TripleR,
I also mentioned the 0% financing for 72months from deere, that was a big nod in their favor.
I am very hard on equipment and it gave me a little more peace of mind knowing that there was substantially more material in a compareable tractor. I have never had an issue with compaction or the weight hindering me, I'm actually looking at getting more weight since my loader will pick my loaded rear tires clean off the ground with no troubles. I did not have the option at the time to have multiple tractors for multiple uses. My primary uses at the time were the 10' brush hog and heavy loader work with the square bale grabber and moving round bales. I have also done a substantial amount of digging with it as well. My arugument for the weight was that weight=traction for the majority of tractors out there. The heavier the tractor the better it pulls.(unless your in mud then it sinks like a rock!)
I forgot the OP mentioned about maintaining the orchard and the shallow roots, but i dont completely agree about the lighter tractor being better if thats the way you meant it.
I did not have the ability to strength test the tractors components side by side so i made the ASSUMPTION that the heavier weight was a more robust tractor. I dont think deere makes the best tractor at any particular model either. If you have a particular need for a heavy or a light tractor then thats the best tractor for your needs. And as we all know, everyone's need are completely different. Hence why I ended up buying a L3400 HST Kubota that makes alot of chores much simpler.
Maybe in 55 years I'll have a compareable tractor collection? I'll cross my fingers.
To the OP, I have a 10' brushog and it works my tractor pretty good in the hills and when the grass gets to be pretty tall. If you have thinner grass or mow more often it shouldn't be to big of a deal. Just make sure you have plenty of front
ballast!