Southeast Michigan Family Wins 2017 John Deere Drive Green Grand Prize

OLATHE, Kansas (April 27, 2018) – Kurt Schroeder of Milford, Mich., received his new John Deere 3025E Compact Utility Tractor equipped with loader, and a Frontier BB2060 Box Blade on April 26 from D&G Equipment in Highland, Mich. Schroeder won the tractor package for being selected as the 2017 John Deere Drive Green grand prize winner.

Last September, Schroeder registered for the prize during D&G Equipment’s Drive Green event that took place at the Highland store location less than a mile from his home. Doug Rogers, store manager, said the event provided guests with an excellent opportunity to see many pieces of equipment up close. While he was there, Schroeder test drove a 1 Series Compact Utility Tractor and ended up buying it before he left. “My wife uses that tractor quite a bit. The iMatch™ Quick-Hitch system allow her to easily use more attachments,” Schroeder said.

In December, Schroeder’s name was drawn from thousands of entrants and he was declared the winner. It was a phone call he won’t soon forget. “My wife and I were on vacation in Hawaii. I was awoken at 4 a.m. when the sweepstakes company called to tell me I had won a new tractor. At first I thought it was a joke and I didn’t really believe it. Then, the more they told me, it all made sense,” Schroeder said.

Schroeder, a retired engineer, said the new John Deere 3 Series Tractor will be a useful addition to his property where he and his wife raise horses and are in the process of building a new barn.

“It opens up some more possibilities. It’s definitely going to be used for more heavy-duty tasks and PTO work. The loader and box blade are going get a lot of use,” Schroeder said.

D&G Equipment will soon celebrate its 25th anniversary. During the past few years, they’ve hosted numerous Drive Green events at their eight D&G Equipment store locations.

“We’re happy one of our customers was the 2017 grand prize winner. Drive Green events help us showcase our small-ag equipment and provide customers a chance to get in the seat and test drive machines they might want to buy or lease,” said Rogers. “It’s not only tractors. They drive utility vehicles and our zero-turn mowers, too. In one visit, they can compare the size, performance and capabilities of different machines.”

According to Rogers, customers who visit D&G Equipment often have different knowledge levels of tractors and attachments. “We see a mix of hobby farmers and small property owners. Some have never been on a tractor,” Rogers said.

Before selling any equipment, Rogers said the D&G staff works to match customer needs to the right machine. “After the sale, we make sure the tractor and attachments are properly set up and we orientate them about the machine’s capabilities and best practices for operation,” Rogers said.

D&G Equipment will host Drive Green events at its Mason, Williamston, Highland, Corunna, Howell, Charlotte and Rives Junction locations on May 2-5. The public is invited to attend. To learn more about future Drive Green events be sure to visit the Drive Green Website.