New PowerGard Programmes Keep Tractors Running
2010-01-25

John Deere has updated its PowerGard tractor maintenance and protection programmes for 2010 and beyond. The new PowerGard Maintenance, PowerGard Protection and PowerGard Protection Plus coverage options enable dealers to carry out a complete tractor maintenance programme to a fixed budget, depending on the plan chosen by the farmer.

“During busy times, it’s easy to fall behind with the maintenance procedures recommended in the tractor operator’s manual and service record book,” says John Deere Limited’s aftermarket sales manager James Morley. “This can lead to unexpected repairs that create unbudgeted expenses. These in turn cause problems with the farmer’s cash flow, on top of disrupting the day’s work.

“Increasingly, customers are demanding a maintenance plan to help them fix their costs, budget more accurately and allow them to focus on their main business. The new PowerGard programmes are specially designed to control these costs, remove the worry and allow farmers to choose the best plan to suit their individual needs.

“This is much more than a simple extended warranty programme; this is a complete maintenance and protection plan that allows the farmer to budget for the full operating costs of his tractor.”

The first level is PowerGard Maintenance – the dealer calculates the normal routine tractor servicing costs and sets up an individually tailored contract with the customer to carry out all the necessary maintenance. All the farmer has to do is call the dealer when the tractor's operating hours reach the specified service intervals.

Customers can pay at each service, in regular instalments or for the entire contract in advance, with the cost of the plan including all parts, maintenance fluids and routine labour.

PowerGard Maintenance also forms the basis of the two more comprehensive protection programmes, which provide up to four years additional protection following the normal 12 month product and 24 month engine warranties. Subject to acceptance by John Deere Credit, it is possible to fund these two protection programmes within a finance package; payments will vary depending on the tractor model, length of the plan and payment option chosen.

PowerGard Protection covers all powertrain components (except tyres and tracks), in addition to the basic maintenance plan, that are not caused by negligence, misuse, abuse or accidental damage – these can and should be covered by a separate accident insurance policy.

Protection Plus provides even more comprehensive cover of all key machine components. The farmer can choose the number of years and hours he wishes the plan to run for, up to a maximum of five years or 5000 hours, whichever comes first. Full details of covered items are available from John Deere dealers.

“By budgeting for preventive care in this way, and having the tractor fully maintained by the dealer, the farmer can save on maintenance costs by locking into current parts and labour prices, as well as saving on his own time and labour,” says James Morley.

“He can also be secure in the knowledge that his tractor is being well cared for by a skilled, fully trained John Deere technician using state of the art tools, who is certified by the industry standard LTA programme. This in turn gives him reliability and performance advantages, and he will have a complete service record book, fully stamped by the dealer, which will add value to his tractor when it is traded in.”

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