Re: Question on PT180\'s
PJ, We use the PTs in our business and at our home, barn & "gentlemen farm" (that is not for profit, fun only).
I am not sure if the comment from another post was intended for me (are you back in the business!!!), but let me state this. I have been in business since my mid twenties, and now run several corporations, in construction, landscaping, fencing, distribution, warehousing and engineering. I bought my first home computor only a few weeks ago and have been trying different search engines and I came across this sight, and was delighted to find others were talking about Power Trac experences. Please understand that I do not know all the web "shorthand", so I may be addressing my comments in the wrong place. You see, I grew up on a farm many years ago and studed engineering when slide rules were used, although computors are used in our business I am and old dog trying to learn a new trick.
About 5 or 6 years ago while trying to get a local dealer to repair a piece of equipiment I realized I knew more about mechanics and hydraulics than the dealer did so I repaired the thing myself. A frend came by and I was telling him my story and he told me that he traded in a skid steer, farm tractor and small dozer with post drivers for a new Power Trac PT1850 with post driver and could drive more post with less people than with all three machines. Since I am only about 2 hours from Tazewell, he called ahead and we drove over on Saturday and met with Chris & Ed. I liked what I saw and could not believe how simple and straight forward the designs were. All the things I have designed, making it simple is the hardest. I also like the idea of buying direct from the people that design and build the eq. along with the knowing my input would be considered in future design changes. Ed explained that all suggestions are cataloged and each tractor and attachment are run back thru research and development every 3 to 5 years and all suggestions considered, some used and some disguarded. While there he showed me test being run on wet brakes, remote servo pumps, radio control machines, horsepower limit controls, joystick control articulated machines without steering wheels. I was impressed with their management and design ability and realize the prices are kept low thru good purchasing practices of buying in qty and direct from the manufactor and trim production procedures. After buying a PT1850, post driver, bucket, flail and rough cut mower, I sold all my other small equipment and to date our companies have bought 4 other machines and lots of attachments. Many of the things being tested when we were there are now on production machines. Our people have not had any problems getting parts or making the repairs themselves. We plan to buy 2 or 3 more machines in the future.
Someone commented that people at Power Trac were difficult, querky, and hard to deal with. I found just the opposite, shy, independent, determined, honist, well educated, forward thinking country people who worked hard, loved God, thier country and families. Granted some of you want changes made instantly and they resist, some demand things and they resist, thats not the way country people operate, they are too independet to be pushed around. Give ideas as suggestions not demands.
I have changed some of my operation after visiting Power Trac, we buy more direct, make all repairs in house, and experment with new materials and procdures, which have improved our profits. I hope to visit Power Trac again some day, my people tell me they are continuing to grow, building a new office & showroom, added new service and R&D shop and starting to add production space. It pleases me to see American companies grow.
Still hoping the children and grandchildren will take over the day to day operation of our business, and allow me to build toys and play in the dirt.
Thats my two cents worth!!!
EB
PJ, We use the PTs in our business and at our home, barn & "gentlemen farm" (that is not for profit, fun only).
I am not sure if the comment from another post was intended for me (are you back in the business!!!), but let me state this. I have been in business since my mid twenties, and now run several corporations, in construction, landscaping, fencing, distribution, warehousing and engineering. I bought my first home computor only a few weeks ago and have been trying different search engines and I came across this sight, and was delighted to find others were talking about Power Trac experences. Please understand that I do not know all the web "shorthand", so I may be addressing my comments in the wrong place. You see, I grew up on a farm many years ago and studed engineering when slide rules were used, although computors are used in our business I am and old dog trying to learn a new trick.
About 5 or 6 years ago while trying to get a local dealer to repair a piece of equipiment I realized I knew more about mechanics and hydraulics than the dealer did so I repaired the thing myself. A frend came by and I was telling him my story and he told me that he traded in a skid steer, farm tractor and small dozer with post drivers for a new Power Trac PT1850 with post driver and could drive more post with less people than with all three machines. Since I am only about 2 hours from Tazewell, he called ahead and we drove over on Saturday and met with Chris & Ed. I liked what I saw and could not believe how simple and straight forward the designs were. All the things I have designed, making it simple is the hardest. I also like the idea of buying direct from the people that design and build the eq. along with the knowing my input would be considered in future design changes. Ed explained that all suggestions are cataloged and each tractor and attachment are run back thru research and development every 3 to 5 years and all suggestions considered, some used and some disguarded. While there he showed me test being run on wet brakes, remote servo pumps, radio control machines, horsepower limit controls, joystick control articulated machines without steering wheels. I was impressed with their management and design ability and realize the prices are kept low thru good purchasing practices of buying in qty and direct from the manufactor and trim production procedures. After buying a PT1850, post driver, bucket, flail and rough cut mower, I sold all my other small equipment and to date our companies have bought 4 other machines and lots of attachments. Many of the things being tested when we were there are now on production machines. Our people have not had any problems getting parts or making the repairs themselves. We plan to buy 2 or 3 more machines in the future.
Someone commented that people at Power Trac were difficult, querky, and hard to deal with. I found just the opposite, shy, independent, determined, honist, well educated, forward thinking country people who worked hard, loved God, thier country and families. Granted some of you want changes made instantly and they resist, some demand things and they resist, thats not the way country people operate, they are too independet to be pushed around. Give ideas as suggestions not demands.
I have changed some of my operation after visiting Power Trac, we buy more direct, make all repairs in house, and experment with new materials and procdures, which have improved our profits. I hope to visit Power Trac again some day, my people tell me they are continuing to grow, building a new office & showroom, added new service and R&D shop and starting to add production space. It pleases me to see American companies grow.
Still hoping the children and grandchildren will take over the day to day operation of our business, and allow me to build toys and play in the dirt.
Thats my two cents worth!!!
EB
