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Not to pick on you in particular, but I find these types of posts both amusing and annoying. When you ask an opinion of one brand vs. another, naturally the JD bb participants are usually going to tout their brand over the other. The same will happen if you post on the IH, Ford, Allis, etc. Most responses are of no real value when evaluating which tractor to go with. I personally believe that you need to decide whether brand means anything at all. If not, then pursue it more pragmatically. Your followup post is a good example of the types of things you need to include in your decision making process. I have a 3010, an A, and a 4020. I have these because I like JD. I have also used numerous Fords, Allis, Oliver, IH, a MM, a Massy Ferguson, along with many JDs. Each of these tractors had good points and bad points. I found that most breaks downs had much more to do with maintenance and treatment of the machine rather than the brand. One thing that I have experienced first hand is that a tractor with a reasonable amount of weight will do well pulling field equipment regardless of the brand. For instance, I did a lot of manure hauling with an Allis 200 pulling a tandem axle New Idea spreader. I would get stuck with this tractor on frozen ground when trying to go through a deadfurrow without busting things up (had to go slow). A 4020 did the same thing with out getting stuck. The 200 has about 100-105 hp so is about 10-15 hp more, but it weighed less than the 4020 (8,000#s vs. 10,000#s). For your case I believe that the 4020 is going to be heavier than the 1855. So to get the 1855 to pull (and compare fairly with the 4020) you would need to make sure it has equal weight. As to hydraulics, I know that my 3010 has a 16 GPM pump (at 2100-2200psi) with 3/8" lines. The 3020 has a 18 GPM pump (pressure is around 2300psi) with 1/2" lines. I believe the 4020 that I have has the same setup as the 3020. The type of loader can make a big difference in performance as well. Size of the cylinders, size of the supply lines, etc. I think your first step is to get a good evaluation of both tractors mechanically. The one that is more mechanically sound is likely to be the better choice. You can always add weight to increase your pulling capability. The Oliver is likely to cost you less just because JDs have such a high resale value. The particular 1855 I drove was suppose to have 130 hp (the owners may have been filling me a line of crap). The engine and transmission had been completely rebuilt. The cost was almost as much as it would have cost to rebuild the engine and tranny of the 4020 (assuming syncro trans). It was a nice tractor and I enjoyed driving it as much as any tractor. However, if I had a choice between the JD and Oliver, I'll take the JD every time despite the higher investment. Why JD? Because availability of parts. JD tractors seem to have the controls in the "natural" place (not all models...but most). And I guess the looks has a fair amount to do with it as well. Sorry for the long post. Hope this helps and hope you don't take my opening comment too personal. I forget sometimes that not all who post grew up farming and driving many tractors as I and many other have.
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