Roady said:
Tom, you touched on something I forgot to mention in my other post. Once you sit down and drive the 273, you might as well get your checkbook out. The ergonomics on these tractors are amazing. Your ability to actually see what your doing while using the loader and other attachments is better than any of the "big 3" tractors.
Years ago I, and I would imagine alot of other people bought high dollar items like tractors mostly because of the name and the reputation that name had associated with it. Not anymore. Big companies like John Deere, NH, Case and Kabota are starting to figure out the name is only going to get you so far. They've got into the mindset that "this is how we are going to design it and we don't care if you like it". For example, the majority of people hate the treddle pedal (the single pedal moving the tractor forward and reverse) but yet they do it because they can save a couple bucks on the design. Also, things like using stickers for leveling your bucket? They just don't get it.
One walk around the TYM and you can tell they have listened to the people and didn't skimp on design. Even on little things like putting steel guards around the valve stems on the tires. Really take a close look at the little stuff on these machines crabjoe and you'll be impressed.
Also for me, its the BEST looking machine in its class too.

Using it is what matters most the 5 yr warranty backs it up. For the price of some good quality paint and bedliner spray you can make this thing perfect.
I never get caught up in the name game, I bought a Toyota many,many years ago and loved it so much, I bought a ton of their stock.....I'm still smiling.....
The biggest deal breaker is the DEALER, no doubt about it. I am lucky and have several in close proximity two are excellent, one is lost. He knew nothing about the machine and told me to read the website all the info is there? ...so we know your pain. In fact he told me the belly mower wasn't out yet when I saw one on a machine at another dealer?? DUH...
I also would have bought a Mahindra from a dealer in business well over 30 years. I had to pry him away from talking to his friend to even get information on one, big mistake. I also went back for my final decision he never came out to answer my final questions, big mistake. He recently delivered my neighbors machine and I was outside power washing my toy. He saw me, I laughed....he spent more time asking me why I didn't buy from him. DUH....
Kubota didn't have one light enough in this class or powerful enough. Kioti did but lacked the power and manueverability. I had other choices too, but dealers either made me feel like they had the only good machine or they lacked ambition to sell one. That means learning your product down to the nuts and bolts.......
Crabjoe, believe it or not I'm not trying to sell you a TYM. A lot has to do with a quality dealer and what your needs are....driving them is imperative...and thats what set this machine apart for me.
The BH for instance is the same one on the Kioti.....its just paint. FEL loader joystick hasn't fallen off yet.....it did stick , but it was minor. You can always make a bracket to shore it up if thats a problem. I don't use it to pull myself up on the machine though......
Good luck.....