Another increasingly popular creature comfort is the suspension seat, which adjusts to the operator's weight. And for the ultimate in comfort, Case offers a deluxe heated cloth seat with lumbar support, listing at $290. "This option keeps the operator warm from the inside out," says Hughes.

Direct productivity boosters
While cab options such as radios and heated seats offer indirect productivity benefits, others more directly affect the ability to get more work done.

Quick-attach/detach mounting systems - which list in the neighborhood of $1,000 - make switching between attachments as easy as pressing a button in that climate-controlled cab. "Our mounting system is great for contractors who need to switch between attachments several times a day," says Rostberg. "With the flip of a switch, an attachment can be disengaged and a different attachment engaged, making the process quick and easy."

Ride control - which senses the weight in the bucket and smooths the ride - is another easily justified option. In addition to improving material retention, it can reduce operator fatigue so you can get more done in a day, as well as limit shock to the skid-steer structure, coupler, hydraulic system and attachment.

"The loader arms float with a full bucket of dirt," says Hughes. "You don't get front to back porpoising. It's more comfortable for the operator and more productive. When the load stays more level, you keep more dirt in the bucket and you have less spillage."