My Dad bought his first Jiffy in about 1989, I think. Traded it on a newer model - still a Jiffy though - in about 93. He graduated from that straight to a bale shredder in 95. When I took over the farm, I told him to go ahead and sell his $90,000 tractor and I pulled the Jiffy out of the bush, redid the hydraulics and never looked back. It's a pain not being able to use the 5th wheel, but we get by. The '84 Chev dually it's on though is a little too tired to haul our 5th wheel anymore.
As for the Jiffy, I like it. The magnetic heater is a great idea, as well as the synthetic oil. I've replaced every hose and steel line on it w/higher grade hose, but everything on it is stuff you can get at a local parts shop. I don't know about the newer brands, but I can take the 'forks' off of my Jiffy, so I can use the arms alone to pick up heavy gates or panels. I guess where there's hydraulics you'll find all kinds of uses for it.