PowerTrac Customizations

[Sedgewood]

Re: PowerTrac 1845 4 n 1

Charlie,
A weight for the 1845 of 3,000 or so certainly seems reasonable to me. The Extenda Boomer also seems reasonably priced. My local tractor dealer has an old beat up 3ph backhoe sitting out back. I had thought of taking the bucket & first section of boom and welding it to a quick attach plate to do the same thing. But by the time I get done I'll have who knows how much invested in beat up old cylinders and bushings. there is also the issue of contaminating the motor oil Power Trac uses for hydraulics with the old hydraulic fluid in the used cylinders. I don't think I want to go that route.

 

[Sedgewood]

Re: PowerTrac 1845 4 n 1

<font color=red>Re the self leveling, Hans Luginbuhl (bubender) reported a while back that one thing he does with his PT425 is to pick up his other machines and implements on the PT forks, lift them above fence height, and then drive the PT through customers' narrow gates. That way he gets wider mowers, etc. inside.</font color=red>

These PT's sure are handy!!

 

[Sedgewood]

Re: PowerTrac 1845 4 n 1

<font color=red>The bucket is not self leveling. So therefore, the forks aren't either.</font color=red>

Logic would lead me to think all the machines would share the same geometry. But then again.... maybe not.

 

[Sedgewood]

Re: PowerTrac bucket/fork angles

<font color=red>In normal use, my main impression has been of minimal or no bucket curl as I've lifted things. If it turns out to be 30 degrees, I'll have to get my eyes recalibrated.</font color=red>

Blame the cattywompus protractor.

<font color=red>Bubenberg, PT Rich, other PT users?</font color=red>

Add Sedgewood to that list. The bank agreed to join me in this adventure yesterday. My PT 1845 is scheduled to arrive here 9 am tomorrow. Its still a bit astonishing to get a letter overnighted much less a tractor. I'm impressed.

 

[wasabi]

Re: PowerTrac bucket/fork angles

Ok you PT braggerts....enough with the chest pounding already!! ...anyone watching (lurking by) these discussions is clearly already thoroughly impressed with your superior reasoning and decision making skills (after all, you bought PT's!).. This ongoing banter showing prowess in the areas of creativity and adaptability by customizing implements may be a bit over the top, especially for admitted low hour users. You guys should start a new thred titled "Weekend Tractor and Implement Addicts Support Group"!

More seriously, since I am still on the hunt, tho nearer to decision point than when I started, I need to again chime in with more novice questions.

1) Am I to infer that the custom backhoe adaptations being discussed produce a better solution than the hoe offered by PT. Is that primarily a cost function?

2) Similarly, is the discussed Long bucket fix a better route than the standard PT Grapple bucket...If so, why?

3) Is there consensus as to clear advantage of comparative utility and ease of changing implements on the PT vs. 3pt ?

4) What experiences have you all had with attempting such adaptations with PT engineers. Are they open to changes?

5) Please weigh in with opines on suitability of a 1430 (30hp diesel PT) vs 45 hp for the aforementioned Bearpen uses. (...we're clearing about seven acres to put in pasture, orchard and vineyards, so ground prep and maintenance will be important functions, over ten miles of logging roads to improve/maintain....also, planting, auguring for fence posts and such. We're building, so material handling will come in handy. We'll also likely get a cement mixer.. don't have a lawn there and don't plan on one, but will need brushhog. Got hills!!...Bearpen runs from 3800 to 3200 ft elevation)

Thx, Sabi

 

[MossRoad]

Re: PowerTrac bucket/fork angles

The only one I can answer for you is #3.

<font color=blue>3) Is there consensus as to clear advantage of comparative utility and ease of changing implements on the PT vs. 3pt ?</font color=blue>

Watch this short video if you can and see if this is a better way to change implements. It is about 250K in size, so it may take a few minutes to download and view in Windows Media Player. It shows how fast you can change an implement. It is only 15 seconds long, because that is how long it takes to change implements!<A target="_blank"
If you have to change a powered implement, like power angle snow plow or mower deck, you can add another 16 seconds because you will have to hook up two hydraulic hoses. <A target="_blank" pt425/PT425Videos/PT425_PowerAngleHookup.WMV>Watch by clicking here.</A> (again, it is about 16 seconds long and 250K in size and will take several minutes to download).

 

[wasabi]

Re: PowerTrac bucket/fork angles

Thanks MossRoad. I asked the PT folks to send videos, but they sent a note saying they're currently being updated so unavailable. Good media clips!...very convincing!!! Did you make those with a digital movie camera? (also thinking I might have to get one of those)

 

[Reds]

Re: PowerTrac bucket/fork angles

The quick attach feature is what initially caught my eye. After watching Mossroads video ... I was sold. Now I have no experience with 3pt attachments, but my yearly experience of changing out the mid-mount mower for a snowblade left a bad taste in my mouth and too much grease on my hands! No tools ... doesn't get any easier than that!

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Re: PowerTrac bucket/fork angles

Sedgewood
Sounds Great.
My first adventure was backing mine off the trailer. I'd driven it at the factory, but not in any confined situation. I was slow, but managed to get it off, remove the mower, and then use it to unload the other attachments. After that, I took my first break.
Hope yours goes as smoothly.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: PowerTrac bucket/fork angles

Regular old 8mm video camera and a video capture card on my PC.

There are more videos at <A target="_blank" HREF

Now this is the 1845 forum and these are of a PT425, but many of the things are similar.