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Besides - the guy who posted originally was looking for opinions based on facts from owners - not tire-kickers who thought about buying one. </font>
Let's see, this is the Kubota forum, he asked if anyone had looked at both brands, considered both brands, not just one of the brands. Seems to me he got answers that refered to both brands and some folks bought one, some bought the other. Some say one brand is cheaper, and it seems to be in some areas, but others say the other brand is cheaper, and it seems to be in some areas. As the original poster asked for opinions from people who looked at both, I think he got those, and he got them from both sides. But being that Dargo has a Kubota he can honestly answer the question, just as many others did.
Regarding the steel castings issue, it is pretty well established that some tractors are crudely cast. It is also widely accepted that some steel is not as good as others and proof of that can be found in any of the cheap tools that break and come from China. And I was not referring to either brand in this thread, but folks who read many of my posts will know the brand. But as Bird asked a question about steel, I simply answered, and answered honestly/accurately.