Clint : ...a warm WELCOME ABOARD and Congrats on a beautiful machine,..I have the 2006 model with Cab and I love it. It's had some problems but the 950 hours are hard working hours and it is still beautiful both inside and out!!I have the 6" wheel spacers on either side rear giving me an extra foot of width which cuts down greatly on the "pucker-factor" during slope operations.
I don't have the mid-mount stuff so cannot join that discussion. The only thing I will caution you on, (I'm 6'-5") and if you are not, it may not affect you. But when working a rear implement like a blade and you have cranked your body into a position to comfortably watch out the rear window,.....(in my case) I find my right knee automatically (without noticing),...hits the loader joystick "lock-lever".
That is the small flat metal handle just below the joystick that pulls out or pushes in a couple notches. When pushed in it "locks the loader joystick". That may not seem like a problem,.....however, while working the rear implement, the loader may have to be dropped "quickly" to save a roll-over,..(or for some other reason)?
It is at that particular moment of need, that you find the joystick locked! Not sure what to do about it "if" you are affected by that,...but I personally carry a wiper rag in the cab and when about to work in that position,...I will simply thread the rag through the lock lever enough to stop that movement. (I intend to carve a small wooden peg to hang on a string and slide in).
Have not seen that problem mentioned here, (may have missed it), or it may just be my long legs that create the problem? Although I know there are many long-legged operators like me on this forum. Any others notice this????
I mention this Clint, because as you likely are well aware from your experience that a "quickly" dropped bucket,...can often save your life! (or at least some expensive broken glass!) Good luck to you!
CHEERS!
. . tug
PS: ...speaking of snow "in New Mexico"!!,...we had a couple inches of snow here yesterday and this morning I notice a thin layer of "ice" on my lake!! The Canada Geese coming in for a landing will get a surpise!! Oh well, spose to clear up and rain!! Happy Winter!