reliability and servicability

[kjm3232]

Hi all, Fairly new to tractorbynet. Originally i was looking at the big 3 tractors until i came across one of the threads that pointed to power-trac. My wife and i have recently built a house on 16 acres (in the NW corner of MA Within 15 miles of Vermont and NH) of which 3 include the house/lawn/landscaping. Another 3 have been cleared but not stumped but we have ledge popping up from 6" to 5' high. the other 10 is forest. We plan on stumping and leveling the 3 acres so we can build a barn and raise animals. we like the power trac (pt-2430) but was wondering can any diesel engine mechanic service it if it's beyond my scope of repair? Also, have anyone of you who have owned a PT for over several years have had any major issues with your machine that were a large expense? We like the versitility that it seems to offer and the ease of use which it seems to have. Our only concerns with it are the sole propriatary attachments and possible the serviceability of it. Sorry for the long winded post and thanks in advance for any help.

 

[pequeajim]

One question that I would have for you is what the slope of your ground is like? That area of the country is pretty hilly is it not? The 2430 would be more tippy than the 1430 would be?

Jim!

 

[blackwell]

As to reliablity, we ran a 1430 and 1850 over 4000 hrs. each before replacing them with new PT's of the same model. We are still operating six PT's in different business and at home. Have not owned any other brands in the last six years and made more money with them than any equipment owned before.
PT's are simple, strong, easy to work on, and easy to modify to use special attachments. Like all equipment they require regular maintiance, but no more than any other equipment we have owned.
Like the other commentor, get the right PT machine for your job, take good care of it and you will be happy, but please get one large enough. Most of the complaints I read on TBN are due to people trying to use too small of a machine and straining its guts out. Go to PT and try machines until you get the right size. Its well worth the trip just to see the new showroom.
Good Luck,
EB

 

[smartguyz]

Hi Guys,

Blackwell's post is concise and to-the-point. I agree. I purchased a small garden tractor for my 2+ acres, only to find it woefully inadequate for many of the things I needed to do. (I just sold the JD318 last weekend - I haven't missed it at all.) I was wondering whether the PT would be overkill, but on the contrary, it has greatly expanded my abilities to do things myself!

Why, just the other day, I was pondering how to dig out about 10-12 shrubs that were 12 years old - related to the bamboo family - very tough stuff! It took us about an hour and half to dig one out by hand using long handled shovels and a lot of sweat. Using the PT with the pallet forks (thanks for the suggestion, MossRoad), I dug up ALL the others in about 2 hours! Unbelievable!

I have owned mine for 2 years now. Absolutely NO regrets. Nothing has broken, but I have been overly zealous with maintenance. Synthetic grease and oil on everything, changing fluids before things are due, factory oil filters, etc. I try and dry everything off and clean everything when I am done. So far, it has rewarded me with very reliable service.

I really enjoy my PT425!

Have fun picking one out!

Sincerely,

Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[kjm3232]

the area is known as the "hill towns" of western mass. But, our property is fairly level with the exception of the back 3 acres which has a lot of ledge sticking up and the remains of the tree stumps which still need to be cleared. I was considering the pt-1430 but since you cant put a back hoe on the back that's why we're thinking of the pt-2430. We would use the back hoe to dig out fire ponds on our property plus our sister in law who lives next door plus what ever else we would have a use for. Plus when we do have some more acreage cleared of trees the backhoe would be used there as well.

 

[ClintBlake]

My 2 cents on backhoes. If you need a backhoe for a period of time to do things you can't do with the mini-hoe, rent one. I personally think the higher stance of the PTs with backhoe would make them less useful for other things unless the backhoe function is the primary purpose. In the almost 6 years I have had my 422, I have rented a backhoe once to dig a ditch about 250 feet long to drain my back and side yards but I use my PT almost weekly, work (the job that pays the bills) permitting.