Trip to Tazewell Jan 16, 2006

[BobRip]

Clint Blake and I drove up to Tazewell from just west of Richmond on Monday. It took about 4.5 hours, but the traffice was light.
We were both impressed by the new show room and Scotts help. Every PT model was displayed with at least one of each type of attachment. We also drove both a PT425 and PT 1430. We were able to at least start up a pile of gravel steeper than I wanted to climb. The gravel was loose and the wheels spun, but there was plenty of torque. Scott stated that one of the test they run is to put the machine against a concrete wall and see if there is enough torque to spin the wheels.

We were only there two hours, but we got our parts, spent enough time to look at everything we wanted to see in the show room, and drove both vehicles in two hours.

PT is still growing and adding additional new buildings. It looks like their finances are strong as they are not borrowing for any buildings.

The trip lasted a little less than 12 hours, and I forgot my camera, so no pictures. Sorry for that.

Bob Rip

 

[bbabineau]

Bob

I am headed there next week (the 24th) to drive the 425 and 1430. Is there anything that stood out about either that you wish to share as I try to make my final decision?

Bob

 

[BobRip]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Bob

I am headed there next week (the 24th) to drive the 425 and 1430. Is there anything that stood out about either that you wish to share as I try to make my final decision?

Bob )</font>

I would say that they both do their job very well. I think that your selection should depend on your particular application and the hours/year that you put on it. Both are fine machines, but the 1430 attachments will carry more weight, work faster on a given job, etc. It also has some good engine instrumentation.
The 425 will work in a smaller area.
If I were starting over I would get the 1430, but I now have a lot of money in attachments, much more than in the 422 itself.
I was a little down on the 180. However Scott commented that for the guy who has 1 or 2 acres it's a good choice and I think a better choice than a Wheel horse, or sears garden tractor.

What are your planned uses? If you are going to use it 200 hours per year, in 5 years you will have a 1000 hours. That's a lot on a gasoline engine, but not a lot on a diesel.

I hope this helped, but my drive was only 5 minutes. They had all of the attachments out. I suggest you try all of the ones that you are interested in.

Good luck,

Bob Rip

 

[BobRip]

I see you have three acres. If this is all you are going to use it for, then the 425 if more than adequate. You are also in constuction. If you intend to use it there, perhaps the 1430 is a better choice.
As Jay Leno said, "If I were rich", I would get one of each.

Bob Rip

 

[bbabineau]

Bob

You may be right about the 425 being more than adequate in the long run. I am thinking about the more immediate few years and lean toward the 1430 for these reasons.
I need to build a gravel road probably 300 ft for access to the back of the property. I will build a bridge to cross a creek. The PT will dig abutments and piers for a 6,000 lb capacity with span of 18 feet. I will build a 150 ft retaining wall and level 1 acre for a fenced garden and rough cut about an acre 2 or 3 times a year.
Once these major items are done I will maintain the road, cut the field area and do the annual garden, creek and brush maintainence. A 1430 that could morph to a 425 after one year would probably be the ticket. I can see 400 or 500 hours in each of the first two years and then maybe 100 per year after.
I also have a son in law with 8 acres and he has big plans for development with my tractor so that too may justify the 1430.
Tough decision but hopefully an hour or so on the seat of them may go a long way to helping a decision.

Thanks for your input.

Bob

 

[KentT]

Given that scale of projects, I also think the 1430 would be a better fit. While you could likely do it with a 425, it would certainly take longer...

I'm contracting out all the major clearing and grade work (driveway, septic, footers, etc.) , and will use the 425 only for finish work and then ongoing maintenance.

 

[pajoube]

Great post thank you.
Have to ask, did you buy any new attachments? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
PJ

 

[BobRip]

Given the size of your projects and your sons projects, I think the 1430 would be an excellent choice. Once you have used it for the major projects, I would not think of changing. You will have paid for it with the money saved, and then it should last you a very long time.

Bob Rip

 

[BobRip]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Great post thank you.
Have to ask, did you buy any new attachments? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
PJ )</font>

<font color="red"> </font> PJ, I just bought two quick attach plates and a rear wheel for my bush hog. I was going to buy a 2 inch receiver adapter, but for almost the same price I got two plates. I will make one into a receiver plate, but with three receivers. One straight out, one up, and one down.
Clint Blake bought a grappling bucket and a minihoe. He also bought a 12 inch bucket for the minihoe. I am thinking of making an attachment plate that can connect to the 12 inch and 9 inch bucket. I don't know how well that will work. I believe that you could dig small trenches by using it like a narrow small bucket. Are there any thoughts on this? Has anyone seen something like this?

Bob Rip

 

[J_J]

Is this similar to what you are talking about?