Outdoor Chores 101: Tips On Finding The Right Power Equipment (NAPSA)—If you live in a suburban or semirural area and the demands of caring for your property have you feeling like a pioneer, don’t despair. Today’s pioneers have access to a wide range of equipment, services and specialists that can help turn their wilderness into a wonderland. “Oftentimes first-time land owners know what outdoor tasks they want to accomplish, but they don’t know what kind of equipment they need,” says Cleo Franklin, manager John Deere Large Property Owner customer segment. For example, Peggy Sundberg purchased land in Colorado with the vision of turning 43 acres of rocky soil into her very own horse ranch. “T was determined to do mostof the work required to build my own ranch, but I didn’t quite know where to begin,” says Sundberg. “T knew I'd need equipment, but it was beyond me to know what would work best for the task ahead. “My dealer took the timetolisten and understand what my needs were,” says Sundberg. “He wasthen able to help mevisualize the scope of work I could do with the equipment, which enabled me to make an informed decision when it cameto the buying stage.” Many customers, says Frank- lin, are like Sundberg—they tend to think in terms of tasks instead of tools. “A good dealer,” he explained, “will know the type of equipment you need by asking you detailed questions about the type of property you own and the type of chores you plan to do.” Before researching equipment, : Safety lessons Onsite service calls Seasonal maintenance checkups. “My dealer was wonderful to me,” says Sundberg. “He delivered my tractor to the house and spent more than three hours instructing : me on correct operating proce- TT) Experts say a good equipment dealer will ask you detailed ques- tions about the type of property you own and the type of chores you plan to do. Franklin says to consider the type of chores you plan to do, such as: Hauling * Towing * Loading Snow removal * Mowing hay Tilling * Removingtrees * Mowing Trimming Brush removal. “The more you know about your workload,” he says, “the bet- ter your chances of going home with the right equipment.” Franklin observed that customers walking into a dealership for the first time are typically surprised at the level of service they receive. Depending on the products and dealership, someservices include: *Individualized customer attention throughout the buying process Experienced, trained staff Product demonstration *Homedelivery of product dures. I found that this tractor I was once scared of using is now fun to drive.” If you're new to buying equipment or looking to upgrade, Franklin says now may be an exciting time to see all of the new innovations coming to the market. “There is a growing trend of people moving to homes with larger property, and the equipment industry has responded by offering new products specific to meet the needs of this demographic.” In the last three years alone, John Deere has expanded its product offerings to include a new line of ATVs, an all-new expanded line of utility vehicles, new zeroturn radius mowers, new lawn tractors and a new expanded lineup of compact tractors ranging from 24 to 58 hp. “Never before have property owners had such a wide range of equipment options to choose from,” says Franklin. “Homeowners maybepioneers in their own backyard, but it’s reassuring that they have a friendly and knowledgeable John Deere dealer nearby to help them visualize their tasks, do the work and enjoy the results of a job well done.” John Deere is a leading supplier of equipment used in lawn, grounds and turf care. To learn more, call (800) 537-8233 or visit www.JohnDeere.com.
