Which bucket (yet again)?

tracdoc · Oct 22, 2005

( Which Hamilton, VA are you located? There are at least 3? Reason I ask, is how close are you to Tazewell? You can get hands-on trial of the buckets, and also try other features of the machine, like the "float" addressed in another thread here. )

I see a trip to Tazewell in your future.....

pairodime · Oct 22, 2005

My 4n1 has moved and graded over 3000 CY of material and the only sign of wear is the paint. You've made the right choice. Mine has the PT teeth, but I wish it had marham teeth.

Good luck.

toolz_not_toyz · Oct 23, 2005

( ( Which Hamilton, VA are you located? There are at least 3? ))

Heh. I should have fixed that. I moved to Washington State (alllll the way across the country) in June. But used to live in the Hamilton, VA in the northern part of VA. Closer to Tazewell than most of ya at the time but just couldn't squeeze in a trip before the move!

MossRoad · Oct 24, 2005

I've got the large bucket and small bucket with the PT teeth. The small bucket is very usefull in tight spots. I can get it through my 4' gates and the large bucket will not go in there. It is also shorter, front to back, than the large bucket. When I'm prying on bamboo rootballs, I have feared deforming the large bucket. No fear with the small one. It is a brute. The large bucket has its advantages, but the small bucket will do more hard work without damage.

The 4-in-1 was not an option when I bought our PT425. If it had been I don't know if I would have gotten it. I think I would have gone for the grapple bucket(which was not available either, at the time) as I will need to do more of that kind of work than 4-in-1 stuff.

The real problem with PT is that they offer too much stuff for our limited budgets! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

toolz_not_toyz · Oct 24, 2005

( The real problem with PT is that they offer too much stuff for our limited budgets! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )

Yeah. It's a double-edged sword isn't it? It's rather like this:

1) Come up with an ideal list.
2) Present the list to the group here for feedback.
3) Get great advice that will clariy and confuse because of the information overload.
4) Start at #1. Repeat.

If it wasn't for the distance (and the corresponding shipping costs) it wouldn't be a big deal to plan on multiple orders. My current strategy is to plan on two orders: 1) the main one; 2) the second one that gets the stuff I need for next year and possibly stuff I'm not sure I need but won't figure out until I've used the equipment--like the LM bucket.

I should have a clear enough list this week to be able to find out from PT what the shipping costs will be.

You know, I really hope PT has a clue about how important this forum is to their business. Then again, they probably sell way more PTs than we can imagine to folks that must hear about the company some other way. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

MossRoad · Oct 24, 2005

I'm sure they read some things here and take suggestions silently. You won't find many manufacturers popping into these forums and discussing things in public. The only one I know of is Jack from Robbin. The Robbin users really appreciate it, I'm sure.

Barryh · Oct 24, 2005

I have to agree with Moss that the small bucket with teeth is bullet proof when using to pry roots or get in tight places. I love mine and wouldn't be with out it. I can pry, pick up small trees, rocks and move around the woods fairly easy.

I have the Markham tooth bar attached. It looks like a big claw. I plan to add a LMB some time in the future but, I purposely ordered the small bucket first knowing it would be great for digging around the house. I feel it was money well spent. Good luck with your decision. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

KentT · Oct 24, 2005

Barry,

How's that toothbar digging for you? Have you given it a good testdrive yet?

Barryh · Oct 24, 2005

As a matter of fact I have Kent, thanks for asking. Really makes a big difference when digging and shaving the hard stuff.

I'll have to take a few pics this weekend. I am working on extending my driveway which is about 150 foot long. The tooth bar is a must have tool for the little 180. Now if it will just stop raining for a while. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

tracdoc · Oct 24, 2005

I too have used my Markham bar after installing it on the LM bucket. In a word, awesome /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif As I indicated in another thread, I was able to make short work of almost "hardpan" drought smitten NC soil (aka clay) in a ~1/3rd acre area of my place. I took up "bites" per Kent's recommendations, dropping them back in place. Then I added a topsoil/mulch mix plus lime, and fertilizer and mixed it all up by back-and-forth passes with the toothbar working like an angled comb. Then some final back drags with the belly of the LM bucket and the 5' rake to smooth it. Finally, seeded with 80/20 rye/ryegrass, and covered lightly with straw. Now just waitin' for germination /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif