Been running TR's since '76 with the closest dealer ever being 45 miles and he's never been to our place. So I'd say "hand holding" in not needed or a requirement. What is needed though is some source of info that comes from hands on experince. All pieces of eqiupment have certain quirks that will not show up on every machine or in every geographic area. like I said before, there has not been a new MF combine sold within I'd say 150 miles of me in the last 20 years. So any local knowledge is next to nil! Also, I already have so many parts for TR's that are of the type you never know when you'll need but I have them from all the years past. So if someone like myself where to change brands you'd have to eat those parts plus build up a new inventory for the new brand. I know what to look for noise's start, when vibrations appear, what to do to keep it running at it's optimium performance. All these issue's would have to be re-learned. Never seen the 8780 run, only looked at it at the shows.....simpleIJ yes it looks to be......dependableIJ don't have a clue......cost of upkeep_maintenanceIJ again, no clue......resale value HEREIJ I would guess one would end up being better off the cut it up and sale for scrap HERE!....etc...etc If you(NHDon) can afford to take the chance, please by all means do so and report back to us pronto! But I can't afford to soak up a $150,000.00 mistakeIJIJIJIJ this day and time. You should know by now that the cheapest deal is not always the most cost effective.....and I'm not knocking the MF 8780 at all, it's a equipment demographic thing! JD