Deere & Company, the firm founded by John Deere, began to expand its range of equipment to include the tractor business in 1876. The Deere company briefly experimented with building its own tractor models, the most successful of which was the Dain All-Wheel-Drive.
Dain All-Wheel Drive
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The Dain All-Wheel Drive was the first tractor produced by John Deere. In 1911, Deere purchased the Dain Manufacturing Company of Ottumwa, Iowa. The next year, Deere decided to design its own tractor, and Dain founder Joseph Dain Sr., was directed to design that tractor. After several prototypes, the design was finalized in 1917, and 100 production units were ordered. By 1919 when that production run was complete, Deere had purchased the Waterloo Boy company. Although the Dain AWD was ahead of its time, with features such as a shift-on-the-fly transmission, Deere halted production in late 1919, partly because the cost of the Dain tractor was double that of the Waterloo Boy, and partly because of the death of Dain Sr.
Waterloo Boy
The predecessor of Waterloo Boy came about in 1892. It was made by thresherman John Froelich. It is called the Froelich tractor. Scale Models of Dyersville, Iowa made a 1/16 scale toy of this tractor. In March 1918 Deere & Company decided to continue its foray into the tractor business by purchasing the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company which manufactured the popular Waterloo Boy tractor at its facilities in Waterloo, Iowa.
Deere & Company continued to sell tractors under the Waterloo Boy name until 1923.
Model D (Spoker Model D)
Despite a rather severe farm economy depression at the time, Deere management decided to build a Model D prototype in 1923, designed by Muir L. Frey (father of Ford Mustang designer Donald N. Frey). The Deere Model D was produced from March 1, 1923 to July 3, 1953, the longest production span of all the two-cylinder John Deere tractors. Over 160,000 were made.
The first Model D rode on steel wheels with a 6.5Â in ÃÂ 7Â in (170Â mm ÃÂ 180Â mm) (later 6.75Â in ÃÂ 7Â in (171Â mm ÃÂ 178Â mm)) two-cylinder hand-cranked engine rated 15â"27Â hp (11â"20Â kW). It was not, however, the first tractor to bear the Deere name - as a number of Deere experimental tractors, and the John Deere Dain "All Wheel Drive" tractor (of which approximately 100 were produced during 1918 and 1919) had all carried the Deere name before the D.
By 1925, the company realized the standard Model D did not meet customers' needs for industrial applications. Steel wheels were not suitable for hard surfaces, and the gearing was too slow for safe road speeds. Solid rubber tires were added, and engineers fitted a 28-tooth sprocket to the final drive, giving a road speed of 4 mph (6.4 km/h). The company replaced the 465 cu in (7.62 l) two-cylinder engine with a 501 cu in (8.21 l). In 1926, Deere advertised the model as the "John Deere Industrial Tractor" with 40 à b inch rear wheels and 24 in à3.5 in (610 mm à89 mm) fronts with solid tires. This became known as the "DI". Options also included wheel weights.
GP tractor
On June 20, 1928, the model designation was changed from "C" to "GP" to avoid confusion with the "D" when dealers were phoning in orders to the factory. "GP" stands for "General Purpose". This new model GP had the same horsepower, engine displacement, weight and three-speed transmission as the model C. The GP's first serial number was 200211 . In 1930, the GP was updated with a 25-horsepower, 339 cubic-inch engine.
The John Deere model GP was built in five distinct versions through the course of its production:
- The standard-front GP, or John Deere Standard, built from March 1928 to February 1935.
- The John Deere two-wheel tricycle-front GP, or GP-tricycle, of which twenty-three units were built between August 1928 and April 1929
- The John Deere GP wide-tread, or GPWT, built from November 1929 to November 1933
- The John Deere GP wide-tread Series P, a GPWT with narrowed rear tread width designed to suit potato rows, built between January and August 1930.
- The John Deere General Purpose orchard tractor, or "GPO", from April 1931 to April 1935. This tractor had specialized shielding for groves and orchards and around low-hanging branches. Some GPOs were fitted with crawler undercarriages from the Lindeman Brothers in Yakima, Washington. These are commonly known as "GPO Lindemans".
The John Deere Model A came off the assembly line in April 1934. The tractor was 25Â hp, was 309 CID and had a four-speed transmission. There were eight different model A variations. Some of these were tricycle, hi-crop, orchard, single front tire and industrial models. The tricycle wheel design, patterned after that of the Farmall tractor, reduced steering effort and greatly increased maneuverability. The Model B was introduced in June 1934. This tractor had a shorter frame than the Model A, but it was eventually lengthened so it could use some of the same equipment that the larger models A and G used. There were also eight different Model B tractor variations, the same as the larger Model A.
The much larger G model arrived in 1937. It was fitted with a 36-horsepower, 425-cubic-inch engine and a four-speed transmission. John Deere publicized the G as a three-plow tractor and it was built until 1941 when the GM (G, Modernized) replaced it. The GM model was made from 1942 to 1947. The power was increased to 38 horsepower and a new six-speed transmission was also added. The G model got a restyled front at this point as did the other John Deere tractor models. The GM had electric starting and lighting added to it options. During its production time the G tractor was available as a hi-crop, single front wheel and styled.
Unstyled row crop tractors
Deere made their first unstyled rowcrop tractor in 1929 to compete with the Farmall. It was a modified GP tractor with adjustable rear axle track (distance between wheels on the same axle) and a narrow front end. In 1933 Deere started experimenting with what would come to be known as the Model A. The new model A went into production in 1934. The A launched Deere into the rowcrop farming market. The A was by far the most popular two-cylinder tractor that Deere produced. The next year the Model B was introduced. It was one third smaller than the A which made it ideal for smaller farms. A few years later, the Model G was introduced in 1937. It remained unstyled for several more years than the A and B. The unstyled tractors launched Deere into the rowcrop farming market which they are still a major part of today.
The Deere company very nearly went bankrupt in the Great Depression. Only a large order of tractors for the Soviet Union kept the company going.
Streamlined look
In 1937 John Deere hired well known industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss from New York City to re-style Deere's agricultural equipment, especially its tractors. In the fall of 1937, a Deere tractor engineer was sent to New York to ask Dreyfuss to redesign the tractors. Legend has it that Dreyfuss was so intrigued by the project that he took a train to Waterloo that very night. Dreyfuss learned to operate the tractors and worked with them in the field to gain firsthand knowledge of the changes that needed to be made. The first two letter series tractors (the A and B) were the first to receive the new modern styling, and other models were added later. The Dreyfuss styling was intended to help John Deere compete with the forthcoming Farmall "letter series" of tractors, which, along with the Ford-Ferguson, were John Deere's largest competition at this time. Dreyfuss and the Waterloo engineers perfected the styled design that was used on all John Deere tractors with only minor changes through 1959.
The 1930s and 1940s saw a large number of different John Deere models emerge, as small farmers emerging from their Depression troubles increasingly turned from horses to tractors. John Deere's GM model was introduced in 1942, and was made until 1947. Power was increased to 38Â hp and a new sjix-speed transmission was also added. The G model got a restyled front at this point as did the other John Deere tractors models. The GM had electric start and lights added to its options. During its production time the G tractor was available in hi-crop and single front wheel versions. The G was restyled in 1941 but did not start to roll off the assembly line until early 1942. Like the smaller A and B tractors the G model had the six-speed transmission added to it. In 1946, the 1946 model "D" had a 501-cubic-inch engine, which was enormous for the day. Two new additions to the tractor line, the M and R models, were also added.
After the models A and B got new styling, both tractors were given six-speed transmissions in late 1940. The A was 29Â hp out of a 321 CID engine while the smaller B was both 18 and 23Â hp reflecting the earlier and later updates between 1938 and 46. The 14.84 model H was given the Dreyfuss look from the time it was introduced in 1938. The H broke a fuel economy record when it was tested in Nebraska. This tractor also had three variations that came out in 1940-'41. The H tractor was 14.84 horsepower out of a 90 CID engine and had a three-speed transmission.
In 1939, the restyled model D appeared. The D was a 42Â hp tractor, and weighed 5,300 pounds. Options available on this tractor included electric lighting and starting. In August 1940 John Deere introduced the new model LA which was followed by the model LI. The LA had a 77 CID engine with 14 belt horsepower. The John Deere G tractor was restyled in 1941 but did not start to roll off the assembly line until early 1942. Like the smaller A/B tractors the G model also had the 6-speed transmission, but also featured electric lights and electric start.
In 1947, John Deere opened a new tractor factory in Dubuque, Iowa, built to produce the John Deere M. The M was created to address the increasing demand for small tractors and compete with the increasingly popular Ford and the smaller Farmall tractor models. The M was the first Deere tractor to use a vertical two-cylinder engine, with a square bore and stroke of 4.0 Ã 4.0Â inches (100.5cuin) with a high row crop.
1949â"1959: diesels and post World War II production
After years of testing, John Deere released its first proper diesel tractor in 1949, the Model R. The R was also the first Deere tractor with a 'live' independent PTO equipped with its own clutch. The R also incorporated live hydraulics. PowrTrol, as it was known, provided the operator the ability to lift equipment by the pull of a lever. A pump powered by the PTO clutch provided 1800 PSI of hydraulic pressure to a lever controlled valve. At 45 hp at the drawbar and 50 hp at the belt, it was the most fuel-efficient tractor available at the time, and this combination of features resulted in over 21,000 being built. The model R had a shipping weight of 7,670 lb. The R was equipped with two engines. The primary plant is a two-cylinder, four-stroke, naturally aspirated 416 cubic inch (5.75 X 8 bore and stroke) direct injected diesel engine with a 16:1 compression ratio. The starting motor is also a Deere two-cylinder, 26 cubic-inch horizontally opposed gasoline engine. The starting or "pony" engine is electrically started by a six-volt electrical system, and is used to crank the diesel. Testing results with various electrical starting systems for the diesel proved to be too bulky requiring a 24- or 32-volt system. The design of the pony start Rs allowed for hot exhaust gasses to preheat the intake air for the diesel and a common liquid cooling system allowed the pony engine to warm the diesel block and head. This provided sufficient cold weather starting aids for the diesel that it would reliably run in sub zero conditions. The R did have several teething problems as this was Deere's first production diesel tractor. Available as a standard tractor only, it did not have an adjustable front axle, nor did it have a three-point hitch. The engine was mainly an up-scaled gasoline engine from the Model D. The use of a thermosiphon cooling system and the lack of a three-point bearing crankshaft proved inadequate for diesel compression ratios. The R was prone to overheating and cracking the cylinder head. The lack of a center main bearing in the crankshaft allowed the shaft to flex when used as a stationary powerplant on the belt; this would lead to its failure. The live PTO was directed through (2) 45° bevel gears that proved too small to durably transmit the full torque of the engine. The tractor was fully serviceable at pulling larger equipment efficiently on large acre wheatland farms.
During the 1950s, the R saw a series of upgrades in the models 80, 820 and 830. The 80 was produced for two years and 3,500 were produced. It had new features, including power steering and dual hydraulics. It developed 68Â hp and weighed 8,100 pounds. The 80 also corrected the other design flaws within the R such as using a water pump and pressure radiator cap and the addition of a center crankshaft main bearing.
The 820 and 830 were similar overall, but also differed in their sheet metal exteriors, fuel tank designs and color schemes. The 820, a larger version of the 720 and the 720, was basically the same as the 70, except for the model number and that the sides of the hood are painted JD yellow. The 720 was upgraded to the 730 for 1959. The 730 featured more contoured bodywork than the 720 and came with more ergonomic features for the operator. Although the 730 had a short production run it became one of John Deere's most popular models. The 730 also featured power steering and 24-volt electric starter motor instead of the V4 pony start engine. The 730 was available in diesel, gasoline and LPG as well as in row crop tricycle, row crop wide front, standard tread and hi crop wide front formats. The 730 is very popular with tractor pulling enthusiasts because of its weight, power and slow speed. Plus its good looks have become popular with tractor restorers. The 730 was a 59Â hp tractor at the belt and 54 at the drawbar.
After making more than 1 1â4 million two-cylinder tractors, John Deere switched to four- and six-cylinder engines. Announcement of the change came after seven years of development and forty million dollars in retooling.
In October 1959 the company showcased a new large 215Â hp 4WD, called the 8010, on the Robert Ottilie Seed Farm north of Marshalltown, Iowa. It was shown during the largest farming field days event held in Iowa up to that time. Only 100 8010s were built, and 99 of those were rebuilt at the factory and re-released as 8020s in 1960.[6][7]
1960s: New Generation
To introduce its New Generation tractors to all of its dealers in a single day, the company chartered planes to fly more than 5,000 people to Dallas, Texas, on August 30, 1961. Deere put their new tractors on display outside the Cotton Bowl and inside Neiman Marcus. The day would mark the release of a revolutionary line of farm tractors with sleek new styling by Henry Dreyfuss that would soon become the standard all other farm tractors would be measured by. These tractors were the 1010, 2010, 3010 and 4010.
These were soon followed by the model 5010 standard introduced in 1962. The 5010 was the first two-wheel drive to exceed 100Â hp at the PTO and drawbar. Designed for the western wheatlands, the 5010 was never available as a row crop model. In 1963 the 3010 and 4010 were replaced by the 3020 and 4020. The 4020 is one of the most popular tractors Deere and company has ever made. The year 1965 brought the 5020 standard, which was the industry's most powerful two-wheel-drive model, along with the 1020, 2020, and 54Â hp model 2510. By 1966 Sales of the 4020 accounted for 48% of all John Deere tractor sales. Also that year the row crop version of the 5020 was introduced.
In the late 1960s John Deere pioneered the roll-over protection structure to protect the farmer from injury in the event of a tractor roll-over. John Deere invited the competition to view a demonstration of its new Roll-Guard. Deere recommended that all tractors include this safety feature and offered to share its design and test data with its competitors. Deere also encouraged farmers to retro-fit their tractors with this safety feature, and offered Roll Guards at cost to farmers who wished to install them on their older New Generation tractors.
In 1968 seven new models appeared: the 820, 920, 1520, 2520, 4000, 4520, WA-14, and WA-17. The WA-14 and WA-17 were articulated four-wheel-drive tractors. The 4520 was John Deere's first turbocharged tractor. The 3020 and 4020 were updated with new features, and the 5020 model had a power increase to an industry leading 141Â hp. The 4000 was a high horsepower-to-weight tractor, designed to be a "runner" rather than a "lugger". The 4000 used the same engine as the popular 4020, but weighed almost 1000Â lbs less. According to Deere the 4000 could, in the same amount of time, pull a 4-bottom plow fast enough to cover the same acreage as a 4020 pulling a 5-bottom plow. The John Deere 4000 was also an economy tractor, providing the same horsepower as the 4020 with fewer features and smaller rear axles.
1970s Generation II
During the 1970s, John Deere introduced 36 new models. In 1972 John Deere introduced the Generation II tractors. Generation II was characterized by the optional Sound Guard body which was the first truly successful integrated tractor cab. This innovative cab was isolated from the tractor by large rubber bushings which dampened vibrations, and the interior was insulated with foam to reduce noise and protect the operator from extreme temperatures outside. A foam pad on the firewall and sheets of lead under the dash greatly reduced engine noise inside the cab. The Sound Guard body also featured a rounded front windshield with an integrated door. The door post was in line with the exhaust and air intake pipes pipe through the hood for the best forward visibility possible. Fully integrated heating and air conditioning was standard equipment, and it also featured windshield wipers, a dome light, a red interior lamp to illuminate the gear shift levers and hydraulic controls during nighttime operation, and speakers for an optional AM/FM radio which many farmers added because they found the cab so quiet they could actually hear it. When it was introduced it was the quietest tractor cab in the industry and a vast improvement over the aftermarket cabs that John Deere had previously retrofitted to its tractors.
The Generation II tractors also offered other innovative features not available on previous Deere models such as a Quad Range transmission that improved on Deere's proven Synchro Range transmission by adding a high and low gears in each range, and Deere's new Perma-Clutch, a wet clutch that would last much virtually the life of the tractor.
- 1970 the 116Â hp 4320, the 135Â hp 4620, and 146Â hp 7020 were introduced.
- 1970 in Argentina, introduced the local-made 20 series, with the 1420, 2420, 3420 and 4420.
- 1971 the 60Â hp 2030, the 175Â hp 6030, and 7520 (also at 175Â hp) were added.
- 1972, On Saturday August 19, John Deere dealers held an open house to usher in their 'Generation 2' tractors. The four new tractors were the 80-HPhp 4030, 100Â hp 4230, 125Â hp 4430 and 150Â hp 4630. There were billed as "Sound Idea" tractors because of their innovative Sound Guard Body operators enclosure.
- 1973 would see the final New generation utility tractors launched, - the 35Â hp 830, 45Â hp 1530 and 70Â hp 2630.
- 1974 the first two models in the Generation 2 four-wheel drive range appeared in 1974 in the 215Â hp 8430 and 275Â hp 8630.
- 1975 in Argentina, the 30 series was launched with the 2330, 2530, 2730, 3330, 3530 and 4530.
- 1975 the initial Generation 2 utility tractors were introduced. These were the 40Â hp 2040, 50Â hp 2240, 60Â hp 2440 and 70Â hp 2640.
- In late 1976 a new 80Â hp addition as the 2840.
- 1977 saw what came to be known as "Seven in '77." The company's first compact diesels, the "Task Master" tractors, were introduced in the 22Â hp 850 and 27Â hp 950. Other than that the big news was what John Deere called "The New Iron Horses" with more horses and more iron. These were the 90Â hp 4040, 110Â hp 4240, 130Â hp 4440, 156Â hp 4640, and the 180Â hp 4840, which replaced the 6030. The "Iron Horses" featured an improved Sound Guard Body with hydraulic suspension and Deere's Personal Posture seat as standard equipment. The 4240, 4440, 4640, and 4840 featured a new engine.
- 1978 brought the 215Â hp 8440 and 275Â hp 8640 articulated four wheel drive tractors.
- 1979, late in year a third diesel compact was added, the 33Â hp 1050. It had a turbo diesel engine which was unique in its class. Five new utility tractors were added at the same time, the 41Â hp 2040, 50Â hp 2240, 60Â hp 2440, 70Â hp 2640 and 81Â hp 2940. These five new models had a black and yellow "tiger stripe" on both sides of the hood.
- 1979 was the first year for the 40 series in Argentina, because the first model are the John Deere 3440, and continues in the 80's with the 2140, 3140 / 3140 DT, 3540.
1980s
John Deere introduced at least 38 new tractors during the 1980s during a time when at least 3 other competitors merged, were sold or went out of business altogether:
- Two new small compact diesel tractors were added in 1981. These were the 14.5Â hp 650 and 18Â hp 750. Three new 4WDs came to market in the fall of 1981. These were the 225Â hp 8450, 290Â hp 8650, and big 370Â hp 8850. The 8850 came with the company's biggest engine, the 955-cubic-inch V-8.
- Besides the 8850 the JD844 wheel loader and 990 hydraulic excavator were the only other John Deere products to get this V-8. Also according to Wayne Broehl's 1984 book, about the John Deere's Company, a larger 4WD tractor than the 8850 was supposed to appear but never did.
- In 1982 11 new 50 series tractors from 40 up to 192.99Â hp debuted. The 40Â hp 1250, 45Â hp 2150, 55Â hp 2350, 65Â hp 2550, 75Â hp 2750, 85Â hp 2950, 100Â hp 4050, 120Â hp 4250, 140Â hp 4450, 165Â hp 4650 and 192.99Â hp 4850. From the 2150 to the 4850 got another industry leading innovation in the use of Castor Action mechanical front-wheel drive which provided 20 percent more pulling power. Like the front tires of a motor grader this Castor/Action Mechanical Front Wheel Drive (MFWD) had the front tires lean to give a shorter turning radius. Deere's 50 series tractors also offered a new power shift transmission with 15 operating speeds. When tested in Nebraska the 4850 was the most fuel efficient tractor ever tested over 60Â hp.
- The following year 1983 brought in the final two 50 Series tractors namely the 50Â hp 1450 and 60Â hp 1650. When tested in Nebraska the 1650 proved to be the most fuel efficient tractor ever tested. A 4020 shadow namely the 95Â hp 3150 came about in 1985. This was the first John Deere row crop tractor to have MFWD as standard equipment.
- Three new diesel compacts came to light in 1986. These were the 16Â hp 655, 20Â hp 755, 24Â hp 855 and 900HC. The 900HC was offset like the 2-cylinder M and was for niche markets. The 655, 755 and 855 all had a hydrostatic drive transmission. The 2355, 2555, 2755 and 2955 were featured as price fighter (Economy) tractors in 1986 with less features.
- The following year 1987 John Deere brought out six new models in the 45Â hp 2155, 55Â hp 2355, 65Â hp 2555, 75Â hp 2755, 85Â hp 2955, and 96Â hp 3155.
- In an October 1988 at the dealer meeting in Denver, Colorado the new 235Â hp 8560, 300Â hp 8760, and 370Â hp 8960 were introduced.
- In early 1989 in Palm Springs, California six new 55 Series tractors were shown to dealers. These were the 105Â hp 4055, 120Â hp 4255, 140Â hp 4455, 156Â hp 4555, 177Â hp 4755, and 202Â hp 4955. The 4555 was an entirely new model which was the same size as the 4640.
- This year also brought the 70 Series gear driven compact diesels. These were the 18Â hp 670, 24Â hp 770, 28Â hp 870, 33Â hp 970, and 38Â hp 1070.
1990s and generation 3
- In 1990 a new hydrostatic compact utility tractor was introduced: the 955 with a diesel 33Â hp three-cylinder engine.
5000 series
In some industry watchers were calling Generation 3 the year 1991 brought a glimpse of what John Deere tractors of the 1990s would be like. Eight new tractors were introduced in 1991 starting with the three 5000 Series tractors. These were the 40Â hp 5200, 50Â hp 5300, and 60Â hp 5400. A new model the 92Â hp 3055, and 100Â hp 3255 followed. John Deere is manufacturing 5000 series of tractors from Sanaswadi, Pune in India, range of products from India are listed below. Additionally, the paint schemes changed in 2007. In 2007, Deere made some HP rating changes in otherwise unchanged machines. The 5103 came with a black engine and drive line prior to 2007 when they began painting the engine area all green. These are referred to as black belly's or green bellies. The black belly 5103 was rated at 50HP, while as is listed below the green belly 5103 was rated at 40HP.
- 5036C 35Â hp
- 5041C 41Â hp
- 5103 Economy (35Â hp)
- 5038 D (38Â hp)
- 5103 (40Â hp)
- 5103 S (42Â hp)
- 5104 (45Â hp)
- 5203 S (50Â hp)
- 5204 (50Â hp)
- 5210 (45Â hp)
- 5310 (55Â hp)
- 5310 MFWD (55Â hp)
- 5410 (65Â hp)
- 5510 MFWD (75Â hp)
60 series
For 1992 model year the 160Â hp 4560, the 175Â hp 4760, and 202Â hp 4960 were introduced. They were nearly identical to the 4555, 4755, and 4955 they replaced with the improvements being improved lighting, hood free of the air intake and exhaust pipe, which was moved to the right corner post of the cab on the 60 series tractors, and an improved cab entry step with handrail.
6000/7000 series
In the fall of 1992 six totally new 6000/7000 Series tractors were introduced; the 62Â hp 6200, 75Â hp 6300, 85Â hp 6400, 110Â hp 7600, 125Â hp 7700, and 146Â hp 7800. Also the cabs were completely redesigned for better visibility and operator comfort. Deere's new cabs were a significant improvement over the Sound Guard body which had set the industry standard for two decades.
70 series
The spring of 1993 the four new 70 Series Power Plus 4WDs were introduced. These were the 250Â hp 8570, 300Â hp 8770, and a new model the 350Â hp 8870. And the first 400-horsepower tractor, the 8970. These tractor were equipped with an electronic power bulge that would kick in when tough field conditions were encountered. Later in the summer the 3055 and 3255 were replaced with the 92Â hp 7200 and 100Â hp 7400.
8000 series
1994 was a red letter year in tractor development for John Deere because that year brought about the most revolutionary row crop tractors the industry had seen up to then. 1994 was the last year of the Sound Guard body with the last one built being a 2WD 4760 model. It was manufactured on 1994 May 25. This ended a 22-year run for sound guard tractors that were widely regarded as the most successful tractors ever built.
- The new 8000 Series tractors were introduced with state-of-the-art features. The 160Â hp 8100, 180Â hp 8200, 200Â hp 8300 and 225Â hp 8400. These four 8000 Series tractors were so far ahead of their time that it would be another four years until a competitor had tractors that were similar to them. One lone utility tractor, the 73Â hp 5500 was added in the fall of 1995.
TEN series upgrades
1996 saw 13 new tractors debuted at a big dealer meeting in New Mexico.
- First all of the 7000 Series tractors were replaced the five 7000 TEN Series tractors. These were the 95Â hp 7210, 105Â hp 7410, 115Â hp 7610, 130Â hp 7710, and 150Â hp 7810.
- But the big news came with the 8000T Series rubber belted track tractors. There were the 8100T, 8200T, 8300T and 8400T. These built upon the 8000 Series wheeled tractors.
- The 70 Series tractors were replaced by the four 9000 Series tractors at 260Â hp, 310Â hp, 360Â hp and 425Â hp. These were the 9100, 9200, 9300 and 9400.
- 1997 brought seven new tractors, three in the Advantage Series and four in the 5000 TEN series models. The three advantage models were the 85Â hp 6405, 95Â hp 6605, and 105Â hp 7405. The 45Â hp 5210, 55Â hp 5310, 65Â hp 5410, and 75Â hp 5510 represent the 5000 TEN tractors.
- The spring of 1998 revealed the four 6000 TEN tractors. These were the 65Â hp 6110, 72Â hp 6210, 80Â hp 6310, and 90Â hp 6410. Another new addition to the long green line in 1998 was the six 4000 Series compact diesel tractors. These were the 20Â hp 4100, 21.5Â hp 4200, 32Â hp 4300, 36Â hp 4400, 39Â hp 4500, and 43Â hp 4600. An Advantage Series 30Â hp 790 compact diesel tractor was added to round things out.
T tracked versions
During the fall of 1998 John Deere had a 360Â hp prototype 9300T track tractor at at least three farm shows. During August 1999 the company had another dealer meeting in Moline, Illinois. It was here that the 360Â hp 9300T and 425Â hp 9400T were revealed to their dealers. A 115Â hp 7510 that came with full four-wheel drive was added. As a result, the 7610 was kicked up to the 120Â hp and 7710 up to 135Â hp. The 8000/8000T Series tractors were replaced with the 165Â hp 8110/8110T, 185Â hp 8210/8210T, 205Â hp 8310/8310T, and 235Â hp 8410/8410T.
2000s
- In the Compact utility sector the 790 at 27Â hp, similar to the previous 770, and the 990 at 41Â hp were introduced. The 990 was a combination of the old 1050 and the previous 970. They would last till 2007, at which time John Deere re badged them. They exist in 2012 as the 3005 ( 790) and the 4005 ( 990). In the compact and now subcompact segment these are all that is left that is not hydrostatic.
- The year 2000 was not an active year for new John Deere tractor launches but did yield the 48Â hp 4700. But the year 2001 produced 32 new green-and-yellow tractors. Starting with the 40Â hp 990 Advantage Series compact diesel tractor this was only the beginning. Two new 5005 Series Advantage were also added. These were the 45Â hp 5105 and 53Â hp 5205.
- Early in 2001 the 5020 Series utility tractors was introduced. These were the 45Â hp 5220, 55Â hp 5320, 65Â hp 5420, and 75Â hp 5520. But the big news for John Deere came in August 2001 in a dealer meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico where 24 new tractors from 65 to 450 horsepower were introduced. Breaking things down these were the 6003, 6020, 8020/8020T, 9020 and 9020T Series tractors.
- These were the 85Â hp 6403, 95Â hp 6603, 65Â hp 6120, 72Â hp 6220, 80Â hp 6320, 90Â hp 6420 in the smaller 6000 Series tractors.
- In the row crop tractor the ten models were the 170Â hp 8120/8120T, 190Â hp 8220/8220T, 215Â hp 8320/8320T, 235Â hp 8420/8420T, and 256Â hp 8520/8520T. As has been the case since 1996 John Deere has been the only company to offer row crop tractors in both wheel and rubber tracks.
- The 9000 Series 4WD were replaced with the 280Â hp 9120, 325Â hp 9220, 375Â hp 9320/9320T, 425Â hp 9420/9420T, and the largest John Deere tractor in history up to that point the 450Â hp 9520/9520T. The 8020/9020 tractors got features like Independent Link Suspension and ActiveSeat to give the farmer a more comfortable and productive day in the field.
4000 TEN upgrade
- 2002 - Nine new 4000 TEN Series tractors.
- 1st Quarter - the 21Â hp 4110, 18Â hp 4010, 20Â hp 4115, 28Â hp 4210, 32Â hp 4310, 35Â hp 4410, 39Â hp 4510, 44Â hp 4610, and 48Â hp 4710.
- 3rd quarter the smaller 7020 Series tractors debuted. These went from 95 to 125 horsepower and were the 95Â hp 7220, 105Â hp 7320, 115Â hp 7420, and 125Â hp 7520. Also added were the 6015 Series which were the 72Â hp 6215, 85Â hp 6415, 95Â hp 6615, and 105Â hp 6715.
- In early 2003 a IVT transmission was added to the options for the 7710 and 7810 tractors. A new 22Â hp 2210 compact diesel tractor was also added.
- 2003 - (summer) three new 5003 tractors, the 44Â hp 5103, 53Â hp 5203, and 64Â hp 5403. In August that the company had a big dealer meeting in Columbus, Ohio.
500Â hp models arrive
One thing the dealers in attendance saw that did not appear at 'Deere.com' until March 2004 was the new 500Â hp 9620. The 9620 came after two of their competitors introduced 500Â hp 4WDs.
7Ã20 series
In Columbus the three larger 7000 TEN tractor were replaced with the 140Â hp 7720, 155Â hp 7820, and the new 170Â hp 7920. The 7610 was discontinued.
- 2004 brought the 36Â hp 4120, 40Â hp 4320, 47Â hp 4520, and 52Â hp 4720. October had the 5025 Series utility tractor introduced. These were the 45Â hp 5225, 55Â hp 5325, 65Â hp 5425, and 75Â hp 5525.
- In 2005 John Deere introduced 15 new tractors. The first models were the 3020 Series tractors.
- The 29.5Â hp 3120, 32.5Â hp 3320, 37Â hp 3520, and 41Â hp 3720. Also added was the 18 PTO-hp 2305. In the late summer the 9320, 9420 and 9520 were made into scraper specials to meet a niche market. In the annual dealer convention was held in Fort Worth, Texas in August 2005 were the company brought out the 8030/8030T Series row crop tractors. There were five wheeled models and three tracked models.
- The following were introduced:
- The 180Â hp 8130, 200Â hp 8230, 225Â hp 8330, 250Â hp 8430, 277Â hp 8530, 200Â hp 8230T, 235Â hp 8330T, and 255Â hp 8430T. When tested in Nebraska the 8430 was tested as the most fuel efficient row crop tractor ever tested.
2006
The Annual dealer meeting was held in Omaha, Nebraska. The Launches included:
- The 32Â hp 3203, and 74Â hp 5403
- The Omaha get together produced the 6030 Premium and the large 7030 Series tractors. The smaller
- 6030 Series of the 75Â hp 6230, 85Â hp 6330, and 95Â hp 6430.
- 7030 series of the 140Â hp 7630, 152Â hp 7730, 165Â hp 7830, and 180Â hp 7930.
2007
John Deere brought out a lot of new tractors in 2007 with 32 models in all. The year began with the introduction of the 5603 and 5625, both these are 82Â hp and are a further extension of the 5003 and 5025 Series tractors.
The big meeting was held in August 2007 in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the Ohio meeting the dealers saw four new nursery and greenhouse tractors which would not appear at 'Deere.com' until February 5, 2008. These would be the;
- 21Â hp 20A, 76Â hp 76F, 83Â hp 85F, and 96Â hp 100F. PTO horsepower on these four tractors are 17, 66, 73, and 83 respectively.
- A new Series of 5003 tractors launched in the summer consisting of the;
- 38Â hp 5103, 47Â hp 5203, 55Â hp 5303, and 64Â hp 5403.
In the Cincinnati dealer meeting the dealers saw the regular 6030/7030 and the Premium 6030 Series tractors.
- The 75Â hp 6230, 85Â hp 6330, 95Â hp 6430, 100Â hp 7130, 110Â hp 7230, and 125Â hp 7330. The only difference between the two series was that the Premium Series had the 140Â hp 7430.
- But the biggest tractors seen in this Ohio meeting were the 9030 Series 4WD tractors between 325 and 530 horsepower:
- The 325Â hp 9230, 375Â hp 9330, 425Â hp 9430/9430T, 475Â hp 9530/9530T, and 530Â hp 9630/9630T.
- The 280Â hp 9120 was discontinued.
- The 9430, 9530, and 9630 were also available as scraper tractor models.
- The new compact 40.4Â hp 4105 was in John Deere dealer lots in late December 2007.
2008
- In early 2008 the company introduced another compact diesel tractor the 27Â hp 3005 which is essentially an updated John Deere 870. Followed by the new 31 engine 23.5 PTO-hp 2720 later in the year.
On the back of the John Deere publication The Furrow (Summer 2008) is a signup for new equipment. The company had another dealer meeting in late July 2008 to introduce many new utility tractors. But the real announcement came with John Deere introduced a new Worldwide Numbering Scheme for the Entire Line up of Compact and AG Tractors.
Power ratings / model numbers
From the 2008 model range on the Engine horsepower will now be advertised in metric (ISO) per the International Organization for Standardization 97/68/EC standard for determining bare engine horsepower at rated engine power in the Model name.
- The First digit will determine size,
- The next Three will determine engine horsepower,
- A new letter will be added (currently D, E, or M) to determine spec level.
- R being a high spec machine (like the Premium series in the 6000 and 7000 series) the
- M to denote a mid spec and
- E/D to denote a low-spec ("value spec") (like the 03 and 05 series in the 6000 and 5000 respectively).
- A sixth digit describes special configurations (like "T" for Tracks on the 8RT series tractors)
Example
For example, the new 3032E Tractor will be a 3000 with 32Â hp on engine. The E is low-spec. This tractor represents the 2007 year 3203 for its spec, not to be mistaken for the 3320 which has the same hp but more features and at a higher price. Over the next few years all Tractors will get this scheme. The issue is that Deere is using Engine hp in the Name, not PTO which is usually less.
2008 Models
In 2008, the first Tractors to get this scheme were the 5D, 5E, 5E Limited edition and the 6D Series tractors. These tractors were introduced at the annual John Deere dealer meeting. This year's event was held in Denver, Colorado.
- 5D - range of the 45Â hp 5045D, and 55Â hp 5055D.
The PTO ratings are 37 and 45 respectively.
The 5D tractors are only available in two-wheel drive. - 5E -range of the 45Â hp 5045E, 55Â hp 5055E, 65Â hp 5065E, and 75Â hp 5075E.
The PTO hp ratings are the 37, 45, 53, and 61 respectively.
The 5E Limited come with MFWD-mechanical front-wheel drive. - 5E Limited tractors which are the 83Â hp 5083E, 93Â hp 5093E, and 101Â hp 5101E.
The PTO hp ratings are 65,75 and 82 respectively.
The 5E tractor are available in both 2-wheel drive and MFWD versions.
The biggest tractors in the new range were the 100-140Â hp 6D models.
- 6D - range of the 100Â hp 6100D, 115Â hp 6115D, 130Â hp 6130D, and 140Â hp 6140D.
PTO hp for the 4 models are 82, 95, 105 and 115 respectively.
The 6D is offered in 2WD and MFWD versions.
According to Deere.com the company introduced two new 3E Series tractors. This pair of new 3E Series tractors is on page two of The Furrow, December 2008 edition. Both new 3E models would appear in early October 2008. These would be the 31/25Â hp 3032E and 37/30Â hp 3038E. The 3032E is powered by a 97 CID diesel while a 91 CID supply's the power on the 3038E. Promagazine.com reports that this pair is for house owners who want a tractor that could take on everyday jobs, some features are: diesel engine, Twin Touch pedals, hydrostatic transmission, standard 4WD, optional cruise control, power steering, a power take-off that is electronically engaged.
On March 17, 2009 Deere.com announced the new 152Â hp 7530 Premium tractor. During the week of August 13, 2009 the company had another big dealer meeting in Omaha, Nebraska to introduce the new 8R/8RT row crop and track tractors to their dealers. On August 20, 2009 at Deere.com a news release was posted on the 8R, 8RT and two new 5105M specialty tractors. Six new green-and-yellow 8R row crop tractors 225Â hp 8225R, 245Â hp 8245R,270Â hp 8270R, 295Â hp 8295R, 320Â hp 8320R and the 345Â hp 8345R. PTO ratings are 181, 198, 220, 242, 263 and 284 respectively. The 8225R is the only one available as a two-wheel-drive model. Optional IVT or Powershift Transmissions. In John Deere language the first number=size, the next three numbers are the engine hp and the letter at the end stands for capability. The six tractors range from 225 to 345Â hp with the 8345R being the most powerful row crop model on the market. Also shown to the dealers were the new 8RT rubber track tractor models. These three models are the 295Â hp 8295RT, 320Â hp 8320RT and the 345Â hp 8345RT. The T at the end stands for tracks. Other than that the numbers in the 8RT Series are the same in their 8R counterparts. PTO hp for the three 8RT tractors are 239, 260 and 281 respectively.
The 8RT models had their fuel capacity to 200 gallons and can come with track width up to 160Â inches. All nine 8R/8RT tractors are powered by the company's 548-cubic-inch PowerTech Plus 6-cylinder diesel engine. Two other lesser known tractors were also introduced by the company are the 5015ML orchard and poultry tractors. The hp is 105 engine and 90 PTO. One version of the 5105ML comes configured to work in orchards and vineyards, while the other version is a low-profile tractor to work in poultry barns.
In August 2010 John Deere had another dealer meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio to introduce still more tractors. This was confirmed at Deere.com on August 26, 2010 with the announcement of more new 8R/8RT Series tractors. These new models are 2011 year tractors with several improvements.
These would be the 8R/8RT Series tractors. These would be the 8235R, 8260R, 8285R, 8310R, 8335R and 8360R wheel tractors ranging from 235 to 360 engine horsepower. The PTO is 192, 213, 234, 25, 276 and 296Â hp for the six tractors. Besides the six wheel tractors, three new 8RT track tractors would be added too. There would be the 310-360 engine hp 8310RT. 8335RT and the 8360RT. Power-take off horsepower for is 247, 268 and 288 respectively. One of the major changes with these nine green-and-yellow tractors was the new PowerTech PSX 548-cubic-inch dual turbocharged diesel. This is an Interim Tier 4 (IT4) diesel engine. On January 1, 2011 EPA Tier 4 regulations will begin thus the new PowerTech diesel in these tractors. Despite their competitors going with SCR to counter this John Deere will be using EGR-Exhaust Gas Recirculation. To tell these new 8R tractors apart from the 2010 tractors John Deere put new wrap-around lights up front. Also the model number has been moved close to the front just off the black grill on both sides .Another characteristic is the new large black muffler on the right corner of the cab.
Other improvements engineered into these tractors are JDLink, ActiveCommand Steering (ACS), Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) AutoMode, GS3 CommandCenter and the StarFire 3000 Receiver. In a 2010 October meeting in Florida John Deere dealers were shown the new 1023E & 1026E sub compact tractors that the company will announce in February 2011.
References
External links
- John Deere Tractor Manuals
- John Deere Tractors Official Website
- John Deere Tractor Videos