Some Technical PT questions

[woodlandfarms]

Thanks to everyone who is giving me advice in regards to a possible PT.

I wanted to get some insight from you all before I contact PT.

First, Is a 30HP PT generally equate to as much oomph as a 30HP CUT.

I have narrowed it down to two... Either a 1430 or the 1845. The 1430 is in my price range, and power interest (at least from the standpoint of a CUT). Because of the slope on my property I need to widen the stance like the 1845. Can anyone comment on this happening to a 1430? I am wondering (and will know on Monday worse case) if I can get the 1845 wheels on the 1430. Or if PT will widen the motor stands. The 1845 would be a nice tractor, but it is just at the edge of my comfort of spending without any attachments.

I see some people are reversing the tires. Can you post a picture so I can understand what you mean. I assume it is bar tread direction you are referring to.

How strong is the electrical on these tractors. I will need to run a sprayer, which will pull juice off the system.

I guess there is no PTO chipper option. Anyone rig something up yet? Hate to spend the money on another motorized item when the tractor has a perfectly good one.

How do you get a 1845 delivered? Do the send it out with just 4 wheels, then add the others onsite?

So, thanks again for all the help so far.

Carl

 

[Bob999]

I have narrowed it down to two... Either a 1430 or the 1845. The 1430 is in my price range, and power interest (at least from the standpoint of a CUT). Because of the slope on my property I need to widen the stance like the 1845. Can anyone comment on this happening to a 1430? I am wondering (and will know on Monday worse case) if I can get the 1845 wheels on the 1430. Or if PT will widen the motor stands. The 1845 would be a nice tractor, but it is just at the edge of my comfort of spending without any attachments.

I see some people are reversing the tires. Can you post a picture so I can understand what you mean. I assume it is bar tread direction you are referring to.

How strong is the electrical on these tractors. I will need to run a sprayer, which will pull juice off the system.

I guess there is no PTO chipper option. Anyone rig something up yet? Hate to spend the money on another motorized item when the tractor has a perfectly good one.

How do you get a 1845 delivered? Do the send it out with just 4 wheels, then add the others onsite?

If you are working really steep slopes the 1845 has some significant advantages. First the extra 15 HP really make a difference working upslope with a PTO attachment like a mower. Second the wider stance provided by dual wheels provides much increased stability on really steep slopes. Third the 1845 has the brake tender system--it will automatically stop the machine if the engine quits or a hose bursts while working on a steep slope. (the 1430 has only a parking brake in addition to the hydrostat and the parking brake is not designed to applied when the machine is moving).

Dual wheels put a lot of extra stress on the motor bearings. My concern with adding dual wheels to a 1430 would be premature wheel bearing and seal failure. PT should be able to give you more detailed technical advice on that point.

Some of the 400 series tractor users reverse the wheels to get a wider tread--they can do this because on the 400 series tractors the standard wheel mounting is to have the wheel hub offset to the outside. Reversing the wheels puts the offset to the inside and increases tread.

On my 1845 the inside wheel standard mounting has the offset to the inside and it is not feasible to reverse the wheel. I can't answer whether it is feasible to reverse the wheels on a 1430. If you can do it then the caveats about increased stress on the wheel bearings applies.

My 1845 has a 40 amp alternator and I use electric sprayers and spreaders with no problems.

PT offers delivery by custom carriers. My 1845 was delivered fully assembled on a trailer pulled by a HD pickup.

 

[MossRoad]

I cannot comment on the 1400 and up series tractors, as I have a 425. However, I can tell you that in a pulling contest, a standard 25HP CUT will pull a PT425 all over the place. That is due to gearing. CUTs are geared for ground engaging tasks, like plowing dirt. CUTs can also mow lawns, run brush hogs, do FEL work, etc... From my own experience, however, the PT design does a better job with mowing, brush hogging and FEL work and a conventional tractor does a better job at pulling tasks. So I had to define the chores that I wanted to do the most and get the machine that would do them the best for the money that I could afford. Since I do little to no pulling jobs, the Power Trac won hands down.

What are the tasks that you need to accomplish and what tasks will you be doing the most?

 

[woodlandfarms]

Brushogging / spraying is tops for this year. Then road maintenance (My drive way is 1000' and the road is nearly a mile that we all pitch in on). Soon some tree planting and the start of construction on shops / house... The usual FEL work (moving rocks / wood) Probably pick up a grappler bucket along with a standard bucket. Ohhh Chipping.. Some day soon they are going to outlaw burning here...

The one thing about the 1845 is the size of the mower.. Not sure who I will get it around my trees...

And now I have to find an additional 10K if I go down that road... Wife is going to love this conversation...

 

[RegL]

I reversed the wheels on my 1430 and it did feel more stable. Trouble is, it didn't work out for field mowing cause the wheel track was a little wider than the brush hog and it left stringers, Would probably be OK if you were mowing brush. Also, I think the 5' brush hog for a 1430 will fit on the 1845 if you need a narrower one. I like my 1430 but if I had it to do over again and could afford it, I would get the 1845.