Whatever you buy needs to suit YOU. We all have preferences. Some preferences are based on facts and measureable qualities. Sadly, many of our preferences are "feeling" based and since we are individuals my preference may not fit your needs. I'll try to be as objective as possible:
1. I spent a few months searching, studying and comparing tractors to get ready for a purchase not too long ago. Over the past 20 years I've had International, Ford and Kubota tractors. All had different capabilities and all gave good service. The final four contestants were the Mahindra, Kioti, Kubota and Bobcat (aka the "white Kioti"). Ford didn't make the cut because of my familiarity with a Montana tractor we have at work. I didn't want to take a chance with the LS-made Fords. Can't imagine having regrets with any of the final four.
2. Get a larger tractor than you think you need. This is the 4th tractor we've bought in 23 years and each time I thought we had picked the largest practical machine. Pretty sure that's true this time. The larger tractor is more comfortable, doesn't bog down when mowing uphill and doesn't complain about picking up 1/2 ton with the loader. It's nice to have a 6 foot finish mower in place of the 5-footer.
3. I can live without telescoping 3PH arms, but would have a hard time without telescoping sway bars. If the implement is on wheels, it's easy enough to hook up on a level floor. If it's not on wheels, the digging iron makes it cooperate.
4. Cruise control (have it on the Ford and never use it) isn't on my want list and I can't picture ever needing the mid PTO. I'm too "financially conservative" to drop money on a front-mounted snow blower anyway. For 10 years a 5 foot scraper blade did all the snow removal. The next 10 were handled with the FEL on the
B7500 and a 6 foot rear blade.
5. A loader that is easy to get on and off (arms and all) is a real asset for me. I never mow with the FEL attached because of manouverability. The FEL sees a fair amount of use, so it is frequently on and off. With the exception of lowering and raising the "kickstands" I can stay on the seat to remove or install my FEL. One tractor was ruled out because it required the operator to dismount and grovel about under the platform to disconnect / reconnect the loader hoses.
6. A loader with a QA bucket is something I told the dealers I didn't want. Some here can't seem to live without them. The Montana I mentioned earlier has a QA bucket and forks. They are such a poor substitute for a real forklift or telehandler that they are frustrating to me. I'd rather do without them. I haven't encountered anything that couldn't be handled either in the bucket or slung beneath it.
6. I never thought a cupholder was an important item till I spent a couple 100 + degree afternoons on the new tractor [grin]
