2016, THE YEAR OF THE DEERE

In the world of the antique tractor collector, the first characteristic we all take note of when meeting a new enthusiast is his/her brand affiliation. We may not note if he is tall or short, fat or thin, rich or poor, but the conversation will not get far along before we learn if he is a Farmall guy, an Oliver guy, or a John Deere guy, etc. Sure, it may seem superficial to outsiders, but that’s just the way we see people. We may not even remember a name at first, but everybody in the discussion will nod knowingly when you add descriptive detail, like, “…drives the Super M” or, “pulls with a DC-4”, or, “runs the badass Unstyled G”. Now they know who you’re talking about!

Within this eccentric little sub-set of society, it is also quite well recognized that few if any other brands can match the fervor, the fan loyalty, or the dedication of those who prefer the “Long Green Line” of products from Deere and company. You can pick them out from half way across the parking lot, in many cases. The bright green cap, the green and yellow T-shirt, the “Nothing Runs like a Deere” bumper sticker, most are none too subtle about their dedication to their favorite brand. With a corporate lineage that can be traced back into the previous two centuries, and still seen at work today in the field across the road, one must admit, their pride in the product is well founded.

Centuries of success is certainly enough to command the respect of anyone in or around the business of agriculture, as well as the collector hobby, but we think it goes a little deeper than that. While today’s offerings in the farm tractor market are rather homogenous, 4-wheel drive, in-line 6 cylinder diesel, climate controlled units, with enough electronics for a NASA mission, there was a time when one brand dared to be different. In the early 1900’s, after an initial period of really diverse experimentation, the world of farm power had largely evolved into accepting the 4 cylinder, in-line gas engine design as, more or less, the standard configuration. With one notable exception…John Deere. From about 1923 to about 1960, Deere and company stood apart from the industry by virtue of their absolute reliance on the iconic Two-Cylinder tractor engine. It was a design that was simple, rugged, reliable, and unique. It ran with a characteristic “putt-putt” sound that was every bit as well recognized as their green and yellow color scheme. And that, I think, is at the very center of the brand loyalty that has served both the company and its collectors so well over the past decades. Like our friend Bill says…”They sound like antiques”. And, even after 50 years, we all remember them.