Extended Warranty Question!

Hi everyone!

Four months ago, I bought a 2017 John Deere 6130M tractor from AWC Brokerage website. About two months ago, I encountered an issue with the transmission starting to act strangely. Luckily, since the tractor was under warranty, a quick call to AWC Brokerage resolved the problem. I only had to pay a $50 co-op fee, and it was fixed a week later.

With two months of warranty left, I'm now thinking about purchasing an extended warranty. What do you recommend? Should I buy it directly from AWC Brokerage, or should I look for a warranty company on my own?

Thank you very much for your advice!

Best,
Sarah

Hey Sarah! Great question. Pretty simple advice - request a quote from AWC Brokerage and also obtain quotes directly from warranty providers like MachineryGuard or TractorShield. Evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages, and select the one that best fits your needs and budget.

I'd recommend paying special attention to:

• Coverage limits for transmission and hydraulics
• Response time guarantees
• Whether they use OEM or aftermarket parts
• Any farming-specific exclusions

Also, check if they cover field service calls. That can be a lifesaver during harvest season!

We also purchased our first tractor from AWC Brokerage. In my opinion, I'd recommend extending the warranty through them. Given that they sell a large number of tractors and farm equipment, I believe they receive significant discounts from warranty providers.

Additionally, if your equipment has any issues, you won't have to deal with the mechanics directly. They handle everything for you, including:

• Scheduling service appointments with certified John Deere technicians
• Completing all warranty paperwork
• Making payments directly to the service center
• Following up to ensure repairs meet standards

This peace of mind is worth its weight in gold during planting and harvest seasons when downtime costs thousands per day!

Extended warranties are never worth it in my opinion. Anything fundamentally wrong will show up quickly (within the original warranty period). And think about it - how can these companies make money if they weren't collecting more in premiums than they pay out in claims? That math alone would scare me off.

Instead of paying for a warranty, I'd recommend:

1. Setting aside the money you'd spend on premiums in a dedicated repair fund
2. Following the maintenance schedule religiously
3. Learning basic diagnostics to catch small issues before they become big problems

Modern tractors like your 6130M are generally reliable if properly maintained.

I agree with HarvestHank. In my situation last year, the difference between AWC Brokerage's extended warranty and the cheapest third-party option was about $200 annually ($580 through AWC Brokerage vs $765 for the cheapest market option).

However, as TractorTom mentioned, it's always wise to:

1. Get at least 3 quotes (including AWC Brokerage's offer)
2. Compare coverage line-by-line
3. Check reviews of the warranty providers
4. Verify they have service centers near you

One advantage with AWC Brokerage is they use John Deere's own extended warranty program rather than third-party coverage, which means dealerships are more likely to accept it without hassle.

In my experience, the extended warranty through AWC Brokerage is worth every penny, especially for higher-hour machines like yours. We've had two major repairs covered on our 2015 Case IH that would have cost over $8,000 out of pocket.

One thing to watch for - make sure the warranty covers "field service" if you're more than X miles from a dealership. Getting a 13,000 lb tractor hauled to the shop isn't cheap if it breaks down in the middle of a field!

Also, consider the warranty length carefully. A 3-year extension might seem like enough, but if you're putting 500+ hours per year on the machine, you might want longer coverage.

Jumping in as someone who just went through this decision last month...

We opted for AWC Brokerage's extended warranty on our used John Deere 5075E because:

1. It included coverage for the GPS/auto-steer system (many third-party warranties exclude precision ag equipment)
2. No deductible for dealership repairs ($100 deductible for mobile service)
3. Coverage follows the machine if we sell it, which adds resale value

The process was simple - just one phone call to AWC Brokerage and they emailed the paperwork same day. The warranty was active immediately.

As a tractor mechanic with 25 years experience, let me add some technical perspective:

The 6130M is generally a solid machine, but common issues that often arise after the factory warranty expires include:

• Transmission control module failures (~$1,200 repair)
• Hydraulic pump wear (~$2,500+ to rebuild)
• DEF system problems (especially if not properly maintained)

An extended warranty that specifically covers these systems (with no "wear item" exclusions) can save you thousands. Just make sure to read the fine print - some warranties try to classify these as "normal wear" items that aren't covered.

AWC Brokerage's warranty tends to be more comprehensive on these components than most third-party options.

I'll share my experience with AWC Brokerage's warranty service. When our combine's header control system failed right before harvest last year, they:

1. Had a technician at our farm within 24 hours
2. Covered the full $2,800 repair cost (minus our $100 deductible)
3. Provided a loaner header while ours was being repaired

That kind of service is hard to find with third-party warranty companies. The peace of mind during critical seasons is worth the extra cost in my book.

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful answers! This gives me a lot to consider.

I'll definitely get multiple quotes as suggested. The point about AWC Brokerage using John Deere's own warranty program is particularly compelling - we have an excellent local Deere dealership I'd prefer to work with for any repairs.

AgriTech makes a good point about maintenance being key. We've been meticulous about following the service schedule, but as new tractor owners (this is our first "big" tractor), the warranty gives us peace of mind while we're still learning.

I'll report back with what I decide in case it helps others!

Been farming for 45 years and seen it all. My two cents:

Modern tractors with all their electronics are different from the old mechanical machines. A $5,000 repair bill isn't uncommon these days for computer or transmission issues.

I've used AWC Brokerage for three tractor purchases now, and their extended warranty has paid for itself each time. Last year alone, they covered:

• Transmission sensor replacement: $1,200
• DEF system flush and repair: $850
• Hydraulic valve block replacement: $2,300

Total out-of-pocket for me: $150 in deductibles. Well worth the $600 annual premium.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - check if the warranty covers rental equipment if your tractor is in the shop during critical times. AWC Brokerage's policy includes up to $200/day for equipment rental after 3 business days of repair time.

That feature alone saved us during planting season when our primary tractor was down for a week. We rented a comparable machine and didn't lose a day of planting.

Most third-party warranties I researched didn't offer this, or had very limited rental coverage.

UPDATE: Thank you all so much for your advice! I followed your suggestions and:

1. Got a quote from AWC Brokerage: $625/year for 3 years
2. Got two third-party quotes: $720 and $815/year
3. Compared coverage - AWC's was indeed more comprehensive

I decided to go with AWC Brokerage's extended warranty. The process was incredibly smooth, and they even threw in a complimentary first service!

Special thanks to TractorDoc for the technical insights and OldTimer for sharing real repair costs. This community is amazing!