update - it's dirty.
When I first started moving gravel, I wasn't impressed with the lift capacity compared to my Century, but once I put a couple hours of loader work on it it seems to lift better/more.
Finally got a 6' mower for it and got to spend a few hours breaking shear bolts - took advantage of the nice weather yesterday afternoon to play hooky from the office. Was using the loader bucket to pop saplings out of the ground before I got to them and the mower to create fire breaks/walking paths in the rough pasture, and I am duly impressed.
It handles the 6' mower as well as my 2535 did with its 5' HD, and will mow up an incline without hesitation that I had to baby the 2535 to get up.
I like the slightly lower and wider stance - I'm still very cautious about driving along slopes, but my pucker factor doesn't kick in as often. (this could also be due to getting used to my land and having a clue where the tractor can and/or should not go)