Hmm, this info give pause for thought. Let me give a very short history of how this deal was concieved and what I plan to do with the machine. Then I would like to know if the general opinion is still the same. I'm fine if the answer is still the same, I just want to know for sure. The owner is wanting to trade the hoe for my 1968 firebird that is a 9 second 1/4 mile street legal car with a big block chevy. As we all know its not easy to get rid of a gas guzzler in our economic times, so this is a way out for me. No money out of pocket either except transoprt fees. I do not intend to use this machine to make a living. I need it to clear trees on a home site, clear fence lines, help with foundation work on a home and shop, etc...I though of going the traditional compact tractor route but the reality is I really dont need a pto. I just need to dig, push, and lift. These types of labor require lots of horsepower and hyd pressure, not something a compact tractor are known for. I intend to keep my acrage wooded for hunting, so Im not interested in bush hogging, if I need that I can borrow my brothers tractor. All this being said, if I have to wait for a part its not gonna mean I cant put food on the table. If the part is not available at all thats another issue all together. As long as the parts are available waiting isnt really going to be the end of the world. Now that you have some history, should I still pass? (It's not been easy getting someone to trade as it is, took 3 months to find this guy)