Hi Larry,
The tractor shopping is going well....wished I could say the same for house hunting. This time around though its going to be tough b/c the Deere salesman tendered a great offer on the tractor & implements. I very much like the 4120...alot in fact. However, there are features on the 45DA that are very nice too like dual power. In fact that one feature could clinch the deal. Anyway, at this point my minds not made up but I will say that Brim is doing a far better job at being hospitable than Barnett's. This past Sat I went to the Issaquah store (which was open) and test drove the dealership and a 40DA. In fact this trip was more about what Brim is as a dealership than the tractor...although the tractor ride was instructive and fun. I also did make it up the Mount Vernon store on Sat noon and was surprised they were closed. The feed store next door was open and doing a brisk business. I also noted that the machinery on Brim's lot was getting its fair share of attention as well.
I would have to agree about the cross section of machinery on their MV lot. I would expect this at the Issaquah store but not in the middle of a heavily ag area. Barnetts, which is just down the road, has machinery more in keeping w/ the area. Then again I suspect any dealer is selling alot more compacts than utility tractors these days. I believe the shorter hours are a winter only thing which will change shortly. At least thats the impression I got from Nathan at the Issaquah store.
Im beginning to think that the stories about the nasty western WA weather are just myths. When I first got here the weather wasnt that great but lately its been outstanding! It really makes me long for a place of my own to work on.
