Damn, thats a sweet mower. I used to get to use a similar mower. Ever used a 'walker'? That looks like a walker on steroids.
Yeah, we own two gehl 7000 series skids. I'll argue until the cows come home about case/new holland vs gehl. We've actually got a New Holland skid as well, and I've had WAY more problems with it than both Gehls put together. Aside from that, everyone prefers the Gehls due to their 'smoothness' and raw power. At any rate, I want the lift for bigger trees. I don't care what kind of skid you have, or how much you've counter-weighted it, NOTHING will pick up a 10"+ tree but a lift. Nothin.. We pay handsomely to rent them all the time.
Besides, case is made in china, new holland in S. Korea. Gehl is made here. Thats gotta say something.
When I 'gutted' my front and back yards, I took the Gehl:
Sorry for hijacking your thread guys.. You can get back to x-mas presents now.. Maddog and I will discuss this in mumble later.
Manufacturing and assembly locations:
Case/New Holland (now both owned by CNH)Lebanon, IN (USA) - Parts Depot
Racine, WI (USA) - Tractor assembly, transmissions
Wichita, KS (USA) - Skid-steer, track loaders
Burlington, IA (USA) - Backhoe loaders, fork lift trucks
Calhoun, GA (USA) - Crawler excavators,dozers
Dublin, GA (USA) - Compact tractors
Fargo, ND (USA) - Tractors, wheel loaders
Queretaro (Mexico) - Tractors, components
GehlMadison, SD (USA) - Manufacturing
Yankton, SD (USA) - Manufacturing
I like New Holland b/c much of the technology and quality from Ford Tractors carries over. They make great small tractors and backhoes. Case backhoes and skid steers are arguably the best in the business. Oversized hydraulic pumps, double hydraulics on front end loaders and backhoes, and available extend-a-hoes combined with class leading quality make them a winner in my book.
Gehl is nice. I guess I shouldn't have said that Case was better. But if I were going out to buy a tractor today, I would go for a Case or New Holland.
Never used a Walker mower. I own a 48" John Deere/Bunton walk behind. Have used Hustler, Grasshopper and Cub Cadet mowers. Also drove my uncle's Kubota Diesel ZTR around a bit. Scag is the industry standard for mid-mount mowers. Them or Dixie Chopper. Scag is more heavy-duty, but Dixies are made here in Indiana, and they're fast as hell. I think the newest ones are rated to mow at 15mph.