What Impacts the Price of a John Deere Compact Utility Tractor?

When you're in the market for a John Deere Compact Utility Tractor (CUT), understanding what influences the final price can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Whether you're managing a property, running a landscaping business, or maintaining acreage, knowing how each component of your purchase contributes to the total cost is key.

These are expensive machines and price can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a good idea of what you’ll spend on yours.

At RDO Equipment Co., we’re passionate about helping customers find the right machine for their needs and budget (we’ve been doing this since 1968). 

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the factors that affect CUT pricing. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local representative.

Factors That Affect the Price

John Deere makes all kinds of tractors, designed to help people and businesses around the world drive production and efficiency.

We'll be focusing only on the factors impacting the price you’ll pay for a compact utility tractor within John Deere’s 1, 2, 3 and 4 Series.

Across these four series, there are more than 20 CUTs models.

Depending on the model and specifications you choose, you’ll pay $15,000-$67,000 or more. That’s a big range, so let’s get you closer to an exact price.

The main factors driving these price changes are:

1. Machine size and power
2. Model Tier
3. Attachments
4. Add-Ons and Extra Features
5. Labor Costs
6. Delivery and Freight (Where Applicable)
7. Extra Warranties

 1. Machine Size and Power

The most fundamental price driver is the size and series of the CUT you’re looking at.

Larger frame sizes and higher horsepower naturally increase the base price of each CUT model.

For example, a 2025R will cost significantly less than a 4044R, before any add-ons.

Here’s a table breaking down machine frame sizes and horsepower and how it generally impacts the price you’ll pay.

There’s a correlation between the size of the machine and its starting price. This is an important place to start as you’re evaluating your options. The good thing about the diversity of John Deere’s CUTslineup is that you have more flexibility in pricing by choosing a similarly capable model.

For example, if you need the 23.9 horsepower of a 2025R, but would like to save some money, you can consider the 1025R, which is slightly smaller (weight, wheelbase, lift capacity), but can perform many of the same tasks for around $3,000 less.

Looking at the table, you may also notice that while size is a factor, a smaller machine doesn’t always correlate to a lower price. This is where the model series tiers make their mark.

2. Model Tier

The second significant factor driving the price of your machine is the model tier (also called series). Within its compact tractor lineup, John Deere offers three major product tiers, E, M and R Series.

Think of each series as a different trim level (like you’d see on a car). Here’s a high-level overview of what changes across the series:

• E models: these are the entry-level within each series, with basic trim, additional options and features. These are the most economical models.
• M models: these offer mid-tier enhancements like better hydraulics, better comfort and additional features. Overall, the improvements on these models demand a higher price than an comparable E series model.
• R models: these are premium, often including enclosed cabs, advanced lighting and electronic controls.

The jump from an E to an R model can add thousands to your price, but it also brings greater comfort, convenience and productivity — especially for year-round use.

Here’s a table breaking down some price differences between E, M and R series models with similar horsepower and size:

 3. Add-Ons and Features

Once you’ve settled on a machine size and series, a third factor to consider is if you want to add any additional features, packages or additions.

Examples of these may include:

• Block heaters
• LED lighting packages
• Windshield wipers and blinkers
• Hydraulic upgrades
• Enclosed cabs with heating and air conditioning
• Many others

Paying for these upgrades on your new machine, while expensive at the point of purchase, will trickle down and increase your CUT’s trade-in/resale value when you decide to sell it or upgrade.

Some features are only available on higher-tier models, and others require additional labor to install. For example, adding a deluxe cab with an air seat, rear wiper and radio can push your price up considerably.

The most common upgrade customers opt for is to add a cab. Here’s how this impacts price:

4. Attachments and Implements

Attachments are an essential part of your purchase, unlocking the tasks you can tackle with your tractor and helping you become more efficient.

It’s not uncommon for one of our customers to buy 2–3 attachments when buying a new CUT. When you purchase attachments, expect to pay $800-$14,000+ for these tools.

Here are the most common CUT attachments we sell, and how much they generally cost:

Some models come with pre-installed loaders, while others require a separate purchase and installation. The more attachments you add, the more your total cost increases -- especially when you consider labor.

5. Labor and Installation

Although you might not think about them, when you buy a new CUT, you’ll need to account for labor costs if you need anything installed.

Installing attachments like loaders, mower decks or cabs requires a technician’s time, which will cost you money.

These costs (which are variable) are often necessary to maintain warranty coverage, as doing it yourself may void it.

Here are some general figures to consider for various tasks:

• Installing a mower deck: ~$600
• Installing an aftermarket cab: ~$1,400
• Loader installation and hydraulic setup: $450–$780

These charges will typically be added to the final quote you receive for your CUT. To avoid any surprises, talk to your account manager about labor expenses associated with your purchase.

6. Delivery and Freight (Where Applicable)

Delivery fees vary by location and situation. At RDO, don’t expect to pay for delivery if you’re within a reasonable radius of the store (within 15-20 miles). Even if you’re outside of it, our account managers will work with you to find the most cost-effective delivery option.

In the rare case that a customer needs a CUT hauled in from a John Deere factory or an RDO store in another region on an expedited timeline, freight charges may be (in part) added to the quote.

Overall, in most cases you won’t need to budget more than $100 for delivery.

7. Extra Warranties

The last price factor we’ll touch on are extended warranties. You can add John Deere’s PowerGard Protection to your CUT any time during the first 12 months of ownership or within 1,000 hours of use without any fees. Adding coverage will increase your cost by $500-$2,000+ depending on the length and comprehensiveness of the warranty you choose.

If you’re planning on using your machine regularly and working it hard, this may be worth considering. Discuss these options with your account manager before purchasing. Should you opt-in, expect to pay more for your machine.

Get Closer to Your Exact Price: Build Your Compact Utility Tractor

John Deere Compact Utility Tractors are a smart investment for property owners and professionals alike.

The prices of these machines vary based on factors like the size of the machine, what model series you choose, any additional features you opt for and the attachments you buy.

Understanding these cost drivers — and working with a knowledgeable RDO account manager — can help you get the most value for your money.

To take this a step further, use our tractor builder tool to build and price your compact utility tractor. Simply choose your make and model, select your extra features and attachments and learn what you can expect to pay.

Ready to explore your options? Contact your local RDO Equipment Co. store to connect with an account manager to get started.