Buying Advice Buying Multiple Tractor Advice

[HarleyEnough]

Hi I'm looking for advice on buying multiple tractors. My father and I are both in the market for mowers and subcompact tractors. Mowers to mow about 2 acres a piece, tractors to play around but nothing major. Dad's building a house so we're clearing his lot, moving some dirt, and maybe pulling some stumps. We've tried to take advantage of the Green Fleet program which requires 18 points. 6 points for each tractor or mower and 1 point for a power tool (blower, chainsaw, etc...). We're trying to keep the total bill under $35k.

Options considered so far:
2 2520's with 62D MMM and 200CX (extras include iMatch, lights, ballast box), Blower, Chainsaw, and Line Trimmer to get 18 points makes it roughly $35K

1 2520 with 200CX, 2 737 Z-Trac to mow. 3 Machines = 18 points. Roughly $32k

1 3120 with 300CX, 2 737 Z-Trac to Mow (blows away the $35K limit) Roughly $40k!!! More than we want to spend.


Do these prices seem reasonable and does anyone have any other suggestions on what machines to get?

 

[ddivinia]

What is the Green Fleet Program?

D.

 

[ddivinia]

You guys will love the Z track to mow with. I think the package with a single tractor to share and Z tracks to mow makes a lot of sense. Speaking of that, I am going to roll the 757 out of the shop and mow.

D.

 

[HarleyEnough]

The Green Fleet program awards points to each piece of equipment you by and then gives the dealer a discount on the equipment which is then passed on to you. Details here:

http://www.deere.com/en_US/groundscare/specialoffers/green_fleet/index.html?link=gc_special_offers_index

 

[HarleyEnough]

BTW, the dealer says it's about 8% extra from manufacturer. So considering discount should be 10-15% anyways I'm expecting 18-23% of retail...does this sound correct?

 

[jcmseven]

I just bought a 3720 and 757 ZTR on the Green Fleet Program. Although I could pay for the machines, it seemed to make more sense to go with the Green Fleet Program and save the money I did not spend initially. In the end it works out better for me, with depreciation, etc. on the machines. I am really happy I went with the 757 for mowing as it really affected the price very little over just a nice RFM for the tractor. This way I can use the tractor as---a tractor. There is also no penalty for paying en totale early, if I decide to. It seems the JD folks are a little tight lipped about this program. I felt like I was getting a top secret briefing when I was told about it. I would not buy more than you could pay off though. If that is the 2520 and 737, then that is what I would do.

John M

 

[HarleyEnough]

I think we've decided to go with one of two options:

Option 1:
Two 3120s (Need R4 tires, cruise, iMatch, power beyond, front lights, rear light, light brush guard kit, mid PTO) Two 300CX Loaders (Ballast Boxes Included) Two 72" Mid Mount Mowers (Independent Lift) Two Chainsaw, Line Trimmer, Blower

Option 2:
Two 3320s (Need R4 tires, cruise, iMatch, power beyond, front lights, rear light, light brush guard kit, mid PTO, eHydro) Two 300CX Loaders (Ballast Boxes Included) Two 72" Mid Mount Mowers (Independent Lift) Two Chainsaw, Line Trimmer, Blower

We basicly decided that we would use the Z-Tracs every week to mow but didn't think it was worth having the extra tractor that we didn't use quite as often. If we both have one with a loader and 3PH then we'll use it when we need it...even if it's only a 10 minute job moving something around. But we live almost 1 mile away from each other and would drive the tractor from house to house for a 10 minute job. We'll also have them setup for a backhoe and probably split the cost for a backhoe down the road.