My Dad has a couple of late 60's/early 70's JD 140's as well, complete with all the attachments. They are bulletproof, and run as well today as they did when new. They're also worth as much now as any BRAND NEW no-name garden tractors, a JD is an investment IMHO. I have to admit, I'm not familiar with JD circa 2004, but in my experience, a JD is one of the few things where you actually get what you pay for.

As for the other debate - only one company has stood firm and alone, (although they have outsourced some parts) and actually expanded while the others have collapsed or amalgamated, and I think we all know which one that is.

Waxy

 

That doesn't make them better though.

Sure they were at the top of the mountain in the 60's and 70's. I know because we had them then too. We have NH's now, because they are a better tractor, now. The NH's of the 60's are nothing.

 

Say what you want, but John Deere is here to stay, and as far as I'm concerned will be the only equipment I buy.

The dealer support network is excellent and nobody can deny that. JD can get parts to you in 24 hours if you need them that fast, and with standard delivery, less than a week. Case, Agco, NH, Kubota, and the other brands can't say that.

Of course that's why JD has Parts Country and CounterParts programs, for people with other brand equipment who don't have a local dealer. John Deere can get parts for your IH, Case, Kubota, NH and any other brand out there.

John Deere (the man) said this about quality: "I will never put my name on a product that does not have in it the best that is in me."

That can be found here:

http://www.deere.com/en_US/compinfo/...ohndeere2.html

About the 140's, yes they mean business. Mine weighs 730 pounds with no deck.

 

Hmm, not around here.

JD's are good tractors, and they are probably worth the money, but are they the best value, no.

 

I like the 40-55 series John Deeres. I think that they were the best when they were in production. I do not know too much about anything newer, but no matter what brand it is, it's too expensive and has too many electronics.

 

Raised on JD's. My favorite was the 4630. One hell of a machine.

 

I'm a red Guy - although I worked at a John Deere implement dealership. I must say I'm biased though and havn't run much JD equipment - we have a John Deere front end loader tractor, but our combine was IH and I've run Wagner, Stieger and IH 4wd (large) tractors and I liked the IH the best (also the newest though) I think the IH Combines are great - I love the controls/cab setup and it did a great job at threshing the wheat. I think their Axial flow combines do awesome. I'd have to run some large John deere equip though to make an accurate judgement. The John Deere dealership I worked for though I don't think I'll ever work under better ownership and management. Great guys to work for. Unfortunately the regional John Deere management decided they weren't selling enough (although they were making money and upholding previous quotas) which is pretty good considering the AG economy these days and John Deere shut them down - BAD MOVE. Then JD decided to build another dealership with a new owner (previous facilities and ownership was VERY top notch too might I add - large facilites and best showroom and shop facilites around in IMHO. (compared to others in MT) Now that customer loyalty and marketshare has been lost due to the change. What was John Deere thinking???? I don't know all the details but I know the whole deal is still in litigation - the regional JD reps did some very illegal actions though it all to my understanding. Shame it turned out like that. Like I said - great people to work for too. Sorry for the long novel - but thats my take on it.

edit: by the way - I wish I could still be running some of that equip. Unfortunately the family farm is going the way of the dodo. It would take winning the lottery to get into it, and I don't really play the lottery - so I guess thats out. Know how to make a small fourtune in the ag business? Start with a large one.

 

All this talk makes me want to run out and plant a garden.

 

My dads got a 4630. The only thing that is bad about em is that there is only a 1000 rpm pto.

 

....I picked red....just cuz I had to wear green for 4 years, and I hate green.
Thanks for explanation though....Cuz I didnt have a clue otherwise...

 

Now I voted green, but that was not a vote for JD. My dad still drives his Oliver 550- now that a great green machine! My dad makes noise every winter about moving someplace warm, but lately is has been sounding more like he really means it, so I may be getting my hands on the tractor before long.

 

Green.... means go

But as for tractors, They are both good
But we own a JD

 

Everything we have is all IH, red, although some faded. Oh, and I dont know why, never asked, dont care. It works, not hard to fix when it doesnt, thats what matters.

 

Well I am a green man but not a JD man. With the exception of my ford 8n all of my tractors have been Olivers (I still own a 1655 and a 1800). Then again I prefer to save the money and buy a older tractor and rebuild it. Much cheeper than going out and getting a comparably sized new one.

I have made a good bit of cash though by buying old olivers, fixing them up and selling them to other small farmers. Most of the quys around here just can't afford to get a newer tractor.

All of my impliments however are new holland with the exception of my plow (oliver) which I got as part of the package when I bought my 1800.

 

You can't beat CAT Yellow. Tracks kick butt! I can't get the farmer I work for to go with CATs, so we run the Green paint.