Ksss, first of I want to say that I am a Case fan, We own a Case loader and have had a Case skidder in the past, I just don't want to get in a brand fight. A good freind of mine is a Case tech and has gone to Racine and went through Skid steer classes there, So I demoed a 440 and a 450 and really liked them, my only complaint was the narrow cab and I did not like how the front end floated on the 440 in the mud with a bucket full. I was pretty sure I was going to be the proud owner of a new Case especially having a freind that should know the machines. Then I got talking to others and herd about driveline problems, Went and talked to another guy and his had welds cracking on the booms, then my buddy said there were a few in the shop with bad motors. I just did not feal comfortable about buying a machine that I wanted to be keeping for a few years after hearing the problems I have heard. I do not like how Case is always changing there machines like they have the last ten years, I liked the Tak because it's proven and unchanged for the most part. I hated going Japanese but it seamed like the only way to go. The Tak was cheaper in price and had a better warranty, I will be buying a new wheeled skidder this year and I don't know what I want but I will be looking at a Case for sure.