Wes said:Not sure if I commented? The articulating tractor should be up to the task. I need a loader. Desire a loader would likely be more accurate.
Nice machine, I've had trouble with their website but that could be my browser. I know they're not cheap but I'd rather consider spending my money there than on a ZTR.
Without my pt-422 tractor, I would probably not have been able to do this. I was able to spread 3 yards of pea gravel in about 3 hours and at least have of that time was spent laying down landscape fabric.
I do not think you can buy a front loader for under $7K ( PT-180 with bucket is $6975). A small utility tractor with a front loader would cost at least $12K.
Of course, you can add a mower deck to the powertrac for around $1300. I bought a 60" mower with mine, unfortunately the 22HP pt-422 does not provide adequate power. It bogged down in tall grass. A 48" deck would work great. I still use mine for those hard to reach mowing jobs (e.g. under my weeping cherry tree) because the mower is out in front of you. For the rest of the yard, I ending up getting a ZTR.