PT Road Use

Barryh · Oct 14, 2006

I was wondering how many of you feel safe going short distances with your PT on a main road. Does anyone ever drive down a black topped country road to help with snow removal, or that sort of thing? Of course with flashing lights and the large orange triangle.

Do you feel the slow speed and small size is unsafe, and or a nuisance to traffic. Has anyone done this on a regular basis? Would you feel more comfortable doing this with say, a home made plug in steel rear bumper guard for car impact. This would also be tall enough to guard up to the back, and head area.

I have thought of maybe making some sort of heavy steel tube guard for rear operator protection that would plug into the rear hitch with additional mounting to the upper body of the PT for some added bumper rear impact protection.

There are times I would like to help people out during heavy snow storms, but I am hesitant because of cars sliding up and down the road or coming around a corner to fast. Wondering if I am the only one that has thought of this.

MossRoad · Oct 14, 2006

The farthest I travel on the road is across the front of my property. It is really too slow to take down the road any distance. I've thought about driving it over to the kid's school, about 3/4 mile away, but decided to trailer it instead.

I also think you should check local laws regarding slow moving equipment onthe road. There may be requirements for the SMV triangle, flashing lights, etc...

Around my neighborhood wouldn't be too bad because we have wide gravel shoulders, but out at our property there is nothing but highway. I don't even like mowing next to the highway, let alone drive on it. I always worry about what would happen if the thing would die in the road. How would I get it out in time, as it can't be pushed since there isn't a neutral. I would have to get a wrench and loosen the by-pass on the variable volume pump. Too scary for me to want to try.

Barryh · Oct 14, 2006

Around here the laws don't seem to apply to anyone. People aren’t allowed to do any shooting here on the mountain, they do it anyway. I called the local cops about the shooting one time, it took them over 1/2 hour to get here. By then, the shooting had stopped. So much for our laws.

We have an ADT system; I hope no one ever breaks in while I’m not here. Our local law enforcement is a big joke. ATV'S keep screaming up and down the main roads. I know that can't be legal. You did just reaffirm my one of my fears. Having to wrench the release valve and towing, as you say, what if it stopped in the middle of the road or something. We don't have any shoulders mostly just road with embankments and trees.

I don't have a trailer at the moment. I would have to haul it back chained to the lawn tractor or my truck. Your probably right, I’ll just stay on my property. Thanks for the input.

RegL · Oct 14, 2006

" I have thought of maybe making some sort of heavy steel tube guard for rear operator protection that would plug into the rear hitch with additional mounting to the upper body of the PT for some added bumper rear impact protection. "

Berry, to put it in perspective, A stock PT would be much safer in a collision than a bicycle and there are plenty of those around here, some riding two or three abreast. A lot of them can be real belligerent about moving over for cars.So I don't feel guilty about driving up and down the road when I have work to do. I usually don't drive it more than a mile, more than that I'll load it on the trailer. In the winter I use a strobe for plowing driveways but in summer I usually just turn on the rear light. I've been thinking of repainting the PT something like a screaming yellow. Red and flat black is getting kind of blah.

Barryh · Oct 14, 2006

RegL said:
" I have thought of maybe making some sort of heavy steel tube guard for rear operator protection that would plug into the rear hitch with additional mounting to the upper body of the PT for some added bumper rear impact protection. "

Berry, to put it in perspective, A stock PT would be much safer in a collision than a bicycle and there are plenty of those around here, some riding two or three abreast. A lot of them can be real belligerent about moving over for cars.So I don't feel guilty about driving up and down the road when I have work to do. I usually don't drive it more than a mile, more than that I'll load it on the trailer. In the winter I use a strobe for plowing driveways but in summer I usually just turn on the rear light. I've been thinking of repainting the PT something like a screaming yellow. Red and flat black is getting kind of blah.

So you take yours out on the road? A mile is about all the distance I would need to go. I have seen a few Bobcat skid steers running around our roads every once in a while, and they are pretty darn slow. I have also seen a few lawn tractors running around. If our roads had somewhere to pull off I might be more inclined to take er out. Like Moss said, if it breaks down then it's not an easy tow.

menchhofer · Oct 14, 2006

I have driven my 1430 several miles down country roads for one reason or another. Have had no problems. No different than driving a lawnmower or skidsteer.

I would agree though, most of the time it is best to transport on a trailer

BobRip · Oct 14, 2006

I do about 200 yards at most to a neighbors. Once I did about 2 miles, but will probably not do that again. I have a triangle on back and a strobe light on top. I also so have other reflectors all around it. I turn on the strobe when I get near a road such a mowing. I also have side view and rear view mirror (highly recommended) I have a bumper on the back which should help a little, however if a 4000 pound car going 40 mph hits a 1400 pound PT going 8 mph, the PT driver would probably die or wish he had. Cars come up fast when you are going 8 mpg so all of it seems risky. If a solid white cat can hit on a straight section, a PT can too.

Barryh · Oct 14, 2006

BobRip said:
I do about 200 yards at most to a neighbors. Once I did about 2 miles, but will probably not do that again. I have a triangle on back and a strobe light on top. I also so have other reflectors all around it. I turn on the strobe when I get near a road such a mowing. I also have side view and rear view mirror (highly recommended) I have a bumper on the back which should help a little, however if a 4000 pound car going 40 mph hits a 1400 pound PT going 8 mph, the PT driver would probably die or wish he had. Cars come up fast when you are going 8 mpg so all of it seems risky. If a solid white cat can hit on a straight section, a PT can too.

Or a 6000 pound pickup truck, which is what you see around here most of the time. Yep, it could be a little unnerving. At least an ATV can get up to speed.

Barryh · Oct 14, 2006

menchhofer said:
I have driven my 1430 several miles down country roads for one reason or another. Have had no problems. No different than driving a lawnmower or skidsteer.

I would agree though, most of the time it is best to transport on a trailer

You wouldn't catch me out there on a lawnmower, but a skid steer at least has some good protection.

Sedgewood · Oct 15, 2006

Barryh said:
I was wondering how many of you feel safe going short distances with your PT on a main road. Does anyone ever drive down a black topped country road to help with snow removal, or that sort of thing? Of course with flashing lights and the large orange triangle.

Do you feel the slow speed and small size is unsafe, and or a nuisance to traffic. Has anyone done this on a regular basis?

When I first got my 1845 I would regularly take it three or four miles from home for various tasks, feeling I'm no more vulnerable than the numerous pedestrians and bicyclists who have taken over the country roads here abouts (and have decided - contrary to law in the case of pedestrians - it's unnecessary to yield to traffic (careful Sedgewood - I smell a rant coming on...)). Since those heady early days I've suffered so many failures (hydraulic hoses, fuel solenoid, electrical gremlins, fire, etc) that stopped the PT dead in its tracks I'm pretty skittish about even crossing the road

Sedgewood

RegL · Oct 15, 2006

(careful Sedgewood - I smell a rant coming on...)).

Come on Sedgewood. Let it out.

"Since those heady early days I've suffered so many failures (hydraulic hoses, fuel solenoid, electrical gremlins, fire, etc) that stopped the PT dead in its tracks I'm pretty skittish about even crossing the road

"

Sounds like a couple of cars I've owned. lol!

Barryh · Oct 15, 2006

Sedgewood said:
When I first got my 1845 I would regularly take it three or four miles from home for various tasks, feeling I'm no more vulnerable than the numerous pedestrians and bicyclists who have taken over the country roads here abouts (and have decided - contrary to law in the case of pedestrians - it's unnecessary to yield to traffic (careful Sedgewood - I smell a rant coming on...)). Since those heady early days I've suffered so many failures (hydraulic hoses, fuel solenoid, electrical gremlins, fire, etc) that stopped the PT dead in its tracks I'm pretty skittish about even crossing the road

Sedgewood

Ya, that would pretty much discourage me too. Sorry to hear you've had all of those troubles. Think I'll just keep mine in the yard or use it for back woods crawling.

odleefs · Oct 15, 2006

I think to be road worthy, you are required to have the aforementioned SMV triangle, rear view mirrors,and front and back visable turn signals with flashers on as well as headlights. A strobe is not required but recommended. This is not per the DMV but my hazy recollections of the requirements...
Cheers!
Steve

BobRip · Oct 16, 2006

odleefs said:
I think to be road worthy, you are required to have the aforementioned SMV triangle, rear view mirrors,and front and back visable turn signals with flashers on as well as headlights. A strobe is not required but recommended. This is not per the DMV but my hazy recollections of the requirements...
Cheers!
Steve

There was an article in our local paper and it stated that all we need was the triangle but they recommended a flashing light in addition. This probably varies state to state. I live in Virginia.

2deeskip · Oct 21, 2006

Hey guys, I have a little problem here. I was just about to pull the trigger on a 425 when I started to read this thread. What surprised me were the comments from several, apparently long time owners, that a major concern with road travel was not so much laws or traffic, but that the machine might break down in the middle of the road. That does not instill a lot of confidence in the equipment. I routinely run lawn tractors, my other articulated "thing', and in the past tractors on my rural road. The main concern is my timing may be bad & coincide with the "locals" drive by, the last thought in my mind is that the machine might break down. How about a little "buck me up" here to get that nagging concern out of my head.

Barryh · Oct 22, 2006

Although I have only had my PT for a short time, and I have low hours on it. I feel very confident it's reliability. I think with any tractor or machine no matter what make, you run the possibility that it might stop or malfunction at one time or another.

After more thought my deciding factor for staying off the road is that there is just nowhere to pull over, or get out of the way if something were to happen. I think the main worry for me would be holding up traffic in the middle of the road.

The other thing is, even if there were a place to pull over it would still take some time to tow or move it off of the road, I would have to open the relief valve which takes some time just to move the machine. For the most part with proper maintenance, I feel this machine is very dependable and well made.

pajoube · Oct 22, 2006

2deeskip said:
Hey guys, I have a little problem here. I was just about to pull the trigger on a 425 when I started to read this thread. What surprised me were the comments from several, apparently long time owners, that a major concern with road travel was not so much laws or traffic, but that the machine might break down in the middle of the road. That does not instill a lot of confidence in the equipment. I routinely run lawn tractors, my other articulated "thing', and in the past tractors on my rural road. The main concern is my timing may be bad & coincide with the "locals" drive by, the last thought in my mind is that the machine might break down. How about a little "buck me up" here to get that nagging concern out of my head.

I don't think we were talking about breaking down but the speed of travel. The PT 425 moves right along but if a long distance is to be traveled you will need to plan accordingly.
I have the 425 which is 3 years old now and could not be happier. It performs better than expected, heavier duty than most CUTs and will outlast most owners if well maintained.
PJ

Barryh · Oct 22, 2006

pajoube said:
I don't think we were talking about breaking down but the speed of travel. The PT 425 moves right along but if a long distance is to be traveled you will need to plan accordingly.
I have the 425 which is 3 years old now and could not be happier. It performs better than expected, heavier duty than most CUTs and will outlast most owners if well maintained.
PJ

I agree well said. 8 mile an hour is not going to break the sound barrier. May not be to bad if you have rear view mirror's, flashing lights, and plenty of places to pull off and let traffic around. Still something to really think about. As far as dependability goes, If you take good care of your PT, it will take care of you.

BobRip · Oct 22, 2006

My 422 has been very reliable. I just don't like driving a very slow vehicle on a road. The speed limit on my road is 40 and it has a fair number of hills and turns. I do take it to the neighbors and drive 200 yards on the road.

MossRoad · Oct 22, 2006

2deeskip said:
Hey guys, I have a little problem here. I was just about to pull the trigger on a 425 when I started to read this thread. What surprised me were the comments from several, apparently long time owners, that a major concern with road travel was not so much laws or traffic, but that the machine might break down in the middle of the road. That does not instill a lot of confidence in the equipment. I routinely run lawn tractors, my other articulated "thing', and in the past tractors on my rural road. The main concern is my timing may be bad & coincide with the "locals" drive by, the last thought in my mind is that the machine might break down. How about a little "buck me up" here to get that nagging concern out of my head.

MossRoad said:
at our property there is nothing but highway. I don't even like mowing next to the highway, let alone drive on it. I always worry about what would happen if the thing would die in the road. How would I get it out in time, as it can't be pushed since there isn't a neutral. I would have to get a wrench and loosen the by-pass on the variable volume pump. Too scary for me to want to try.

What I meant by this is the highway traffic comes along too fast out on our property. If, by chance, the tractor would die on the highway, I could get killed and/or someone else could get killed.

Much less likely on our county road where the speed limit is 30 and there are shoulders. I frequently spin it around in the road when mowing and plowing, paying attention to traffic.

If you compare the PT to any other HST tractor, in reallity, it is about the same. The engine dies on either and you are a sitting duck. You may be able to crank the starter and weasel your way off the side of the road, but if the problem is electrical, even on a standard CUT, the best you can do is put it in neutral and find a push or tow off the road. A standard gear tranny is really the same, but you stand a better chance of getting it off the road by cranking the starter if the problem isn't electrical.

Over all, I see no difference driving a Power Trac on a public road than a conventional tractor on a public road. Both are equally scary!

So don't let that deter you from considering a Power Trac.