I think that your impressions are clouded, and, I don't think anyone is trying to "infer" anything here.
This is the way it is, if you buy a reconditioned model, from some chop-shop overseas, you do not know what was done to the machine, what problems were perhaps covered up, what short cuts were taken to put it back together, what assorted parts were used, etc. But, what you usually do get is a good looking tractor that does have a nice shine and polish.
As far as reconditioning, that's BS. If it were truely reconditioned in a, as they say, "factory" you would be able to get a list of parts and work performed in the "re-conditioning process". They'd track that stuff by serial num and offer some kinda of support. But, they don't. They rebuild these tractors in open air shelters with dirt floors (from pics that I've seen, never been there, but can't imagine it's much better). You can see what one of these factories looks like, look here:
http://www.tractorco.com/Secondarypages/ReconditioningProcess.htm
You think OSHA is involved there? How about ISO standardization? They did say it's a factory, then why not.
Hey, and btw, I own a so called re-conditioned tractor so I am seeing first hand where the paint and polish starts to wear a bit thin... There's no deal to be had by buying one of these reconditioned/remanufactored tractors....
I don't mean to hi-jack the thread, just don't be fooled by the paint... Happy tractoring, either way... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif