SOme comparisons of the 1430 and 1845?

[pequeajim]

How much larger if at all is the 1845 than the 1430?

Also, what about power? Has anyone drive a 425 and a 1430 and can tell me how much of a dirrerence in power there was with the 1430?

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

I went to PT to buy a 1430, and got an 1845 instead. On aoccasion, I wish I'd gotten an 1850, but the 1845 has done everything I've needed. There are some jobs that require bigger machines, and some where the bigger ones are faster. There are few machines more flexible and capable than a 425, however, and those jobs it can't do are far outnumbered by the ones for which its maneuverability and astonishing lifting power suit it.
The 1430 is bigger than the 425, the 1845 is bigger than the 1430, the 1445 is bigger than the 1845, and the 1460 is bigger yet. As you go bigger, you give away maneuverability and the ability, for instance, to go through narrow gates. You gain power and, as weight increases, pulling ability and lifting capacity. Unless you identify particular projects, I can't say what machine is "better."
I have a Deutz diesel on mine, which is superb. I have a bunch of gasoline machines, including a Kohler or two, and I do not believe that diesel is generally better, just because it's diesel. I have a gasoline engine in a boat that is now about 16 years old, with maybe 2500 hard but intermittent hours on it which has never missed a lick. Even if diesels last longer, which is always debatable, I won't. Diesels are more expensive, noisier, smellier, but the one in my 1845 is a gem. (I also like gas turbines, but don't have any at present. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)
I'll be happy to demonstrate my 1845 to anyone who gets to Maryland. If you want comparisons, Tazewell is a good trip, particularly now, with the fall colors, and you can drive everything they have, dig holes, push dirt, and look through one of the better toy, er , equipment warehouses you'll find.

 

[Rip]

I also have an 1845 and will just add my $.02 to Charlies comments on the topic of Brakes.

The 1430 is like the smaller units in that it has a pin-type Parking brake as the only thing other than the hydraulic drive. You must be fully stopped in order to apply the parking brake which will then keep the machine from rolling away. You can think of it as like the Park function on an automatic trasmission.

The 1445 and larger machines (except 1845 & 1850) have a wet-disc fail-safe type brake which is mainly a parking brake, but will aslo function as an emergency brake to bring you to a stop should the need arrise.

The 1845 and 1850 "slope mower" series has the BrakeTender fail-safe system developed and MSHA approved for mining machinery. It has larger brake discs and the easy built-in ability to be manually released if a disabled machine needs to be towed.

In my opinion, the internal wet-disc system would be my minimum requirement for opperation on any significant slopes. Many folks here have used the 180 through 1430 machines for many years on various terrain with no problems however.

Others have different stories to tell (research the archives here to find them). I have not heard of any run-aways with either the wet-disc or BrakeTender systems however.

Just another aspect to consider in your choice of machines. I have a standard CUT but bought a PT-1845 specifically for rough steep slope (over 30 degrees) work and have been quite pleased with it.

 

[pequeajim]

My only problem with this is the affordability. I was starting out looking at a 425 and although a little under powered, I like that unit, but when we start to get up over 18-20k without attachments, man, that's a ton of money. Remember, I'm moving from a Ventrac 4200.

I understand your points though. I was looking on their site and kept going to the next model up... next model up... next model up... phew!!

Reality will set in somewhere and I will figure it out. I really appreciate the feedback on here though.

 

[MossRoad]

When I was tractor shopping I first got a real good handle on the jobs I needed to do today and the jobs I expected to do in several years.

Then I had to decide what size tractor would do those jobs and relate that to my wallet. Sure, a larger tractor would get the big jobs done much faster, but then I wouldn't need the large jobs done after that, and the large tractor would not be able to mow my lawn and do the small jobs in several years. So we bought a used big tractor loader, did the big jobs with it and plan to get rid of it. The PT425 was bought to do all the day-to-day chores around a home and it does then extremely well. A larger unit, as Charlie was speaking of, is great if you have large jobs to do and large acreage jobs to deal with. We have large acreage, but small acreage jobs like mowing trails and a lawn and plowing a driveway. We have few fields to mow regularly, no crops to plant, etc... I can not afford to have a dedicated machine for each task. I would like to, but I have kids that I need to start putting through college in 7 more years. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[pequeajim]

It's a struggle to make the choice for sure. I know that I can not afford $20K for just the tractor. My choice really rests between the 1430 and the 425. I was talking to Scott at PT today, (what nice people!), and the 1430 is about 10" longer than the 425, but weighs around 1000 lbs more. It does have a wider stance and a version of weight transfer when using the mower.

He told me that the 1430 will have more power going up a hill than the 425 when mowing, but of course, not like an 1845.

If I get the 1430, I will not be able to afford much more than the mower, bucket and front end hoe.

If I get the 425, I could literally buy $5k worth of toys before I start to tap into my reserve funds.

Man, if they would just put a more powerful engine in the 425!!

I asked him if they had considered the Vanguard gas 31 hp, or Diesel that is in the Ventrac and he had not heard of it. That is a pretty small engine??

 

[MossRoad]

I understand how you're feeling. The 425 chassis is the perfect size. I'm happy with the power, but more power... aaaruuuh!!!??? Where's Tim the Tool Man Taylor when you need him??? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Rip]

Jim,

I fully understand that total cost has to figure into everyones consideration of what they want versus what they can afford. In my case I started seriously consdering the 1430 and ended up with a used 1845.

My point in explaining the different brake systems was to point out a significant difference between models that may not be so evident in looking over the various specs. You are obviously trying to do your homework in researching all the options, and what ever decision you make will at least be an informed one.

All the PTs are certainly good strong versitile machines and will do a lot of work for many years. They are also inherently very stable on hills, especially compared to any brand or type of CUT.

Good luck, Rip

 

[FOURTEEN]

"" He told me that the 1430 will have more power going up a hill than the 425 ""

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif The PT-1430 weighs about 65% more than a PT-425, but only has 20% more HP!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Like a truck with 300 HP compared to a sports car with 'only' 250??!!?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[pequeajim]

I don't think you can just look at the weight.

Some of the thoughts I might have about that are:

How much more torque does the 30hp diesel have than the 25hp gas?
What weel motors are being used on the 1430 vs the 425?
What is the Hydraulic flow rate to the motors on the 1430 vs the 425?

You guys are probably more knowledgeable in these areas, but I would consider more than just weight when comparing the two.

thoughts?

 

[eambrose]

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

 

[pequeajim]

Thanks eambrose:

Very good comments. You're right. The bottom line is that I will not know for sure until I go down there and try a few of the units. My budget is the limiting factor with jumping up to an 1845. Even going to a 1430 would limit the attachments that I could purchase right now.

Another good point is the noise of the diesel. I don't think I will have a problem with that as my previous Ventrac 4000 diesel was pretty loud. I just wore ear plugs when working.

Like most folks getting into a PT I'm trying to research as much as I can even before visiting the factory.

Power Trac is not like other tractors. It is a very hard decision if you are wanting a small all around tractor. The 425 is lean on power and unlike NH, Kubota and JD, to step up to the next level is a pretty big jump in price and size for the tractor and the attachments. This does not necessarly buy me a great boost in performance.