Simple Steps OEMs Should Take For A Smooth IT4 Transition

This excerpt was originally posted on the John Deere, Straightforward Blog January 25, 2011. You can view the original post here.

Earlier this month, we explored how the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Tier” emissions regulations evolved and where they are headed. To date we have successfully transitioned through Tiers 1, 2 and 3. This month, January 2011, marks the coming of Interim Tier 4 (IT4) / Stage III B for diesel engines 174 hp (130kW) and above. With it, additional technologies are required in diesel engines for off-highway construction equipment.

What OEMs can expect during installation of John Deere IT4 compliant engines:

• Electronically controlled engines
• Engine design changes to provide performance and emissions management
• The addition of exhaust filter aftertreatment to meet IT4 emissions regulations
• Improved coolant flows, higher top tank temperatures and the use of variable speed fan drives which enable better management of the increased heat rejection associated with increased EGR flow rates.

OEMs can ensure a smooth transition into IT4 by taking the following steps:

• Work with an engine manufacturer or distributor before modifying equipment designs to ensure the new equipment can accommodate Interim Tier 4 as well as Final Tier 4 package requirements.

• Understand the different technologies available. When working with your engine manufacturer or distributor, make sure to gain a full understanding of the difference between technologies such as cooled EGR, exhaust filters (DOC/DPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system which requires a second fluid called diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). John Deere has selected the single fluid, cooled EGR & DOC/DPF path for IT4. The cooled EGR, DOC/DPF, single fluid solution offered by John Deere offers packaging advantages to OEMs and performance, total fluid economy and convenience advantages to end users.

• Perform application reviews. After you have worked with your engine manufacturer or distributor to install the right IT4 engine, be sure to perform application reviews to ensure engine and supporting systems meet engine application requirements. By installing a properly specified engine for your application, you can avoid unnecessary increases in operation costs and potentially lower your initial engine costs.

• Take advantage of engineering support – John Deere Power Systems and its distributors offer OEMs engineering support, can provide the appropriate power rating for a specific application and ensure equipment designs meet end-user needs.

Have you begun to modify your equipment? What challenges have you run into and were they overcome?

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Golf Course to Farm Yard

Vermont man buys 20-year old Deere tractor and converts to farm use

Call it a mid life career change.

Cool story behind this 1991 John Deere 2355 tractor. I got an email this week from a Vermont man, David Pidgeon, who bought this tractor on an auction in east-central Vermont back in August 2010. It had only 2,850 hours and and had been used on a local 4-hole golf course.

The tractor never sat outside a night in it’s life.

David paid $20,000 for the tractor and a loader that came with it, a premium price at auction, the second highest sale price I’ve seen in 16 years. But the beautiful condition the tractor was in warranted the price. David got the tractor home, took off the turf tires and put R1 Ag tires on. He proceeded to use his JD 2355 & loader to clear 138 inches of Vermont snow from his farm place this winter.

Vermont man uses JD 2355 tractor to clear 138 feet of snow, then sells for $10K profit

Just the other day David sold his 1991 John Deere 2355 tractor & loader to a buyer from New Jersey for $30,000. Nice tidy little $10K profit for seven months of ownership! Another case of 20-year old Deere tractors holding their value, whether on the golf course or in the farm yard.

About Machinery Pete: Greg “Machinery Pete” Peterson has been working in the agricultural industry for 21 years and details agricultural equipment prices and trends at his website, Machinerypete.com. Greg also writes columns for Successful Farming magazine, Implement & Tractor magazine, Agriculture.com web site and also appears on the Machinery Show on RFD-TV.

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Friday Fun!: An Ode To Pets

How was everyone’s week? Hope it was as much fun as ours was with all the excitement of CONEXPO 2011 and the innovative machinery that Deere unveiled. We are back this week with another installment of the weekly series, ‘Friday Fun!’ Each week we are going to take you into a different and lighter side of John Deere that is fun and a will hopefully bring each reader a bit of enjoyment. Last week’s edition, Friday Fun!: John Deere Kid’s Style, featured John Deere and the children that enjoy our favorite brand. With that said, this week’s edition is all about the pets. Today we pay tribute to the pets that we have grown to love and adore, with a John Deere twist of course!

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Be sure to let us know what you thought about the post and all the neat pictures of pets and John Deere in the comments section below!

 

 

 

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John Deere Makes Appearance At 2011 Louisville Home & Garden Show

While perusing the seemingly endless amount of booths and exhibits at the 2011 Louisville Home & Garden Show, one booth was able to stick out a bit and catch our eye more than the others.  Louisville Tractor Inc., a local company out of Louisville, KY, had an exhibit at the event showing off all of the new machinery that they had to offer.  As soon as we turned that one corner, we knew where we were headed.  What caught our attention was the row of new John Deere lawn mowers and the Gator XUV 825i that they had on display and boy did they all look sharp!

2011 John Deere Mowers

John Deere XUV 825i Gator

The new XUV series Gator comes in a few different models with the 825i leading the way as the fastest Gator to ever be produced.  The 825i  tops out at a whopping 44 mph and even has a carrying capacity of about 1400 pounds.  For a more extensive breakdown of the new XUV series and all the models in the line, click here.

Although we weren’t there to specifically scope out the new John Deere mowers, it was a pleasant surprise to come across something familiar to us.  Overall, the 2011 Louisville Home & Garden Show was an excellent event, but what topped it all off and made our day was the chance to get to see some beautiful John Deere machinery!

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CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011: Anticipation Mounts As Deere Sets To Unveil

The anticipation has been mounting for some time now for the 2011 CONEXPO-CON/AGG show in Las Vegas.  The true highlight of the event happens today at 10 a.m P.S.T. at the John Deere exhibit, which happens to be the largest at the show at over 37,000 sq. feet! (see our previous coverage)

At 10 a.m. John Deere plans to unveil what is said to be ““quite possibly, the most important piece of equipment we’ve ever produced.” No one knows, not even John Deere employees, what this innovative piece of equipment may be.  With all the speculation, I am sure that you yourself have heard a few stories of what it may be.

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Getting anxious yet? I know we are! So if you are out in Vegas and going to be attending the show, stop by the John Deere booth and see what all the excitement is about. Better yet, if you can’t make it out to Vegas or just simply can’t attend the show at that time, John Deere and MachineFinder have you covered.  John Deere’s CONEXPO website will be broadcasting the event live, straight to your computer!  So in case you were feeling left out and behind the 8 ball, just get on the site and see what the mystery piece of machinery is today at 10 a.m.

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Friday Fun!: John Deere Kid’s Style

It’s that time of the week again folks!  Last week, the gang over here at MachineFinder brought you the first-ever edition of the new, weekly series ‘Friday Fun!’  We are back this week with the second installment of the series and aim to bring you just as much joy as the last edition. Last week was a bit random and featured an assortment of neat John Deere pictures. We have done a post in the past about John Deere Collectibles, but were going to tweak that a bit. This week’s edition will focus on fun and neat John Deere inspired collectibles for the kids. Hope you all enjoy!

John Deere Rocker

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John Deere Sleeping Bag

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John Deere Loader…for kids of course.

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John Deere Toy Chests

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John Deere Wagon

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John Deere Bicycle

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Don’t forget about the little guy’s with a Tricycle!

Not only do we have these pictures of cool collectibles for children, but also check out this previous post we did titled, ‘John Deere Tractors And The Children Who Love Them’.   Here you will find even more great John Deere pictures to help you sit back and relax for a bit and enjoy the simple things in life.  Don’t forget to let us know what you think of everything in the comment section below!

 

 

 

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CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011: Excitement Soars Around John Deere Unveiling

Guess who has the biggest exhibit and floor plan at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011?  That’s right, John Deere does! And for good reason with all the excitement and anticipation for this year’s show. The entire John Deere exhibit covers a staggering 37,698 square feet and will be filled with all kinds of exciting things for you to enjoy. The exhibit is also conveniently located at the main entrance of the Las Vegas Convention Center to make it easier for you to find (should be easy, it is over 37,000 sq. feet!) the Deere exhibit and all the goodness that comes along with it. (see our previous coverage)

John Deere Floor Plan For CONEXPO 2011

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The John Deere exhibit is located at booth N-2313 and it covers over 37,000 square feet, with 36 pieces of machinery, 15 simulators, and 18 hands-on kiosks.

The big excitement for John Deere and CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011 is the ‘live reveal’ that is set to take place on March 22 at 10 a.m. PST at the John Deere exhibit. What’s also great about this ‘reveal’ is that it will be broadcast live on John Deere’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011 website. We know that it can be hard for everyone to take off of work or drop what they’re doing to head out to Vegas and we wanted a way for all Deere fans and lovers to have the opportunity to be part of something special. So if you can’t make it out, feel free to join us via the web and be a part of this incredible event. John Deere has even said, “This may be, quite possibly, the most important piece of equipment we’ve ever produced.”  There is much speculation as to what this innovative piece of equipment may be.  However, no one knows yet what they are planning to unleash, but there have been plenty of rumors.  Even John Deere employees don’t have a clue what is hiding under that sheet!

ConExpo 2011 Reveal Rumors from John Deere Construction on Vimeo.

Along with the enormous exhibit that John Deere will have on display and the unveiling on March22, they will also be holding several educational seminars throughout the show which are designed to help you work smarter, achieve more productivity, experience more uptime and lower your daily operating costs. The sessions will focus on things such as going ‘green’, Interim Tier 4, and the effects of new emissions regulations on our business.

The crew over here at MachineFinder is curious as to what all of you John Deere fans think this new piece of machinery may be.  Let us know your thoughts on all the excitement and the unveiling in the comments section below.  Also, if you are going to be attending the show or are in the area, feel free to stop by and check out all the innovative and great new things John Deere has to offer.

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Q&A: The Impact of IT4 on Your Business from John Deere Product Manager Joe Mastanduno

Expert Insights from Joe Mastanduno, John Deere Product Marketing Manager for Engines and Drivetrains. This excerpt was originally posted on the John Deere, Straightforward Blog January 27, 2011. You can view the original post here.

1. What are the business implications customers will experience as a result of Interim Tier 4 (IT4)?

With the EPA’s Interim Tier 4 regulation for off-road diesel engines over 175 horsepower effective January 1 of this year, equipment purchasers will begin seeing rapid implementation of IT4 engines across production lines.  However, all machines over 175 horsepower did not immediately include an IT4 engine on the regulation date of January 1.

Why? Because manufacturers earned credits from the EPA for meeting other emission regulations ahead of schedule – for example, John Deere earned EPA credits for introducing the Interim Tier 4 Certified 744K Wheel Loader in July 2010.  These credits help manufacturers and their customers transition to the new standards by spreading out the design and manufacturing load as well as the cost over a longer time period.

So what does this mean? It means that as we move forward, IT4-powered units will become the only available option across brands for diesel equipment buyers.  This equipment will help meet state and local emission regulations or bid specifications requiring the latest emission reduction technology.  Contractors, however, will see impacts to their machine acquisition costs and service requirements as IT4 engines add to machine cost and bring with them varying degrees of operation and maintenance changes.

2. What are the best short and long-term planning strategies for businesses relative to Interim Tier 4?

In the short term, there will likely be Tier 3 machines still available as manufacturers use credits to transition to the IT4 standards on certain models.  The usual brand comparisons will also require buyers to analyze their current and future local emissions requirements (both government regulations and green bid specifications), engine technology costs, plus operation and maintenance implications.

In the long-term, IT4 machines will be the only option across brands.  So even if you don’t expect to have local emissions requirements to meet, planning for cost increases and maintenance changes associated with IT4 engines is necessary.  Understanding these implications now, and communicating them to your organization can make the transition easier when you are acquiring your first IT4 machines.  There are currently some federal and state programs that can help contractors fund diesel emissions reduction, and researching these funding programs is another valuable planning activity that could provide financial assistance.

3. What are the top resources available to help business owners prepare for Interim Tier 4?

Most equipment manufacturers have IT4 information on their Web sites (e.g. www.JohnDeere.com/emissions). The EPA site also provides helpful information about the new standards. But the best source for help in navigating the emissions landscape is your equipment dealer. A dedicated individual will assist you on engine technology; local regulations; maintenance requirements; and, potential funding sources.

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Friday Fun!: A New Series On The Lighter Side Of John Deere

While we are often serious about John Deere(and for good reason) it is always good to take a step back and look at the lighter side of things.  MachineFinder would like to introduce you to the first edition of the weekly ‘Friday Fun’ post.  With the stress that comes with the work week, it is the little things in life that help us get by.  So now it is time for you to sit back and relax a bit and check out all of these neat pictures featuring our favorite folks in green.

“Deere Dog”

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John Deere inspired wedding

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It’s not as uncommon as you may think.  Look at these other John Deere inspired weddings.

John Deere Fruit Snacks

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John Deere Tool Box

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John Deere Lunch Boxes

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Let us know what you think about the new edition to MachineFinder in the comments section below!

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Tractor Mac (Family Storytime) (Hardcover) newly tagged "tractors"

Tractor Mac (Family Storytime) (Hardcover)
By Billy Steers

29 used and new from $0.87
Customer Rating:

First tagged "tractors" by R. Miller
Customer tags: automotive, john deere, a joy for all ages, kids, farm, billy steers, tractors, childrens books, on the farm with tractor mac

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Education Sessions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG: It’s Getting Easier Being Green

This excerpt was originally posted on the John Deere, Straightforward Blog March 3, 2011. You can view the original post here.

Interim Tier 4 has been a recurring theme over the last year and a half in construction equipment magazines, manufacturer Web sites and discussion boards. I’ll be part of an education session at this year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG show in Las Vegas where we’ll discuss how we’ve gotten to Interim Tier 4, as well as how future regulations are shaping up for both new models and existing machines. The “It’s Getting Easier Being Green” session will take place on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:30 a.m. as part of the Earthmoving & Site Development Track. Register for this and other sessions at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Web site.

What You’ll Learn at the Session

You’ll walk away with an understanding of what is driving environmental requirements and how you can help inform them. I’ll provide my take on what the recent announcements related to regulatory delays mean for the short and long term. But that’s just part of the story. Mark Cherney, Staff Engineer at the John Deere Dubuque Works, will explain how evolving regulations and other impacts are driving the development of hybrid technologies. Mark will share how they can improve not only your environmental performance but also your productivity. Liz Quinn, John Deere Product Marketing Manager, will explain the role telematics can play in operating and maintaining new IT4 machines efficiently and effectively as well as how they can help you comply with local air-quality regulations. Finally, Joe Mastanduno, host of John Deere’s Fleet Talk video series, will moderate a question and answer session to round out the program.

If you can’t make CONEXPEO/CON-AGG this year, be sure to take a look at our emissions courses available through John Deere University. The first emissions course is free of charge and a great way to establish a foundation of knowledge around this dynamic topic.

Looking for more info or have a comment on emissions regulations, hybrid technologies or telematics? Take a minute to comment. See you in Las Vegas.

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1967 John Deere 5020 Tractor Sells For Record Price

This 1967 JD 5020 tractor with 5,282 hours sold for a new record high auction sale price of $20,100 on a farm auction in Paris, IL on February 25, 2011

I thought $17,000 was high.

That was the sale price paid for the 1971 JD 5020 tractor sold on a farm auction billed as the “auction of the decade” in east-central South Dakota back on December 1, 2009. With my 21+ years covering machinery auctions, I’d say the “auction of the decade” billing was accurate. What a day. What a crowd. What a sale.

$17,000 was the former record high auction sale price paid for this 1971 JD 5020 tractor

That 1971 JD 5020 tractor had 5,411 hours on it and was in good condition. I thought the $17,000 sale price would remain as the highest auction price I’d see on a 5020 for quite a while. Here’s a pic of that JD 5020:

The record lasted not quite 15 months.

My friends Don & Hank Bauer with Bauer Auction Service had a farm estate auction February 25, 2011 near Paris, IL. On this auction was a 1967 JD 5020 tractor with 5,282 hours. The owner had recently spent $7,000 to overhaul the engine. How much did this 5020 tractor sell for?

$20,100.

More hard proof of a trend I’ve been watching gain speed the last 12-18 months, the new hottest collector tractors? Models from the mid 1960′s to the mid 1970′s, like Deere 5020′s.

Here is a Youtube video I posted featuring more sale price highlights from this February 25, 2011 farm auction by Bauer Auction Service in Paris, IL:

About Machinery Pete: Greg “Machinery Pete” Peterson has been working in the agricultural industry for 21 years and details agricultural equipment prices and trends at his website, Machinerypete.com. Greg also writes columns for Successful Farming magazine, Implement & Tractor magazine, Agriculture.com web site and also appears on the Machinery Show on RFD-TV.

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Emissions Compliance for Contractors: Where to Begin?

This excerpt was originally posted on the John Deere, Straightforward Blog January 20, 2011. You can view the original post here.

Earlier this month, we examined how emission tiers for new diesel engines and equipment came to be, which has brought us to Interim Tier 4 (IT4). But the responsibility to comply with IT4 falls on equipment manufacturers, not users. So, what emission requirements do you need to meet? The following is an overview of our top strategies for evaluating your local emissions landscape and creating a plan for success.

1. Understand Emissions Requirements – Contractors, if you haven’t done so already, visit your local dealer for an assessment. Your dealer can help you understand the current regulations and those that may be on the horizon, along with non-regulatory trends that can impact your business from an emissions standpoint.

2. Know Your Options – Your dealer can explain the options for meeting emissions requirements that best fit your business needs. Review your fleet on a machine-by-machine basis, identifying equipment with Tier 0, 1, 2, 3, or Interim Tier 4 engines. With this information, there are a variety of technological and other solutions your dealer can provide you with, such as new and used equipment replacement, retrofit, repowering and rental. In addition, there may be government funding available to help offset any costs of meeting these requirements. Your dealer can help identify these funding opportunities.

3. Think Beyond Iron – Consider new technologies and how they may play a role now and in the future. For example, some regions have restrictions on the amount of time a machine may idle. Larger contractors have been able to use telematics to efficiently monitor idle times across their entire fleet of machines. They can then take corrective action where needed to avoid potential fines for non-compliance. These systems promise to help make proper maintenance of IT4 machines easier, too.

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John Deere To Unveil Latest Creations At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011

ConExpo 2011 is right around the corner and John Deere plans to make a big splash at the event just as in years past! ConExpo 2011 is again located in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the festivities run from March 22-26, 2011. The John Deere exhibit is located at booth N-2313 and it covers almost 38,000 square feet, with 36 pieces of machinery, 15 simulators, and 18 hands-on kiosks.

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Most people know John Deere for their green farming and agriculture machinery, however, CONEXPO-CONAGG focuses on the construction market. Not only will John Deere be unveiling innovative new products and machinery, but they will also be holding several educational seminars that will keep you up-to-date and informed on the latest advances and practices in the industry.

Check out this video of the world’s first high-speed dozer that John Deere unveiled at the 2008 CONEXPO-CONAGG show.  This year’s new reveal is poised to be just as innovative and ground-breaking as the 764 HSD.

The anticipation and excitement has been mounting for some time now as Deere has announced that they will be revealing a brand, spanking new piece of equipment on March 22 at 10 a.m. during the show.  The John Deere CONEXPO site says the following, “This may be, quite possibly, the most important piece of equipment we’ve ever produced.”  With words such as those, you can’t help but be anxious to see what exactly is hiding under that sheet.

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If you plan on being in Vegas for the show, drop by and let us know what you think.  Can’t make it out to Sin City? That’s OK, we’ve got you covered.  You can watch the live reveal on John Deere’s CONEXPO site on March 22.  Feel free to share your thoughts on all the latest John Deere CONEXPO buzz and what you think they may be unveiling in the comments section below.

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