I just bought a M9540 HDC4WD about 8 months ago now. I looked hard at the M8540 wanting to know outside of the 10 extra hp what the differences were. Basically the PTO Hp was lower of course and it had smaller tires on the back. Everything else on what I was looking at was the same. But what sold me on the 9540 was the extra PTO hp. I had my hay bailed for me on my property, because before I got the 9540 all I had was a 50hp M4800 kubota, it won't run a bailer of descent size. average bailer takes 70 PTO to operate. and cutting the fields when they need it takes quite bit of time to do, I have way more to do than spend hot summer days cutting fields. As my 50 hp is an open deck in which I get to taste all the dust, bugs and anything else that gets kicked up off the ground while traveling. My 9540HDC package has an 8/8 standard trans, three remotes, hydraulic top link, hydraulic side link, FEL, am/fm/cd radio and fluid filled rear tires instead of weights(no problems lifting or pulling anything I hook to. The hydraulic links I use when I am working with my grader box, makes is nice to make adjustments while ditch digging, drainage or road repairs as you can adjust all of that with out getting out of the cab. I paid in mississippi $46,700 for the M9540 as described. I had pretty much made my mind up that I wanted a tractor that I could bail my own hay, basically do my own thing and not rely on others to come do for me at their discretion. I also bought a Bushhog 2715 15' batwing, the three remotes operate the batwing. I can tell you my M4800 at 2300 rpms burns right at a gallon an hour fuel, the M9540 burns not quite two gallons an hour but I get twice as much done and don't end the day covered in dust,dirt and have a nose full of pollen/rag weed (swollen sinus). If I had to do it all over again I won't hesitate to buy an M9540. The cab will spoil you, but hey, it's what I get up every day and go to work for!