I have been very impressed with the performance of this machine. For a small-end compact, this machine is up to most all small acreage residential needs. I use mine for mowing, snow plowing, rototilling, garden plowing, grading dirt and gravel, moving materials and light excavating. I have the following implements/attachments: Industrial tires, 410 loader, 54" mid-mount mower, canopy, auxilary lights, moldboard (1 bottom) plow, ripper, 52" rototiller, 54" boxblade, 60" grader blade, and dirt scoop. At only 20HP, this machine still has more torque than traction. I've found that ground engaging implements do not perform well without substantial front end weight. The loader seems to be enough weight to solve this problem. I have a gear model and this machine does not have a 2 stage clutch for the PTO. This can be somewhat more difficult to work with when mowing, but I have not found this to be a disadvantage for other uses. For mowing, get the hydro transmission. I've learned to handle my mowing chores OK, but the single stage clutch does take some getting used to. The overall light weight of this machine is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The light weight is easy on lawns, septic fields, ect... but you do need to ballast this tractor carefully for moving heavy materials in the loader bucket, or lifting. The loader is capable of lifting enough weight (880#) to get you in a tippy situation if you haven't ballasted properly. I would recommend getting a tooth bar for the bucket. I plan to get one sometime. I originally had some problems with some implements rubbing on the rear tires. I reversed my rear wheels and have not had a problem since. I'd want to do this anyway since it greatly adds to stability. If you get a mid-mount mower, be sure to order the lift latch pin kit. This kit allows you to pin up the deck and the linkage out of the way when necessary. The ease and quickness of mounting the FEL and mowing deck can't be beat. These factors make the tractor more versatile. In summary, this tractor has never given me a mechanical problem (2 years, 100 hours) and has performed well with all of the implements that I have. I would buy one again.

Date Purchased: 1/2000
Purchased: New
Price Paid: US$12800
Pros: durable, compact size for tight spots, great performance for size
Cons: light weight, no 2 stage clutch on gear model
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