Ventrac 4500 vs Steiner 440

[johara1]

I guess owning a PT. with 2500 psi hyd. system spoils you, but the Steiner at 1500 psi. and 6 gpm. is ok but not great. A 5 gal. capacity again is a step in the right direction. I would hope VT. would do something like the 440, i can fill the 48" slip scoop up with modified and it does not hesitate to pick it up. The PT. 48" bucket is around 9 cf. a 1/3 yd and it would carry it and no weights. It's power was amazing for a 422, but it needs a weight transfer system for hills that is where it lacks……. jim

 

[Raw Dodge]

They're totally different animals, a steiner or ventrac delivers way more pto power to the impliment, what it lacks in hydraulic power it makes up for in pto power . Especially mowing this can make a big difference 11.5 hydraulic hp, a pt 425 delivers is about half or less than that of what a steiner 440 can deliver thru it's pto. Can a pt effectively run a power blower,72-84 " mower or 12k generator? I love both wish I had the money for a PT..maybe a used one one day.

 

[Raw Dodge]

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. These little diesels do not have an advantage, as far as being rugged or long lasting, the gas LC engines have identical build quality and can expect at least the same service life from them as the diesel. There's a common misconception that all diesels last longer and pull better..not true at all with small equipment These machines lack the space for a larger slow turning diesel that would be longer lasting and offer a stronger torque curve. .these small 3600 rpm diesel engines do not have a lower working rpm, or a turbo to produce more torque, as is the case with nearly all diesel trucks vs gas . liquid cooled 3 cylinder gas is every bit of engine as the diesel it's just cheaper easier to find fuel for, and more powerful.

 

[prs]

Some commentary on Raw Dodge's last two postings from a new user of Ventrac, no Steiner or PT experience at all. I was leery of the front PTO design of the VT. A single belt? My Compact Utility (14.5HP 2cy Diesel @ 2,600 RPM) has a front 21 spline PTO driven by two larger belts and even those need replacement every three or four seasons of hard use and its 60" mower would pull it down if the grass was very tall (slow going). BUT 6 gallons of diesel in it would more than double the work done by 6gallons of gasoline in the VT I now own.

Yet, the VT's belt did not slip or fail or bog down in wet moderate tough grass; at least not yet. I was/am much impressed with the implement power ( seven foot contour mower). I am not so impressed by the power of the transmission and steering and how one saps the other. But, I am developing or have developed driving habits that avoid such competition between those two functions. The effect may be enhanced on my machine since I am pushing that big 600+ pound mower through heavy grass on steep terrain. The modern traditional type compact utility tractors typically have separate hydraulic pumps dedicated just to steering, maybe a future improvement for VT?

prs

 

[Industrial Toys]

Ah, but there is nothing like the smell of Diesel Exhaust on a cold crisp morning!

 

[brucet47]

To me diesel is just easier to store and dispense as compared to gasoline. While I have easy access to off-road diesel I still buy the low sulpher as it seems to burn cleaner. I use a couple of 55 gallon drums for storage, designed originally for chemicals, and the local fuel company drops by every couple of months and tops them off. I use a 12V diesel dispense pump that I purchased at TSC and run it off an old 12V battery charger. It pumps about 5 gallons a minute and I don't have to lift 40lbs each time I need to fuel. On the other hand I have (4) 5gal. containers I use to transport and store gasoline. I empty these the old fashioned way into my Hustler and VT4100.

There is no question in my mind that my VT4230 turbo diesel has significantly more get up and go then my VT4100 Kawasaki 25. It is especially noticeable when mowing heavy pasture with the Tuff-Cut. Fuel consumption on the Diesel seems to be about 50-60% of the gas model. I have heard that the turbo diesel tends to come unwound once you pass the 650 hour mark, however I'm at 750+ and so far so good. I do let the turbo cool down for about five minutes before I shut it down. Usually the ride back from the pasture is about that long.

I have a propane 7500 watt generator that I really like. I would take a hard look at propane should either of my Ventracs need to be re-powered in the future. How do those of you using propane refill? Do you maintain a spare tank? I have a 500 gallon propane tank I use for heat. Can a consumer acquire a pump to use an on-site source? Just curious.

Bruce

 

[johara1]

I don't think you will see anything but the 25 hp diesel at least for a while. The torque isn't the greatest on them either, so gas seems the the best way to go…….. jim

 

[johara1]

They're totally different animals, a steiner or ventrac delivers way more pto power to the impliment, what it lacks in hydraulic power it makes up for in pto power . Especially mowing this can make a big difference 11.5 hydraulic hp, a pt 425 delivers is about half or less than that of what a steiner 440 can deliver thru it's pto. Can a pt effectively run a power blower,72-84 " mower or 12k generator? I love both wish I had the money for a PT..maybe a used one one day.

No, but If i added the weight to the rear of a PT. 422 or 425 that VT. needs it would pick the VT or Steiner up and carry them around, plus they handle a 4' box blade, 4' tiller. They will handle that size mowers in the diesels. my generator is self powered, it doesn't move... LOL... They all have their place? jim

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

My Ventrac MC600 60-inch rear-discharge mowing deck does have a rear roller bar. I have not yet had the opportunity to mow any grass with it. I will get back to you in a month or so.

JJM

Here are the results of my initial mowing session. I mowed my yard, the two strips alongside my driveway, and my elderly neighbor's yard. All told, about three acres of mowing. When I popped the hood at the end of the work session, there was very little in the way of clippings on the radiator screen. The temperature gauge never got above the first green segment. The ambient temperature was in the mid-70s.

 

[Raw Dodge]

Here are the results of my initial mowing session. I mowed my yard, the two strips alongside my driveway, and my elderly neighbor's yard. All told, about three acres of mowing. When I popped the hood at the end of the work session, there was very little in the way of clippings on the radiator screen. The temperature gauge never got above the first green segment. The ambient temperature was in the mid-70s.

It's way to early to tell, the grass is full of moisture now.You won't have any build up.Once the dry summer is here you'll see it then, radiator will be drawing it in, I know mine does.Ive had my screen 90 percent blocked and I just keep going until the temp hits 195, and it never has , stays at 180-185..so I've never had to stop to clean a screen yet...my friend had a 4231 TD, and had to stop every 3-5 minutes in the heat of summer, and shut down clean screen , he had no problem in the spring.