[Dale Wiley]

but the final answer should be about the $$$$$.

That is a sure way to end up with something that may or may not meet your needs.

I believe Vermeer brought the S600 out in 2003. We bought ours in January of 2004.

There substantial differences in engineering that result in price differences. I wil pay more to get a better engineered machine, an engine that is more efficent and overall performance is better. You can end up with engines running at higher RPM's to get the horsepower and hydraulic pressures, and lose engine life. You can have poor cooled hydraulics that will cost you a lot of money over time. Engineering is everything.

The Boxer has those hydraulic expanding tracks...I really would have some doubts about those. I have yet to see a Toro TX machine that can keep the tracks on for more than one day.

We have a S600 Vermeer that works great. I know another contractor who has the tracked version and is pleased with it. The dealer dropped off the tracked machine a while back, and if I was going to get another one, I would likely do that.

Our needs have changed and our next machine is going to be an ASV 60 with turf tracks on it. this is going to cover a lot of needs for us.