Our Experts Explain How to Maximize Resale Value on Your John Deere Equipment

You love your trusty old John Deere tractor through and through. You’ve shared some great times together and taken care of more chores than you ever thought possible. Recently though, you’ve started wondering if it’s time to let someone else experience that love. Maybe you moved to a new property or you’re looking to trade-in your old John Deere for a newer model. Or you inherited an old lawn tractor and aren’t sure what to do with it.

When you’re ready to hand over the keys, you want to make sure you’re getting a fair shake. We sat down with our used equipment experts for pro tips on trading and selling used lawn equipment, so you can maximize resale value on your used John Deere tractor or lawn mower. Here are the top four things you should do before selling your used equipment to a dealer or in a private sale.

1. Set Your Expectations for Proper Asking Price

First, the bad news: once a lawn mower or tractor has been used, a portion of its value is lost – just like when purchasing an automobile. Our used equipment experts explain how to hold your value as much as possible.

All things being equal, the more you paid for your new equipment, the more you can expect to sell it for. Larger, more expensive equipment (like a Compact Utility Tractor or commercial-grade Zero-Turn mowers) will retain significant value, assuming you’ve maintained it well and that it’s in good shape. Of course, how popular the category of your equipment is and how in-demand your particular model is will also play factors in determining its value.

For folks in the southeast, our Ag-Pro experts say that Compact Utility Tractors (tractors from 20 to 50 hp) and 5 Family or 5,000-series Utility Tractors (from 50 to 125 hp) retain the most resale value, followed by Zero Turn Mowers and 6,000 Series Utility Tractors for small-to-medium-Ag  (from 105 to 135 hp). Due to the relatively low cost of new riding lawn equipment, lawn mowers tend to depreciate faster in comparison to equipment with more horsepower.

Finally, as far as usage goes, equipment with 1,000 and 2,000 hours are key thresholds for determining asking price, so depending on how many hours you’ve logged on your John Deere, you may think about selling sooner rather than later.

2. Manage & Maintain Your Equipment for Maximum Resale Value

To maximize resale value, you need to keep your Deere as “cherry” as possible. That means following the factory-recommended maintenance schedule and using original parts for anything that needs to get serviced or replaced. Always monitor and inspect your equipment at the end of your busy season to turn up any signs of wear and tear to address before they fester.

The Southeast is blessed with both heat and humidity, so our used equipment experts recommend keeping your tractors and lawn mowers in a shaded, cool, dry place between uses. And, not like we have to tell you, but if you live near the coasts in Alabama, Florida, Georgia or South Carolina, corrosive, salty air can really do a number, so wipe your Deere clean every time you power it down.

As a general rule, don’t let any dirt or debris sit on your equipment as those can erode the paint. Remember, the better your equipment looks (and runs), the more you’ll be able to sell it for.

3. Show Potential Used Equipment Buyers the Receipts

In addition to following the factory-recommended service schedule and quickly repairing any issues, it’s equally important to keep thorough records of where you purchased parts, what maintenance you have done and any service history. Think of it as having a complete and up-to-date résumé for your equipment to show interested buyers.

If there were any warranty claims made on the tractor or lawn mower be sure to tell your complete story without leaving any worry to the buyer — whether that’s an authorized John Deere dealer or a private seller. All parties want to make sure they are making a smart investment.

4. Strut Your Stuff – Show-off the Used Equipment’s Capabilities

Alright, it’s the moment of truth. When a potential buyer stops by, here’s how to impress them and close the deal:

• Crank up the engine, and listen to it purr together
• Drive through all the gears; let the buyer hop behind the wheel if they’re comfortable
• If you have equipment with a 3-point hitch, show them how it operates (or any other kind of implement and attachment)
• Demonstrate that your hydraulics engage and that all the other bells and whistles are working (cruise control, A/C, etc.)
• Volunteer the service records and explain anything out of the norm

Ag-Pro Is Equipped to Help with Used Equipment

While we’ll be happy for you to find your Deere a new home anywhere, we’re partial to our own process and believe you should at least consider selling or trading your used equipment to Ag-Pro. Here’s what to expect. Our experts will visit your property to inspect your used equipment. They’ll make sure everything is working properly, take a full diagnostic and take a look at your service and maintenance records. Then, we’ll look at comps to see the current market rate before quoting you a price. This all usually happens within 24 hours.

Even if you don’t end up selling or trading your John Deere with us, we’re more than happy to answer any questions and help you get your equipment in top condition so you can get top dollar.

Think you might want to talk to our used equipment experts? Browse our used equipment section and find a location near you to give us a call or stop by.