I wasn't bred any color, and if I had any kind of leanings, it was probably toward "the other red" (MF), but over the years, my machinery lineup has gradually become more and more green. Not because I think they're the best built machines out there, but more because they're just the best selling brand out there.
Why is that important? Because numbers matter, literally. In the U.S., Deere (and CIH/NH next) sell more machines (at least tractors) than anybody else in the marketplace. Go to TractorHouse, for example, and look up how many 80-120 hp tractors are listed for each brand, and compare (I DIDN'T go and do this, just making an anecdotal observation based on past searches). In general, if Deere has say 5000 listed, CIH/NH will probably have 2500. Kubota has really been gaining marketshare in the last few years, but still, will probably only have maybe 1000 or less. All Agco's will be like 1000 or less, combined (and BTW, I own 2 Massey's and an Allis, only "green tractor" I own is an early 80's Stieger). In 10 years, or 20, which one will be easier to get parts for? Obviously the one that has the most numbers out there. Which one will it be easier for the dealer, regardless of the color he sells, to STOCK parts for? The one with the most numbers again. Which one will the salvage yards be most interested in buying up so THEY have a parts inventory for them? The one with the most numbers again. After considering that, which one will the parts probably be the lowest cost for? Again, the one that has the most numbers out there.
I don't care how great a tractor (or any machine) might be... they ALL will have their weakest link, and they ALL will require parts at some point. If you can't get the parts you need, the machine is worthless to you. Fendt is a very popular, high end tractor in Europe. Good luck getting the parts you need here in the U.S. And especially if trying to find a used part from a salvage yard.
On the HP question, I have a saying about skid loaders, tractors, and trucks..... "Just buy em big!" You'll never be sorry you got a model a little bigger than you thought you would need. If you don't need the HP, you can idle her down and it won't use any more fuel than the smaller one. Metal fatigue will be minimized throughout the entire driveline. But buy it on the smallish side to try to "save a little money", and you'll always be bumping up against that "overloading" situation, and the whole rig won't last nearly as long. There's just no substitute for HP and load capacity.
BTW, I've always felt that the parts for my Agco stuff seemed to be somewhat more expensive than for my "green stuff", and I expect that's for the reasons mentioned above. My Agco dealers have been great... so has the Deere, and my son's father-in-law is the parts guy for our closest CIH dealer, and they've been great too. But overall, I prefer the experience that I've found at Deere. That DOESN'T mean that I always prefer the design and features of their rigs though!!!
