Hydros cost more in fuel and lose a little horsepower to the ground. If you do alot of loader work Hydros are amazing,no shuttleing or clutching and a pleasure to work.
JD had a few bad Hydro systems, Kubota, LS, NH, and Mahindra seldom have a problem. I've heard of more problems with people burning clutches and ripping teeth of of gears than having Hydro trouble. If you are a gear guy, nobody will change your mind. If you are open to it take a Hydro for a spin, I love them.
LS make a hell of a tractor with a 5 year warranty, for a lot less than the big brands. I'm looking at a R3039 right now and it's right at $22K with loader. LS made all the NH Boomers in the last few years and all the Montana Tractors, they are built like a tank.
One thing for sure, buy a size or 2 bigger than you think you will need. Tractors shrink as soon as you get them home.
Try to get a Tier 3 tractor, the Tier 4 have a bunch of emissions crap on them that I personally don't like.
