For those that know me, it' hard to believe i didn't vote Deere, but unless you'e getting it used, you're not going to buy a real John Deere for 2k or less. The ones you find at Lowes or home depot are not the same as what you get from a Deere dealer. I voted husky because they're the most "bang for the buck" in your list. Out of everything you listed, the husky is the only one I would buy if I weren' going to spend the money on a true John Deere or Scag.