PT 425 acrobatics questions

[Kent]

Greetings PT owners! Could you please tell me if these things are possible:

1) When backfilling/smoothing, can you tilt the bucket far forward and raise the front wheels off the ground so that you scrape/compress soil with the sharp lip/edge of the bucket? If so, how good is steering in this position (going backwards)?

2) If you get stuck in the mud, can you use your bucket to push yourself up and back to get out?

3) Can you lift the brush mower to mow at an angle, such as to mow vertical hedges (like a boom mower) or to come down on a tall shrub to munch it down? (I see by the way that PT now offers a boom mower). (please don't flame me for the obvious safety issues with doing this...until PT comes out with a flail mower, I am just exploring the possibility of approaching a big shrubby/viney growth from the top like I can somewhat with a rear-mounted brush hog)

4) How far down a ditch and at what angle (going straight ahead) can the brush mower drop? (again, like a boom mower)

5) For boxblade/grader blade owners, do you miss a 3-point hitch? Any rumors about a 3-point hitch on a 425?

6) (while not an acrobatic question) Any rumors of a diesel in the 425?

Thanks for any info!

 

[MossRoad]

In answer to :

#1. Yes, you can lift the front wheels off the ground and you can still steer just fine.

#2. Yes, although not very fast.

#3. Yes, but I am going to flame you on the safety issue!!!!

#4. I've never tried it, as I stay away from steep banks. They scare me.

#5. Can't help you there.

#6. Plenty of rumors.

 

[marrt]

Greetings PT owners! Could you please tell me if these things are possible:

1) When backfilling/smoothing, can you tilt the bucket far forward and raise the front wheels off the ground so that you scrape/compress soil with the sharp lip/edge of the bucket? If so, how good is steering in this position (going backwards)? <font color="green"> Yes. This is not problem. Takes a little experience though. </font>

2) If you get stuck in the mud, can you use your bucket to push yourself up and back to get out? <font color="green"> If you buy the Bar tires, you will not get stuck in the mud. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif We had a 12" snow this past winter and I got temporarily high centered a number of times. Was always able to get out though by turning the tractor left and right until it broke free. I've never tried to use the bucket to get out (never had to). Remember, you have torque to all four wheels at all times. Maybe someone else can weigh in on this question.</font>

3) Can you lift the brush mower to mow at an angle, such as to mow vertical hedges (like a boom mower) or to come down on a tall shrub to munch it down? (I see by the way that PT now offers a boom mower). (please don't flame me for the obvious safety issues with doing this...until PT comes out with a flail mower, I am just exploring the possibility of approaching a big shrubby/viney growth from the top like I can somewhat with a rear-mounted brush hog) <font color="green"> I've done this with grass. I suspect it will work...just be prepared for a lap full of clippings. </font>

4) How far down a ditch and at what angle (going straight ahead) can the brush mower drop? (again, like a boom mower) <font color="green"> Not sure I understand the question. Are you asking if the mower can drop below the wheels? </font>

5) For boxblade/grader blade owners, do you miss a 3-point hitch? Any rumors about a 3-point hitch on a 425? <font color="green"> I don't have a box blade so I can't answer this question. However, I don't think PT has any interest in adding a 3-point hitch. They used to have one on some models and I think they stopped offering it. They like to sell their own proprietary attachments. </font>

6) (while not an acrobatic question) Any rumors of a diesel in the 425? <font color="green"> Many of us would love that. So far, PT doesn't seem to be listening.

Thanks for any info!

 

[deadstick]

#1 Did this many times when clearing my land and smoothing out top soil. Had no issues with steering...

#2 I have turf tires and have been stuck in the mud where the actual bottom of the unit was starting to go under as well. Applying more accelleration caused me to sink deeper. What I ended up doing was grabbing a few 2x6's and using the bucket was able to lift the front up enough to get the wood under the front tires. Adding rocks at the back tires I was able to get out. I learned not to try that again...

#3 Well with the 60" finish mower I have trimmed down tall grass and weeds (3' high) that accumulate at the road edge where excess water travels (we don't have drains). These channels are fairly steep and come to almost a V at the bottom. They are not wide and flat enough to mow parallel to the road, so I approach perpendicular to them and lift the mower and chomp down on them. Probably shouldn't do this but it beats getting the weed wacker out and spending hours trimming...

#4 I've probably been 1/2 - 1ft below my front wheels. Not sure if I could go further or not..

#5 Don't own one...

#6 Don't know...