Snowblowing

[DHD]

I'm considering getting an additional tractor for snow blowing and some mowing.
I presently have a Kubota B7800 (27 hp @ pto) with 64" rear mount snow blower.
My snow blowing area has doubled in size and I'm looking to get another tractor with a front mount snow blower to reduce the use of the Kubota (and myself the operator) along with be a back-up in-case of breakdowns.
My wife would operate the front mount snow blower.
I was considering the PT-425 with the PT snow blower, but from the little info I can find, it appears the PTO @ 8 GPM in the PT-425 may not be adequate in deeper snow or wet snow, and I understand the snow blower maybe a little too heavy for the 425 when maneuvering ?

Would the PT-1430 with the 60" PT snow blower and PTO @ 12 GPM be adequate for deep snow or wet snow ?
Or am I better off looking at another 30 hp Kubota B series tractor with front mount snow blower ?

I'm sure I could find many more uses for a Power Trac once I had one, but my primary concern is snow blowing.

 

[MossRoad]

I don't know off-hand of anyone on TBN that frequents the Power Trac forum that has one of their snowblowers. Maybe someone will chime in.

 

[DHD]

The only one on TBN that I know of is Kent from VT. He mentions his Powertrac T3239 snow blower in post #3 & post #5 of the following thread.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...use-t12-snowblower.html?highlight=snow+blower

 

[nybirdman]

I have run a B7800;I would think a PT would never compare to one;more of a toy.Not trying to offend any PT owners.

 

[ponytug]

The PTs run between 25 and 60HP, depending on the model. "Toy" is a relative and loaded term, and dependent upon the actual usage.

I have run a B7800;I would think a PT would never compare to one;more of a toy.Not trying to offend any PT owners.

 

[MossRoad]

I have run a B7800;I would think a PT would never compare to one;more of a toy.Not trying to offend any PT owners.

As others have mentioned.... there's more than one PT model. I used to own an IH2500b tractor loader. 8000# machine with 50PTO HP and a 3/4 yard bucket with a 10' reach. It was a beast for power. But for my needs, the little PT425 ran circles around it.

 

[Kent]

Kent from VT here...used it once this year just for fun and to cut back plow banks, but I still don't need it here and it is still for sale!

 

[flyinghigh]

Hello, I am trying to decide between the PT425 and the 1425 for #1 clearing fallen trees in a shelter belt and #2 blowing snow that can be 2-3 ft deep drifts. Would appreciate any feedback.

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN! :thumbsup:

 

[flyinghigh]

Thank you!

 

[Lnk]

Did you mean 1430 instead of 1425? I didn't know they made a T12 class with 25 hp.

Edit: went back and read the whole thread, you meant 1430. My bad.

 

[m5040]

If you are comparing the Power Trac 425 to the 1430 you will see the 1430 has more lift which will help with the tree clearing. It is diesel so it will use at least 30% less fuel (my experience is about 50% better fuel use and twice the HP when I compare my 18hp gas to the 30hp Duetz). In my opinion it will be louder to operate then the gas engine 425, so if blowing snow at 2am might be an issue. For winter operations you have to deal with treated fuel and depending on how cold, you may have to preheat to start if kept outdoors or unheated building for ext periods. The 1430 is larger so those pros and cons are obvious. The nice thing about a PT is the ability to vary the ground speed to match the work load as opposed to a gear drive, so in deep snow you can go slow with the 425 and still get the job done. How large of an area do you need to clear? Plows are faster for light snow.

 

[flyinghigh]

about a 70 ft long gravel driveway with some out buildings to get to as well. I am really torn between the 2 sizes. I like the simplistic nature of gas and the smaller more agile size. My dad wants more than 5 ft lift, but I told him we have the big tractor for that application. 90% of what we do in the trees the smaller unit would handle just fine...although he says "brush is 1 thing but logs are another". I could have a 425 with the snowblower and grapple bucket for less than just the 1430 alone.

The 1430 is 3 ft more lift, over 1000 lb heavier and 4 more psi on the hydraulic. But if the 425 will do what I need it to, why have more?

Decisions, decisions.

 

[MossRoad]

How big of trees are you talking about clearing?

 

[m5040]

There is a furniture commercial in my area that says "Quality remains long after the price is forgotten". They are both good machines! You wont go wrong either way. If you research the Deutz diesel vs the gas Kohler (in general, not specifically to Power Trac) what you find would be enough to make up my mind as you are buying this for the marathon run and you would be able to let your kids use it someday. You only think the diesel is more complicated because you are not accustom to it. Basically you may never have to touch that diesel, except for filters, belt adj, maybe set the valve clearance for 5000 hours of use, which is a real long time (I would expect needing a rebuild at 10,000 hours). All the aluminum parts on the Kohler will be long wore out. Be aware that the 1430 only has 12" more lift height. You may have looked at the 2430 specs, different configuration (you climb up and sit much higher on back half of machine). I use both my machines to the point of lifting the rear axle up when fully loaded in front. Someday I was going to ask if anyone loads their rear tires. It always surprises me how heavy brush can get when you pile it up. I use my Power tracs more then any other machine I own or have ever owned. You don't know me, but take my word, that is a big statement. It may apply to you too, so think it over and get the best. The 1430 with more weight will push more snow (faster then blowing), lift, carry, more with higher breakout force. Slightly more ground clearance due to larger tires. Much less chance of a fire with diesel fuel vs gas (and everything behind you, out of sight-recent discussion on that here somewhere). No problems with poor gas/alcohol storage life. 1430 has an actual instrument panel with gauges. These machines are somewhat in competition/related to skid steer use. A lot of attachments from skid steers work well on the PT. I have a hyd flail-like a forestry mulcher, tree puller, tree shear, fork lift forks, 3pt hitch adapter, push plate that were all made for skid steers. If you think someday you would use the tractor for other duties, the larger one will work best with the skid steer market of new and used attachments.

 

[flyinghigh]

Sounds like the 2430 might be the better way to go. For $1200 you get 1200 more lbs of weight with a rear seat configuration, which I assume makes it harder to tip over and another ft of reach. Logs are generally around 9-12 inches with up to 2 ft possible.

Diesel has more torque per HP right?

 

[m5040]

Diesel is more efficient the gas, slower burn, harness the explosion for extended time giving more torque. I like to operate the 2430 better with the rear seat, but it stops there. As a person getting older, I very much appreciate the step in-step out of the 1430 when hooking up chains or whatever you need to do and get back to work with the machine, fast and easy, especially after working a lot of hours. Just something to consider. The machines are not designed for the same purposes. Because it has a small oil cooler, the 2430 is not compatible with the brush cutter, which is what I use a lot. If you look it is not advertised as an attachment for the 2430. This tells me that high HP hydraulic attachments are not going to be good for extended use on the 2430. Extended use to me would be more then a half hour on a hot summer day. If you were, it would be highly advisable to have a hyd oil temp gauge. The 2430 is not as good on side slopes due to higher center of gravity. Examples of heat generating implements that need big coolers are, mowers, A/C generators, trenchers, stump cutters. I am sure there are more, but you get the idea.
I think the 2430 is more like a yard wheel loader. Generally level terrain loading dump trucks.

 

[flyinghigh]

A loader really is what I am looking for. Not mowing...I have JD for that. Lifting brush and logs with grapple bucket, blowing snow. That is what I am looking for. Are you saying it has less PTO power than the 1430? Thanks!

 

[m5040]

Same PTO power. Hydraulics generate heat. The more HP-the more heat. You need a way to get rid of the heat. On the PT they use oil to air coolers with forced air. If you look close at the pictures of the 1430 vs 2430 you will see (on the 1430) fans on top of the engine compartments. This draws air up from the engine compartment through large oil coolers. On the 2430 they have small coolers on the side of the loader frame (above the left front tire)(no room for a larger cooler on the 2430, the 1430 has the size of the hood available). Looking at this from a commercial standpoint, the 2430 can't cool the hydraulic oil fast enough when using mowers. They have the HP to drive the mower, just the manufacture believes you can't do it all day long without overheating the hyd oil. If you never intend to drive high HP attachments continuously or operating on side slopes, the 2430 is your machine.
I have two normal farm tractors, after using a front mounted mower deck that you can see very well without turning around, I don't like the rear 3pt hitch mowers anymore. Cutting material before you drive the machine over it and flatten some of it down with the tires is a big plus.

 

[airbiscuit]

Another option would be a rear pull snowblower for your B7800 or new tractor