John Deere Drive Green Challenge

We all know that it can be an arduous task trying to find the best piece of equipment for your needs.  There are countless things that factor into a decision on not only what manufacturer to go with, but also what model.  One way John Deere is trying to help make this big decision easier for you is with our 3rd Annual Drive Green Challenge. The Drive Green Challenge caravan is already on the road and stopping at John Deere dealerships across the country. (Find your local event)

The Drive Green Challenge lets you see the latest in John Deere equipment, allows you to get behind the wheel in side-by-side comparisons, and gives you a chance to talk with product experts to help you make the best possible decision. This is particularly significant as not everyone’s needs are the same and we require different equipment for those needs.

Utility Tractors

There are a few certain things that you look at when purchasing a utility tractor: weight, comfortable controls, economy PTO, and of course horsepower. While you may think that these criteria are easily comparable, that is far from the truth. Different manufacturers determine horsepower in different ways. Some sacrifice other, important things to bump up that horsepower number. Below is a video that gives you insight into how this all works to help you make that important decision.

Haymaking

Not all round balers out there are the same. When you’re comparing models, one manufacturer to another, you need to be aware of several key components that go into a baler, and into making the best possible bale. The Drive Green Challenge gives you the opportunity to compare balers on these important factors: belts, crop conditions(what all will you use it for), Cutterbar, and bale formation. One of the most key, overlooked components are the belts in your baler. Follow the link to a video that shows how to compare to other manufacturers.

Oh and did we forget to mention that we will be giving away a customized 825i Gator XUV?  All you’ve got to do is stop by one of our participating Drive Green events from February 15, 2011 to August 15, 2011 and fill out a registration form to be entered into the drawing. (Official Rules)

So check out the Drive Green Challenge website to see all of the new competitive comparison videos to give yourself a better understanding of what equipment to purchase for your needs. Once you check out the videos, find the nearest Drive Green event near you and experience the challenge yourself.

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John Deere Case IH Monster Treads Combine

John Deere Case IH Monster Treads Combine Rating: These unique vehicles help to recreate popular farm scenes The details on each of these toys are simply amazing This Case IH combine features monster sized super soft tires Measures 5 inches Recommended for ages 3 years and up Sale Price: $9.99

John Deere Case IH Monster Treads Combine 5 Inch Case IH monster treads combine. Features: monster sized super soft tires with 4 wheel steering, unloading auger rotates, corn head. Case IH graphics. Age grade 3 years and up.

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What’s New in JDLink?

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

In late March, John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) announced the launch of the 3^rd Generation of its JDLink™ telematics system. To recap, JDLink connects equipment owners, fleet managers and dealers to equipment in the field by automatically collecting, transmitting and managing information about where, when and how their equipment is being used, as well as critical machine health data, which in turn maximizes productivity and lowers operating costs by helping users make informed management decisions in real-time.

With this new launch, JDLink will now be available in OEM markets powered by John Deere Interim Tier 4/Stage III B off-highway diesel engines. Take a look at the following video where Scott Clair, Manager, Product Market Extensions, addresses how this new technology is meeting the needs of OEMs with the increasingly stringent emissions regulations.

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John Deere at Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia. Once a large plantation, these noble grounds are now the final resting place to over 300,000 American heroes. Veterans and soldiers from every of our nation’s wars, from the Civil War to the military movements in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Before it became Arlington National Cemetery, It was a plot of land granted to George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted grandson of Martha Washington, in 1803. He immediately began construction on Arlington House, which was to be a memorial for our nation’s first president, and is still on the grounds today. The estate was passed on to Mary Anna Custis, the only surviving adult child of Custis and his wife, who later became married to the West Point graduate and United States Army officer, Robert E. Lee.

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The southern side of the land was dedicated as a settlement for freed slaves. During the Civil war, over 1,100 freed slaves were granted land in Freedman’s Village by the United States government. There they farmed and lived peacefully for many years after the Civil War until the land was officially purchased by the government.

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But when the extensive and gruesome casualties of the American Civil War became too many, General Montgomery C. Meigs of Augusta, Georgia suggested that the Arlington estate be used as a cemetery. Meigs, who said “The grounds about the mansion are admirably adapted to such a use.”  But even before the United States had made a purchase, Arlington was already being used to bury mostly Union soldiers.

After a long misunderstanding, wrongful confiscation and a lawsuit, the United States Government bought Arlington for $150,000 in a signing ceremony with Secretary of War, Robert Todd Lincoln.

Now, the Arlington National Cemetery is divided into seventy sections, with some reserved for expansion in the future. In the southeast corner of the cemetery lies section 60, which is the grounds dedicated to those killed during service in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Section 21 is where many nurses are buried as well as the Nurses Memorial and section 27 is the resting place of over 3,800 former slaves from the Civil War; their headstones adorning the word “citizen” or “civilian.”

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Recently, in 2005, an additional 29 acres of land from the National Park Service and Department of Defenses combined.

Such intense requirements call for powerful machines to keep the solemn grounds beautiful. With so much to remember, none of the history can be forgotten or lost. John Deere construction and turf equipment has the great honor and privilege of being those powerful machines to keep things the way they should be.

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IT4 101: Top 5 Straightforward Blog Posts

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

At Straightforward blog, we strive to be a reliable hub for technology updates, business resources and news on emissions standards for off-road vehicles. Over the past several months we’ve covered a variety of topics specific to Interim Tier 4 that we hope you’ve found useful. Following is a look back at some of our most viewed posts and popular IT4 topics of discussion.

1. Our top strategies for owners and operators to create an emissions compliance plan for success: Taking the First Steps Towards Interim Tier 4 Compliance

2. Mike Osenga, publisher of Diesel Progress and Diesel Progress International and president of Diesel & Gas Turbine Publications, shares his perspective on Interim Tier 4 engine technologies: SCR vs EGR Mike Osenga of Diesal Progress Shares His Thoughts

3. The first installment of our glossary of terms commonly used when speaking about emissions, broken down in your language to help you better understand the new IT4 requirements and their impact: Interim Tier 4 101 Key Terms to Know

4. Our top 10 questions to ask OEMs:  Top 10 Questions to ask OEMs at CONEXPO-CONAGG

5. Diesel Engine Regeneration 101: Regeneration broken down to help alleviate your concerns and better understand its impact on IT4 engine machine operation:  VIDEO Diesal Engine Regeneration 101

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Field of Stripes

Sports fields are a place of power, aggression, and extreme rivalry. But before the first player walks onto the field the grounds must be pristine and ready. The grass will be stomped on, slid on, and pounded by running feet with no relief, yet it still must maintain its durability and allure. The patterns in the grass are a piece of art created by a skilled team of workers who spend hours preparing the field for a grueling competition. John Deere provides the robust equipment necessary to preserve the field’s longevity and resilience for sports of all varieties.

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In the above picture, David Madeiros uses a John Deere A2653A to create appealing stripes in the outfield while Leo Valle cleans up the infield with the John Deere 220A. Now named the Overstock.com Coliseum, the stadium is located in Oakland, California and is home to both the Oakland Athletics and the Oakland Raiders. The crew uses a cluster of John Deere lawnmowers to alter the field back and forth in the fall when the MLB and NFL seasons overlap each other. Occasionally, the crew must switch the field between a baseball diamond and football field all in the same week! As you can see in the picture below, the crew cuts the grass to be clean and precise when the field is in its baseball diamond form.

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Want your yard to look as clean and professional as the Overstock.com Coliseum? It’s not as hard as you may think.  Here are some tips from a previous post to help you get your lawn looking professional.  After checking those out, watch the how-to project below and you’ll learn just how simple it is to make gorgeous stripes with a John Deere lawnmower.

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B Is for Bulldozer: A Construction ABC (Paperback) newly tagged "tractors"

B Is for Bulldozer: A Construction ABC (Paperback)
By June Sobel

Buy new: $6.99
67 used and new from $1.93
Customer Rating:

First tagged "tractors" by Ms Nouveau
Customer tags: machines(3), picture books(2), truck(2), alphabet(2), diggers(2), construction vehicles(2), tractors, childrens books, june sobel, alphebet

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John Deere Advertisements

John Deere’s creative advertisements played a major part in making Deere become known for its robust agricultural and construction machines.  John Deere gets things done right, and their advertising is no exception.  They really know how to stand out from the rest.  There has been a variety of different approaches to their ads which have reached a very widespread audience over the years, from farmers to the average home-owner in need of a reliable lawn mower.  Deere knows how to go all out with bold ads that leave a strong impression, yet they still keep it classy!

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Used Values Skyrocket in Canada

What area is producing the highest auction sale prices on used equipment so far in 2011? That distinction belongs to our friends to the north.

Canada

I’ve been seeing extremely strong sale prices paid for all types of used equipment in good to excellent condition on sales throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Alberta since mid Winter 2011. The strong sale prices have been on all types of equipment, including combines. I posted the Youtube video shown above earlier this week. It features a nice 1999 JD 9610 combine with 2,612 engine hours sold with a JD 914 pickup header on an April 27, 2011 farm auction near Brunkild, MB (south-central Manitoba).

$89,000.

In the video I walk through the auction sale price data in our www.Machinerypete.com web site to show how $89,000 is one of the highest auction sale prices I’ve seen on a JD 9610 in some time. I also point out how over the past three years the very highest auction sale prices on 9610′s have ALL come from Canada, including a 1999 JD 9610 with 1,176 engine hours sold on an April 14, 2011 farm auction in east-central Saskatchewan. It sold with a JD 914 header for a total of $125,000.

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The combine wasn’t the only very strong sale price on green paint that day. Check out these other sale prices from that 4/14/11 farm auction in east-central Saskatchewan:

• 1998 JD 9400 4WD tractor with 2,089 hours: $142,500
• 1994 JD 8870 4WD tractor with 1,933 hours: $90,000
• JD 610 chisel plow, 41′, tandems across, NH3 kit & tank hitch: $26,000
• JD 1650 chisel plow, 51′, 3-bar, tandems across: $36,000

Now consider that those sale prices are in Canadian $$’s. The conversion rate was pretty close to equal in April, right about 1.04 on April 14th, so $1 Canadian spent = $1.04 U.S. funds. So that 1999 JD 9610 combine with 1,176 hours & the JD 914 pickup header sold for $125,000 Canadian…that equals $130,000 U.S. dollars.

$130,000 for a 12-year old combine. Told you the used equipment market was “hot” up north.

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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Bobcat Monster Treads - Skid Loader

Bobcat Monster Treads - Skid Loader Rating: These unique vehicles help to recreate popular farm scenes The details on each of these toys are simply amazing Includes big monster sized soft tires Features 4 wheel steering, loader arm raises and lowers and bucket dumps Recommended for ages 3 years and up Sale Price: $10.99

Bobcat Monster Treads - Skid Loader 5 inch monster treads bobcat skid loader. Skid loader features monster-sized soft tires, 4 wheel steering, loader arm raises and lowers, bucket dumps. Age grade 3 years and up.

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Ertl John Deere Small Monster Truck Semi (Green) with Trailer hauling Two Green Tractors with Monster Treads

Ertl John Deere Small Monster Truck Semi (Green) with Trailer hauling Two Green Tractors with Monster Treads Rating: Sale Price: $15.99

Ertl John Deere Small Monster Truck Semi (Green) with Trailer hauling Two Green Tractors with Monster Treads Ertl John Deere Small Monster Truck Semi (Green) with Trailer hauling Two Green Tractors with Monster Treads

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OEM Spotlight: Magnum Products

This excerpt was originally posted on the John Deere, Straightforward Blog March 22, 2011. You can view the original post here.

When it comes to customer service, Magnum Products, one of John Deere Power Systems; key OEM Partners, is known for keeping their customers on the forefront of everything they do. We had the chance to catch up with Mark Hanson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Magnum Products, at CONEXPO to learn more about their latest IT4 equipment and customer driven philosophy.

How do you define customer service? John Deere wants to know how we can help you in the changing regulatory environment of IT4.

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Projects Funded by the City of Chicago Subject to New In-Use Rules

This was originally posted on the John Deere, Straightforward Blog March 29, 2011. You can view the original post here.

Regulations impacting construction machinery currently in use will take effect in Chicago on June 1 this year. The recently passed Chicago Clean Diesel Construction Ordinance will require the use of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) and meeting any state or local reduced idling regulations in construction equipment used for contracts awarded by the City of Chicago that exceed $2 million. This is the latest of several in-use rules already enacted in the greater Chicago area, including the Cook County Green Construction Ordinance and the O’Hare Modernization Program.

This ordinance becomes stricter on January 1, 2014 with retrofit device requirements for non-road engines that do not meet Tier 1and a minimum 2.1 clean fleet score (CFS). The CFS is calculated by assigning a score to each piece of equipment in a fleet based on the characteristics of its engine, totaling the score for the entire fleet, and dividing the total by the number of machines in the fleet.

There is a provision for fleets totaling less than 2,500 horsepower to receive a CFS waiver if the fleet owner can show that re-powering, replacing or retrofitting all or some of the fleet to comply with contract requirements will cause “undue financial hardship.” Machines owned or leased by a CFS waiver grantee may be deducted from the CFS calculation for a given project.

Beginning on January 1, 2017, the CFS requirement increases to 3.0, and only 50% of the machines owned or leased by a CFS waiver grantee may be deducted.

Finally, starting on January 1, 2020, the CFS requirement peaks at 4.0, and just 25% of a CFS waiver grantee’s owned or leased machines may be deducted.

There are administrative requirements, as well: contractors must report machine ownership information, machine and engine VINs, EPA engine tiers, and retrofit devices. Records must also be maintained for three years after project completion.

Any city agency may conduct an audit to ensure compliance with the ordinance, and there are monetary fines if a contractor does not meet the requirements.

Your John Deere dealer can help you address in-use regulations by conducting a fleet analysis and discussing retrofit, repower, rental, and replacement options. Your dealer can also explain how telematics systems, such as JDLink^TM, can help you keep tabs on idle times across an entire fleet of equipment.

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Ertl Collectibles John Deere 8" Monster Treads Shake N Sounds Combine

Ertl Collectibles John Deere 8" Monster Treads Shake N Sounds Combine Rating: Super bouncy tires All terrain steering Shake n sounds action Made by ERTL Sale Price: $19.99

Ertl Collectibles John Deere 8" Monster Treads Shake N Sounds Combine John Deere combines forces with awesome monster truck styling to create the ultimate in off-road action.

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JD Combine Sold for Record Price on NY Auction

This 1996 JD 9400 combine with 2,274 engine hours sold for a new record auction price of $81,000 on a 4/9/11 farm sale in west-central New York

Record auction prices continue to stream in from all over the country, including New York.
On an April 9, 2011 farm auction in west-central New York, a very nice 1996 JD 9400 4WD combine with 2,274 engine hours in “excellent” condition sold for $81,000. That’s with NO heads. $81,000 is the highest sale price I’ve ever seen on a JD 9400 combine.
To provide some prospective on very “hot” the used equipment market is right now and has been for the last seven months, compare this $81,000 sale price on a 15-year old JD 9400 combine with 2,274 engine hours to what a couple JD 9400′s sold for back when they were pretty much brand new:

• 8/27/97 farm sale, west-central MN, 1996 JD 9400 with 220 engine hours: $75,250
• 12/10/98 farm sale, north-central IA, 1997 JD 9400 with 178 engine hours: $66,000

The previous record high price on JD 9400 combines was $80,500, for a 1996 model with 935 engine hours in “showroom condition” sold on an August 16, 2008 farm sale in southeast Nebraska. Now look again at the No. of engine hours on the 9400 sold last month on the west-central New York auction…2,274 engine hours.
Bottom line: Very strong buyer demand out there for almost any type of used farm equipment… if it is in exceedingly good condition, like the JD 9400 combine sold for $81,000 last month in New York.
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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1:28 John Deere Combine




John Deere - 1:64 7720 Titan Ii Combine

John Deere Polaris Monster Treads ATV

John Deere Polaris Monster Treads ATV Rating: These unique vehicles help to recreate popular farm scenes The details on each of these toys are simply amazing Features authentic decoration, super bouncy tires and all terrain steering Measures 5 inches Recommended for ages 3 years and up Sale Price: $10.99

John Deere Polaris Monster Treads ATV Produced by Ertl and officially licensed by Polaris, these off-road monster vehicles are ready to tackle any obstacle that lies in their path. Each off-road vehicle features authentic decoration, super bouncy tires and all terrain steering. Age grade 3 years and up. Measures 5 inches. John Deere - Deluxe Talking Toolbelt Set John Deere: Big Book of Tractors

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