Lawn Tractor - Is it really a Deere

[Ductape]

2.9% is an outstanding tax rate...almost makes me want to drive to Co to buy one (ok, perhaps not )

I know that here...the Deere dealership is outside city limits and only charges county tax rates whereas the HD is inside the city and charges more for tax.....

Take a drive up here........ theres no tax.

 

[mjncad]

Why is the tax different between 2 stores?

Colorado has a hodge-podge of sales tax rates depending on where one lives. The dealer I bought both of my tractors charges 2.9%, which is the bare minimum state sales tax rate, and I suspect the state and counties gives a sales tax break for ag equipment. I also think the dealer is located in an unincorporated area of the county.

Now go to a Depot in unincorporated Highlands Ranch (Denver suburb) and I believe the sales tax rate is somewhere between 4.5% & 5%. Go to a Depot or Lowe's in various municipalities and you'll pay 7.5%+/- to 8.5%+/-. One Depot and Lowe's in the nearest town to me has an 8.6% tax rate and the county commissioners cut a deal with the shopping center developer for a 1% PIF (Public Improvement Fee) to pay for the infrastructure. The sick part is the 1% PIF is assessed on the after tax price, which makes for an effective tax rate of 9.63%.

In the Denver metro area, we pay state, county, RTD (bus service), cultural district, and municipal taxes for incorporated areas. I'm sure I missed a tax; but you get the idea.

Go buy a new car, truck or other major purchase in a Front Range municipality and you better be ready to keel over from just the tax bill alone. That's one of the reasons why I always do my best to live in unincorporated areas.

 

[10boomer]

Ouch! wonder how they keep it all straight.....

Another advantage about living outside the city....you get to have big toys to play with....

My brother lives in Denver.....loves it but has been talking about coming out this way to avoid the crowds of the city....

 

[Duffster]

Colorado has a hodge-podge of sales tax rates depending on where one lives. The dealer I bought both of my tractors charges 2.9%, which is the bare minimum state sales tax rate, and I suspect the state and counties gives a sales tax break for ag equipment. I also think the dealer is located in an unincorporated area of the county.

Now go to a Depot in unincorporated Highlands Ranch (Denver suburb) and I believe the sales tax rate is somewhere between 4.5% & 5%. Go to a Depot or Lowe's in various municipalities and you'll pay 7.5%+/- to 8.5%+/-. One Depot and Lowe's in the nearest town to me has an 8.6% tax rate and the county commissioners cut a deal with the shopping center developer for a 1% PIF (Public Improvement Fee) to pay for the infrastructure. The sick part is the 1% PIF is assessed on the after tax price, which makes for an effective tax rate of 9.63%.

In the Denver metro area, we pay state, county, RTD (bus service), cultural district, and municipal taxes for incorporated areas. I'm sure I missed a tax; but you get the idea.

Go buy a new car, truck or other major purchase in a Front Range municipality and you better be ready to keel over from just the tax bill alone. That's one of the reasons why I always do my best to live in unincorporated areas.

I see

Our sales tax goes by county and while there is no sales tax on ag use a lawn mower isn't considered ag use

So our Deere lawn mower would be 5.5% and our 7000 serie Deere would be 0%

 

[10boomer]

Out this way, you have to have a County "Ag Exemption" to avoid the tax....some sort of paperwork you file to show your property is used for Ag purposes.....

 

[10boomer]

Stopped by my local JD dealer today to discuss the lawn tractors. They "highly suggested" I not purchase an LA series rather they tought the X300 was the one to get. They cited the engine, frame, and deck mounting as the reasons not to get the LA mowers.

Anyone have thoughts on this? Is the X300 that much better a mower?

 

[mjncad]

Ouch! wonder how they keep it all straight.....

Another advantage about living outside the city....you get to have big toys to play with....

My brother lives in Denver.....loves it but has been talking about coming out this way to avoid the crowds of the city....

That's why we have high taxes to pay for the bureaucrats to keep it all strsight.

If all you've got is a 1/2 acre of grass you want to mow with the riding mower, save the bucks and get the LA. I'm sure it's nowhere near the rig that an X300 is; but what you save on the lawn tractor can go towards real toys for the bigger rig you have.

I have an L130 for my 2-acres that I use/abuse cutting grass and weeds. It wasn't meant for the use I give it, and all of my neighbors do the same thing with their lawn tractors regardless of make. The biggest hassle I've had with my L130 is the mower deck. It was throwing belts until I figured out why when the idler pulley bracket snapped from metal fatigue. Also the ripe tumbleweeds and claycrete dust make for a cementitious mix that can plug the discharge opening quick. I also chewed up the blades; but that was my fault, not Deere's.

 

[Revelation]

The John Deere 100 Series got third place on the Consumer Report on tractors. The JD 300 series was first place. The 100 series got better reviews than most of the other lawn tractors out there. I love mine. Of course it is not a rugged as the 300 series, but they are still great tractors.

 

[10boomer]

Thank you....I'm thinking I do not need the -300.

The LA135 (small guy) is $1999 and I can get a x300 for $2600 (2 hours on it....guy bought it, the PTO switch snapped off, and instead of replacing the switch, the JD dealer replaced the entire mower -- great service I think!). In any case, the dealer is will ing to take a few dollars off list for this one....

 

[Crash101]

Hi, Sorry to bother all of you....but I have a question about the John Deere Lawn Tractors you can find in Lowe"s and Home Depot.

Are they really a Deere? Looking at the LA series of mower.

Thanks in advance,

Boomer

Your question, "Are they really a Deere?" is answered by Yes and No. John Deere bought the factory several years ago that produces these mowers. I think they were sold as "Sabre", "Scotts" and perhaps other names. I've been told that the parent company at one time was MTD; however I don't have a clue as to their history.
The 300 series and up are true John Deere's. Fine but now that John Deere is building the 100 series (the ones at HD and Lowes) they are considered John Deere's as well, only built at a different location. They are designed and built to John Deere standards.
But, and a big but, the "get what you pay for" is applied here. They are not 300 series tractors, they are probably the best you can buy in their price range though and for occasional home owner use is everything one might need. The only recommendation I would make, is if you can, buy from a John Deere dealer. You're supporting local business and it can help determine where you will be placed in line when you need repairs or preventive maintenance.