pequeajim
Platinum Member
OH BABY, I LIKE that!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Still Envious
- Thread starter bmac
- Start date
- Views: 3477
Rip
Platinum Member
BMAC,
I may as well chime in with my $.02
I have had a NH TC-30 with 7308 FEL and 72" HD bucket for several years, and while it is a perfectly nice CUT, it is limited in the lift department and will get real tippy on the slightest slopes with unfilled (but max cast weights) wide-set Ag tires.
As I was trying to figure how much improvement I would get with filled R-4 tires and perhaps axle spacers, I learned about the PT slope mower series (TSM 1845/1850) and realized I needed to make a real change if I was going to be able to access the steep and rocky parts of my property (much of it 30 to 35 deg).
To make a long story short(er), I ended up with a used 1845 and changed out the wheel motors for greater torque. Overall this machine has met my requirements and only the 1445 may have also worked out. The BrakeTender system used only on the TSM series tipped my decision that way although the wet disks on the 1445 would probably have worked ok.
The 45 HP 3 cyl Deutz is a sweet engine, and while it is loud standing next to it, I do not find it neccessary to wear ear plugs when operating it. While I did not find the 30 hp of the TC-30 to be lacking, I am "doing more" with the PT and would not want any less.
In summery, steep terain shifted me away from any CUT and then it is a matter of power, size and weight (and of course $$) as to which PT will best suit your needs. I have been where you are now tractor-wise but my property may be more extreme than your new place so a smaller PT model may well suite your needs. Any PT will be more versitile, manuverable, and stable than any CUT though.
Good luck with your new property and with whatever tractor you choose.
I may as well chime in with my $.02
I have had a NH TC-30 with 7308 FEL and 72" HD bucket for several years, and while it is a perfectly nice CUT, it is limited in the lift department and will get real tippy on the slightest slopes with unfilled (but max cast weights) wide-set Ag tires.
As I was trying to figure how much improvement I would get with filled R-4 tires and perhaps axle spacers, I learned about the PT slope mower series (TSM 1845/1850) and realized I needed to make a real change if I was going to be able to access the steep and rocky parts of my property (much of it 30 to 35 deg).
To make a long story short(er), I ended up with a used 1845 and changed out the wheel motors for greater torque. Overall this machine has met my requirements and only the 1445 may have also worked out. The BrakeTender system used only on the TSM series tipped my decision that way although the wet disks on the 1445 would probably have worked ok.
The 45 HP 3 cyl Deutz is a sweet engine, and while it is loud standing next to it, I do not find it neccessary to wear ear plugs when operating it. While I did not find the 30 hp of the TC-30 to be lacking, I am "doing more" with the PT and would not want any less.
In summery, steep terain shifted me away from any CUT and then it is a matter of power, size and weight (and of course $$) as to which PT will best suit your needs. I have been where you are now tractor-wise but my property may be more extreme than your new place so a smaller PT model may well suite your needs. Any PT will be more versitile, manuverable, and stable than any CUT though.
Good luck with your new property and with whatever tractor you choose.
cqaigy
Silver Member
Nice post bmac. It all seemed to make sense to me so either we're both doing a free association thing or it really makes sense. But if you had money to burn what would you do? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
cqaigy
Silver Member
Hey Charlie_Iliff,
Is that some kind of level indicator on top there? Did that come with the tractor or did you add that?
Is that some kind of level indicator on top there? Did that come with the tractor or did you add that?
<font color="blue"> It all seemed to make sense to me..... </font>
If MY reasoning make sense to you (at least when it comes to tractors, about which I freely profess to know very little) you may want to consider therapy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
<font color="blue"> But if you had money to burn what would you do? </font>
If I had to answer that question today, without ever having visited Tazewell or seen a PT in person, the Tim Taylor in me would be ordering a 1460 tomorrow morning. Of course, if I had money to burn, I might just order one of each. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
As I seem to be heavily weighting "lift capacity" in the list of functions the PT can perform (and I realize for many this would be farther down their priority list) and not really considering finish mowing (again, something that is a top prioroty for many) or size, were I in a position where price is no object (and I'm not), then it seems to be a no brainer. Get the big dog.
Seriously, I'm just having a little fun thinking out loud here. If I really had to make a decision under real world (read financial) conditions, I think i would rule out the 1430 for the reasons mentioned previously. If I could free up the cash for a 1445, then that's probably as big as I would go. If that was not doable, then a 425 would do just fine. I would have slightly more (or the same) lift capacity with a 425 than I have now, plus a lower CG for the slopes, many up-front attachments and, most importantly, official membership in the PT fraternity.
If MY reasoning make sense to you (at least when it comes to tractors, about which I freely profess to know very little) you may want to consider therapy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
<font color="blue"> But if you had money to burn what would you do? </font>
If I had to answer that question today, without ever having visited Tazewell or seen a PT in person, the Tim Taylor in me would be ordering a 1460 tomorrow morning. Of course, if I had money to burn, I might just order one of each. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
As I seem to be heavily weighting "lift capacity" in the list of functions the PT can perform (and I realize for many this would be farther down their priority list) and not really considering finish mowing (again, something that is a top prioroty for many) or size, were I in a position where price is no object (and I'm not), then it seems to be a no brainer. Get the big dog.
Seriously, I'm just having a little fun thinking out loud here. If I really had to make a decision under real world (read financial) conditions, I think i would rule out the 1430 for the reasons mentioned previously. If I could free up the cash for a 1445, then that's probably as big as I would go. If that was not doable, then a 425 would do just fine. I would have slightly more (or the same) lift capacity with a 425 than I have now, plus a lower CG for the slopes, many up-front attachments and, most importantly, official membership in the PT fraternity.
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 58,058
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Only solution... Mapquest says it'll take you about 7 hours, 31 minutes(one way to Tazewell, VA /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif).
I hear the mountains of VA are lovely in the springtime. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
You need to test drive some of these PT models to compare your seat of the pants experience on the NH that you are familiar with to see if you are giving up anything or gaining anything. That will be the only way to satisfy your curiosity. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I hear the mountains of VA are lovely in the springtime. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
You need to test drive some of these PT models to compare your seat of the pants experience on the NH that you are familiar with to see if you are giving up anything or gaining anything. That will be the only way to satisfy your curiosity. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
PowerTrom425
Silver Member
Rips says: Any PT will be more versitile, manuverable, and stable than any CUT though.
Couldn't have put any better myself Rip /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Couldn't have put any better myself Rip /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
pequeajim
Platinum Member
I think MossRoad is right. Go ahead and make a spring trip to Tazwell and check out the tractors for yourself. You should do this after you have a good feel of how your tractor will work for you on your property, including the slopes. Then you can make a fair comparison.
Know that after you spend a day or two down there using the tractors, you probably will come away with less money in your bank account /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Know that after you spend a day or two down there using the tractors, you probably will come away with less money in your bank account /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
<font color="blue"> Mapquest says it'll take you about 7 hours, 31 minutes(one way to Tazewell, VA </font>
Oh, yeah, I checked out MapQuest a couple of years ago when you first introduced me to the PT on another TBN forum. Even checked to find the closest airport (there aren't any /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). Driving up there would be a full 3 day adventure.
<font color="blue"> You need to test drive some of these PT models to compare your seat of the pants experience on the NH that you are familiar with to see if you are giving up anything or gaining anything. That will be the only way to satisfy your curiosity </font>
No doubt.
Dang you guys! I first posted just to let you know how much I've enjoyed reading this forum, how impressed I am with the things you are doing with your PT's, etc. I left myself wide open by mentioning the fact that my NH may not work out on the new property and BAM!, now you have me sweating with PT fever again. I can't believe I'm sitting here deciding on which model I would most like to have, calculating $/HP, shopping for earplugs. You guys are killin' me! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Oh, yeah, I checked out MapQuest a couple of years ago when you first introduced me to the PT on another TBN forum. Even checked to find the closest airport (there aren't any /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). Driving up there would be a full 3 day adventure.
<font color="blue"> You need to test drive some of these PT models to compare your seat of the pants experience on the NH that you are familiar with to see if you are giving up anything or gaining anything. That will be the only way to satisfy your curiosity </font>
No doubt.
Dang you guys! I first posted just to let you know how much I've enjoyed reading this forum, how impressed I am with the things you are doing with your PT's, etc. I left myself wide open by mentioning the fact that my NH may not work out on the new property and BAM!, now you have me sweating with PT fever again. I can't believe I'm sitting here deciding on which model I would most like to have, calculating $/HP, shopping for earplugs. You guys are killin' me! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
PowerTrom425
Silver Member
hey bmac.......have you seen the movie that was released last weekend??????
Sleepless in Newnan
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Sleepless in Newnan
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif