PT 180 Info

[Persistent]

Hey..new to the forum.
I have been lurking for a long time and now I'm seriously considering the purchase of a new PT180.
I realize everyone here says go bigger BUT... this is alot more than what I was considering.
Currently have a GT 20hp with 50inch deck and 2stage snowthrower. I need to finish mow 2acres
all flat with trees and the usual yard stuff. I also 3 to 4 times a year mow a 2 acre pasture.
We get lots of drifting snow regularly 2feet deep across the 150' driveway. I know the pt180
doesnt have a snowblower but I wouldnt buy the $3,200 blower anyway. Im very mechanical and can weld
so I was going to eventually modify my current 2stage blower to work with the 180. Its a smaller craftsman 42"? blower.

So....I was just going to buy another GT like the husqvarna GT with the kawasaki engine. And keep doing things the way I have been.
But I could really use a small loader bucket. We have 2 horses and a small barn that I built 3years ago. I have been cleaning stalls
and moving manure with my GT, a shovel and a large cart, its getting a bit old.

I searched and searched and could not find anyones personal experiences with the PT180.
Could it handle what I want to do??? I really cant spend more than the PT180.
Any info or help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[ponytug]

We have something larger than the 180, and the maneuverability of the PTs is great for horse & cattle chores. My wife loves that it can do all the heavy lifting. Think of it as a powered wheelbarrow.

If you are handy with a welder, adding a snowblower shouldn't be an issue.

I have never used the 180, so I can't comment. If you have any slopes, I would get a ROPS..

All the best,

Peter

 

[SpringHollow]

Perhaps go larger but used to keep your costs down?

Ken

 

[Persistent]

Hey guys thanks.. My yard is mostly flat.
Im curious if anyone ever mowed with a 180 and the 48inch deck?
Does it have enough power? What if the grass is a bit high?

 

[stray]

Many on here will disagree with me on this. But I say don't buy a PT to mow with. It only does an OK job. I have a 48" deck and I don't use it and I won't use it so I can give you a good deal on one if you decide to go that way. Now all the other stuff you can do with that PT is great. I just mow with something or anything else. I guess this will ruffle some feathers.

 

[ernemats]

Welcome. I live just over the mountain from you near Ligonier and I have a pt 422 and a pt 1845.. If you want to check them out let me know. I don't know much about the 180 but I guess it is not too different from the 422.

 

[MossRoad]

Many on here will disagree with me on this. But I say don't buy a PT to mow with. It only does an OK job. I have a 48" deck and I don't use it and I won't use it so I can give you a good deal on one if you decide to go that way. Now all the other stuff you can do with that PT is great. I just mow with something or anything else. I guess this will ruffle some feathers.

Them's fightin' words!!! unch:

Hahaha

My 425 does an good job with the 60" deck. Power Trac specifically told me the 422 would not run the 60" deck well at all. To me, that means the 422 may run the 48" deck O.K. and the 180 would definitely not run a 48" deck well.

As for quality of cut, if I keep the blades sharp, it does a good job. NOT a great job. But a good and very acceptable job. I do not have a show lawn. And thick grass will bog it down, so I have to cut more often. Also, with the rear discharge deck, the clippings tend to make a windrow out the right side. And it also throws a lot of clippings right-to-left across the front of the tractor, which deposits in the opening on the inside of the left front wheel motor. That windrow on the right side is a problem if you like to stripe your lawn, as on the return trip, you'll double the windrow. The only way to avoid it in thick grass is to mow in the same direction on each pass, which means you cannot strip the lawn.

Anyhow, there's some videos of my mower in action. Click on my little tractor icon in my signature and follow the video links.

 

[MossRoad]

Here's a before picture of my lawn.


And here's an after picture. It's an acceptable job for an average lawn, but definitely not show quality.