2014 - Volume #38, Issue #4, Page #36
[ Sample Stories From This Issue | List of All Stories In This Issue | Print this story
| Read this issue]
Deere Gouges Farmers For Replacement Parts
Vernon Knaack, Correctionville, Iowa: “I agree with the reader in your last issue who thinks Deere gouges farmers for replacement parts. Here are some recent examples:“1. There are 4 linear bearings on the hydracushion seat on my Deere 4440 tractor. The seat rides on them to move back and forth. Deere wanted almost $80 per bearing. We found the same ones at www.grainger.com for $22 each.
“2. The 30 and 40 Series Deere tractors use the same AC compressor as General Motors vehicles did during that time period. This spring a Deere dealer quoted me $550 for a new one. My local NAPA store sold me a new one for $215.
“3. Finally, my 3020 Deere had a short piece of 1/4-in. hydraulic hose that split. The dealer wanted $63 for a kit to fix it. We bought the same piece of hose at O’Reilly auto parts for $1.35.
“I think Deere makes great long-lasting equipment, but I sometimes feel they increase parts prices to force us into buying newer equipment.”
Click here to download page story appeared in.
Click here to read entire issue
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.
