowing deck off once the cooling fan came on. The steeper slope can be mowed side to side but even then it feels a bit unstable. I haven't turned my wheels around yet , that will likely help the stability. db

TraderRalph · Mar 7, 2005

I usually stay quiet on these matters, I hear Bob talking up the steiner and ventrac, They are good machines, I have owned them but sold them because they just didn't do the job on my 8.5 acres turf. I have not had the pleasure of owning a PT yet but I do intend to purchase one. The purpose of my putting in my 2 cents worth here is because no one ever speaks up for a comany that has been making mowers for places other than flat ground long before these other companies were around and I do think they are a great machine (yes I have owned them). Here goes I do hope this comes thru: http://www.hustlerturfequipment.com/products/6400.html

pequeajim · Mar 7, 2005

I looked at the .PDf and the 6400 sure looks like a unique slope mower, but my one question would be what else could you use it for?

I am not debating it's use, or trying to get into a comparison, but it seems like it has a very focused function; mowing slopes?

Now what would be cool would be if they put an FEL on the front of it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

TraderRalph · Mar 8, 2005

I never stated that the hillsider would fit everyones needs. If you notice I stated that I had not owned a PT but intended to. I was replying to the Ventrac and Steiner which they cannot do what all the things that a PT can do, period. I worked most of my career in the open pit mining industry. For comparitive purposes, you do not take a rubber tired loader into a rock shot and start pushing overburden with it, that is the reason we have bulldozers on steel tracks (Cat D11 etc.) Also you do not take a rubber tired loader and start moving overburden from the pit to the hollow fill or processing area, we have haul trucks (Cat 797 etc.) to do that with, we use the rubber tired loader to load the haul trucks with. I could go on and on here but the point I am trying to make is, if you want a machine for mowing on hillsides or slopes the hillsider has been around a long time and does what it is designed for. And yes it does mow in the level land, moves snow off your driveways etc. I was only trying to address mowing on a slope or hillside that the others cannot match with the exception of the PT slope mower(which looks a lot like the Hustler Excell . All things (in this case) machines have there place!

pequeajim · Mar 8, 2005

I apologize if I sounded like I was acusing you of doing that, I was not . That's why I said that I was not getting into a comparison, again, sorry /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Actually, I appreciate you posting the link. I love to look at different types of tractors. My point was that it would really be interesting to see something like this with an FEL arm similar to the PT, pretty cool /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif