Yanmar 1500/FEL vs. Power-trac???

davesisk · Apr 18, 2002

Hi folks!

I've been looking for awhile for a Yanmar 1500D with a front loader or an equivalent compact tractor local to me (within say, 50-100 miles or so).

I've found a Power-trac 418 that someone is selling locally. This is a small articulated tractor with built-in hydraulics, 4 wheel hydrostatic drive. All attachments hook to the front (like a Toro Dingo). The guy selling has the bucket attachment, a stump grinder attachment, and a power auger attachment. It has an 18 hp Briggs engine that's 2 years old. It's almost like a Toro Dingo skid steer that you sit on, except it's articulated and won't tear up the lawn like a skid steer will.
The web-site of the mfg is www.power-trac.com, so check it out (look at the 422).

The guy's asking price is $3500, and I've priced a similarly equiped new one at between $9K-10K.

What I'm wondering is this: It's cheaper than any Yanmar 1500D w/FEL that I've found (including purchase price and shipping), and it's probably a little lighter duty, plus is gas-powered. Obviously, power auger attachments are available for compact tractors, but I haven't seen any trencher attachments, which is something I need (and it's available for the power-trac).

Anyway, I'm trying to decide whether to go ahead an buy this Power-trac, or continue to wait for a traditional compact tractor w/FEL. Any suggestions or comment? Has anyone used a Power-trac and able to compare it to a compact tractor in terms of functionality?

Best regards,
Dave

pennwalk · Apr 18, 2002

Dave,
Do not run out and buy it right away! Send me the phone number ASAP./w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif That sounds like an incredible deal. Hopefully it isn't too good to be true. If there is nothing wrong with it you should move fast.

Chris

davesisk · Apr 18, 2002

He he he....

Well, it IS 10+ years old (and Power-trac doesn't make the 418 anymore, it's been essentially replaced with the 422, and also attachments are still available, but the factory has to modify them from the quick-attach deal to a 3-pin deal for $150 each attachment), but he says it's in good condition. I'm going to go take a good look tommorrow, and possibly come home with it.

I suppose if I figure out that a compact tractor w/FEL would be a much better choice, then I could always sell the Power-trac at an equally reasonable price, and then use the funds to help upgrade to around a $5K compact tractor/FEL right?

Regards,
Dave

Soundguy · Apr 18, 2002

If he still wanted to do the compact tractor / fel thing.. he could cobble up one of those backhoe buckets attatched to the fel bucket.. that would do some trenching plus he would have a tractor.. etc.. although.. does sound like a neat little machine.

Soundguy

Golfgar4 · Apr 18, 2002

If you want to learn just about anything you'd need to know about PowerTrac, go visit <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=other&Number=91187&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=>PowerTrac425</A> in the Other Brands section. There's been a discussion about PowerTrac's going on over there for awhile. You could also do a User search to find out who has a PowerTrac and then contact them. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

kbarrett · Apr 18, 2002

Dave,

Sounds like you have good deal on your hands. The Power-Trac users on TBN are quite enthusiastic about their tractors.

There is an awful lot of utility in that package. You might want to give it a spin before you buy. I'm sure you were going to, I've heard that it takes a bit to get used to.

Let us know what you've decided.