Glenn,
I agree that objectively the JD models seem to outperform the others in the categories you mentioned.
To me, the differences in hydraulics, loader capacity, backhoe, MMM aren't great enough to sway me one way or the other. More options are good as are greater ease to hook up buckets and loaders but getting off a tractor only 2 times is nothing compared to what I do now to hook up anything. The comfort, size and layout of the operator station make up a general feel for each tractor and combine to become a subjective quality.
Some other thoughts:
1 Even thought the TCs do look a little like big riding mowers, objectively you have more room to see what's in front of you.
2 The hood panels on the Kubota are metal instead of fiberglass like on the NH. Is JD also metal?
3 JD dealers are everywhere you turn around, except it seems, within 15 miles of here. It seems like there are more JD dealers to take your tractor to if you moved.
4 You always hear about the much higher resale value of JD but how can anyone know that if I keep my tractor for 25 years?
5 Which side the brake pedals are on? I can't remember how the Kubota and NH are arranged.
All in all, I can't say I'd buy any of them based on any of the objective differences above. They're all great tractors. For me it all comes down to subjective ideas on which tractor I like better and of course, price and dealer, which we won't talk about. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif