John Deere was started as Deere & Company by John Deere when he moved to Grand Detour, Illinois. Deere opened a 1,378 square feet shop there in 1837 his shop allowed him to serve as a general repairman in the village, as well as a manufacturer of small tools such as pitchforks and shovels. At this time John Deere developed the steel walking plow. Animal-drawn plows were the heart of his business for the next eighty years. John Deere started to manufacture farm tractors in 1918. He distributed these tractors through the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Co. In 1926 the name of the Gasoline Engine Company was changed to John Deere Tractor Co. Those early tractors were constantly being developed and are still to this day.
1928 John Deere Model D Tractor This picture was taken and submitted by Massey F. Jones John Deere Model D Tractor, on static display during the 2015 summer season, in front of the Crossroads Market at 1235 26 Ave SE, Calgary.The Model D was produced over a span of 30 years, from 1923 to 1953. The large flywheel is a trademark of this 2-cylinder tractor and it is how the tractor is started. Green and yellow is the paint scheme for all John Deere tractors, including today’s monster units , standing about 12 feet tall on 8 large tires and requiring steps to get into the cab (with provisions for GPS and stereo sound).
1928 John Deere Model D Tractor This picture was taken and submitted by Massey F. Jones Most farmers did not want a large tractor, but one which could do both field and belt work and be easily repaired. The John Deere Model D 2-cylinder flywheel tractor was as dependable as they come. Early John Deere 2-cylinder tractors emit a popping sound which is unique.View and listen to the brief video clip: Starting & Driving 1945 John Deere Model D Tractor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQvZM11XNFM
1928 John Deere Model D Tractor This picture was taken and submitted by Massey F. Jones The John Deere Model D was originally built with steel wheels but they proved unsuitable on pavement and rubber tires became a purchase option for farmers. It competed in price and performance with other makes such as McCormick-Deering and many other post-war light tractors for farm duty.
1928 John Deere Model D Tractor. This picture was taken and submitted by Massey F. Jones. Closeup of the serial number plate affixed to the John Deere Model D tractor, displayed in front of the Crossroads Market in Calgary. A serial number search shows this tractor to be built in 1928.
1941 John Deere Model B. This picture was submitted by Greg Hayden, Vista, CA, USA The picture was taken at the 2005 The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum Auction
1943 John Deere Model B. This picture was submitted by Greg Hayden, Vista, CA, USA The picture was taken at the 2005 The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum Auction
1948 John Deere Model M. This picture was submitted by Greg Hayden, Vista, CA, USA The picture was taken at the 2005 The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum Auction
1949 John Deere Model B. This picture was submitted by Greg Hayden, Vista, CA, USA The picture was taken at the 2005 The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum Auction
1948 John Deere Model M Tractor. This tractor was seeen in Bewwick, Nova Scotia on July 31, 2013
