One of the sources of confusion, other than misleading sales people, IS internet websites, this one included at times. While they may provide good info, they're also a great source for "dis-information" too. For someone who knows tractors top to bottom, that's not so much an issue. It's that "first time buyer" who has trouble distinguishing fact from fiction......is it actual real life experience from a knowledgeable user or jaded opinion from a "johnny-come-lately" who's "facts" are merely repeats of what they read or heard somewhere else, or somewhere in between? I've seen many an instance where people get involved with tractors, then learn far more on the subject than they ever thought possible in a relatively short time period, and then assume that since they know "so much", they must know it all. And then they start passing on their "wealth of info" with little regard to what they DON'T know.
Opinions are valuable, so long as they come from facts and experience, and NOT from someone who's opinion is merely rationalization for buying what they bought. We get a LOT of that on the internet. For the average Joe buying his very first tractor, it's not always so clear as to who's opinion really has merit.
"Facts" (like dealer specifications) come in many flavors. All depends on who compiles those facts, how that "propaganda" is skewed, and how the end user/consumer assimilates the information given as to their actual worth. In most cases, manufacturer supplied "facts" are written in the best interest of ONE group.....The MANUFACTURER.
It would be the salvation of some manufacturers and the death knell for others if I ever get my wish. INDEPENDENT TESTING of all new tractor models sold , big or small, similar to Nebraska Testing. Even then, all this "who's best" would still be subjective, but at the very least, it would provide a level playing field.
