I told myself I wasn't gonna get into this mess of a discussion, but here goes...
Dictionary. com defines obsolete as:
Adjective:
1. no longer in general use; fallen into disuse: an obsolete expression.
2. of a discarded or outmoded type; out of date: an obsolete battleship.
3. (of a linguistic form) no longer in use, esp., out of use for at least the past century. Compare archaic.
4. effaced by wearing down or away.
5. Biology. imperfectly developed or rudimentary in comparison with the corresponding character in other individuals, as of the opposite sex or of a related species.
Verb: (used with object)
6. to make obsolete by replacing with something newer or better; antiquate: Automation has obsoleted many factory workers.
Bob, you have stated you feel the FarmTrac is, at least an antiquated design, and therfore obsolete. Are you referring to the utility or the compact line, or both?
I would agree the utility models are of older Ford origin (x000 series), but I would disagree that inherently makes them, nor their owner/operator less able to perform as their more modern brethren, and most definitely does not make them obsolete! If that were true, there would be a whole mess of farmers out there unable to do their jobs.
Also, the CUTs, as you are probably aware, are made by LS (formerly LG) of Korea. I think they are the same manufacturer of Century (Zetor), Branson, and Montana. Looking at these machines, I find them to quite modern in appearance and convenience, no less so than Kubota, JD, NH, or MF.
It also strikes me that much of what is being argued about here is of a subjective nature, and therefore, cannot be categorized into black and white. Things like control lever throw length fall under the umbrella of ergonomics. Granted there is probably some common ground here, but often what one may find to comfortable, another may find unacceptable.
When shopping for something like this, I prefer to compare more objective items first, such as engine & PTO HP, transmission type & #gears, and hydraulic pump capacity first. Then I move on to the gut stuff, like dealer comfort level and seat-of-the-pants test.
And it's because of my gut tests that I will most likely never own a Kubota. I have no doubt they make a good product, but I can't stand either of my local dealers. They are both arrogant SOBs who treat you like you're an ignorant, backwoods hayseed that has never seen, let alone use, an indoor toilet, and that they're doing you a big favor by taking time out of their busy schedules to stoop to your level and talk to you. So until either they wise up, or the dealerships change hands, I'll continue to take my money elsewhere...