OP
KentT
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2005
- Messages
- 2,928
- Location
- Sevierville, TN
- Tractor
- 1993 Power Trac 1430 w/Kubota diesel engine
Thanks! So far, I've only put about 10 hours on it, testing the brush cutter, moving my old 425'carcass, and finish mowing a couple acres of my hollows. I haven't had it on the hillsides yet - that is the true test.
Like any piece of used equipment, condition and maintenance are key. The center pivot joint and loader arm joints seem tight. Cosmetics are far better than the 425 I bought from PT Rich with 250 hours on it. It gave me 10 good years and over 1100 hours of good service. If this one does as well, I'll really be happy.
The machine is actually even simpler than the 425, and seems to be a far better match for my needs, and my T-8 attachments than a new 1430 would be. First, the 3" wider track (56") stock is a huge plus for my hills. The PTO uses a manual flow control valve lets me control the speed of my T-8 stump grinder, and match the 10gpm that my adapted Ingersoll/Case tiller needs. (It worked OK on the 425 but the tines spun 20% slower than designed.) My T-8 mini-hoe is identical to the T-12 one AFAIK, other than the attachment plate. (I've already upgraded it to a larger Harbor Freight 12" bucket). The T-8 snow/dirt blade should work better than with my 425 after I went to the much larger wheel motors in 1430 wheel motor boxes, giving it an even wider stance than this 1430. Meanwhile, I've added an additional one foot cut on both my brush cutter and finish mower, and this rock/dirt bucket has the same capacity as the T-8 light material bucket.
My biggest concerns are the age of the hoses (some have been replaced), and the strength of the T-8 QA on this heavier, stronger machine. Meanwhile, it has no electric cooling fan (mine had failed twice), no electric solenoid control valves nor thermostats, etc. Instead both the flow of PTO and the hydraulic oil going to the radiator-mounted cooler can be manually controlled. There's a manual bypass valve there to bypass the cooler for winter use. (There's also a 110v block heater, BTW, though it may soon need a new set of glow plugs - it's a cold natured beast.) And I love the additional room of this wider tub both for comfort and for maintenance!
If this pending sale of my other T-8 attachments goes through, I plan to buy a dedicated grapple and a landscape plane, ending up with a set of attachments that better meets my current needs.
As you can see - I am excited about its potential. Time will tell...
Like any piece of used equipment, condition and maintenance are key. The center pivot joint and loader arm joints seem tight. Cosmetics are far better than the 425 I bought from PT Rich with 250 hours on it. It gave me 10 good years and over 1100 hours of good service. If this one does as well, I'll really be happy.
The machine is actually even simpler than the 425, and seems to be a far better match for my needs, and my T-8 attachments than a new 1430 would be. First, the 3" wider track (56") stock is a huge plus for my hills. The PTO uses a manual flow control valve lets me control the speed of my T-8 stump grinder, and match the 10gpm that my adapted Ingersoll/Case tiller needs. (It worked OK on the 425 but the tines spun 20% slower than designed.) My T-8 mini-hoe is identical to the T-12 one AFAIK, other than the attachment plate. (I've already upgraded it to a larger Harbor Freight 12" bucket). The T-8 snow/dirt blade should work better than with my 425 after I went to the much larger wheel motors in 1430 wheel motor boxes, giving it an even wider stance than this 1430. Meanwhile, I've added an additional one foot cut on both my brush cutter and finish mower, and this rock/dirt bucket has the same capacity as the T-8 light material bucket.
My biggest concerns are the age of the hoses (some have been replaced), and the strength of the T-8 QA on this heavier, stronger machine. Meanwhile, it has no electric cooling fan (mine had failed twice), no electric solenoid control valves nor thermostats, etc. Instead both the flow of PTO and the hydraulic oil going to the radiator-mounted cooler can be manually controlled. There's a manual bypass valve there to bypass the cooler for winter use. (There's also a 110v block heater, BTW, though it may soon need a new set of glow plugs - it's a cold natured beast.) And I love the additional room of this wider tub both for comfort and for maintenance!
If this pending sale of my other T-8 attachments goes through, I plan to buy a dedicated grapple and a landscape plane, ending up with a set of attachments that better meets my current needs.
As you can see - I am excited about its potential. Time will tell...
