What to look for in a PT

[Spiffy]

Was planning to keep secret the brand and model of machine I've been eyeing until I finalized or dismissed it, but thought I'd be foolish not to enlist the advice of the great mindtrust here.

Anyway, I'm planning to look at a used 2445 trailer package this weekend. The owner seems to take great care of his machines, and when I asked PT about potential parts for it, they asked about the machine and spoke well of the owner too.

Anyway, he just did a clean up and inspection of the machine and is experienced with the PTs, so I'm not really worried. Yet, since I'm inexperienced with the PT's, is there anything that gets commonly overlooked or that I should be looking at?

Thanks guys, just maybe in a few days I'll be a true member of the PT forum....of course, then I'll have no time to post [already too busy with other things, but will need to make this thing pay it's own insurance and payments to justify it, despite all the personal uses I have]. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Of course, I'm thinking the PT does qualify as theraputic relaxation against my other tasks. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Welcome Chad:
Wasabi's your man. He also bought a used 2445 and can advise in detail. In case he isn't reading every post, I'm sending him a private message.

 

[Spiffy]

Thanks Charlie!

I've done a little [actually about 5 years worth of] backreading, so I have been in contact with Wasabi about a couple specifics. He had good answers to those and a couple generals he noted too.

That pretty much sums up my contacts on it though [the seller is an occasional TBN poster too, OK....now everyone knows within about 3 locations where I'm planning to be this weekend]. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

BTW, a little SD research turned up a couple SD PT owners not listed [I think only the one is a TBN member though]. A 425 and 2425. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[DHS]

Hello Chad,

I have owned a 422 for the past four years. It is a great machine. I have had a few minor problems but everything is easily owner repaired. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Let me know if you need anything. I check in every couple of days.

I live on Lake Pelican near Watertown, SD. In which part of the state do you live?

Dale

 

[Spiffy]

I get into Watertown fairly often. Actually, between visiting or helping the inlaws and my relatives: sometimes we feel like a ping-pong ball on a table called "I29" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[wasabi]

Spiffy,

You're kind to characterize my answers as good. There are far wiser "tractor dogs" around, Charlie included, who can give you more experienced, albeit less specific, insights.

If you've researched for awhile, you know the backdrop...beyond that, I'd take a very close look at hoses and conections. Top grade, wire wrapped replacements are best but costy. In any case, plan to become quite familiar with them or sub it out.

Wear and tear on attachments? If significant, refurbishment can be expensive. Actual and elapsed time use...(my electrical system for example, now needs repair.) Bottom line, it is important that it has been well maintained. How it was previously used may also indicate likely future repairs.

I'd be wary of a machine that is cleaned up a little too well. The fellow I bought mine from was curiously reluctant to have me try out the backhoe. (Maybe because I came within a foot of his sweet Harley with it!) I soon therafter got to learn about rebuilding cylinders.

All in all, I'd say the PT2445 is a capable, if slightly gangly, beast with considerable muscle/size ratio and lots of umph.

What are your primary intended uses?

Sabi

 

[Spiffy]

<font color="blue"> What are your primary intended uses?
</font>

Good question! In both respects of the phrase. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif In spite of the latter respect, I'll give some known examples:

Plenty of stumps for the stump cutter (anyone have a good time/per inch diameter stump equation for the 22" cutter?). I always have plenty of FEL work (much of which I'm plenty capable already, but the PT is so much more agile than ag machines). I have some sewage and some water lines that need replacement, not to mention all the "backhoe" projects I always seem to turn up, but ussually find a more pain-staking solution to. I have some wire begging for the trencher. Plenty of lawn to rejuvinate (I'm thinking power rake for a good start). I also have lots of fence that needs replacing; this unit doesn't come with a driver, but every so often a 3pt one on a farm sale goes reasonable, same on the snow blower.

Now bigger picture: between the larger augers, the tiller, rake, and BH (conviently sized), I'm thinking I should be able find quite a few paying jobs for it, where most of the skid-steers around here aren't quite equipped or would do more turf damage.

Clear as mud?!

Oh I also got some great advice [abiet not ussually noted on TBN] from the owner of the 2425: "The machine is incredible, but you'll still find uses for a shovel & spade." /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif tongue for exhaustion after using such tools for extended periods...of course, with the PT any uses should be much less extended! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Spiffy]

And the vedict is:

There's about 4 months of frozen ground coming soon that will make me figure I'm nuts, but I couldn't resist bringing it home!

It's a 2002 2445, but I the trailer is '99, maybe some of the attachments too, but I don't see enough wear on anything to tell. I'll have to e-mail the original owner and ask about those, but I have many attachments to try out.

It does have the factory 3pt controls, but no cylinders (I did get a set of "TSC" or whatever arms and top link with it; have to see what I decide there).

Think I have a clogged valve on the auxillary hydraulics or a weak motor on the stumper, it spun pretty agressively while turned off and doesn't seem to have power (but I may have just been impatient with the stumps I tested) doesn't drag down the engine at all. I have to reverse that thing too. The backhoe however, seemed to have enough power.

Just weighed it in at 5100 on the tractor with hoe. I think this thing is about 50% faster than the new ones (I pulled the trailer to the scales at the grain elevator and it felt like having road gear!), but I don't think it has the traction control of the newer ones..another place for creativity someday maybe....

No time for pictures yet, but I don't think PT has removed the ad from used yet; it's one listed with 525 hours (now 590). I did get quite a few spare parts (and I like the upgraded hoses), but no price concessions: my banker and insurance agent will probaly be able to buy a brand new one by the time they get through with me. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Well, must go....updates later.....

 

[pajoube]

WOW, congratulations on your purchase. We are very glad to have another PT owner on this site to help give advise and wisdom.
PJ

 

[Spiffy]

Thanks for the welcome PJ!

<font color="blue"> We are very glad to have another PT owner on this site to help give advise and wisdom. </font>

Not sure if that's meant asking or providing; but I'm sure of the former and hopefully plenty of the latter. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif