My neighbor has the one that he bought new in 1981 but I think its the parts machine now . He runs 2 other ones though and his son has one. But your right you didnt see very many. JOHN FERGUSON
We have both a 9700 and a 9720, plus a MF 8560. We found the best way to overcome the weight problem on the 9700's was to go with 18.4x38 radial straddle row duals on the front and 16.9x26 radials on the rear. With this tire combination we have gone thru places that a regular tractor would get stuck up to the axles unless it was 4-wheel drive. If you want to hear some more e-mail me.
To Illinois Gleaner, You are right about not seeing very many. I think if you go to Canada or down south in the areas that have a lot of rice you would have seen more. Our local scrap yards have been picked clean of 9700 parts for use in rice harvest.