The History Of John Deere Tractors
It's difficult to think of John Deere tractors as highly sought-after collectibles considering so many of them are still in service across the world doing what they do best: plowing, planting, and harvesting. John Deere tractors also still look as modern as any four-wheeled tractor on the market. But you may not realize that John Deere tractors have been working the fields for over four decades. So if vintage automobiles from the 1950s and 1960s are collectible then it follows that John Deere tractors from those eras would be highly desirable to many collectors too. For many the sight and sound of John Deere tractors brings back many great memories of working the fields and producing the crops that feed the world. Some people get those feelings from vintage automobiles and some prefer John Deere tractors. John Deere tractors were the farm equipment on which many spent countless hours working the fields. They eventually came to generally love, but occasionally hate, their John Deere tractors. These days new generations of farmers are expressing similar feeling for their John Deere tractors. The ones receiving the most attention are the New Generation of John Deere tractors. There is some debate on what constitutes a New Generation John Deere tractor. Bill Hewitt who oversaw the tremendous growth of the John Deere tractors empire considers only the original John Deere tractors to be New Generation. However, many others feel that all the new models through 1972 can be considered as New Generation John Deere tractors. By the mid 1960s, the Deere & Company worldwide tractor program was in place. John Deere tractors coming out of foreign factories had similar specifications and looks to the tractors produced in the US. When the New Generation of John Deere tractors was introduced in Dallas in August of 1960, the basic philosophies of Deere & Company were evident and the standards for other agricultural tractor manufacturers were redefined. The history of John Deere tractors is a great story. The story is full of challenge, intrigue personalities, humor, and most of all success. Certainly in the 130+ years since the establishment of John Deere's first blacksmith shop in Leicester, Vermont, to the introduction of the "New Generation" of John Deere tractors in Dallas, Texas, there were numerous events that could be termed as defining moment for the company. But the introduction of the New Generation of John Deere tractors is arguable the most defining moment. It was bold, even radical, departure from Deere & Company's policy that had served it so well for more than a century. The history of John Deere tractors reveals a pattern that trailed behind founder John Deere, who began as a blacksmith, like an unbroken thread throughout his life. John Deere had a style of moving and associating with other successful men and firms. He would also buy some of these firms. Throughout it all, John Deere was never afraid to take chances to improve John Deere tractors and his guiding principles shine through even today. |
