Which tractor? Opinions needed.

[FOURTEEN]

I haven't been researching mowers. But when I was interested in the New Holland TC-24D, a local dealer quoted me $2,295 for a mid-mount mower. Can the mower on any other compact be mounted or dismounted in less than one minute??

My main point is that you can't buy more than a bare-bones tractor from NT! A tractor, no matter how great, is useless without the attachments to do the jobs. On their compact tractors even New Holland does NOT offer: Grapple Bucket, Boom Mower, Wheel Trencher, Chain Trencher, Power Ditch Filler, Stump Grinder, Tree Hugger, Power Rack, Aerator, Potato Digger, Lift Boom, Sump Pump, Salt Spreader, Cement Mixer, Power Sweeper, Disc Edger, or 5-ton Winch!! Many of these tools I would never use, but if I suddenly felt the need to aerate my lawn, for $500 Power Trac has an aerator that I can mount in seconds from the seat of my PT-425!
Which other tractor offers a Stump Grinder for $900?? I'll pay for mine with the first 20 stumps!! (It will also do shallow trenches!)

The PT-425 is designed to be the ultimate Tool Carrier and Helper for the HOMEOWNER/LANDSCAPER.
If you are a row-crop FARMER; enjoy twisting your head around to see what the 3 point hitch attachment is doing; or want to impress the "boys" with the big "real" tractor you can drive; then DO NOT get a Power Trac!!
But if you want a tractor that can economically make every job you do faster, easier, and maybe even fun - buy the Power Trac!!

Attachment: Stump Grinder.

www.POWER-TRAC.COM

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[Tractors4u]

You chose the pricing of a MMM which is the most expensive. Rear mount finish mowers start at around $900.

You also mention your $900 backhoe. While I am sure you will find that attachment handy and the price is good, it is not comparable to a true backhoe. How many degrees of swing do you have from side to side? How deep can you dig with it.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you are a row-crop FARMER; enjoy twisting your head around to see what the 3 point hitch attachment is doing; )</font>

You will be doing the same thing operating your potato digger and if you chose the rake, or the dump hitch attachment or whatever you call it. Where is the PT landscaping box, cultivator, pulverizer? With the PT set up you are limited to what PT offers. Some of the things are great like the stump grinder. You can't beat that price and the ease of changing equipment, again super. The PT is a great machine so don't get me wrong but you seem to come across a little over zealous. I mean I am not going into the PT board touting the Benefits fo John Deere ownership.

 

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( A tractor, no matter how great, is useless without the attachments to do the jobs. )</font>

I don't see your point. Isn't a Power Trac also useless without the attachments to do the job /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( On their compact tractors even New Holland does NOT offer: Grapple Bucket, Boom Mower, Wheel Trencher, Chain Trencher, Power Ditch Filler, Stump Grinder, Tree Hugger, Power Rack, Aerator, Potato Digger, Lift Boom, Sump Pump, Salt Spreader, Cement Mixer, Power Sweeper, Disc Edger, or 5-ton Winch!! )</font>

So
Most of these attachments are availible through other suppliers.

 

[FOURTEEN]

Brent,


The reason many people pay extra for a mid-mount Mower is because it is more convenient than a rear mount, but, of course, not as handy as a front mount!

You are exalting the virtues of a FARM style tractor, of which there are many, but John (WiJC), who started this thread, is not a farmer! He has 3-4 acres of lawn and about 14 acres of woods to maintain! He surely fits the definition of HOMEOWNER/LANDSCAPER, and the Power Trac would do HIS jobs best! If he should cut down his woods and plow up his lawn, I would be among the first to recommend a "real" tractor to help him plant his corn!!

The MinHoe has a 9" Bucket, digs 4' deep, and swings 90 degrees. Not suitable for digging basements or septic tanks, but great for planting trees, cleaning out ditches, digging electric, water, or irrigation trenches, or other HOMEOWNER/LANDSCAPER jobs - plus do them without destroying the lawn!

Again, the Power Trac is not a farm tractor! It does not use the usual 3 pt hitch attachments. After building these tractors for 20 years, Power Trac has an attachment to do any job that the average HOMEOWNER/LANDSCAPER would want done, and at an affordable price.
Moving vans carry more stuff than minivans, but 99% of the people find that a minivan is big enough 99% of the time!

You are welcome to preach John Deere wherever you wish, but don't expect many Power Trac converts!!!


www.POWER-TRAC.COM


Attachment: MiniHoe.

 

[FOURTEEN]

Vince,


The point is that dozens of Power Trac attachments are available, from Power Trac, designed and built by Power Trac, for Power Trac tractors at good prices. I searched in vain trying to find a Grapple Bucket small enough to fit a Jinma 284!
I don't buy a new car without an engine, wheels, tires, or seats because I can maybe buy those items elsewhere later!! Ever hear of " One Stop Shopping"?? With Power Trac I can pick the exact tractor, options, and attachments I want, or need, and know all the prices, and that they will properly work together.

"Most" doesn't help much if the attachment I really need isn't available or is over priced!!!


www.POWER-TRAC.COM


Attachment: Grapple Bucket.



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[Tractors4u]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( but John (WiJC), who started this thread, is not a farmer! )</font> ...... </font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would be among the first to recommend a "real" tractor to help him plant his corn!!
)</font>

Oh great, now you tell me I have a farmer to own a traditional style tractor. I wish I had know that ahead of time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I searched in vain trying to find a Grapple Bucket small enough to fit a Jinma 284!
)</font>

You mean like the one in the attachment.
I found this grapple right here on the TBN homepage. In the ATI advertisement

 

[art]

With industrial tires and the loader and 60" belly mower you would be on your way. I'd recommended the BX23 before because that also takes a 60" mower and the backhoe is a great asset.

 

[FOURTEEN]

Brent,


"Weight is your friend "


Usually NOT for the HOMEOWNER/LANDSCAPER!!

Not when he is mowing in the Spring when the ground is soft!

Not when he wants to let his friend borrow it, and all he has is a pickup or light trailer!

Not when he just has a garage to store the tractor and all it's attachments!

Not when he gets it stuck and needs a tow truck or dozer to pull it loose!

Not when he has to use a 4000# tractor with 875# Lift Capacity (Jinma with Jinma FEL) in his yard to pick up a 700# load that the 1500# Power Trac with 800# Lift Capacity could easily handle. (The Power Trac does not use counter weights or a ballast box!)

Not when his trees start dying from having the soil around their roots compacted.

Not when he rips up the sod trying to mow around that small rose garden!


Big heavy "compact" farm tractors have a place, but it's not in the hands of a typical HOMEOWNER/LANDSCAPER!!

I don't carry a sledge hammer on my tool belt because someday I may want to hit something hard. I carry a claw hammer because it will do most jobs just fine!!



www.POWER-TRAC.COM


Attachment: Forks.



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[FOURTEEN]

Vince,


/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Exactly!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Apparently you are a better attachment hunter than I am!!!



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[FOURTEEN]

Brent,


No! You don't have to be a farmer - but it helps!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Most guys with your list of equipment would be! Like me, you're kind of a round peg! I have never been accused of being "typical"!


Attachment: My first love. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif



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[FOURTEEN]

Art,


What would that equipped BX23 cost new??



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[Tractors4u]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Not when he wants to let his friend borrow it, and all he has is a pickup or light trailer! )</font>

Hey that is the excuse I use to keep people from borrowing my dozer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

Brent,


You are a mean man! Smart, but mean!! Or is it mean, but smart!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif




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[jdmar]

Hey!! what happened to the original question?!?!!? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
I agree that if you plan to do work...I like the traditional tractor. I like the Power trac--very versatile-- but am glad I got a JD 4300. We always end up doing lots more than originally planned...or at least I get myself into doing more!
I got a one year old JD 4300 with 115 total hours from a private person (not rental), 430 FEL, 47 hoe with two buckets and a few other smaller additions...for under 20K....look in a local equipment trader and you may be able to get just a bit more machine than you plan for a bit less money. Used machines can be a good deal...and used implements even better. Only my brush hog was bought new...everything else is from adds/auctions/word of mouth deals.
If you know you will do lighter duty work only/ever look at the Power Trac...it may be perfect. But drive it, work it, and talk with some more owners with your similar needs. I wish you the best....pssst don't tell all these other guys...but green really IS better! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[WiJC]

the powertrac is an interesting idea, but the look of that digger scares me a bit. it looks kind of like what i would build out of my erector set when i was a kid...

as for attachments...well...sure i could get a powertrac and buy all the attachments. BUT...it sure would be easier to buy a tractor and then be able to head down to the local rental place now and then and just rent what i need for a day or 2 here and there.

if i would use something often, sure then buying it would be a good idea. if i am only going to use something once a year or something like that, why would i want to fork over the dough to buy it...just to watch it sit around taking up space most of the year?

never seeing a powertrac in person etc, i cannot really comment on how well it works or its durability. i can say that the attachment theory is pretty bogus for the reason i stated above unless i used each piece all the time...which i wont be.
(i.e...once a year i rent a log splitter and go crazy for a day. why would i want to buy one and have it sit around just for 1 day of use a year?)

nobody will be renting the powertrac attachments.

it does look like a pretty handy machine for the right person though...

thanks for the responses
John

 

[RalphVa]

My cabinet man just traded in his 2wd JD diesel for a BX2200 to mow on very hilly property. His wife won't let him. She does all the mowing.

As far as forest work goes, I've read on the Gravely forums of guys using their Gravelys to pull logs through the forest. So, you don't have to be big. I'd be afraid of using one of those big, top-heavy tractors around stumps and on hills. Those 4wd front wheels will climb almost anything in their path, including stumps and give them a toss.

Can't understand why folks want to mow more than about a 1/2 acre. Even my ~ 1/2 acre out front is being disappeared to where it's now difficult to mow with anything other than a walk behind, around shrubs and stuff. I'd put shrubs, wild grass and other landscaping to disappear grass. Maybe keep a 30x60 plot for a good volleyball match.

For any big digging work, I'd rent something. For small digging jobs, you can't beat a shovel.

Ralph

 

[KiotiJohn]

One thing to keep is that a lot of rental companies do not stock implements that are appropriate for smaller tractors. It would be a good idea to go around and see what you could rent for the tractor/s that you are interested in. I just bought a Kioti CK20HST,FEL,BH,Boxblade,brush hog for under $17,000. and am VERY happy with it's performance so far. Power steering and position control make this a really nice handler and so far, it does all I need including pulling 8 ft. Pine Tree torsos to their demise. Good luck and check it all out. John

 

[blackwell]

You might want to look at a PT1430. With over 40 attachments and 4WD. We use them with great success in our landscaping business. Power Trac has larger and smaller sizes, 12 models in all. The link is www.power-trac.com.
Good luck in buying a new equipment. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
EB