PT 422 & 425

yooperdave · Jul 16, 2003

What are the major differences between the PT 422 & 425 to justify the $2,000 price difference?

I know the 422 is a homeowner model and the 425 is a commercial model. The lifting is 8" less, and the engine is 2 or 3 hp less. Otherwise they seem very similar.

$2,000 is a lot of attachments.

What am I missing here? I do hope to keep it for several decades.

Thanks

Yooper Dave

bmkar · Jul 16, 2003

Others on the site have commented on stronger wheel motors,also...when I bought, the only diff was 3hp, I would definately pop for the extra 2k now, but not back in Jan.

SnowRidge · Jul 16, 2003

I looked into this when we started considering Power Tracs. Beyond what you already know about, there is the ROPS and no warranty if you use it for any commerical purpose. PT includes farming in that definition, no matter how infrequent the usage.

They also intimate that the Robin's horses are a lesser breed than the Kohler brand, and flat out stated that the Robin wouldn't hold up over the long haul in our intended application.

After reading the threads here about problems with the Robin engine, it wasn't too hard to convince me that I didn't want any part of one. Robin may have the problems in hand at this time, but I wasn't anxious to risk finding out that they don't.

SnowRidge

smartguyz · Jul 16, 2003

Hi, Yooper Dave,

My understanding is that, at a minimum, the PT422 and PT425 have the following differences - the PT425 has:

<ul type="square"> [*]Higher-torque wheel motors (Mine had no problems with a full bucket load, and assaulting a 25 degree incline) [*]8" more lift height (Outstanding - I can lift things in and out of the back of a pickup - I haven't tried loading from the side, though) [*]ROPS/Canopy (This is GREAT - I really like that it provides shade, rollover protection, AND "grab bars" for hilly portions) [*]Kohler Command Pro 25 engine (a BIG plus in my book - the PRO also has larger oil and air filters, an oil cooler, a low oil pressure alarm/shutoff, and high-performance plugs.) [/list]

That's a pretty good upgrade, in my book. I'm really glad I purchased the 425. I have put 26.5 hours on it in perhaps 5 days of hard tractoring, using the brush hog, the large bucket, the finish mower, and the power sweeper. I have already done three routine maintenances, changed the engine oil, fixed a loose wheel motor hose, and washed it at least 6 times with detergent, pressure washer and the blower. Awesome machine. The only thing I miss is my bagger, and perhaps I'd like to get the fertilizer spreader and the aerator, but can't justify the mondo-price-tag for those.

I'm one happy guy- and for me, I wouldn't get the 422. I don't think the wheel motors, lower lift, and less-powerful engine would do well for when I'm flogging the thing hard all day long. Just my 2 cents.

Sincerely,

Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

johara1 · Jul 16, 2003

dave, now if you have been reading a lot here you will know that i had a bad run with the robin engine. but it all started down at pt.it had 47 hrs. on it.all it did was pull airplanes around.they must have got the gas out of the sewer,the carb was full of junk. the hyd. was 1" low,bolts loose, tools in it,plus the wrong blades on the mower.
after the bolts came loose on the governor shaft,i was at the end of the rope,so to speak. but now it is fixed, it runs better than ever.when mowing on a hill it runs out of traction befor you run out of power.it now is very easy on fuel, i mow two times on less than five gal. thats about the same as the old gravely 12 g. it doesn't have a lot of traction, but you are pushing the deck around.
the weakest att. is the blade,the wheels are a joke, i made a set of skids that adj. this works. the mower deck is average. the best thing is the bucket!!i spread 66 tons of 2a mod. in the drive,it is used about ever day for something.
what i'm saying is if you want a great little loader that cut your grass, go for it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

yooperdave · Jul 16, 2003

Hi James,

I was hoping that 4wd = lots of traction. I was wondering if it is normal to put chains on the turf tires when excavating or plowing several feet of snow? Do the lug tires add quite a bit of additional traction? Do lug tires screw up the lawn?

I was also wondering if the frame gets hung up on uneven ground due to the low clearance.

I also get the impression from you that the mower is not as heavy duty as many of the higher end garden tractors.

I am between a Kubota B series tractor (or similar) and a PT 425. I mostly want to mow grass, shovel snow, excavate, and handle misc. chores around the yard - something nicer than a $1,500 Murray lawn tractor.

Thanks to all for the input.

Yooper Dave

smartguyz · Jul 17, 2003

Hi Dave -

Yes, 4WD = TONS of traction. I honestly don't think you will need any tire chains.

For my property, I purchased bars - I need to do some serious brush hog work, and I have some good slopes on the property. They have not done anything dramatic to the lawn, to be honest. The PT's design is very gentle on the lawn. The only minor damage has been from my being a bit too agressive in accelerating on a corner with a load on the front (going up a grade after watering the lawn in the AM), and it scuffed the lawn a tiny bit - in another week it will be completely healed.

No, the frame has plenty of clearance for virtually anything, and even if you do scape occasionally, there is nothing but plate steel underneath, so it's not like you'll rip up anything. I have areas of uneven ground, some really large landscaping rocks, etc., and have had 0 problems. I occasionally need to take the bucket and move a particularly large rock over to get access to a couple of places, but it is no big deal. Frankly, I have been astounded by the clearance and flexibility of the tractor.

You have GOT to be kidding about the mower deck! It is made of heavy sheet steel. It makes the 50" deck on the John Deere 318 (widely regarded as one of the best lawn tractors ever built) look like a plaything. If you want to know - I needed to move two buckets, a brush hog, a mini hoe, and the finish mower all in the back of one compact pickup. I ended up loading most of the stuff on top of the brush hog and the finish mower. There was absolutely no damage from my loading hundreds of pounds of other implements on top and then driving 35 miles across town. No damage. I dare anyone to do that with an 'ordinary' mower deck. It is NOT stamped from heavy sheet metal. It is welded of plate steel.

The 'bota is a nice tractor. I was about to buy a BX2200. It is also a great tractor. However, I am much more impressed by the PT.

You will need to decide on your own personal situation - have a great time deciding! We (especially MossRoad /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) have a great time spending your money!

-Rob

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RickeyL · Jul 17, 2003

how does the power of the 425 compare to a bota b7500 when it comes to the loader pushing into a pile of dirt or filling the bucket with a swipe of 2 or 3 inches of bare earth. I don't have any experience with any of them in this capacity but would be interested in those of you that have experience with both. I plan on moving a lot of dirt in my landscaping projects but want to stay with something fairly small. Think the bx 2200 is a bit on the skimpy side and like the size of the bota 7500 and pt 425. Any comments in regards to comparingbrute power between the two.

MossRoad · Jul 17, 2003

the weakest att. is the blade,the wheels are a joke, i made a set of skids that adj. this works. 

Are you referring to the 60" snow blade and its guage wheels? If so, I agree that the wheels on the snow plow are just as weak as the same wheels on the brush hog. However, the wheels on the plow do the job very well for me on my paved driveway. But they are hard to get set just right. I end up tilting my plow forward until the blade rides the asphalt. It has done no damage to my driveway yet.

 the best thing is the bucket!!i 
You are 100% correct, sir! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I originally thought I was buying a lawnmower that could move some dirt, but ended up with a front end loader that can mow the lawn /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I was surprised how many uses there were for a small front end loader on just one acre. But I also did some volunteer work at the little league and church, moving all kinds of stuff. My wheelbarrow has hit the junk pile and sits under our deck, rusting away. I feel bad for it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MossRoad · Jul 17, 2003

how does the power of the 425 compare to a bota b7500 when it comes to the loader pushing into a pile of dirt or filling the bucket with a swipe of 2 or 3 inches of bare earth. 

I couldn't say, as I never examined the stats on the B7500.