Komatsu, New Holland, P&H or whoever they are now, Allison-Chalmers, Cat... no matter (CAT RULES!). Fact is, it's all aftermarket shit now. Ya gotta buy that PARticular part from whoever ya got the tractor from BUT ya can buy SO many other things elsewhere. On a tractor that is "involved" in hydraulics, we got EIGHT guys here in town selling hoses and shit.

So... it all boils down to the manufacturer... will you get good service? Will you be able to get third party parts if things "go wrong"?

Hank... I admire your stcik-to-it-iveness. Your, "Mine is developing character. I use it professionally. Almost daily." is a true testament to your ability to use heavy equipment to shovel the shit that you are full of. I still dislike you immeasurably but you do make me laugh... more often cry but ya gotta take the assholes with the apples, eh? (Gee, when I just read that over and in proof reading it sounded tooo harsh and not intended in the spirit I wanted to convey. Oh, well, not even a minor flaw given... )