[cschlaps]

Agreed about the 3540 - either stick with 3240 and get some extra goodies, or suck it up and go up to the 3940.

The skid steer style quick tach is a must have, as is the 724 loader. The HD round back bucket is handy too, especially in wet heavy soil. The round bucket is easier to get material out of when it's sticky.

If you do look at a backhoe, the BH90 handles wet sticky clay very well. I spent about 30 hours on it, carefully digging around an existing house foundation to repair the drain tile - in wet sticky clay. No problems, even with an 18" bucket.

A 3rd function valve and a rear remote are on my list of upgrades...I'm regretting not putting them into the original package when I bought it in February.