what tractor should I buy ?

MossRoad · May 10, 2003

I do not really need to buy a tractor 

Oh,yes you do! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 10, 2003

You are right every real man should have a tractor on his property!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK real woman too.!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bmac · May 10, 2003

David,
You are going through the same process I did. Spent a year doing this. Started looking at the BX22. Was ready to pull the trigger when I thought I would venture over to the PT forum to see what this Moss Road character (Hi David) was talking about in the other forums - telling anyone who would listen to check out the PT. Looked at MR's web site, asked some questions, and BAM!!! I was hooked on the PT.

These guys are facinating. Good, common sense tractor people with inquisitive minds, great technical skills and an unending desire to share their expertise.

In the end, however, I wieneed out and went with the more comfortable route of buying a NH so I could have local dealer support. Although I think this was the most practical decision for me, I regret that I won't be a member of the PT fraternity (at least for awhile. Who knows, someday maybe I will have both). My decision was based more on my limited mechanical knowledge / skills than any perceived shortcomings of the PT products.

I too found it hard to justify having a tractor (1 acre residential lot). However, with plans for more acreage in the future and a little selfishness now I went ahead a did it. Can't wait to put it to use. Still reading the manuals and getting familiar with it. Might dig some dirt tomorrow.

Good luck with your decision

MossRoad · May 11, 2003

In the end, however, I wieneed out 
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I wouldn't call it wiening out... you did your research and bought what you determined to be the best thing for you. Now you have a great machine that you will be very happy with for years to come.

 I regret that I won't be a member of the PT fraternity 

Says who? You don't have to be a baseball player to love baseball... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

hcarter62 · May 11, 2003

When I was told by Scott @ PT that it would be a couple of months, I came darn close to slipping on my conviction of buying the 425. Friday night I almost decided to by a new JD 2210. Tried one out and boy they run nice and quiet with quite a bit of torque. But, I am going to stay the course and wait for the PT. BTW my wife thinks I'm nuts. She wants this tractor researching to be done with. Oh well........

Anonymous Poster · May 13, 2003

I was hoping that my home would be refied to day but it will be a fiew more days. Escrow doesn't have a quote for a new homeowners insurance policy.So maby wednesday. I spent the day paying for much needed and neglected matiance on the family car, also got the airconditioning fixed .I thought , no worried ,maby we would need new family wheels this would delay the tractor purchace /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif but I patched it to gether so I can work on my real priority/passion/need/desire
a new tractor. I went down to the local kubota dealer and talked about the bx22 . with a fiew attachments for 18,500.
The dealer said I would need to put down 20% bacause the attachments are not Kubota. So I guess that would be 3,600 plus tax.I doesn't have quick attach and the post hole digger will go up to 12". I asked about removing the bucker and installing forks.The dealer said that option was not available.A cement mixer also wont work because the bx22 is too low.
There is two bx22's on the lot and they are both sold they cant keep them on the lot. So I feel that I would not get a great price with the tractor in demand just a fair price.
I also called Power Trac and told them I can't wait two months for a tractor. They gustimates middle of june to end of june for the pt425's. I asked them about the 422's seeing as they have 15 in stock. They said that they are trying to pust the pt425 but the pt422 used to be there smallest commercial tractor. They say it has most of the features of the pt425 same hydrolics , same lift capacity , Both models are rated to go up a 20% slope before the engine starves for oil. I know that the pt425 has a higher lift capacity, stronger wheel motors and a bigger engine. I spoke to the engineer or the man in the service department who fixes the pt's he says the 422 is a find machine. For a homeowner. The quote for the pt 425 with attachments and shipping is 15,945 If I bought the pt422 with the rops [for 500 ] I would save 1,500 dollars and some shipping costs. IT would cost me $ 14,500. So I could buy more attachments!!!!! or save more money. I will talk to the finance people and get a couple of quotes for Power trac and probably do the credit check with kuboda. I need low down and low monthly payment. Has anyone bough the power sweeper. I would to use to celan up the rocks and dirt in my street. Does it work well is it worth the money ?
Thanks David.

MossRoad · May 13, 2003

The two main reasons I went with the 425 over the 422 are:
1. I wanted the 60" mower deck. Power Trac recommended that I not run the 60" on the 422 and convinced me the 425 would handle it better.
2. There are a few Kohler dealers/repair shops in the area and I couldn't find any Robbin dealers.

Situation might be different in your area.

 I know that the pt425 has a 8" higher lift capacity, stronger wheel motors and a bigger engine. 

So, the question is, are those three items worth $1500.00 to you? Back when I bought mine, the difference was only $500.00 if you got the ROPS on a 422. And everything else was the same(lift height and wheel motors). So I paid $500.00 for 3 more HP. If I was buying today, I'd still go for the largest in class if I could afford it. I'd rationalize it like this... $500.00 for the 3 HP(same as last time), $500.00 for the wheel motor upgrade and $500.00 for 8" of extra lift. Doesn't sound too bad if you put it that way /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 15, 2003

I am not sure if it is worth the extra money to me. IF I really liked it and I could make some money with it. Maby I could upgrade the wheel motors or buy a larger model lithe the 2425
it has a lot more lift and I could get the back hoe attachment and still use all of the attachments, that I bought for the 422.
The Refi on my home was finished today so I have some debts payed off and some money for a down payment. I tried to go with one of the Lease option to buy companys that power trac recomended it didn't work. I was think of using the 1500 dollars to buy a Power sweep. I did the math on the other lease option company. to borrow 17,000 dollars [ for 5 years I would pay back 23,884.40 plus Insurance 3,272.50
For a total of 27,156.90 for a cost of 10,156.90 I know that people don't loan money for free. But if I had cash I could have a 27,000 dollar tractor /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I put a finance application with kubota for to see if I could get the zero % financing or the low financing I will find out in a day or so. I just found the Robin Engine distributor there is one in Long Beach. I downloaded some information and sent some questions to them. Thanks for the Info. Mossroads I would really love to own a power trac but not on these financial terms. Maby I can talk to my wife and get a line of credit on the home and pay for it that way. I will see what kubota says. I know the bx22 is a great tractor. I would really enjoy the power trac with the quick attach system. If I can't get one know maby in the future. ??????? I don't know if I have exausted all of my options yet ? I will try and think on it a bit. thanks David

Anonymous Poster · May 17, 2003

I got approved for 0% financing by Kubota. I wish that the Power Trac offered factory financing. This is an issue with me. I don't have the cash to buy the tractor outright. And the financing options wern't very good . I sent an e mail message to Robbin engine and they informed me that all of the issues with the power trac application have been resolved and that they thought that I would be very satisfied with the engine. And there is a manufacturer rep in southern California.
I guess I will have to pass of the Power Trac purchace at this time and go with kubota because of the financing. I wold still consiter buying in the future if I had extra cash of needed a 2nd tractor. Thanks for the support. I am going to talk to the kubota dealer tomorrow and see if we can swing a deal tomorrow. David /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 17, 2003

I signed a contract for a BX22 Kubota today and put down a down payment. I should have the tractor in a couple of weeks the dealer can't keep them on his lot. Just wanted to let you guys know. Thanks for the advice and info David.