Drive Green

When you visit a Drive Green Utility Tractor Show stop you’ll find smiling, friendly faces greeting you. In the Texas area, one of those smiley people is Kim Dergo, Dallas Branch Sales Promotion Coordinator. Here she is at the Houston Farm and Ranch Show stop.

Today you will find her at the Ft. Worth Stock Show & Rodeo which is where I’m headed very soon. We have a static display on site today at which you can find John Deere representatives on hand to answer all your questions. You can also get an up close and personal look and feel for these new utility tractors.

I spoke with Kim about the Show moving through her area when we were in Houston. You can listen to my interview with her here: drive-green-houston-dergo.mp3

Hello Drive Green fans. This week we’ve got a fun stop at the Fort Worth Stock Show. The action will kick off tomorrow and continue with a ring show on Wednesday evening.

Since this show is all about cattle and rodeo I thought I’d share an interview I conducted just a few days ago at the Cattle Industry Convention in Phoenix, AZ. Yes, I do get around.

I visited the John Deere booth at this show which attracts over 5,000 cattle industry members from around the country and spoke with John Deere representative, Steve Detrick. He’s the guy on the right in this picture. They’re posing in front of a 6D Series utility tractor that’s connected to a baler.

Steve says these new tractors really complement their balers and provide livestock producers with some great new options. He says these work for a wide range of producers from small, part time producers to even large scale operations. He says the new Gator XUV’s also offer great benefits since they’re rated to carry large loads and that can include feed as one example.

You can listen to my interview with Steve here: cic-09-steve.mp3

One of the dealerships involved with the Houston Farm and Ranch Show stop was Brookside Equipment Sales, Inc. One of the representatives from the company attending the show was Brant North, pictured on the right.

John says that the show provides a great opportunity for him to brush up on his knowledge of the equipment personally as well as interact with his customers. He also likes to share ideas with other dealers. He’s always enjoyed selling John Deere equipment. He’s looking forward to getting these new tractors in his hands so he can “sell a few.”

You can listen to my interview with John here: drive-green-houston-north.mp3

Or watch the interview here:

The Territory Manager for John Deere in the Houston area is John Peters. He’s bringing dealers up to date on the new tractors in this picture.

John says that since there’s just one Show stop in his territory he wanted to involve all his dealers. So he contacted them and got their support to put on the event at the Houston Farm and Ranch Club. With so many of them participating he held a morning session just for the dealers as kind of a refresher course and for those who hadn’t had a chance to learn more about these new tractors. Then the afternoon was devoted to customers.

I asked him how he felt about the event and he was very happy with it. In fact, he says that a local precinct in the city of Houston made a commitment to purchase 4 5E Series tractors!

You can listen to my interview with John here: drive-green-houston-peters.mp3

During the Houston Farm and Ranch Show stop participants got to learn about all the Frontier attachments available for these new utility tractors. You can see them gathered around for a presentation after the tractors portion of the show.

I spoke with several participants like Reagan Folmar and Dave Hendricks. Dave says he saw lots of neat “toys.” I asked if he meant “tools” but he shook his head and confirmed it as toys. He said there were lots of features though that he could use and some he couldn’t. Reagan said that he’s in the market for a new tractor since he didn’t get one last year when he wanted to.

You can listen to my interview with them here: drive-green-houston-reagan.mp3

Getting to test drive these new utility tractors was a lot of fun in the sun at the Houston Farm and Ranch Show facility. A large area of the parking lot was set up in lanes for tractors, Gators and mowers.

Customers who came out included Andre Roberts and Louis Robertson who both work for the city of Alvin, TX. They said “it’s a marvelous show.” They said that getting to come out and visit personally with John Deere representatives is really helpful since they’re responsible for buying equipment.

You can listen to my interview with them here: drive-green-houston-customer-1.mp3

Or watch the interview here:

We had a lot of representatives from the Houston area John Deere dealers come out today to the Houston Farm and Ranch Club.

Two of them were Darrell Taylor, D.E.R. Equipment Co. (l) and Lloyd Shoppa, Shoppa’s Farm Supply. They really appreciated the opportunity to get a short course on these new tractors because that will help them when they talk to their customers.

You can listen to my interview with them here: drive-green-houston-taylor-shoppa.mp3

Or watch the interview here:

Here’s the last in a series of initial presentations on the new utility tractor line. This one is on the 6D Series and presenting is Dick Gohlke.

“The top three models are powered by a 4.5L PowerTech™ E diesel engine with a high-pressure common rail (HPCR) injection system,” says Alejandro Galindo, product manager, John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works. “These efficient engines are designed to provide power when needed to handle even the toughest jobs.”

The 6100D features a field-proven, fuel-efficient 100-hp PowerTech™ engine with rotary fuel injection pump. It’s designed to deliver excellent power and lugging ability in a variety of work situations.

“We’ve improved the transmission on the 6D Series,” says Galindo. “The all-new 9F/9R electro-hydraulic PowrReverser™ is standard equipment. Once the operator sets the range and gear, a handy left-hand reverser lever is used to move the tractor forward or reverse without clutching! Loader work is easier and more efficient with this new transmission.”

A new wet-clutch design ensures reliable, long life with improved control. The new design also helps overall tractor performance for the many jobs required of a utility tractor.

You can listen to Dick’s presentation here: drive-green-6d-series-tractors.mp3

Or watch him here:

Here’s the next installment in the presentations on the new utility tractor line. This one is on the 5M Series and presenting is Allen Edwards.

The 5M Series Tractors range in horsepower from 65 – 105 engine hp. These higher-end machines feature new transmissions, increased lift capacities, more stability for larger implements, and a new operator environment for increased comfort and productivity.

“For customers who demand premium performance and comfort, the 5M Series, which ranges in engine horsepower from 65–105, is designed to be the benchmark for quality and durability in the utility tractor marketplace. These tractors offer a vast array of options and horsepower levels, with exceptional hydraulic capacities to handle any utility-tractor implement. These tractors will definitely bring more productivity to the farm or jobsite, which makes them ideal for customers who spend many hours in a tractor and depend on their tractor to help make their living.” says Rex Edmunds, division marketing manager, John Deere Augusta. “With more weight, a wet clutch design, and enhanced serviceability, these tractors provide dependable service for the tough jobs they’re built to handle.”

More features and options including cab, 2WD and MFWD, more hydraulic flow and capacity, and a durable frame specifically designed for loaders, ensure that this tractor will perform for many years on the job or in the field.

You can listen to Allen’s presentation here: drive-green-5m-series-tractors.mp3

Or watch him here:

Coming out to a Drive Green Utility Tractor Show stop can be a lot of fun. Why? Because you get to enter a great contest for one thing. You meet lots of interesting people for another.

But maybe the most fun is riding and driving some of the newest utility tractors and vehicles on the market. Let’s look at the Gator again. This time it’s from GreenSouth Equipment in Gainesville, FL.

I rode with Jonathan Spence who explains the features on the new vehicles that you’ll find.

You can listen to my ride and interview with Jonathan here: drive-green-gainesville-gator.mp3

Or watch us in action here:

Here’s the next installment in the presentations on the new utility tractor line. This one is on the 5E Limited Series and presenting is Jim Stoffregen. These tractors have a little more horsepower than others in the 5 Series that we’ve already seen.

The more powerful 5E Limited Series Tractors range in horsepower from 83–101 engine hp. These units have more deluxe features including a cab, PowerReverser™ transmission, wet traction clutch, and MFWD axle – all in base equipment. John Deere has packaged the 5E Limited Series to offer select performance and comfort-enhancing features at a very low price.

You can listen to Jim’s presentation here: drive-green-5e-limited-series-tractors.mp3

Or watch him here:

Bob Murphy (seated), provided me with a great reason to come out and test drive the new utility tractors from John Deere. At the first stop on the tour he said, “It’s kind of like automobiles. If you don’t test drive something then you don’t really know how it operates and how it functions.” He says these opportunities are a good thing. You’ll notice that he’s getting some good advice from the dealer and the John Deere representative on site.

Make sure you take the opportunity when the show comes your way.

You can listen to my interview with Bob here: jd-middleburg-murphy.mp3

Here’s the next installment in the presentations on the new utility tractor line. This one is on the 5E Series and presenting is Allen Edwards.

The 5D and 5E Series range in horsepower from 45–75 and offer John Deere reliability and durability at very economical prices. The 5D Series is only offered with a two-wheel-drive (2WD) axle compared to the 5E which offers 2WD or mechanical-front-wheel-drive (MFWD)configurations. These open station tractors feature synchronized transmissions designed for smooth shifting and easy-to-reach, color-coded controls for simple operation. Low on the frills and price, but high on durability and performance, these tractors provide a simple, economical solution that’s just right for many customers.

You can listen to Allen’s presentation here: drive-green-5e-series-tractors.mp3

Here’s the next installment in the presentations on the new utility tractor line. This one is on the 5D Series and presenting is Jerry Stanton.

The 5D and 5E Series range in horsepower from 45–75 and offer John Deere reliability and durability at very economical prices. The 5D Series is only offered with a two-wheel-drive (2WD) axle compared to the 5E which offers 2WD or mechanical-front-wheel-drive (MFWD)configurations. These open station tractors feature synchronized transmissions designed for smooth shifting and easy-to-reach, color-coded controls for simple operation. Low on the frills and price, but high on durability and performance, these tractors provide a simple, economical solution that’s just right for many customers.

I’ll have more on the 5E in a future video.

You can listen to Jerry’s presentation here: drive-green-5dseries-presentation.mp3

It’s time for another edition of the Truck Driver Diary.

I wasn’t able to make all the stops of the tour in Florida this month but truck driver, Ron Lang, sure did. He says the stops in Okeechobee and Tampa, Florida went very well.

He also had a great anecdote about meeting a Florida State Highway Patrol trooper on the way home at a north Florida rest stop. He wasn’t sure what to expect but found out that the driver and his son are big John Deere enthusiasts. The Trooper couldn’t help but notice the rolling billboard and asked Ron some questions about some of the new equipment, including zero turn radius mowers. I’m sure we’ll hear more great stories from our show truck driver as we continue on down the road.

You can listen to the Truck Driver Diary here: drive-green-driver-12-22-08.mp3

Test driving the new John Deere equipment is what the show is all about and during the first stops a lot of people have had that chance like Eric Honigman, seen here checking out a new Gator utility vehicle.

After he got to drive it I spoke with him about the experience. He said, “I like ’em. They operate pretty smooth. That’s what I like.” He’d like to have a vehicle like this to use in some hilly area where he lives. He thinks he needs four wheel drive but had never had a chance to drive a vehicle equipped that way. He says that’s why he came out to the Middleburg, FL show stop.

You can listen to my interview with Eric here: jd-middleburg-honigman.mp3

There are teams of John Deere product representatives attending each stop along the way. They will be making presentations on each of the tractor products in the new utility line. I’ve met several of them from the first stops in Florida and I’ve recorded their presentations for you.

The first one I thought I’d share is on the new 3000 Series Compact Tractors. In Gainesville, FL we heard a presentation by Dick Gohlke. He starts out explaining the new numbering system on the tractors. These come in 27 to 44 hp. Deere recommends them for homeowners, estate owners, horse enthusiasts, ranchers and hobby farmers. They’re ideal for loading, mowing, tilling & snow removal.

You can listen to Dick’s presentation here: drive-green-3series-presentation.mp3

Or you can watch his presentation:

The second stop for the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show was in Gainesville, FL at GreenSouth Equipment. I met manager Sam Coyle right away and learned a little bit about what the company is trying to do locally. For one thing, Sam says they want the community to know that they have a full lineup of tractors that will work for everyone including those who farm for a living.

You can listen to my interview with Sam here: jd-gainesville-coyle.mp3

Or you can watch my interview with Sam here:

With only a few stops under our belt so far I’ve already found out that the people who show up to test drive a tractor aren’t necessarily “local.”

Take Cindy and Sara Hicks here. They’re from Indiana where they have an 89 acre farm. After a test drive, Cindy says, “We would definitely get this.”

She encourages everyone to come on out to one of the stops even if they’ve never driven a tractor.

You can listen to my interview with then here: jd-middleburg-hicks.mp3

A regular feature I’m starting right now is the “Truck Driver Diary” with Ron Lang, seen all comfy here in his Kenworth cab. I’ll be speaking with Ron throughout the show from various locations, even if I can’t be there, to hear about how things are going.

So in this first installment I asked Ron about his trip to Florida with the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show Truck. He said that other than some rough weather it was a smooth ride. He really liked the setup at the kickoff event in Middleburg where I conducted this interview.

You can listen to the Truck Driver Diary here: jd-middleburg-lang.mp3

We saw that the love of green tractors is very generational today when Charles Hollingsworth came out to the show stop at GreenSouth Equipment with his great grandson.

He says that he was waiting on the boy’s Daddy to show up and take care of him so he could spend some time looking at the new equipment. One of the things he likes best about them is how “comfortable” they are.

You can listen to my interview with him here: jd-gainesville-grandpa.mp3

One of the features of the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show is the opportunity to test drive a new tractor or utility vehicle. That’s what a lot of people did at GreenSouth Equipment at the kickoff event.

Here’s our first tractor tester, Jeremy Mathis, getting a look at the new John Deere 5065E. I spoke with Jeremy after his drive and he says it was his first chance to drive a tractor this size. He liked the features he saw and says that he and a relative are looking for a utility tractor to use with land development projects they’re working on.

You can listen to my interview with Jeremy here: jd-middleburg-mathis.mp3

I also caught Jeremy in action so you can see what it’s like to come out to a Drive Green event when it comes to your area.

And don’t forget to check out our first day’s photo album.

How about a preview of the new John Deere 5 Series tractors which will be a key feature of our Drive Green Utility Tractor Show? What better way to learn more than to hear about them from the man who is responsible for marketing them, Rex Edmunds?

These new tractors are designed to perform any application, with any implement, within any budget to meet the needs of any customer in the utility tractor market.

I spoke with Rex at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention and he says, “This is the most complete line of utility tractors we’ve ever offered. We’ve designed these tractors to meet the requirements of many different customers with many different applications, and we’re providing a wide array of options to bring the optimal configuration and horsepower to their operation.”

You can listen to my interview with Rex here: nafb-trade-talk-edmunds.mp3

The Drive Green Utility Tractor Show blog is now official and public, so welcome! Let’s get started learning more about what this show is all about.

To start with, this is the truck that’s going to be pulling in to John Deere Dealers, starting in the Southeast. We’ve already got 45 locations scheduled in the coming months. You’ll always be able to find the upcoming locations here or on the John Deere Drive Green page. This custom tractor transporter will hold a variety of new John Deere utility tractors for display and ride-and-drives at each stop. You can see pictures of many of them in this online photo album.

To learn more about the show I spoke with Eric Hodson, John Deere Senior Writer, Public Relations. We were at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention. Eric says the company wants you to know “that there’s a John Deere tractor for you at a price you can afford.” To prove it, he says, they’re taking the tractors to you so you have a chance to see them and drive them for yourself. These will be a range of 40 to 140HP tractors.

You can listen to my interview with Eric here: drive-green-hodson-1.mp3