PT Purchase ?'s

[rainbow]

PT Purchase ?\'s

After reviewing the posts here and looking at the Power-Trac website we are interested in purchasing a Power Trac.

We have 5 acres of land we will be building on in the near future. We need to mow a 1 acre field that has a 20% slope. There is 1+ acre covered in thick vegetation that needs to be cleared(blackberries, shrubs, small trees, downed tree limbs etc). We need to put in landscaping, irrigation, fencing, garden and trees. Once the building project is completed, the tractor will be used primarily for field and lawn mowing, moving mulch/ground cover around and moving tree trimmings to burn pile locations.

After reviewing the discussions here, we are interested in the PT 425 or the PT 1430. There is a used PT1430 for sale on their website. Power-Trac

Does anyone have an opinion about which tractor would be best suited for our needs? Will the 1430 be too big/heavy for lawn mowing?

Also, is it easy to find mechanics who can work on these machines? Unfortunately, I am not mechanically inclined. (My vehicles are all serviced by our local mechanic.) I think I can handle routine maintenance as long as the manuals are clear. However, if something unusual goes wrong, I won't have a clue about how to fix it. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[EquipJunkie]

Re: PT Purchase ?\'s

Get the larger machine! Go larger if you can afford it! If you use the machine primarily for finish mowing get a different machine. The PT is only an ok finish mower in my opinion. But it's a fabulous all around machine. If you are going to use the PT for any kind of mowing-- finish or rough field mowing, I'd get some other company's mower and use it on the PT. Remember, you don't have to use PT's implements! There are a lot of implement companies out there. In general, I think many of PT's implements are poorly designed.

 

[pajoube]

Re: PT Purchase ?\'s

Welcome to TBN and the family of PowerTrac owners. I have the new 425 and could not be happier. You probably have seen a number of my posts that show the many different projects that I have put my 425 through. I have abused my machine, overworked it and each time it has performed to perfection. As far as the maintenance goes, I'm very much like you without much mechanical background. I have had no problem doing the routine maintenance and when a question comes up that I do not have the knowledge, I put a note out on TBN and I have the answers very shortly. Also around my area there are a number of small engine places that can work on the Kohler and hydraulics without any problem.
I would not hesitate doing this purchase over again.
PJ

 

[MossRoad]

Re: PT Purchase ?\'s

Welcome to TBN!

I have a PT425 and really like it. As an all around machine, it works great.

I mow 1 acre of lawn and the 60" deck does a nice job as long as I don't let the grass get too high. Then it tends to leave a very small windrow on the right side. By altering my mowing pattern when the grass is high, I can eliminate the windrow by overapping about a foot.

For the brush and blackberries I would recommend the 48" brush hog. It is a brute. There are films of it in action on-line at my website(click on the little animated tractor icon in my signature and it will take you there).

For moving lots of mulch in a hurry, the large light material bucket works great.

For moving debris to a burn pile, you might want to consider the 4-in-1 bucket or the grapple bucket. Personally, If I was going to spend $1200.00 for the grapple, I'd probably opt for the 4-in-1 for the same price. Seems more versatile, to me at least.

I don't know how well the heavier PT1430 would do mowing, as I never tested one, so I won't even try to compare. Sometimes a heavier tractor has larger tires with a wider footprint and it ends up being lighter on the lawn than a smaller tractor. So, I'll leave that to someone with actual experience with the unit.

<font color="blue">Also, is it easy to find mechanics who can work on these machines? Unfortunately, I am not mechanically inclined. (My vehicles are all serviced by our local mechanic.) I think I can handle routine maintenance as long as the manuals are clear. However, if something unusual goes wrong, I won't have a clue about how to fix it. </font>

Sounds like you have some concerns. That is a warning flag. Your common sense is kicking in. Listen to it. The best advice I can give is this:

If you are not comfortable working on machinery, or doubt your abilities, or just plain don't want to do it, then this machine might not be for you. All three of these reasons are not a bad thing, in my opinion, and actually good reasons for concern. You may be better off with one of the big name units like Deere, Kubota or NH with a large dealer network and support services, where you won't have to worry about what happens if it breaks. You will have to pay for that support once the warranty expires, but so what. It is that way with most products. Think of it as peace of mind. No matter what tractor you end up purchasing, you are the one that will have to live with the decision. If it feels uncomfortable in your gut, it won't get any better once you buy the tractor. Go with a unit that you can live with and gives you peace of mind even if it costs more.

Hope this helps.

 

[jrlichina]

Re: PT Purchase ?\'s

Wow MossRoad's last comment was on the nut. If you don't have the mechanical know how another tractor would be the better choice. The PT is a great machine but you absolutely couldn't go wrong with a Kubota, Deere, NH, etc. Nothing worse than buying something then not able to get it fixed in a reasonable time and a reasonable price. That would make you a very unhappy camper.

 

[pajoube]

Re: PT Purchase ?\'s

Don't let the maintenance issue bog you down in the selection of a tractor. ANY tractor that breaks will need repair. PowerTrac has all standard parts, which can be repaired, by your local shop just as the Kubota or JD would. There is nothing out of the ordinary on the PowerTrac.
Good luck in your decision.
PJ

 

[toy]

Re: PT Purchase ?\'s

I have the 425 srevicing it isn't very hard. It has a kohler engine check the internet to see if there is a kohler dealer in your area or a local repair shop that is reliable. Then see if there is a hydrolic shop near you. If there is and you have a major problem they could probably fix that. I really like mine and it seems like a simple machine to work on. But I haven't had to do anything to mine other than service it.

 

[jfh230]

Re: PT Purchase ?\'s

What is your opinion on how useful the pt manual is for providing instructions on how to service and maintain the pt?

Thanks
Jack

 

[toy]

Re: PT Purchase ?\'s

If you go to their demonstration of their machine they go over servicing it pretty well. The manual jpoints out the lubrication points and goes over the procedure of purging the pump whick they also went over with me. I have the new 425 which doesn't have the hydraback that the manual talks about . I went over my machine when I first got it home and checked everything out on it to make sure that it had been greased at each grease fitting and that the other moving joints had lubricant on them. It had been serviced pretty good when it came from power trac. The grease fitting that is under the covers for the center section to osilate had been greased and the grease fitting had been removed. Someone on the forum had mentioned that theirs had the same fitting missing By reading the forum and watching the demonstration I pretty well knew how to service it without reading the manual, I did read the manual though. I believe that a person could service it without any problems just by reading the manual, but if you did have questions they told me to not hesitate to call them and they would be glad to answer my questions.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: PT Purchase ?\'s

<font color="blue"> I believe that a person could service it without any problems just by reading the manual, but if you did have questions they told me to not hesitate to call them and they would be glad to answer my questions. </font>

I'll back you on that. If you have a question, just call them and they will talk you through things while you sit next to the tractor with your telephone.

As for routine 8 hour maintenance on the PT425, yes, just about anybody can get it down to a 10 minute procedure. A couple of wrenches, a rag and a grease gun is all it takes. 50 hour filter change can get a little messy, but if you clean the machine before you do it and put down some absorbant paper towels before you remove the filter, it isn't too bad. Might be easier now that they re-located the filter to an easier access position. Engine maintenance is no different than a lawn tractor.

However, major repairs like broken joints, dead pumps, etc... could be a major headache if you have to do it yourself. If you have a trusted mechanic, you're in luck. If you don't, you're going to be up the creek if you have no mechanical skills. Just my opinion.

There are many of us who haven't had any major problems with our machines yet. A few of us have. If I were going through the process of buying one again, I'd do this:

First, look at the two types of engines they offer; Kohler and Robbin. Do you have a good service shop locally for either of these engines? I had several good shops that will work on Kohlers and I know there are several small engine shops that feature Kohler engines. I have acquaintances that have Kohlers in their lawn equipment and had good success with them, so that is why I went with the Kohler. Also, I wanted the 60" mower deck and Power Trac suggested the Kohler for that application. I had no experience with the Robbin and knew no one else that did. Over the last two years I have met people here on TBN that have the Robbin and they say it is a strong, reliable engine. I believe them.

Second, hydraulics. There are several good hydraulic shops around here that I can get cylinders and hoses from. The pumps seem to be a mystery as Power Trac won't share that information(can't blame them). However, if one of the pumps failed, I'll have no problems removing it and either sending it to Power Trac or finding a replacement from some of the on-line hydraulic shops. It might take some detective work, but I'd get it done.

Third, well there isn't much left but the chassis. That involves a few joints and plate steel and I can weld. Should there ever be a major problem, I'll just cut it out and weld in a new piece, grind it down and paint it with a spray can of JD green or flat black.

Again, if someone is not mechanically inclined, doesn't want to become mechanically inclined or doesn't enjoy working on machinery, in my opinion, this machine isn't for them unless they can find someone to work on it for them and don't mind paying the asking price. I'm not knocking them in any way. I have many friends that don't enjoy that kind of work but we still get along just fine. There are some things that I don't enjoy doing or am not good at and I don't mind paying people to do them for me.

I'm not trying to discourage rainbow or anyone else from buying this unit. I just want them to know that it's reality check time when making a major purchase like a tractor with no nationwide dealer/repair network. If you aren't willing to do the repairs yourself, and if you don't have anybody that could do them for you, go with a major brand. You will be much happier and wiser, in my opinion.

It is a great homeowner/small estate/landscaper machine. It is built like a tank, fun to operate(I actually look forward to each ride on the tractor after 2 years of ownership), small footprint for tight spaces, easy on the lawn, plenty of power and a great price, too. All implements out front where you can see them and the quick attach is a dream come true. If you enjoy machinery(even if you don't have the skills but are willing to learn) you will get great satisfaction out of this machine.