Hope this helps
Sorry I didn't mean to insult you with my reply. :hide:
I should have thought to ask what your background was before I made a general statement. Most folks don't take as big an interest in their equipment like you do. I have never worked in sales and my inputs were just things that get me riled up. Most of the salesmen don't know their product well enough to answer in depth questions. So to answer your questions here I go:
1. What are your likes and dislikes about your Deere?
I have the L-130, and don't like the deck adjustment set-up. The metal "gates" for the deck adjustment seem like they will get bent up and worn with time. They are metal on metal with the lever rubbing on them every time you raise and lower the deck.
2. What kind of problems have you had?
None so far.
3. And how does the Deere dealer network respond to such problems?
None so far
4. Are you satisfied with your tractors?
Great, plenty of power and cuts grass great.
5. If you had to do it over again, would you buy a Deere?
Yes
6. What was your motivation for buying a Deere in the first place?
Name recognition and quality associated with that name. You see Deere’s all over the place and it is what most of the farmers around here drive. Can they all be wrong? I looked at the Cub’s and thought the 130 was a better deal. More features for less money.
7. Is having a servicing dealer nearby of great importance to you? Why or why not?
Yes, you don't want to have to drive 40 or 50 miles to get things fixed if required. I have it made, my dealer is within 1.5 miles of the house. It is also where I bought the tractor. I checked HD and they were out of the 130 when I started looking. I talked to the person in the Deere area and they said they were supposed to get more 130's in a couple of days and took my number. It took over 3 weeks for them to call me. I already had my 130 in the shed by the time they called me. I got the same exact price from the dealer and he sold me the bumper at cost. He threw in 2 JD hats to sweeten the deal. My 6-year-old partner in crime was real happy! I have bought the maintenance kits and mulching blades from them as well. I just walk up to the parts counter and tell them what I need, they look up the numbers and go to the back and presto off I go. After paying up of course. I guess you get the point.
I hope this helps and wasn’t too much of a rant. I do agree 100% with the idea if checking out the competition and knowing what is comparable to the HD Deere line. I feel that the Deere’s at Home Depot fill a need for the homeowner level of lawn equipment. If you need to mow or plow over 3 acres you are at the wrong place to buy that equipment. It is not that the tractors can’t handle that much area it will just take a long time. Time to me should be spent with the family and not on the tractor every waking moment! Sorry for the anti tractor rant. I hope you all will forgive me with time!!!!

:cheers: