Drive Green

2010 Drive Green Utility Tractor Show Schedule

2010-04-18T19:03:37Z

2010 Drive Green – See it. Drive it. Own it.

Get an up-close look at our extensive line of compact and utility tractors, implements, attachments and more during the Drive Green Tractor Experience … coming to a John Deere dealership near you.

The 2010 Drive Green Utility Tractor Show is underway. You can find the full schedule on the John Deere website.

Building on the success of last year’s Drive Green Utility Tractor program, John Deere announces it is holding Drive Green Tractor Experience events at more than 50 locations across the southern and eastern United States for 2010. The dealer-sponsored events, which kick off in Texas, are designed to give rural property owners, agricultural producers and other interested consumers a chance to operate and ask questions about the latest models of utility tractors and other equipment available from John Deere.

Like last year, a uniquely detailed semi-tractor and trailer that will transport several utility tractors and other equipment to each of the major Drive Green Tractor Experience events. In addition, the legendary designer Chip Foose has customized a 1970 John Deere 4020 Tractor, which also will be featured at many of the events scheduled after early March.

In conjunction with the nationally scheduled Experience events, many John Deere dealers are hosting smaller Drive Green Experience activities at their local dealerships across the country. At all the Experience events, John Deere tractor specialists will be on hand to demonstrate the equipment and answer questions.

Wrapping Things Up With Eric

2015-10-16T19:10:31Z

We’re winding down our coverage of the John Deere Drive Green Utility Tractor Show and I thought I’d bring things full circle with an interview with Eric Hodson, John Deere Senior Writer, Public Relations. The photo is also from one of our first stops in Gainesville, FL.

Eric says that the program has been real successful. The opportunity to get the truck on the road and deliver these new utility tractors to dealers around the country provided customers the chance to get on them which is what it’s all about. He says that one of the things that stood out for him was how the program got people into John Deere dealership who had never been there before. Attendance was way higher than they had hoped for overall. In fact, Eric says the program was expanded after the early success of the show stops.

When the show first started there was some limited availability on certain models so dealers were really happy to have some of these tractors on hand. The truck also provided a great promotional opportunity when it was parked outside dealerships.

Eric appreciates the staff and instructors who traveled along with the show around the country since it provided good consistency of information that was available at each stop. Looking ahead he says that they’re changing the tires on the truck and hope to have it back on the road again in the future.

You can listen to my interview with Eric here: Interview with Eric Hodson

Ideal Drive Green Winner

2009-07-18T17:58:45Z

We have a winner of the Reno Branch “Ideal Drive Green” package.

Kasey Holden from Missoula, MT is the winner and a customer of Triple W Equipment.

Here’s what she wins.

Products: John Deere 5065 E (65HP) Tractor, John Deere Loader, Frontier Implement

Use Period: One year or up to 225 total hours, whichever occurs first

The sweepstakes were held May 4 – June 13.

Photos From Out West

2009-06-20T18:15:58Z

Our Drive Green Utility Tractor Show is winding down for the time being. But that doesn’t mean I won’t have some more new information posted here. Take today for example.

I just received photos from multiple western U.S. stops and have placed them into a new photo album which you can find here: Reno Branch Photo Album.

There are photos in there from cities like Odgen, South Jordan, Grand Junction, Yuba City, Chico, Salem, Pasco and Missoula. Thanks to Sarah Ruth for getting them to me.

So in coming days we’ll get a wrapup report from our truck driver, find out the final contest winner and even more. In the meantime, enjoy all the photos, videos and interviews.

What Happened in Redmond and Salem, OR

2009-06-20T17:55:49Z

Here are the latest updates from Sarah Ruth, Reno Branch, John Deere.

After finishing up the state of California, the caravan traveled to Redmond and Salem, Oregon. Floyd A Boyd hosted their Drive Green event in conjunction with their Grand Opening celebration in Redmond while Fisher Farm and Lawn hosted their event in Salem on Memorial Day weekend.

Redmond:

Central Oregon is known for small and commercial hay tools. Because of the cattle, equine and hay markets, the Utility Tractor lineup are ideal for traditional farms and cattle operations, small part time producers, as well as large property owners. The 5E-Limited Series tractors as well as the 6D are gaining popularity with producers because of their cost efficient and basic options for their everyday needs. One of the main products produced in western Oregon is a high quality alfalfa, and our full line of utility tractors performs well in this market.

A special thanks to Dan Borchard and his employees covering Floyd A Boyd’s five store operation.

Salem:

Somewhat different from Redmond, the producers around Salem are primarily focused on grass seed production, large scale nursery production, small row crops, berries and vineyards. Traditional farmers in the Willamette Valley produce a diversified crop for Americans. The complete line of John Deere Utility Tractor’s fit the needs of producers in this area, especially the 5E-Limited and 6D. Competitors have been successful in the past with lower specification tractors, but our new lineup provides new opportunities for the cost conscious buyer.

A special thanks to Jake Barge and staff at Fisher Farm and Lawn, Territory Manager, Kurt Druffel and Territory Customer Support Manager, Bob Emanaul for their assistance in hosting and executing the Drive Green event in Salem, Oregon during their Memorial Day weekend.

These events provide a great opportunity to showcase the Frontier implements in addition to our Utility Tractors. Whether your are a first-time buyer or an experienced operator, our Utility Tractors are easy to operate and deliver excellent torque and usable power without sacrificing fuel economy; providing More Deere for Less Dough. The equipment featured on this caravan is ideal for property owners, part-time producers, traditional producers, livestock operations, commercial landscapers as well as government and municipalities. As you can see, whatever the chore or project, John Deere has a tractor for you to get the job done. We look forward to sharing more information as well as the features and benefits of our new John Deere Utility Tractors at any of our upcoming shows near you. In the meantime, more information about the products featured can be found online at www.deere.com

Thanks and see you down the highway!

Drive Green Western Summary

2009-06-20T17:56:24Z

Our Sales Promotion Coordinator for John Deere in the Reno Branch is Sarah Ruth. She has once again sent in a summary of our show stops way out west.

Ogden and South Jordan, Utah

Our first two events were hosted by Greenline Equipment and supported by their five locations throughout Utah and Idaho. The first event was held at the Weber County Fairgrounds in Ogden, Utah during a week long NCHA (National Cutting Horse Association) event. The second was held at the South Jordan Equestrian Center in South Jordan, Utah. In addition to the Utility Tractors, a showcase of commercial mowing equipment was featured. These two areas also have a large population of equine making the Riata Rake a perfect Frontier implement to use with this lineup of John Deere tractors. Farmers in the Ogden area use our equipment to produce hay, corn silage for dairies as well as wheat.

A special thanks to Lyle Zaugg, Dave Combe, Sandy LoPresti, Jamie Trinchitella and all the employees from Greenline Equipment for their support and contribution to making this event a success.

Grand Junction, Colorado

Our third event was held in Grand Junction, Colorado and hosted by Delta Implement. In addition to producers growing hay and corn, Grand Junction is known for their specialty crops such as peaches, grapes and apples. The John Deere 5 series tractors are most commonly used for harvesting and handling hay, moving snow, and some narrows for the specialty crops in nearby Palisade. Many are also used to maintain LPO properties and around the farm utility tractors.

A special thanks to Marv Meyers and his staff at Delta Implement for their support and contribution to the event.

This was a great opportunity to showcase the Frontier implements in addition to our Utility Tractors. Whether your are a first-time buyer or an experienced operator, our Utility Tractors are easy to operate and deliver excellent torque and usable power without sacrificing fuel economy; providing More Deere for Less Dough. The equipment featured on this caravan is ideal for property owners, part-time producers, traditional producers, livestock operations, commercial landscapers as well as government and municipalities. As you can see, whatever the chore or project, John Deere has a tractor for you to get the job done. We look forward to sharing more information as well as the features and benefits of our new John Deere Utility Tractors at any of our upcoming shows near you. In the meantime, more information about the products featured can be found online at www.deere.com.

Thanks and see you down the highway!

Showing School Utility

2013-04-29T14:08:18Z

This is the back end of a customized John Deere Gator that was on display at our Fresno Equipment show stop. It was promoting the John Deere Tech Program.

Speaking of Gators, they are one of the types of equipment in use at the Fresno Unified School District. A number of their folks attended out show stop including Ernie Martin. He says they’re involved in the heavy equipment part of the school district which includes all their tractor work. He says the utility tractors are very handy for the type of work they do.

You can listen to my interview with Ernie here: Interview with Ernie Martin

Atlanta Branch Compresserator Winner

2009-06-04T18:13:44Z

I just received this picture of one of our winners in the Drive Green and Win promotion from the Southeast region of the country.

Pictured at the Lasseter Eq Group, Unadilla, GA location, manager Steve Hughes (left) presenting the prize to winner Kenneth Dixon (right).

Kenneth wins a John Deere AC2-CG35H-P Compresserator with electric start valued at more than $2,500 (USD). Dixon registered for the prize at a Drive Green Utility Tractor Show event that took place in Tifton, GA earlier this year.

Managing Northwest Territory

2013-04-29T14:06:15Z

At every show stop I’ve been able to attend I really enjoy talking with the local John Deere Territory Manager. They are a great resource to learn more about the area and the people.

In Lynden, WA last week that guy was Rich Hubbard. Rich says he’s got a pretty diverse territory with a lot of property owners and small ag operations. I thanked him for having us there on a beautiful sunny day. He says feedback on the new utility tractors has been good.

In fact, he says they quoted a number of new tractors during the show stop at North Washington Implement.

You can listen to my interview with Rich here: Interview with Rich Hubbard

North Washington Implement Photo Album

Safety and Longevity

2013-04-29T14:07:06Z

One of our visitors to the show at North Washington Implement was a retired engineer, Doug Smith. He actually still does some work as a representative of the local port district.

He came out to purchase some blades for his wife’s John Deere mower. Doug says he’s got a John Deere 720 which he uses in local parades. When it comes to the new utility tractors he’s impressed with their safety. He says they’re really good for people who don’t run them every day. He also likes the fact that they run so long without needing adjustments since so many people aren’t mechanically inclined. So he likes the safety and longevity of the new tractors.

You can listen to my interview with Doug here: Interview with Doug Smith

North Washington Implement Photo Album

Green Grandbabies

2013-04-29T14:09:06Z

Speaking of berries in the Lynden, WA area, I met Annette Mayberry (right) and her “Green Grandbabies.” You’ve got to love that term! She says her green grandbabies like to see the John Deere tractors.

I’m thinking that the Mayberry farm is very much a John Deere type of operation. And that’s what I found out when I interviewed Annette. She says they use all sizes of John Deere tractors including these utility tractors and lawn mowers.

You can listen to my interview with Annette here: Interview with Annette Maybeery

North Washington Implement Photo Album

Dairy and Berry

2013-04-29T14:09:47Z

The man in charge at North Washington Implement is Max Smith (left). He was the first person I interviewed at this week’s show stop.

Max says they’ve been doing business as a John Deere dealer in Lynden since 1916. He says their customer business is “dairy and berry.” Max says this is the raspberry and blueberry capital of the world. Since they have so many dairies in their area he says these new utility tractors really work well in their business.

You can listen to my interview with Max here: Interview with Max Smith

North Washington Implement Photo Album

Farming In The Northwest

2013-04-29T14:10:28Z

We have had a great event here today at North Washington Implement in Lynden, WA. The weather has been picture perfect. And so I took a lot of pictures.

In this one you can see Dick Bedlington (left) who is a local farmer. I got to speak with him after he enjoyed one of the hamburgers being served for lunch.

Dick says he farms about 2,200 acres that includes potatoes and grain. He came out to look at the new utility tractors. Dick has a lot of John Deere equipment on his farm. In fact, he says “We’re all John Deere. Our company swears by John Deere.” When it comes to the utility tractors he says they use them on a small farm for early germination seed which is a mostly two row application.

You can listen to my interview with Dick here: Interview with Dick Bedlington

All my photos from today’s event can be found here: North Washington Implement Photo Album

Visiting North Washington Implement

2009-05-27T17:23:41Z

Well we’re on location once again. This time at North Washington Implement in Lynden, WA. This is beautiful country here in an area I haven’t personally visited before. I added a couple of photos I took on the way here this morning to show some of the scenery.

Our show event is now underway and I’ll be conducting interviews and taking more photos throughout the next several hours.

You can find the beginning of my event photo album here: North Washington Implement Photo Album

Precision Applications Mean You’re Really Driving Green

2013-04-29T14:11:17Z

While I attended our Fresno show stop I not only saw some big equipment but also some equipment that enhances the accuracy of certain applications like planting and harvesting. Precision agriculture has become increasingly important and widespread and it was on display.

While I was at Fresno Equipment I found out that in their ride and drive lot they had a precision guided tractor demonstration being run by local AMS Consultant, Joey Todd, pictured here. So I climbed in the cab with Joey and had him explain what was on display. To start with we were in an 8230 wheel tractor running RTK using iTEC Pro. Joey set up a field with boundaries so that the tractor would turn at the appropriate spot and raise and lower the implement. He said we were getting sub 1 inch accuracy. In California Joey says the need for precision is “a must” especially because of water restrictions. He also says that he’s seen this equipment being put into Gators for applications like spraying.

You can listen to my interview with Joey here: Interview with Joey Todd

Presenting Some Presenters Thoughts

2013-04-29T14:12:09Z

We’ve had the friendliest group of presenters at our Drive Green Utility Tractor Show stops that you’re ever going to find. It’s been a real pleasure to get to know these guys and I thank them for their hard work and fellowship. While I was at the Fresno Equipment stop I interviewed the two presenters who were there to get their perspective on how the show has been going.

First in the interview is Allen Ewards pictured here. He says they’ve “seen a little bit of everything.” He talks about how the weather has played a big role in how many people attend at our show stops and like the weather he says, “You just never know.” The feedback from people he’s met has been very positive. He’s met a wide cross section of people from first time customers to existing customers who want to see the latest and greatest. He’s been able to help the dealers at our show stops since he’s got the factory training which allows him to answer their questions too. He says that in general all the people he’s met have had a very positive attitude. As he puts it, “Nobody is quitting in the farming business.”

Joining us in the interview was Jim Stoffregen. Jim has teamed up with Allen at several locations across the country. One of the questions he gets hit with most is to explain the new numbering sequence which he says makes it so easy for people to know what kind of tractor they’re looking at.

Even though the show has been put on in a variety of venues from dealer locations to large arenas he says they’ve all seemed to work well.

He’s also seen that sales are happening even with concerns about the economy. Part of that may be that these new utility tractors are so versatile and can work in so many applications.

You can listen to my interview with Allen and Jim here: Interview with Allen and Jim

Fresno Equipment Photo Album

Truck Driver Diary

2013-04-29T14:13:01Z

It’s time for another edition of the Truck Driver Diary with Tim Pol. Tim has driven the truck all the way across the country now so it was time to catch up with him and see how his journey is going. You can see Tim reflected in the window of Fresno Equipment getting the truck all shined up.

We started out learning about his experience getting the truck stuck in some mud in Maryland. All went well even though Tim says it was kind of a nightmare for a while. He says he’s met a lot of people and had an opportunity to hand out a lot of business cards. Tim says that other than having some different accents the people he meets all have similar questions and issues.

You can listen to my interview with Tim here: Truck Driver Diary

Fresno Equipment Photo Album

Green Highway Driving

2009-05-22T17:12:18Z

This is the view that untold thousands of people have seen on America’s highways this year.

It’s the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show truck rolling along. This photo was taken by Sarah Ruth, Sales Promotion Coordinator for the John Deere Reno Branch. Sarah promises me photos from stops in her territory that I can’t make. I’ll be at one more event next week in Lynden, WA fyi.

Sarah would like to remind everyone of their Ideal Drive Green Promotion, which includes a John Deere 5065 E (65HP) Tractor, John Deere Loader, Frontier Implement for one year or up to 225 total hours, whichever occurs first. Come on out to one of our events and get yourself registered!

Dallas Branch Compresserator Winner

2009-05-22T16:59:35Z

I just got a photo of our compresserator winner from the Dallas Branch of John Deere in the Drive Green and Win Promotion.

Pictured is Karen Rottman, the winner of a new John Deere AC2-CG35H-P Compresserator with electric start valued at more than $2,500 (USD).

Rottman registered for the prize at a Drive Green Utility Tractor Show event that took place in Ft. Worth Texas earlier this year.

She’s being presented her prize by Brad Horn, Sales Mgr., Fish & Still Equipment Company, Inc. In Marshall, TX.

We’ll try to get photos of all our winners and post them here for you when we can.

Tractors And Combines

2013-04-29T14:14:47Z

Although the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show is all about tractors in the lower horsepower range it doesn’t mean we can’t mention some bigger equipment! Fresno Equipment had it all on display including new combines.

One of the people attending the show stop was Jason Langstraat. He just ordered four 9770 combines which he’ll be putting to work in his custom combining business. He says they already had 2 combines but needed more as his business has expanded. Those machines are still in the process of being built but while he was at the event he showed off a display model to a couple of friends who were probably curious about what he had ordered.

You can listen to my interview with Jason here: Interview with Jason Langstraat

Fresno Equipment Photo Album