Drive Green » Video

Atlantic Tractor

chuck — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:15:11 +0000

Signing up for our drawings was only one activity during our show stop in Oxford, PA at Atlantic Tractor.

We had the full line of utility tractors, mowers, implements and more on display and available for riding and driving. On hand when I arrived were Gregg Rebar and Mike Asche. They pretty much run the operation. I think these guys had one of the best displays for our show that I’ve seen.

They’ve got quite a few stores which Mike says allows them to have a very wide range of John Deere products immediately available to customers. They’re in a very diverse market which ranges from row crop farmers to large property owner, vegetable farms and even poultry. He says that the rural lifestyle market has become a significant part of their business.

Gregg and Mike are good examples of the great folks I’ve met working in John Deere dealerships around the country.

You can listen to my interview with Gregg and Mike here: Interview with Gregg and Mike

Or you can watch the interview here:

Waterloo Boys Showed Up

chuck — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:15:13 +0000

Besides the new utility tractors, you’ll find others on location with the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show. Like in Oxford, PA at Atlantic Tractor where the Waterloo Boys Rough and Tumble Club had a 1948 John Deere “M” on display. Harvey and Tom were on hand with a charitable raffle which they said is their 17th year doing it.

You can listen to them talk about the Model M and the Waterloo Boys. Harvey says the club was formed in 1991 as part of the National 2-Cylinder Club. He says they want to keep the heritage of the 2 cylinder tractor alive and likes the contrast of them displayed alongside new ones. He says the their raffle tractor is in high demand to be displayed at a variety of events.

I asked them what they think of the new tractors. They’ve looked at them and even have “some in the shed.” Harvey says they’re his “toys to play with.” He says his pride and joy though is being able to show people how farming has been done in the past.

You can listen to my interview with these Waterloo Boys here: Interview with Waterloo Boys

Or you can watch the interview here:

Driving Traffic To The Dealer

chuck — Sun, 03 May 2009 23:30:56 +0000

One of the reasons why the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show is so important to our dealers is the traffic it brings out to the event says Richard Miller, TriGreen Equipment, manager for commercial and consumer equipment. He says that in a typical dealer store it’s not easy to get a couple hundred people out and the show provides a great opportunity to attract more people to see what they’ve got to offer.

I interviewed Richard when we were in Murfreesboro, TN. He says they had people with everything from 1 acre up to hundreds of acres of land. He was surprised to see how many people came out who had never been up close and personal with a tractor.

You can listen to my interview with Richard here: Interview with Richard Miller

Or you can watch the interview here:

5 Series Fits The Bill

chuck — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:00:09 +0000

Another one of our ride and drivers in Oxford, PA at Atlantic Tractor was Tom Hoffman, Flemington, NJ. Tom says he’s got about 300 acres of hay to manage and some beef cattle. He thinks it’s pretty nice to get out and try these tractors out before making a buying decision.

I spoke to him right after he got off a 5 Series tractor which he thinks is a nice handling smooth riding tractor with a nice turning radius. He especially appreciated the placement of the controls which make it easy for the operator to get to. He had some more looking around to do after I spoke with him but he thought this tractor would suit his needs just fine.

You can listen to my interview with Tom here: drive-green-oxford-hoffman.mp3

Or you can watch the interview here:

Oxford Ride & Drive

chuck — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:03:32 +0000

While I was in Oxford, PA with Atlantic Tractor I met Melvin Horst. He lives right down the road and has a couple of pieces of John Deere equipment. He’s got an 8130 and a 1590 grain drill.

He really likes the opportunity the show provides to test drive the new utility tractors. He likes the looks of the 5M Series and 6D Series tractors. He uses his tractors for raking hay and picking up bales as well as mowing. In fact, he says they’re handy for just about everything on the farm. He brought his boys out since they’ll be helping him out.

You can listen to my interview with Melvin here: drive-green-oxford-horst.mp3

Or you can watch the interview here:

Making Lots of Hay

chuck — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:19:33 +0000

I met some great people on location at Atlantic Tractor in Pennsylvania and Maryland last week. Some of them drove a long way to get to the show stop in Oxford, PA like Brian Good.

Brian says he farms about 400 acres with a hay cash crop operation and some small grains. He says that raking, tedding, mowing and baling call for some smaller tractors and that’s why he drove about 60 miles to attend the event. He says he’s got a few John Deere tractors already. He likes some of the features on the new utility tractors that will allow him to perform all the operations involved in hay production. It was a cool breezy day and Brian says he’s “got to have a cab.” It rained a lot the next day and I’m sure he would have been even more emphatic about having a cab on a cool, breezy and wet day!

You can listen to my interview with Brian here: drive-green-oxford-good.mp3

Or you can watch Brian here:

Tractor Chasers

chuck — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:11:00 +0000

I know we’re all about utility tractors here but I just found out about an interesting website called Tractor Chasers. It’s about the new 8RT which hasn’t been officially announced yet.

Thanks to some alert readers who told us about the 8RT on Route 45, the Tractor Chasers headed out and got a first-hand look at the new track machine. We sat for a while waiting for it to come by. And when it did, well, you’ll see what happened while watching our video. All we can say, and all we want to admit, is that the front of the machine looks mighty powerful. By the way, we’ve heard a number of you asking what the “R” and “T” stand for. Is it “row-crop tracks” or “rubber tracks”? We’re working to get you the answer. More later!

Check out the first of two videos so far here – check out the website or YouTube for others:

Landscaping Machines

chuck — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:00:56 +0000

If you’re into landscaping or have your own landscaping business then you should check out John Deere Landscapes.

John Deere Landscapes approaches the Industry from a whole new vantage point. Like you, we face the future with a healthy respect for the past. Our heritage is one of true value-added customer service, and our combined companies offer over 30 years of success in the industry, based on that same outstanding level of customer service. This story continues as we grow, expanding our branch network. At John Deere Landscapes, we want to be where you need us. So come on in… find out what we do, and how we strive every day to support the Industry’s top professionals.

When I was on location at our Houston stop I met Ronnie Borel who is an outside sales representative for John Deere Landscapes. He gave me an overview of the products offered by this division of the company. He says they offer about 95% of what the landscape contractor needs.

You can listen to my interview with Ronnie here: drive-green-houston-landscape.mp3

In Raleigh I met the Nobles who have their own landscaping business. Although they own a John Deere tractor, they’re in the market for one with a little more horsepower. The Drive Green Utility Tractor Show is certainly the place to do that.

You can listen to my interview with the Nobles here: drive-green-raleigh-landscaping.mp3

Dixie Deer Classic Photo Album

Get Your Own Or Borrow One

chuck — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 18:26:27 +0000

Just because you don’t own a John Deere utility tractor doesn’t mean you can’t get to use one. Luckily for Wayne Kleven his relatives are owners who let him borrow when he needs to. Wayne does have several John Deere mowers though.

When he needs a tractor to cut deer trails through the woods or to do some more serious mowing he is fortunate to have some equipment available nearby but he was still out at the show checking out the new line of utility tractors.

You can listen to my interview with Wayne here: drive-green-raleigh-his-own.mp3

Dixie Deer Classic Photo Album

3E Series Good For Horse Owners

chuck — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:29:54 +0000

If you’ve got horses then a new John Deere 3E Series Tractor may be just the thing for you. It was what Jeff Clark was looking at when he visited the show in Raleigh.

He wants a small tractor to clean out stalls. Since his daughter will be using it more than he would he also wanted a tractor that’s easy to use.

I think the 3E Series fits the bill.

You can listen to my interview with Jeff here: drive-green-raleigh-looking-3series.mp3

Dixie Deer Classic Photo Album

Looking For a Cab

chuck — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:13:48 +0000

Here’s a good example of why you should come out to your local John Deere dealer or one of our Drive Green Utility Tractor Show stops. Let’s say you need a new tractor, mower or all around handy utility vehicle. You can see pictures and specs online but before making a decision you just want to get your hands on one and try it on for size.

That’s what Mike Poole did in Raleigh at the Dixie Deer Classic. He really wants a tractor with a cab and guess what. We had one for him to get into and representatives standing by to answer his questions. He already owns a small tractor but he wants to replace it with one with a cab for mowing and farming small grains. Sounds like a 5E Limited Series tractor would be a great choice for Mike

You can listen to my interview with Mike here: drive-green-raleigh-looking-for-cab.mp3

Dixie Deer Classic Photo Album

Raleigh Territory Manager

chuck — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:55:36 +0000

There are a lot of people working to make the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show happen. I’m trying to include interviews with them when I can so you can get to know them. From our truck drivers, planning staff and dealers to our presenters and suppliers it wouldn’t be possible without all of their efforts.

In Raleigh, NC our John Deere Territory Manager is Brad Yarbrough. He worked with the dealerships involved, Quality Equipment and Barnhill Equipment Company as well as the Dixie Deer Classic to help put on the show there. He says they love to get the tractors out in front of customers so they can get in the seat and see what John Deere’s got for them. And what John Deere has includes a whole new line of utility tractors and Gators.

You can listen to my interview with Brad here: drive-green-raleigh-territory-manager.mp3

Dixie Deer Classic Photo Album

Plotmaster

chuck — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:54:13 +0000

One of the pieces of equipment that was getting a lot of attention at the indoors display at the Dixie Deer Classic was the Frontier FP1204 by Plotmaster. For hunters who want to create a food plot with ease here’s what they say about it.

The Plotmaster™, by Plotmaster Systems, Ltd. with its patented design is the complete package for your plot planting needs. The Frontier FP1204 (4-ft model) will reach places you’ve only dreamed of planting plots. It’s easy and simple with the Plotmaster™.

I spoke with Keith Lane, Quality Equipment, about the unit they had on display which was hooked up to a camo Gator. He says it’s ideal for a garden or a food plot to attract deer.

You can listen to my interview with Keith here: drive-green-raleigh-plotmaster.mp3

Dixie Deer Classic Photo Album

Hunter Applications of Utility Tractors and Gators

chuck — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:29:48 +0000

At the Dixie Deer Classic we interacted with a lot of hunting enthusiasts. One of the exhibitors was Donny Lassiter, Lassiter Farms. He was promoting their CyprusKnee Chufa product.

Donny says that he owns a variety of John Deere equipment for use on their farm. He says that what he likes about John Deere is the dealer organization that’s always available to help out. He says hunters will find the new equipment useful for putting in food plots. The smaller machines allow you to get in and out of tight places. Gators especially allow you to get around on your property and see what’s going on. They even allow you to pull small sprayers.

I liked the idea of using the Gators for hauling a successful hunting harvest instead of the manual labor alternative.

You can listen to my interview with Donny here: drive-green-raleigh-for-hunters.mp3

Dixie Deer Classic Photo Album

Ride and Drive at Dixie Deer Classic

chuck — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:53:11 +0000

The weather for the Dixie Deer Classic couldn’t have been more picture perfect. Bright sunny and warm.

On Saturday we held two presentations on these new utility tractors and had a lot of people like Glenn Millican interested and even using our short ride and drive course. Glenn was interested in a small tractor that could negotiate sharp turns and the 3 Series tractor seemed to catch his eye. He put it through the paces as you can see in the video interview I did with him this afternoon.

You can listen to my interview with Glenn here: drive-green-raleigh-ride-drive.mp3

Dixie Deer Classic Photo Album

Tennessee Farm Service Agency

chuck — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:28:15 +0000

Frank Rogers is the Acting Director of the Tennessee Farm Service Agency. In Murfreesboro he headed up an exhibit to provide attendees with FSA program information. The FSA is responsible for implementing the Farm Bill which affects most of the family farms in the country. He says they deal with land owners and farmers. He was proud to have the opportunity to participate in the John Deere educational event which is a big part of what the Show is all about.

Tri-Green Murfreesboro Photo Album

Farmers Finding Friendly Equipment

chuck — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:14:44 +0000

Billy Ray is a Tennessee farmer who drove for about an hour to get to the show stop in Murfreesboro. I spoke with him right after he got to the Miller Coliseum. He says this is a good opportunity. He already owns some John Deere equipment like a tractor, front end loader and cutters.

Although he hadn’t had a chance to look around much he was there to check out a round baler. He was sure he was going to get lots of good information and I know he did.

You can listen to my interview with Billy here: drive-green-murfreesboro-farmer.mp3

Or watch the interview:

Tri-Green Murfreesboro Photo Album

Truck Driver Diary

chuck — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:25:31 +0000

This edition of the Truck Driver Diary is in video this time. Mark Roose not only sound good but he’s really not a bad looking dude either. I asked him about bringing the truck to the Murfreesboro event and he said that with his GPS guiding him he got there okay. You’ll hear him talk about getting the truck into the arena. The reality was that we never did. The entrance way was just too short even after we used some of the equipment on hand to try to remove some dirt to get it in. So we just parked it right outside the entrance.

You can listen to this edition of the Truck Driver Diary here: drive-green-murfreesboro-truck-driver-diary.mp3

Or watch the interview:

Useful In City Parks

chuck — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:41:39 +0000

One of the people who attended the Drive Green event in Murfreesboro was Paige Cruse, Franklin City Parks. Paige is actually the athletics foreman. She says she was there to learn more about the new mowers, Gators and tractors. She was happy to have the chance to attend an educational event like this.

Paige says they have John Deere equipment and have seen some new items they’d like to have. She says she has learned a number of things she didn’t know about the equipment and got to sit on one of the larger horsepower tractors.

You can listen to my interview with Paige here: drive-green-murfreesboro-parks.mp3

Or watch the interview:

The Truck Arriving In Murfreesboro

chuck — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:39:33 +0000

The Drive Green Utility Tractor Show truck is usually on location before I get there but in Murfreesboro I beat it by about 5 minutes. Just in time to catch a video clip of it coming in to the Miller Coliseum grounds from the highway.

We couldn’t get it in the arena so we parked it outside which is where I took this photo early in the morning.

Watch this bad boy make the turn: