Very, errr, "interesting" thread. Since the water seems to have calmed a bit, I think I'll jump in.
I was recently in the market for a new tractor with FEL. I have operated gear driven tractors my entire life so I was dead set against a hydro tranny until I read some of the advice on this board, pro and con, and decided before I dismissed hydro completely I'd take a test drive. So I went to a local JD dealer and test drove one around the lot for a while and talked to the salesrep regarding pros and cons of hydro. Man, I was hooked but I still had a VERY queasy feeling as I unloaded my new JD 3038e at home, however, 29 hours of FEL work and cutting grass later..... I LOVE my hydro. Absolutely love it. I could not imagine doing some of the FEL work I've done with a geared tranny. For FEL work, hydro is the BOMB and with the way my yard is laid out, I HAVE to do alot of backing up to cut my yard grass with my Caroni flail mower (the wife has flower beds all over the place) and hydro makes it slicker'n snot.
Now, if hydro proves to be reliable with no service issues, I'll REALLY be a Happy Camper.
Just my two cents.