The "Green" will pay off in years to come. Grew up on a farm and John Deere was by far the main tractor brand for all the neighbors. With "Red" a distance second. ("Red" was Farmall/International). When retired and returned to the farm purchased a used John Deere 2030 tractor. It is now almost 30 years old and still running great. Paid more for it used 10 years ago than it cost new. Have owned 3 JD riding mowers. In upgrading have sold 2 of them. Got a good price at sale due to the "Green". Yes, they cost more but hold their value. Buy from a dealer, not "big box" store. Much better quality. For instance "big box" mowers do not have grease fittings for the blade spindles.
Neither do the better build older JD's,i know mine don't.:wink:
I can't share your view on JD being the best for the money.They might have a higher trade in value but cost more to start with when new than most other brands,so you got more money locked in.JD Parts are trough the roof as well.
I started farming in 86 and bought a 72 Cockshutt 1855 for $3500 ,i'm still farming with it today.Bought a sec 1855 14 yrs ago for $3250.Both these are my main tractors on my 1800 acre ranch.
I have had minimal repairs with these over the years.They are worth double today what i paid.
I also have a 78 Belarus 800 loader tractor i bought used in 86 for 5 grand, i put 10.000 hrs on it since and use it daily for feeding.It was/is a good tractor,now it aint worth nothing anymore but i don't care.It can serve as parts tractor for the 93 belarus 925 with only 740 hrs on it i just bought last month for $4000.
Try to duplicate that with JD,heck one has to shell out at least 6-7 grand for a worn out 4020 today.
The only green on my yard are the 2 lawn tractors