The long wait begins.

toolz_not_toyz · Nov 9, 2005

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 · Nov 9, 2005

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

BillCroasmun · Nov 9, 2005

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 · Nov 9, 2005

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 · Nov 10, 2005

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 · Nov 10, 2005

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 · Nov 10, 2005

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 · Nov 10, 2005

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 · Nov 10, 2005

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 · Nov 11, 2005

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.

tracdoc · Nov 11, 2005

( 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. )

Toolz, You might want to consider getting 'em both. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Really, Markham bars are very reasonably priced. On the 4n1 (a considerably beefier built bucket than the LMB as you will immediately see), the bar will do what you would expect, in terms of digging/ripping. That said, where I really noticed a major league enhancement is the toothbar on the LMB. After a month of general use, it is nothing short of fantastic. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The bar strengthens and rigidizes the LMB by reinforcing it side-to-side at the level of the leading edge of its floor. It has quickly become my favorite for general work. I am getting the hang of back dragging with the rear bottom of the up-curled bucket, so there is no need to remove the toothbar for that task.

It looks like you have selected some very useful 'arrows for your quiver,' so to speak. Hearty congratulations on your choice of a PT. I was worried that the shipping costs were going to make you turn orange. We all look forward to seeing some pics when your 'baby' arrives, and of course when you do some projects and/or mods.

toolz_not_toyz · Nov 11, 2005

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I completely forgot about the spinner suggestion. All of the forklifts I used to drive (several years ago now) had spinners and there would have been no way you could get through a shift without one. I can't imagine getting by without a spinner on equipment like this. I'll have order one ASAP.

I decided against getting arms for the seat. Not too sure how many of you have the arms but I was thinking that it might be better just to replace the seat all together. It's an easy upgrade.

I also want to add either some sort of tail lights (with a flasher relay) so that I won't get killed if working on the road. The new LED lights should fit the bill perfectly. Might want to move those front lights up to the canopy as well.

tracdoc: I think the idea of an LM with toothbar may have come from you. In reviewing my list of attachments again and again over the past few weeks and digging through this forum over and over (looking for opinions and reviews), I became concerned about the capacity of the RB and the 4n1. I kept on thinking about a posting I had read about an LM with a toothbar (probably yours). The benefit of the extra strength from the bar is exactly what kept me coming back to that idea.

FOURTEEN · Dec 12, 2005

( 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.)

 WOW!! I'm amazed at your snap decision!! Even though it may seem that you are rushing into joining the PT family, you will not regret it!!
I've owned my PT-425 for as long as you have been thinking about it! I don't know what I would have been able to accomplish without it! 240 hours of use so far without any lawn mowing or snow plowing!! 

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

FOURTEEN · Dec 12, 2005

(I also want to add either some sort of tail lights (with a flasher relay) so that I won't get killed if working on the road.)


 My $5 gumball has worked great for nearly 2 years! It's magnetic for easy installation, and wired to the headlight switch.

PS: Have you reversed the wheels yet!!??!!

toolz_not_toyz · Dec 12, 2005

Haven't reversed the wheels. I don't think I'm going to need to. But we'll see....

The top of the engine cover is different on the Robin 425s. The part closest to the operator (over that gas tank) is vented. The hydraulic fan is now located on the half towards the rear (where your gumball is). I was thinking of either cutting into the rear vertical portion of the engine cover in order to install rear lights with grommets (more work) or possibly mounting magnetic lights (see attached photo) on top of the engine cover or under the rear of the canopy (less work either way).

You can get these from Gemplers. They're not cheap though...

Magnetic tractor tail lights

KentT · Dec 12, 2005

Have you considered something like this for inexpensive rear warning lights:

Light Bar at JC Whitney

At 22-3/4"W x 1-1/2"H x 1"D it would fit on the back pretty readily, and at $34 it's relatively cheap...

toolz_not_toyz · Dec 12, 2005

My preference would be to find a solution with LEDs to keep the power requirements down. I'm surprised I didn't find that light bar in the JC Whitney catalog I have here. The measurements look to be perfect to fit right under the rear of the canopy. Thanks for the link!

BTW, I'm not so concerned about flashing as just having some light back there. At night it gets pretty dark in the rear. Steady red tail lights would be a worthy addition, especially if you can make them flash too! Of course, to add flashing you need to cobble up a circuit with a flashing relay... That's what makes the light bar an easy upgrade.

pajoube · Dec 12, 2005

Fourteen
Great to see you back.
PJ

tracdoc · Dec 12, 2005

Toolz,

Last winter, I bought from Gemplers a single 6" round amber flashing light w/ magnetic base powered off 4 AA batteries for ~$15. It is reliable w/ half mile range, and no hassles as far as wiring is concerned. I've mounted it on the engine cover, and I've also mounted it on the R/FOPS canopy. Works great either location, and I remove it when I don't need it.

I just checked their site, and I can't find my light, but I found one even nicer w/ LED technology and it only uses 2 AA batteries, and has a 1 mile range, too. You can also change mode from steady to flasher. The real kicker is the price, $26 each. You can buy a pair for $50 and save yourself the hassle of wiring and power draw worries. With LEDs, the battery life should be substantial. Check it out {HERE}

FOURTEEN · Dec 13, 2005

( Last winter, I bought from Gemplers a single 6" round amber flashing light)

 Nice light, but the URL that you provided is for the RED model! Using flashing Red or Blue lights is illegal unless you are police or fire! Only use the AMBER model!!