Ventrac 4500 vs Steiner 440

[ernemats]

Hi Jim haven't heard from you for a while. How does the Steiner compare to the Power Trac overall since you have owned both? Ernie

 

[johara1]

Ernie, To get something you have to give up something. The Steiner has more power on the travel and cuts grass better plows snow better but the hydraulic power is gutless compared to the PT and if you want to do any serious work with the bucket better get a PT. I have had one zero turn and found them to be a death trap on hills and wet grass, went to a VT. same as the Steiner with even less hyd. power. The mower deck is nicer on the VT than the Steiner but the Steiner gives a better cut on the level. The both hook up easy but not as easy as the PT. but if PT would have a a simple weight transfer to make them better on the slopes it would be in the shed…… jim

 

[Bearsden]

Bearsden, something i wanted to mention that i didn't see brought up, the diesel powered machines only make sense if you have an off road bulk diesel tank on site, they aren't better enough on fuel to offset the national average of about 60-70 cents per gallon difference in price..........

We have two 1,000 gallon tanks, one gas, one off road diesel.

 

[Bearsden]

I haven't been on for a bit due to a long drawn out effort to get this purchase approved by the board and then by the membership; the challenges and drama of an HOA. We ended up getting the Ventrac 4500Y diesel with the the three attachments I first mentioned. So far all are working as advertised. Upon delivery, the dealer mounted the rough cut mower, drove it over to one of our dams and immediately drove onto the side of the dam without any hesitation and started mowing. Grassy area are being mowed and look better than they have in a long time and we've begun mowing trails with one of the longest at 1.25 miles being mowed by machine for the first time after previous mowing with string trimmers. Did a bit of test blowing ditches, which will take place primarily in the Fall, and the leaves are ending up about 100' back into the woods. We're happy so far.

 

[prs]

Bearsden, I have a similar set of goods. I come up your way each early Fall to get further educated and to ride the back roads. Maybe we can meet-up an you can show off your set-up. My Dad and I used to come up to Blackwater/Caanan every Fall to grouse and woodcock hunt. None of the modern development was there. The Warden Hotel was on its last legs, the Blackwater Lodge was new and we used the cabins there. Out where the Caanan Resort park is now was totally empty and HEAVEN for us. There was a little house out there with a doll in the window, old and abandoned and run down, we called it the Doll House and it was pretty spooky. Well, now, its all developed and grown-up. Future Gatlinburg of WV.

prs

 

[Bearsden]

Maybe we can meet-up an you can show off your set-up.

Holler if and when you decide to come up.

 

[prs]

I will be there, not sure of the date, but typically a weekend in September when WVU football is away(not my dates to pick). Look for PM soon.

prs

 

[Stan Wilhite]

I have the "under powered" Kubota Diesel and I have yet to find it lacking. I use the Snow Blower and shoot snow 30' easy. I cut 5 acres of grass weekly with the 60" side discharge mower. I have no complaints on this machine at all. I was lucky enough to test drive them both as my dealer sold both. Steiner was having control problems at that time. If I was to go gas I would go with the Kawasaki engine.

Is it common for a dealer to carry both Steiner and Ventrac? Seems like (just by looking at pics) that they're too close to the same piece of eqp for that to make sense. (Here again, I know nothing about either.)
Thanks, Stan

 

[johara1]

Hi Jim haven't heard from you for a while. How does the Steiner compare to the Power Trac overall since you have owned both? Ernie

Ernie, I have a Ventrac now, It is the best mower I ever had hills, and the cut Quality is very good. Snow blade works very well and I don't need chains. The Bucket Is near worthless for any kind of excavation, it will carry things around as long as they aren't very heavy. The 422 PT. would carry over a 1/3 yard of modified stone in the 10 CF. bucket but the Ventrac would have trouble lifting 500 lb. about half of the PT....... Jim