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I have had a PT-10 and two PT-7's, they are the same thing except for width, something to remember if you need parts. These machines work well but the knife drive and knife head kind of fragile, and require constant attention. In my opinion the tires are not wide enough for the weight in soft ground, and there is no room for bigger ones. If you are looking at a machine to buy, examine the knife drive very carefully. Look for signs of a serious explosion, and be sure the length adjustment on the pitman rod hasn't been welded. Sight down the length of the knife, if the machine has been abused in rough ground, the middle will be humped up, making the knife run hard, and putting more stress on the drive. Take a prybar and see if there is any looseness in the roll bearings, especially the one on the left hand side of the bottom roll, as this one gets pounded by the knife drive. Another place that wears is the pivot where the lift arm connects to the side of the header, more likely on the left side than the right. This can be cured by welding in a patch, and using a new bolt. I would not pay more than $3-400 for a PT-10, there are a lot of newer machines available for $1000-1500, since many people are changing to disc mowers, at least around here. I am currently using a Hesston 1091, that I got last year for $1200. It is a much heavier machine, about 3500 lbs. something you should think about if you are using a light tractor.The PT-10 is about 1000 lbs. less. Most of the sickle mowers like these will run on 35-40 Horsepower, so tractor weight and brakes are the more important consideration especially on hilly terrain. The 1091 even pushes my Farmall M (6500 with loaded tires and wheelweights).
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