Tazewell Visit Suggestions

[SpringHollow]

Hi JJ,

It might be an optical illusion. When i get a chance, I will go and measure.

Ken

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Thank you all for your good advice.
So I've been checking stuff out here on the outernet, and I've been playing with is protractor pic on Paint, and now have a good Idea of how steep 40 and 45 degrees is.
And I tell ya, whoever uses a Slope Mower on a hill that steep, wow is all i can say.
I gave me a good idea that the slopes we work on around around 40 degrees now.
An 1845 could handle it but from evething I've heard about the 1850, and the fact it's only $1,000 for the big machine, that seems like the best bet. Has Producity writen all over it.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Well guys, got any more suggestions for the trip?

Were kind of stuck on what model we need. The 1445 seems good but you know, being landscapers we can get contracted to do about any from just plain mowing, to small demolition work, anything that has to do with property maintenance. But what if we get like a 1445 and then later on we get contracted to work on a 40+ Degree slope. We're not currently working on that step of slopes right now but our needs change about as fast as Bill from the Red Green show injures himself! The 1445 can only handle 30 Degrees.
We could just buy another PT, a Slope Mower, but after we purchase a PT we won't be able to afford a Slope Mower. We could afford another 1445 or 1460 but not a Slope Mower. Unless we can sell our Bobcat 430 Excavator and our Case 1845C (both aren't used anymore).The trip will hopefully help us.
So what do you guys think? Should we buy a Slope Mower now?

 

[MossRoad]

You are talking about buying a slope mower in case you get slope mowing contracts. I do not operate my own business, but that seems kind of a bad decision. If you are pursuing slope mowing business aggressively and have good prospects on getting them, then maybe. But to buy the equipment and then hope some business comes along...

 

[KentT]

So what do you guys think? Should we buy a Slope Mower now?

Tagging on to Moss's advice, I wouldn't pursue a slope mower unless you intend to SPECIFICALLY target slope mowing jobs. Otherwise, for general landscaping, I'd go for the 1445, and perhaps look at replacing both the JD and your skidsteer or other equipment. Should you get in a position where you need more slope capability, look at putting dual wheels on the 1445 temporarily... For less that that $1000, you can likely get the duals setup, and then all you're doing is trading the swinging seat of the 1450 for the additional lift of the 1445. The engines are the same as far as I know (i.e. the engine lube system of the 1445 should handle steeper slopes).

My initial thoughts, at least...

 

[Rivco]

I've been following your posts...and I'm confused. You say that you and your dad are mainly mowing private residences, and you mow one property that might have an incline of 30 to 40 degrees. Why would your dad spend $32,000.00 plus attachments on a slope mower when he only has a few property maintenance contracts. (doesn't make sense ! ). Also you just posted earlier that you / your dad lost the one job that required a slope mower. Now you are interested in a 1445. If you need the lift capacity......stick with your dad's John Deere.

 

[SpringHollow]

the 1850 has a greater mower width which adds up quickly and better slope capability with a trade off of lift capacity. I know others say it is not a good all around unit but i certainly use it that way. Bush hogging so far has been less than 5% of my use and most of that is on 20 ｰ slopes or less. I just have to remember that my NH 1520 could only lift 800 lbs and that my NH 2120 could lift double the 1850 but only if on flat ground which means i rarely could use either's lift capacity. The reality is that any where away from my barn and driveway, i can lift more with the 1850. But there are times where the lift of the 2120 would be nice. The bottom line is I have put more hours on the pt in a couple of years than my other tractors combined in over 15 years. But that would not be the case comparing a 1445 and a 1850.

Everyone's needs are different and you just need to prioritize.

I would be concerned about buying equipment, especialy new, with no work demanding it.

Ken

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

They make Duals that could work on a 1445?

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

KentT, MossRoad,
Are targeted jobs are Residential Mowing, Sodding, New Yard maintenance, minor Demolition (Driveways, etc), Excavating (which we don't really get anymore), Hardscaping (nothing big or heavy), and Bush Hogging.
Recently, in trying to find more jobs, we've been taking on Slope Mowing. So far we've only had the one hill, which we had to mow quite a bit, and now that property has been sold (but the sale has not gone through yet do we might still be mowing it ) But we have only that job so far but being targeted to Slope Mowing we should be getting more contracts. We just don't want to buy a 1445 and then get contracted for a 45 degree slope.

I've always wondered though, why guys like Charlie Iliff and Sedgewood, have bought 1845s with single tires and not needing the Slope Mowing capability? Something to do with Horsepower or size?

 

[ponytug]

No. Or rather not officially. I know of no 1445 owner that has done it. If you aren't brush hogging, you can use the turf tires which are another 4" or so wider, giving slightly better stability.

I have to say that it does help to be clear on what you will be doing with your tractor. I fence sat between the 1445 and 1845 and came down on the 1445 by giving up my requirement that I be able access 100% of our land and I also focused on my need to clear brush, rather than mow.

One thing I would reiterate is that the slope ratings are not absolute- a slope with an average of 30 degrees will have rocks, and gopher holes that suddenly make it 37 degrees locally, and you also need to bear in mind that when a PT turns the center of gravity moves forward, which can cause tipping ("PT pucker"). This is true for large loads, and for mowing, if you turn across the slope. If you think that you will routinely be mowing 30 degree slopes, especially slopes with no room top or bottom to turn, I would encourage you to go with the slope mower rather than the 1445. The advice is double underlined for wet or slick mowing.

Enjoy your trip to Tazewell; I think you will get a better understanding of the differences between PowerTracs and other tractors, both positives and negatives. Make sure you do a few donuts on the practice slope.

Like Ken, my PT sees a lot of use just because it is so darn handy.

You will be the one using the tractor, and it has to work for you.

All the best,

Peter

They make Duals that could work on a 1445?

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Peter,
Do you have the 72" Rough Cut (with stump jumpers) or the 72" Brushcutter?

 

[ponytug]

72" brush cutter- it cuts pretty much anything up to 3" oak, 4" softwood without a problem. I have cut a few 4" oaks- you know it when you hit one, but they do get cut down.

I tried the rough cut mower for the 1430, and it has the great advantage that it is three blades, which puts the whole mower closer to the tractor, and reduces the tendency to slip sideways on steep slopes. (less downhill torque.) But, it is designed for grass, not brush.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

You happen to have a Pic of the Brushcutter, Peter?

Never seen the 72" Brushcutter, only the 72" Finish Mower.

 

[Sedgewood]

I've always wondered though, why guys like Charlie Iliff and Sedgewood, have bought 1845s with single tires and not needing the Slope Mowing capability? Something to do with Horsepower or size?

Hmmm... gotta think back. I'd have to say size mostly in my case - and the fact that I had only a couple of small spots as steep as 30 degrees to mow. Size because I work in open woods a lot and the space between trees can be a problem. Horsepower on the 1845 has been adequate though torque for climbing when hot is an ongoing problem.

After the fire I thought long and hard about replacing the 1845 with the new 1445 model which PT brought out after I bought the 1845. In the end economics won and I rebuilt the 1845 instead. If I were looking for a tractor today I might go with the 1445 though the lack of a brake tender to stop a downhill runaway when a hose bursts could be a safety issue for working on hills. Am I right about this - I haven't really researched the 1445 wet brakes?

Two big things I see getting in the way of using a slope mower for heavy commercial use are keeping the cooling system clean enough to prevent overheating and flat tires. Oh, and limited climbing torque while hot. Solve those problems and you'll run rings around the guy with a cut.

Sedgewood

 

[Bob999]

Two big things I see getting in the way of using a slope mower for heavy commercial use are keeping the cooling system clean enough to prevent overheating and flat tires. Oh, and limited climbing torque while hot. Solve those problems and you'll run rings around the guy with a cut.

Sedgewood

I changed out the OEM 2 ply tires for 6 ply and that largely solved the flat tire problem.

With the smaller diameter (23") tires on the dual setup I have never had a problem with climbing torque. I think a possible solution would be to use the approach of Bob Rip--a xxW50 synthetic oil (where xx is as low a number as possible) Granted synthetic oil is pricey when filling a 20 gallon tank!

I have nothing to add on keeping the cooling system clean.

 

[ponytug]

The 1445 has the fail on brakes as well. I wouldn't go out on steep slopes without the fail on brakes.

On the brushcutter question:
I don't have a photo of mine handy.
There is a photo on the PT website; it is a slightly different design than mine, but I don't know which is current.
This one has an indirect drive to the blades, while mine has a direct drive. Pros and Cons to both. In all cases, I would consider reinforcing the upper deck. (Subject of an older thread...)

All the best,
Peter

Hmmm... ...

After the fire I thought long and hard about replacing the 1845 with the new 1445 model which PT brought out after I bought the 1845. In the end economics won and I rebuilt the 1845 instead. If I were looking for a tractor today I might go with the 1445 though the lack of a brake tender to stop a downhill runaway when a hose bursts could be a safety issue for working on hills. Am I right about this - I haven't really researched the 1445 wet brakes?

Two big things I see getting in the way of using a slope mower for heavy commercial use are keeping the cooling system clean enough to prevent overheating and flat tires. Oh, and limited climbing torque while hot. Solve those problems and you'll run rings around the guy with a cut.

Sedgewood

 

[ponytug]

If you think you are going to want the XXW50, you might just want to ask PT to fill the tank with it before you buy. Before I bought mine, I asked about biodegradable hydraulic oil and Terry was OK with doing it. Knowing what I know now, I would have filled with 5W50 synthetic.

All the best,

Peter

I changed out the OEM 2 ply tires for 6 ply and that largely solved the flat tire problem.

With the smaller diameter (23") tires on the dual setup I have never had a problem with climbing torque. I think a possible solution would be to use the approach of Bob Rip--a xxW50 synthetic oil (where xx is as low a number as possible) Granted synthetic oil is pricey when filling a 20 gallon tank!

I have nothing to add on keeping the cooling system clean.

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Thank you all for the advice.
Well we've been talking to the buyers of the property that has the 40 degree hill we mowed and they may want us to mow it if things work out. After we told them we're looking into a machine that can work safely on a hill that steep they seemed interested. These people only have a small CUT and they're not going to waste money on a 3 $32,000 machine just for mowing that hill. We'd be using it for other things so it would be very handy for us.
So were trying to get a date set for the trip to "Taze". If all goes well, we'll take the trip Friday, June 12. The day after I get out of school. We'll give the 1445 and the 1845 a good testing, especially on the hill climing ability (we may try the 1850 if we can). I saw on a post there's a hill about 2 miles from the PT plant that's a good site for hill climbing tests. I hope things go well.
And We'll bring our trailer, just in case

 

[ToolcatWonka5610]

Well guys looks like the trip will happen! Things are going well and I had to see if something was out of the way and now it should be. At Taz, we'll try out the 1850 and some attachments.
I'm thinking of taking J_J's advice and find some with a PT to go with us.