Still Envious

pajoube · Nov 19, 2004

One way to cover this problem is to get a PT425 and then you will have the best of both worlds. The problem will come when you find yourself asking which tractor will I drive today?
PJ

MossRoad · Nov 19, 2004

Ah, the two tractor strategy... dangerous, but exciting if you have a spouse. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ontheweb · Nov 19, 2004

(
and 750 lbs seemed like a lot of weight. But I learned very quickly than 1. pavers are heavy and 2. It doesn't take many on a pallet to exceed the capacity of my tractor. I've had other lifting limitations occur as well - not with the bucket but with the pallet forks. Of course, lifting isn't the only thing I will be doing, but having more lift capacity would be nice.

If I ever do change I'd be tempted to bite the bullet and go... )

See, that is what I don't want to have happen to me. Buyer remorse. I'm very attracted to the 425 as well, but I tend to always buy machines that can do way more than I intend to. For example, I think if you are going to run around with a 60" mower deck, then who cares if your machine is 53" wide (like the 1430) instead of 45" like the 425. And the bigger lift/digging/grading capacitywould be nice. Of course the weight is a bummer because my trailer can't haul 2500lb tractor with attachments. Could get a new trailer... Of course the base price is a bummer and the attachments are more expensive than the 425.

Hmmmm...Everyone seems happy with their 425's, but I need to get 600# pallets off a semi-truck on occasion, not to mention paver blocks, cement and whatnot, and if the 425 would not do it, that would suck. Hmmm, maybe the 2425? But, no one seems to have that model and everyone thinks it is allegedly tippy... Hey, the 1430 is a more powerful diesel rumored to last longer but might be noisy and finicky in colder weather... lower center of gravity and big lift capacity. But, will it navigate the narrower parts of my yard? Go through a 48" fence? Give me headaches if I have to service the diesel? Drive my neighbors crazy with diesel chatter?

Then, again, everyone is happy with their 425's... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Selecting a tractor is turning out to be one of the more difficult projects I could not have imagined would be so tough...

OnTheWeb

MossRoad · Nov 19, 2004

Yes, it is a chore to select the right tractor and hope you get what you need and want.

To answer a few of your questions...

With a narrow tractor like the 400 series, it is easier, overall, to get into and out of places than a wider machine. For instance, you can pop on the forks, lift the 60" finish mower from the side, drive it through a 48" gate, put it down, pop off the forks and pop on the mower and be off and mowing in about a minute and a half.

As for the lift capacity... if you need more lift than the 400 series will provide, you need a larger machine. If you need more lift height, you need a machine that will lift higher or a loading dock. This is something I plan on putting in next to our outbuilding at our property. I have a high bank of dirt that I will be carving out and putting in a loading dock wall. I've always wanted one and out there I have the space to do it.

The gas engine(at least our Kohler) is very loud. Wait until you fire up a brush hog or mower. It is even louder. I've never heard the deisel, but I'll bet the gas will compete toe to toe in the loudness department. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Charlie_Iliff · Nov 19, 2004

It is even louder. I've never heard the deisel, but I'll bet the gas will compete toe to toe in the loudness department. 
It'll be close, but I'll bet on the diesel. The 1430 is a bit louder than the 1845. I have earplugs hanging on my 1845 keychain, and Pro-ears when I remember them.
People hear Power Tracs coming. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

FOURTEEN · Nov 19, 2004

"" 1445 or 1460 - just to get the lift capacity ""

Sorry, can't see that move!! That would be like buying a bus instead of a station wagon!!

I'm just starting a project to install about 900 pavers (Belgian Blocks). The PT-425 will only carry about 20 at a time, but so what, that gives me an excuse to drive my PT more!!
That's 45 loads. A PT-1460 could do it in 15 loads for only an extra $12,000!!!! $12,000 to save 30 trips is $400 per trip!!!!
For $12,000 I would gladly carry the blocks 1 at a time, balanced on my head, through a swamp!!!!

I won't mention trying to mowing the lawn around the rose bushes with a 3 ton tractor!!!!

Of course, there may be jobs that it would be great to have the power of a 1460, and times when a PT-180 would be all that's needed, but you may have noticed that most PT postings are about the PT-425. Why?? Because it's not too big, it's not too small, it's just right, for most people, doing most jobs, most of the time!!

PS: Sometimes a hammer isn't the only tool you need!! Have you considered getting an old used forklift just to do the loading, unloading, and heavy lifting?? My neighbor has one that was very inexpensive, and sits behind his barn 99% of the time, but when he needs high or heavy, it's there!! For example, 5000#, 9' Lift, Buy It Now for $1,695!! Forklift /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

pequeajim · Nov 20, 2004

I did a lot of think, reading and self debating on which tractor to get. I was looking at the 1430 as well, but only because I was worried about going up some of my hills with the 60" deck running.

The clincher for me was that for what I want to do, 800 lbs of lifting power is plenty and I really liked the size the the PT-425 compared to the larger versions.

I did drive the 1430 around when I was at Power Trac and although it has a little more torque on the bottom end, the extra weight of the tractor just about evens things out.

Oh, yeah... The fact that I got my tractor and all of my attachments for the same price as just a 1430 helped too! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

bmac · Nov 21, 2004

Obviously, just by looking at the number of 425 owners on this forum compared to owners of the other models, Powertrac has hit a home run with the 425, providing a balance of size, functionality and price that fits the needs of most folks. From a rather cursory analysis of the other models, the least beneficial upgrade from the 425 would be to a 1430. Huge jump in price for 5 more HP, 1 ft of lift and 400 lbs more lift capacity. Now, for the 1430 owners out there, I'm not criticizing your choice of machine. Clearly, it was the right decision for you. Just looking at the numbers doesn't necessarily provide the whole picture. But, Jim, it seems as though your observations from your test drives would support this analysis. Again, just looking at the numbers, the 1460 seems to provide the cheapest HP and lift capacity of any model. Granted, one has to spend more than twice the price of a 425 to get these "benefits" and it does take away some functionality (e.g. mowing), but if one is going to consider something bigger than a 425, I guess this is one way to look at it. Of course, looking at $21,500 might be a better way to look at it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I don't know how size (overall dimensions and weight) would impact on my usage. MossRoad often brings up the issue of passing through a 48" gate with the 425. Certainly, for those with such gate dimensions to deal with, this would be important. Commercial landscapers would often be faced with such limitations and this would be a huge factor in their purchasing decision. The fencing I have now has two 10 ft gates in addition to my narrow walk-through. Any fence I have in the future will be similarly configured. So, width isn't really an issue for me (I don't think).

As for mowing, FOURTEEN makes good sense - who wants to mow with a 3 ton monster? Pretty obvious again that the 425 would be the primo unit for this function. If I had a 425, I would most likely make it my mowing machine as well. But my plans are to keep my current mower (did not get a mower for my NH because it is just too big to negotiate my lawn and too heavy as well). So, I'm not sure mowing prowess is a big factor for me.

I see my future tractor needs (until we move, my tractor needs will be minimal) as 1. turning 12 acres of densely overgrown woods into a more park-like setting (thinning trees, removing underbrush, etc.) 2. creating a small trail system for my kids to ride vehicles (go-carts or ATVs) on plus maintenance of these trails, 3. landscaping to include ornamental tree planting. There will likely be some hardscaping mixed in as well after the home is built.

Now, my NH TC29D is probably capable of doing everthing I need to do unless the slopes become an issue. I haven't had my tractor on the property yet (heck, I haven't even walked the whole parcel yet - too much undergrowth) so how well it will handle it remains to be seen.

But, in the meantime, while I return to my PT fantasy world and wonder which of these beauties I would most want to have should I ever let the NH go, I'm having Tim The Toolman Taylor moments and dreaming of the bigger (not necessarily badder) boys. Clearly, looking at the work you guys accomplish with the 425, it would be able to do probably anything I would want to try. But, in a dream world, practicality doesn't have to be invited, and one can imagine himself on a 3 ton, 60 hp behemoth belching diesel fumes and irritating the neighbors in the next county with the noise you are generating just taking the garbage out for roadside pickup. Or do i need counseling? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

In any event, the point of my original post was not to bemoan my decision to purchase the NH (although it certainly is not the "perfect" tractor) but more to tip my hat to you guys who are doing and documenting amazing things with a quirky little machine that still intrigues me. At the same time, it has given me the opportunity to set reality aside for a moment and do some "what if" dreaming. Who knows? This may some day prove to have been "contingency planning".

Sorry for the long post. My insomnia is getting the best of me and I just got carried away on the keyboard. Sort of stream of consciousness nonsense.

Thanks again to you all.

pequeajim · Nov 21, 2004

Nice observations bmac...

No doubt that you have the PT bug biting you. It's this little bug the size of a deer tick that you never find and just keeps biting at you all the time /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

"one can imagine himself on a 3 ton, 60 hp behemoth belching diesel fumes and irritating the neighbors in the next county with the noise you are generating just taking the garbage out for roadside pickup. Or do i need counseling?"

Yes, you would if you bought something like a 1845 and felt the need to paint shark's teeth on the front like the old P040 airplanes of WWII, LOL!

Good luck with your property. Keep working with the NH to get things done and like you said, then if it doesn't meet your needs, look at something else.

Jim!

Charlie_Iliff · Nov 21, 2004

if you bought something like a 1845 and felt the need to paint shark's teeth on the front like the old P040 airplanes of WWII, LOL!


I decided against painted teeth. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
TEETH