After a year or so comparing every tiny detail of every spec and dimension of different manufacturers, I've decided to go with the MF 1523. I'm going with a hydro instead of a gear mainly because on the 1523, the gear doesn't have an "independant PTO" option for the rear PTO. It's my understanding that an "Ind. PTO" is an option on the mid-PTO for a gear 1523, not an option for the rear-PTO. Two main uses are mowing(RFM) and tilling, which I think the Ind. PTO will work better. Same dealer sells Woods RFM(I had already planned on buying Woods mower anyway), and he had "MF red" Woods RD60 mowers. He said they had just started doing that paint thing recently. The red model is $30 more than the regular model, but will look better behind my red tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif