I joined TBN last year to learn more about tractors before I purchase one. I thought I'd own one by now but hope to make the plunge soon. I read allot of the Green VS Orange, Blue VS Red, etc topics on here. I've read this and other similar topics with interest.
I'm a firm believer in buying quality products, especially tools....which I consider a tractor to be. I want my tools to work for me, not me having to work on my tools. I have no problem doing maintenance as long as its on my schedule. Durability, reliability, parts and service availability are every bit as important to me as price. I looked at several brands of dump trailers before I bought. I ended up with a Behnke (B&B) which cost nearly double what some of the lesser trailers I looked at cost. In the end I decided it was more important to me to get a trailer that would hold up to 25-30 years of hard use. I'm looking at the tractor purchase the same way. I've had some experience with a couple of brands, and I've been around a fair amount of equipment at work over the years so I entered the tractor market with an idea of what I needed, but had an open mind as far as what brand to get. One thing that surprised me was the number of TBN members that advised me to shop the dealers (parts and service) as much as the brand. That is good advice. Buying Chinese seems to fly in the face of that advice.
A JD with 20K + hours is probably allot more common in farm country than many might think. A family member of a friend has one of them. They had to rebuild the engine at 35+ years. They bought all the parts at the local AUTO parts store!
I also have a friend with a Ford Jubilee (1953). In the rare event he needs parts he can drive 2 miles to the NH dealer who stocks parts all the way back to the 9N!!!!!!
If you Chinese tractor owners are happy with what you bought all I can say is I'm happy for you. I haven't read a compelling reason for ME to buy one.