Hi, Brian:
The MF dealer did have the 1540's in stock. He actually talked me out of buying one. He said they're basically the same machine with the same capabilities with the exception of the turbo and the 4-cyl engine. He said that if I lived in Colorado or someplace with high altitudes, he would recommend the 1540 because of the turbo, but he said unless I just wanted to spend the extra money, he wouldn't recommend it.
Having said that, I accidentally found a NH dealer (passed by on the way to Case dealership) that didn't show up in the Dealer locator on NH's website. I really liked this dealer. He had a pretty large dealership. He's more than 70 miles away from where the tractor will be, but he said he delivered free anywhere around (he had customers over 100 miles away.) He gave me a price on the MH TC35A w/QA loader, R4 tires (filled), 12x12 tranny, 6' box blade, 6' mower, and canopy for 21834.00 delivered, which was only 354 dollars more than the MF 1533; however, he also said all his service calls were free during warranty period, even if tractor needed to be brought in. No charge for transport during warranty period. I think he said even oil/filter changes. The customer pays for the oil/filters, and they will come out and change it, I think. He also filled the back tires just as a matter of course. I know this model doesn't have the power shuttle that MF has, but it didn't seem like a bad deal, and the NH is just a little bit heavier.
The Case dealer just about two miles farther down the road quoted the same tractor (D35) with the same setup for 22,500 with a 300 dollar delivery charge. (However, Case had lower financing rates.)
Also, the NH, if you were paying cash, you could knock 1,200 dollars off that price he gave me for a total of 20,634.00. If I had that much cash, I would have immediately taken that deal.
Jerry in Texas
