The long wait begins.

[toolz_not_toyz]

Well folks. I've been hanging around this forum since February 2004. And I'm pleased to say that he day has finally come. It's my turn. I just got word that my PT425 has shipped from Tazewell.

Thanks all of you for the help in making this decision. If it wasn't for this forum I never would have reached this point. I stumbled into here almost two years ago after clicking a link in a post over at Gardenweb. And I was hooked from the beginning.

MR's videos, pajoube's photo essays, Fourteen's antics, and everyone else's insight and humor convinced me that this was the way to go despite the lack of brand name recognition and a dealer support network. I think this is going to be fun. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Highridge]

Congrats! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
This will be the longest week of your life /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[BillCroasmun]

Congrats! Of course now you'll have to start sharing your project photos as well. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

What kind of projects do you have lined up already? I figure you have some quick hitter projects you'll use to "test" out the new machine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[stray]

Welcome to the family! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Have you told us what attachments are arriving with the new green pet?

 

[toolz_not_toyz]

Bill: There are two projects I have in mind. We just moved into this place last June and I haven't been, err, keeping up with the grass. So general cleanup duties are first. Not very exciting I know. I do hope to install a permanent standby generator before the end of the year. That might involve just trenching to extend a gas line or I might conclude its easier just to install a small underground LP tank....mini-hoe has been assigned to the task. Our road is also a mess. Once again its full of pot holes since the HOA hasn't been able to get organized and get it paved. So I might work on that.

Projects next year would include installng a deck (using the post hole digger), creating a swingset/play area for our daughter, putting in a good sized vegetable garden.

Stray: The final list of attachments is as follows:
-PT 425 (with Bar tires)
-T3325 4 in 1 Bucket
-T3062 10cu Light Material Bucket
-T3025 48" 3-blade mower
-T3219 Post Hole Digger
-T1108 12" dia auger
-T3218 Rotary Tiller
-T3151 Forks
-T3319 Mini Hoe 9" bucket

It took a while to come up with that list and it changed several times over the past 8 months or so. I wasn't going to get the LM bucket right away and thought I'd leave it for a second order in the spring after I had had some seat time with the 4n1. That order would also have included the tiller and post hole digger--stuff for spring/summer projects. But since shipping is kinda, insane, out to the West coast, I decided to cancel that idea and just get everything.

I plan on getting tooth bars from Markham Welding at a later point. Not sure if I'll get them for the LM bucket or the 4n1. I'm waiting for the rest of yuz to come up with more experience in that area. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Phils]

I love technology and tracking the progress of the shipment on the web is one of those simple joys that this simple mind enjoys! My recent shipment of grapple and box buckets came the last half via railroad so there were no updates during that section. The original tractor load came entirely by motorcarrier and is trackable by the day.

I looked where you are located in WA and since I'll be near you in a couple of years (9/07) maybe you'll have enough projects done that I can admire them knowingly as a fellow PT owner. Us "left-coasties" need to stick together.

In the meantime keep checking the Overnite website!!

Phil

 

[BillCroasmun]

Toolz, Sounds great. The maintenance tasks might not sound too exciting but for me they were the main justification for getting a PT vs a smaller garden tractor and renting equipment as needed. 1 machine for (nearly) all my jobs and available all the time. This sold the CFO as well. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Nice list of equipment as well. It's always hard pinching the pocket at first but now you'll have the right tool on hand for just about any job without adding shipping down the road. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[toolz_not_toyz]

I learned a long time ago that having the right tool for the project makes everything go that much more smoothly. Unfortunately, we can't always have the right tool but when given the opportunity to acquire the right tool one should always jump on it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I have debated the whole rental thing. The problem that I always see with it is that you manage the task at hand like a real project in order to avoid cost overruns. Where's the fun in that? This is supposed to a hobby and not a job, right? The other problem with renting is that you can never acquire the amount of seat time that you really need to become good at using the equipment. And that in itself translates into lost time and higher rental fees.

At the old place I observed two different renting tractors. One rented a skid steer and the other rented CUT with a backhoe. The first one tore up his newly planted lawn while trying to figure out how to use the equipment. Best I can figure, he only rented the thing to spread some a couple of truckloads of top soil. The kind of thing I would have done with a lawn tractor, trailer, shovel and rake, over a couple of days. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

The other neighbor (the one that rented the CUT) promptly got stuck in a swampy area of his property and spent half the rental time trying to get the thing out. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

It was all quite entertaining for me at least. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[pajoube]

Your buy list is very complete. About a year from now, you will be ordering another set of attachments /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif as you find more projects.
Have fun and keep us posted.
PJ

 

[Highridge]

Forgot to add - make sure you get a steering wheel spinner. Many here have one and they are great. I just put one on the other day and I wonder how I ever got by without it.