Harvest Ends With New Offerings From John Deere
MOLINE, 111.-As the last
loads of grain come out of the
field, many farmers immedi
ately begin to look at next
year. For some, next year may
include a new equipment
purchase.
However, in 1999, the
headlines all are screaming
doom and gloom for agricul
ture, which would seem to
dampen farmers’ buying
enthusiasm for new equip
ment. Still, at least one com
pany’s actions show it
believes agriculture’s future
is bright.
John Deere recently made
it clear that it expects better
times ahead for agriculture
The new STS combines from John Deere made their ers get closer look at the performance of the machine,
debut at Husker Harvest in Grand Island, Neb. Here, farm-
as it announced one of its
most aggressive new product
introductions in years.
Among other items, John
Deere rolled out new com
bines, tractors, and skid steer
loaders.
Such an aggressive launch
seems to go against the pub
lic television documentaries
that have aired, the special
hearings on Capitol Hill, and
the websites, such as
www.farmcrisis.net. set up to
document the struggles in
agriculture. But John Deere
spokesperson Barry Nelson
explained that the timing of
this launch makes sense
given the company’s philoso-
phy of bringing new and bet
ter products to market to
increase farming efficiency,
which, in turn, reduces the
cost of production.
“When prices are low, the
best way to compete is to cut
the cost of production. These
new machines help farmers
do that,” Nelson emphasized.
John Deere seems to be on
to something if the reaction
at Husker Harvest, in Grand
Island, Neb., in mid-
September is any indication.
Farmers showed up by the
thousands during the three
day show to check out new
equipment demonstrated by
John Deere. This was the first
public viewing of many of
these machines in action,
including the new STS (sin
gle tine) separation com
bines.
Ron Moron, senior sales
and service representative,
said the new 50 Series com
bines, including the STS
models, allow farmers to
meet the demands of today’s
farming operation, which
includes harvesting in tough
conditions, such as green
stemmed beans, and squeez
ing more acres into each day’s
harvest.
“These machines are
designed to provide more
comfort and control, require
less service and be more pro
ductive,” he said. “Easy ser
vicing, increased capacity
and improved grain quality
are just a few of the advan
tages farmers will appreciate
on the new 50 series.”
In addition to the new
combines, Deere began sell
ing a new line of high-power
tracked tractors. The new
9000 T Series tractors were
unveiled at farm shows in
1998, and they became avail
able for purchase this year.
These tractors feature John
Deere 12.5 L Powertech
engines, a wide 106-inch
tread spacing for greater sta
bility, 111-inch wheelbase for
added traction and flotation,
a large 60-inch drive wheel to
reduce track slippage, and a
choice of two track sizes: 30
and 36 inches. They also can
be ballasted to 50,000
pounds.
Kelly Granatier, division
manager for John Deere 9000
Series 4-Wheel-Drives and
the new 9000 T Series trac
tors, said, “We brought in
farmers from across the coun
try who use tracked tractors
to get their input, sugges
tions, critiques, and com
ments to make sure that the
360-hp 9300 T and 425-hp
9400 T tractors would fit their
needs.
“Customers wanted more
power to the ground, hill-hug
ging stability, better traction,
and the ability to work light
in the spring, heavy in the
fall. Farmers tell us from
their experience this fall that
we’ve met their needs. We
want to continue our philoso
phy of giving customers a
choice between tires and
tracks. These two new tractor
models help round out our
large horsepower tractor line
up.”
Recent press releases from
John Deere show the compa
ny is realistic about its sales
prospects given the current
farm economy, and it expects
a decline in demand for retail
farm equipment of 30 to 35
percent in North America
this fiscal year and declines
of 10 to 15 percent in other
major markets.
However, Nelson said the
number of new offerings in
1999 demonstrate the compa
ny’s commitment to agricul
ture and its focus on bringing
the best products to market.
“John Deere has always been
committed to the agricultural
market, and these new intro
ductions should leave little
doubt about our intentions
for the future,” he concluded.