ahh it's good to see another fellow Tennessean here who knows what brand of tractor rules the world (actually, the best-selling tractor line in the world).
I just bought a 471 about 3 months ago, and I've put it through some pretty rigorous paces already. Here's my honest, albeit biased opinion..
configuration is 4wd, platform, 8X8 shuttle, FEL w/ M446 loader (Bushhog),
the engine is outstanding of course (same engine in 471 -- 492); the platform is wide and comfortable, and whatever is in the way is soon outta the way. loader is super fast, thanks to the ferguson hydraulics (even faster with the combining valve). fuel consumption is much less than I anticipated - I have about 20 hours hard labor on it, and have added only 10 gallons so far.
my gripes are: first day on the job, found a short in the instrument cluster - but on the bright side, the dealer replaced the whole cluster rather than try to rewire. the linkage on the shuttle shift is held in place by a drift pin of all things. it already shook loose once, but it won't again after my modification. that's the worst of it.
and i've used this tractor hard...as you should the first 50 or so hours.
as for my recommendations.. definitely get the 4wd. it makes this 73 hp work like a 100 hp. the 491 has the exhaust up through the center of the hood, which is great for clearing the lift arms (471 is on the right side, VERY close to the lift arms). consider buying the quickie or bushhog loader however. if you compare, you'll see that the MF loader ain't near as good. and finally, if you get the 491, you can't get the shuttle shift, and I wouldn't have a tractor without it. but on these 400 series tractors, you still have to use the clutch when shuttling, unlike the more expensive models. ..
and the best thing - you won't be looking out over some slopin' hood...it's like the nose of a peterbilt, the way a tractor oughta be!
