To be more specific...
Tractor color is a choice, choice of brands. However, even assembled in the US, the primary components are made overseas. To my limited knowledge, the Green machine in a CUT is a Yanmar with some sheetmetal and a Dana front axle, assembled here of major sub-assemblies.
It would be better to have some of the assembly jobs here. If I were to buy a CUT right now, I would definitely consider the Green one. When I bought my used Kubota 5 years ago, the Green machine was a Yanmar, not a Yanmar assembled in the US of major foriegn subassemblies. I had two strikes against me then. First, I was in the used market, where the only available CUT's were foriegn made. Second, the Green company, to my knowledge the only one assembled here now, was a wholly built Yanmar.
I do in fact have American iron, a nice '41 Farmall A...
I can not tell what amount of CUT's are now assembled here; I do not know. I have not been in the market, so have not studied it closely. Does it matter if a "unit" is assembled here, vs wholly made elsewhere? Yes, IF I was in the market for a tractor today. I would look at all options, but would start with the stuff most made here.
If it meant more workers would be employed building a machine "A" than building machine "B", would it be the unit to buy? Would it be more "Patriotic"? It would be of more benefit to the US economy if more workers were employed in designing, building, and selling the product. I would explore that avenue first. That a company would be better to buy from because it uses three employees to make a widget while the other company only takes one employee because of innovation or highly skilled labor is difficult. As a consumer, you probably would not know that. If, in fact, you did know that, then it may make for a more difficult decision.
In this given example though, I would assume you wish for me to sell my Harley, and go buy a Kawasaki Vulcan? It is made here, with technically more US parts than my Hog. What should I do? Given some minimal credit, my bike bought new way back when is an '83, and back then the big "other brand" cruisers were all built abroad.
I do buy primarily US made items. When I do not, it is typically because the US item is very substandard, or I simply can not afford it. Most times, if I can not afford it, I wait till I can, or go without. As for substandard items, I will say doodoo is doodoo no matter where made...
Orange is not a superior product to any other on the market, whether now or five years ago when I got my used('87) tractor. I believe the CUT market is pretty dang level product wise. I think the choice of CUT's is more personal taste, ergonomics, and feature driven.
At this particular point in time, I am close to selling the "Orange" machine. If it works out, in its place will be an ASV-RC30, made right here in the US. It even has a Cat engine in it.
I do think a healthy global economy is good for all, here and abroad. I think too though, that we, the US, are way out of balance in the community. I said that in my first post.
While I welcome the discussion, I have not tried anyone in a criminal court for the color of tractor they drive. Nor the brand of computer they are sitting in front of. I am not holier than thou. I do not think you are less American because you drive a Mahindra, even when I'm driving my Farmall.
I would say that each of us had made some good points. I am not sure why you have been as agressive here, but, you know, sometimes I am in my beliefs and opinions.
It is interesting too, that while you agressively approach my post, you have not described at all where you stand. Others, like Trescrows, have described where they stand very well.
