Yes you are right - HP vs. weight is very important but there are many other factors
we did some sort of comparison - way back trying to factor everything in - not sure where it went –
In my case I had bought a new 425 but it did not have enough power to mow up my hills with the 60 inch deck - since then, PT changed the wheel motors in the 425 - not sure how it would do now but I am sure it would do better - the engine was not the problem for me in the 425 – Again, I think the problem was the wheel motors - I went to the 1845 and it was like night and day vs. the 425 and I was using a 72 inch deck on the 1845 - It climbed my 22-25 degree hill with the mower running without the draft control - like it was practically flat - like night and day vs. the 425 - which is why my brother in law ended up with my 425. Now the 1845 is 2.5 times as heavy as the 425 a little less than twice the HP and it also would travel 14 mph with the 26 inch tires but it could climb and cut probably a 50% steeper slope vs. my 425 – so go figure
Also - I am talking about an 1845 - not a 1430 - of course the difference being the 1845 is heavier still (Around 3300 lbs) and has 15 more HP vs. 1430. I also think the diesel units use different pumps and wheel motors (the 1845 did). They are set up to stall the engine before the wheel motors give up - They allow full HP and torque of the engine to be applied. Now some people mentioned that the 425 will also stall the engine – mine did as well when pushing a pile of dirt or something – but not mowing up hill – the wheel motors would give out – the engine did not bog down that much.
Again not sure what the difference is - maybe the relief settings - but the pump and wheel motors are heavier duty and more expensive on the diesels.
It really is hard to compare the 425 to the diesel machines - they are different and as someone mentioned earlier - they excel in different areas vs. the 425. Again - taking nothing away from the 425 which is a great little machine. The diesel units are larger and much heavier. Don’t just accept the measurements – go there and test them – I was surprised at much bigger the 1430 was when I went to the factory – I expected it to be only a little bigger – it is not – it is much bigger and handles much different vs. the 425. The 425 is more nimble and maneuverable
One other thing – you should listen to that 30 hp engine – it is really loud and rattles at idle – very annoying – I think it is because it is a two cylinder. It may be a good engine but annoying to listen to – I am sure you would get used to it though. The 45hp engine is a beauty – starts instantly – even below zero and it is very smooth.
Good luck
we did some sort of comparison - way back trying to factor everything in - not sure where it went –
In my case I had bought a new 425 but it did not have enough power to mow up my hills with the 60 inch deck - since then, PT changed the wheel motors in the 425 - not sure how it would do now but I am sure it would do better - the engine was not the problem for me in the 425 – Again, I think the problem was the wheel motors - I went to the 1845 and it was like night and day vs. the 425 and I was using a 72 inch deck on the 1845 - It climbed my 22-25 degree hill with the mower running without the draft control - like it was practically flat - like night and day vs. the 425 - which is why my brother in law ended up with my 425. Now the 1845 is 2.5 times as heavy as the 425 a little less than twice the HP and it also would travel 14 mph with the 26 inch tires but it could climb and cut probably a 50% steeper slope vs. my 425 – so go figure
Also - I am talking about an 1845 - not a 1430 - of course the difference being the 1845 is heavier still (Around 3300 lbs) and has 15 more HP vs. 1430. I also think the diesel units use different pumps and wheel motors (the 1845 did). They are set up to stall the engine before the wheel motors give up - They allow full HP and torque of the engine to be applied. Now some people mentioned that the 425 will also stall the engine – mine did as well when pushing a pile of dirt or something – but not mowing up hill – the wheel motors would give out – the engine did not bog down that much.
Again not sure what the difference is - maybe the relief settings - but the pump and wheel motors are heavier duty and more expensive on the diesels.
It really is hard to compare the 425 to the diesel machines - they are different and as someone mentioned earlier - they excel in different areas vs. the 425. Again - taking nothing away from the 425 which is a great little machine. The diesel units are larger and much heavier. Don’t just accept the measurements – go there and test them – I was surprised at much bigger the 1430 was when I went to the factory – I expected it to be only a little bigger – it is not – it is much bigger and handles much different vs. the 425. The 425 is more nimble and maneuverable
One other thing – you should listen to that 30 hp engine – it is really loud and rattles at idle – very annoying – I think it is because it is a two cylinder. It may be a good engine but annoying to listen to – I am sure you would get used to it though. The 45hp engine is a beauty – starts instantly – even below zero and it is very smooth.
Good luck