Price Check The PRICE to Own GREEN!

hobbyfarm · Sep 6, 2005

jcmseven ( John Deere, as it becomes even more global corporate, changes models for frequently that features and options seem to get recycled. I do not, however, feel that John Deere is fading--they still make top notch machines. The reality is that the competition is gaining, and in some lines, perhaps equivalent to John Deere.)

DrRod ( I think it may come down to the dealer... I would have been just as happy with the MF or NH but this deal was a winner. )

I think the dealer has the most to do with it. I like the fact that with Deere, you can get almost any option from the factory, where as the other colors certain items may be dealer or "field" installed. Whether or not the dealer quotes you a price for this or that option and lets you have it as "standard" seems to me to be up to the dealer.
I do think that Deere has spread itself thin and uses the "global" outsources to fill in what they used to make here.
Also, it's not just the prime movers (tractors, combines, & cotton pickers) but the implements also. IE - the "Frontier" stuff is not inhouse JD. And, it's also funny how a few years ago, every brand had a full line of plows, disks, chisel plows, rotary cutters, etc. in their own brands. Now, they have only the basic best sellers. Now, if you want an agricultural crawler, you have to go blue, or foreign.

Just an observation.

jeffinsgf · Sep 6, 2005

Well, last March I didn't look, I just bought Greene. After the fact, I found TBN and started reading quite a bit about other brands and spent a some time second guessing myself. Then I looked at how other brands attach their backhoes. And, I looked at other shuttle shifts. And, I looked at other ergonomics. And, I realized I made the right choice for me.

I just got back from my dealer where I picked up my tractor. I left for vacation 2 weeks ago and took the tractor in for a few little things, most of which were things I had done, some of which were known issues of the model. I was expecting a bill for the repairs (torn tie-rod boot and bent Power Beyond bracket) and that the sticky steering wheel and parking brake light that won't go off would be covered under warranty. I was shocked when everything --- everything --- was covered under warranty. I would like to hear about any other color tractor with that kind of customer service. JD and Larson Farm & Lawn have earned a great deal of loyalty.

rockyridgefarm · Sep 7, 2005

EVERYTHING in GREEN is an option and sold for an additional price, whereas the BLUE offers many more standard items for the same price 

I'd love to see that list.

How much does it cost to add LoadMatch to the Deere? It is standard equipment. How much on a NewHolland. You can't get it for any money. How about a self bleeding fuel system? Same story. Sure Deere charges more for their turbocharged midchassis CUT, but NH doesn't offer one at any price.

New Holland DOES offer telescopic draft links as standerd equipment. But do they offer iMatch? Ball and claw draft links?

Or, are you comparing you two models old tractor to NewHolland's current lineup? You owe it to yourself to look at curerent offerings.

Unless you just WANT a blue tractor. there is nothing wrong with that. But do it on real merits or just because you want to and don't try and confuse them.

I went out to buy a new Holland tractor one day. There was a Deere Dealer next door. I test drove both to have a comparison. I never went back to the New Holland store. But your mileage may vary! That is why these different brands keep selling, because what fits me might not work for you.

Kyle_in_Tex · Sep 7, 2005

( Of course, I live in John Deere country where GREEN is seen in EVERY field doing all sorts of things and NOONE dares to drive elsewise! )

Well, there must be some sort of reason for this. You could say that everyone who purchases a deere is absolutely stupid or, they may know something that you don't or, they might have an appreciation for their dealer and JD. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I have seen this suppossed list of options and the way NH puts it's "spin" on details. If it has sold you, maybe you might be better off with a blue tractor. You might further investigate a few of the details that rockyridge wrote about. Everyone here wants a chinesed priced American built tractor with all the bells and whistles. But it ain't happening anytime soon.

Are you by any chance related to 1962 or 1972 or who ever it is/was?

Highlander · Sep 9, 2005

Boy, did I ever hit a sore spot! Didn't realize how sensitive an issue this is for the majority of Deere owners. As I have already explained, I AM an owner of a John Deere, grew up with a B model and a 4020 on a dairy farm in eastern Penna. and have always been a Deere fan, HOWEVER, after all these years of blind allegiance to a company which I feel is now living on REPUTATION, much like the Boeing Company, I made the decision to examine the competition. Three items I will list, made all the world to me on first impression of the Boomers! Number 1- When YOU are in the field the next time, ask yourself how many times you would like to mount the tractor from the right side! You can't do it on a Deere without hitting everything from the loader to the ignition switch. Besides, Deere doesn't even install a step on that side! BOOMER DOES. Number 2- Next time you are in the field ALL day in front of a mower or disc or whatever, how stiff does your neck get turning all the way around looking at the implement??? A swivel seat on the BOOMER makes this MUCH more tolerable. Number 3- Next time you back up to an implement and try to attach the darn thing on the three point, how sore does your foot get trying to kick the implement over into position for the draft arm??? the BOOMER alleviates this anomoly with the addition of swiveling and telescoping links. These three items were impressive to me, maybe not to you and I on the other hand, can do without some iMatch system which doesn't do a thing for making my life or my back feel any better while I'm in the seat. Maybe I do need an infusion of BLUE and I'm willing to make the changeover when time comes but in the meantime, I deserve the right to call a Deere anything I like, I'm the one who paid for the darn thing. And in the meantime, I can now enjoy the forums on two makes of tractors in stead of one. There is enormous information available through this website and I intend to enjoy ALL makes and models from now on as my narrowmindedness has all but disssolved! I apologize if I have offended anyone in this discussion. Thanks Jim

garchib · Sep 9, 2005

I have had some of the same thoughts lately on JD as well....I love my 4100, but have been watching the Boomers with growing curiousity......I am amazed how insulted some people get by their tractor brand being critized. You can call my tractor anything you like /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

deerefan · Sep 9, 2005

i guess i'll throw my 2 cents in here....i am new to ownership of john deeres, but i have operated plenty. I can see where joh deere is getting pricey, but take a step back and look at today's tractors. They are all getting pricey!! I had a post the other day addressing the issue of keeping tractors simple and cheap. With new technology comes new prices. The more bells and whistles, the more it costs (which is relative to everything in life!). I bought a 5103 recently and did not balk at the $12,500 asking price. Considering the equivalent Mahindra and Kubota were basically the same price, the choice was obvious. John Deere has built a strong reputation on quality and service and that is worth a few extra dollars to me. Now, if we were talking thousands in price difference, I would look much harder at the other brands. To get the service and quality that is proven time and againg with a John Deere, it is worth a couple hundred to me.

Cityboyfarmer · Sep 9, 2005

If you really like the Boomers you should trade your Deere in for one. I would do it in a heart beat if I felt like you do. Who cares what the neighbors own?

It sounds to me like you have a pretty good case of buyers remorse. It happens. See what the blue dealer will give you on trade. Better to get what you really want than to go through the mental anguish.

Me? My dealer beat the blue and the orange guys in price, plus the green dealer is about 40 miles closer to my house. Works for me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Don't be blue. Buy blue..... if you want to. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HGM · Sep 9, 2005

I too agree, the fact that someone will purchase a tractor, or anything for that matter, based on the color or manufacturer is rediculous..

Every make provides a model that is potentially better than the competition. They are competition just for that reason. In order to remain competition and in bussiness, they must push the envelope and attempt to one better the other. Without going into details again, I have followed the "legacy" of a brand and bought into it. I was dissapointed to find it was not what I thought it should be. Shame on me, I should have looked at other brands first. I can promise though that the next time I buy something, I will shop arround and compare apples to apples including brands I have not been satisfied with in the past. From doing so, wether you buy it or not, you can see possible options you may not have known were available.

Unless you have an invested interest in a company, ie: employed, stock, or sponsored, you would be foolish to blindly choose a specific color tractor(anything) over another based soley on the brand name. Hope I didnt offend anyone, I'm just spouting what I believe to be logic.

FordTruckGuy · Sep 9, 2005

Brand is a reflection of history and the investment and integrity a company has placed into its name. Millions of companies covet the brand strength that Deere has, and the company obsesses over quality and its icon status like nobody. That doesn't mean there will be mistakes here and there, or that one person might become disatisfied with their purchase, but until that perception of brand changes, combined with the association of color with it, I'm not sure that making a purchase based on color is all that ridiculous.

Just like you purchase a coke in a red and white-striped can and have an expectation of taste performance and quality, same goes for a tractor. Nevertheless, you might want a diet soda drink at some point, and in buying that color can, not get what you were exactly looking for. Same, I think, goes for options and bells/whistes on a machine.

Only Kubota can compare in medium-term brand integrity/color with Deere. All other tractor brands, in both the CUT and larger units, have been tossed around and taken a beating over the years, bought and sold here and there, neglected or ignored.