Yeah, I agree with that Roger. But it doesn't appear to have taken much thought to improve on the design.
What's the attachment used most with 3rd function hydraulics??? I'm gonna guess a Grapple.
What's the most used function of a Grapple. I'm gonna guess moving brush.
So logic would dictate that 3rd function hydraulics should come better protected. In this case it looks like my teenage Grandson went to the Farm and Home store and bought a bag of fittings and hoses....
In the case of my M9540, the 3rd function hydraulics are very well protected. Valve is hidden away between the transmission and the joystick valves. The hoses running to the connectors are also fairly well protected and hidden.
I guess in a way the 3rd function on a tractor is somewhat of a afterthought because it is a dealer installed item. Maybe they wanted it to be easy for the dealer to install.
I would say a grapple or a snowblade would be the 2 popular things that require a 3rd function. Grapples are hard on a tractor.
I looked mine again today and the worst thing about it is a hose hangs down.