Drive Green

The Houston Farm and Ranch Show Drive Green event is underway and local area dealers are getting a first look at the new utility tractors. They started out in a classroom and are now out getting a hands-on before we’re open to the public this afternoon.

I think it’s important to point out how John Deere takes providing educational sessions for their dealers seriously. This ultimately helps you, the customer, have a more meaningful experience at your local dealer and get the information you want and need.

I’ll be updating later today and in coming days from today’s event. So feel free to check out the photos in the meantime: Houston Farm and Ranch photo album.

During the “Dallas Branch” leg of the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show we’ve got a new truck driver. We’ll be catching up with Ron Lang again though.

Our new driver is Mark Roose. I caught him on a break this afternoon during set up for tomorrow’s Houston Farm and Ranch Club event. Mark had a mostly uneventful drive down from Iowa and talks about his role in the Show.

You can listen to my interview with Mark here: drive-green-driver-1-20-09.mp3

Don’t forget to visit our event photos: Houston Farm and Ranch Club photo album.

Hello from the Houston Farm and Ranch Club.

This is the kickoff location for the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show in 2009, the Year of the Utility Tractor. I sure wish the new President had mentioned that in his inaugural speech today. It definitely is an exciting time and I hope you have a chance to pay us a visit. We’ll keep updating the schedule for you so you’ll see where we’re going to be.

I was on location this afternoon as the show was getting set up and you can find some photos in the Houston Farm and Ranch Club photo album.

Stay tuned for lots of interviews and pictures from tomorrow’s event.

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:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be a legal U.S. resident at least 18 years of age. One entry per person. Contest period begins December 1, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. CST and ends May 1, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. CST. For details, see full contest rules available at the Drive Green event or at www.JohnDeere.com/drivegreen.

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:

At each of the Drive Green Utility Tractor Shows you’ll find John Deere experts on hand to answer your questions and help you decide what tractor is right for you. They also provide some on the spot training since you get to ride and drive these new machines. One of those experts is Allen Edwards. I met him at the first tour stop and he describes what his role is in making your visit successful.

You can listen to my interview with Allen here: drive-green-middleburg-edwards.mp3

Or watch the interview here:

Happy new year. Now that the holiday’s are over it’s time to look forward to the next round of events in the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show.

These ladies are showing off their Drive Green t-shirts and caps which are something you have to look forward to if you come out and test drive these new machines.

Our January schedule is posted and up to date so please make plans to come on out. And if you can’t make it, then keep checking in here for the latest information on the show.

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

If you’d like to help us spread the word about the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show then consider adding our widget to your website. It’s really simple. Just click on the “Get Widget” button at the bottom of the widget (below) and then copy and paste that code onto your web page.

The widget displays a list of the titles of the posts here on this website and they link to the posts themselves.

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

The Drive Green Utility Tractor Show will be touring through several of John Deere’s sales divisions after the first of the year. In fact, the kickoff events in Florida were in what is called the Atlanta Branch.

Andrea Rekeweg is the Sales Promotion Coordinator for this Branch. A large portion of the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show will be passing through her territory. I spoke with her in Gainesville, FL and she talks about the show and the drawing in which you have a chance to win one of 3 one-year, 100 hour leases on a new 5055E Utility Tractor and other great prizes.

You may have noticed that this video has been up and down on YouTube this week. I’ve been experimenting with the new YouTube which lets us upload HD quality video now. So, I think I’ve finally figured out the settings to bring you the best quality video from the show. More to come . . .

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

The Drive Green Utility Tractor Show rolls on to Gainesville, FL at another GreenSouth Equipment location and the action is underway. Boy do I hope the weather stays like this throughout all the stops in the schedule.

I’m taking a break to use some internet access in the company office and get some pictures uploaded for you which you can find in the GreenSouth Equipment – Gainesville photo album.

There’s a lot of test driving and discussion going on and I recorded the presentations about the tractors that are part of the show which got us started out here. I’ll be posting them in coming days.

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.

The first event in the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show has concluded. Here’s your show team. Well, not all of them. There were a couple who were consulting with people interested in a new utility tractor and believe me, that’s more important than a picture.

I’ve got a number of interviews to edit and post for you in coming days and weeks including some video clips of the new tractors in action so don’t go away.

We’ll be continuing the fun at GreenSouth Equipment in Gainesville, FL in the morning so in the meantime feel free to check out our first day’s photo album.

The Manager of GreenSouth Equipment here in Middleburg, FL is Jonathan Watts. He’s got a pretty display set up for people who are in the market for a new utility vehicle or tractor. I spoke to him as we got started today to see what’s going on at this kickoff event.

Hello from GreenSouth Equipment in Middleburg, FL. It’s kickoff day and an absolutely gorgeous one.

I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Chuck Zimmerman and I’ll be your show blogger over the coming months. I’ll be doing my best to show you these new utility tractors and vehicles via lots of photos and interviews and video clips.

For example, I’ve already started a photo album from here in Middleburg. You can find it here: GreenSouth Middleburg Photo Album.

So that’s enough about me. From now on it’s all about the Show and we’ll be following it through the beginning of the “Year of the Utility Tractor.” I hope you enjoy it and feel free to pass the word along!

It’s hard to believe but we’re on the eve of the kickoff event in the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show. It’s going to be held at GreenSouth Equipment, Inc.’s Middleburg, FL location.

I’ll be on the site in the morning and looking for stories to bring you right here. I think the weather is going to be fine. Here’s what the Weather Channel is saying right now: “A mainly sunny sky. High 64F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.”

See you there!

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

Utility tractors won’t be the only machines you’ll find on the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show. How about utility vehicles? Let’s try a new John Deere Gator XUV for example. I took a test drive and maybe you should too.

The show truck is a Kenworth, pulling a 53 foot van filled with the equipment that you’re going to see at each show stop. The man driving the truck is Ron Lang. Get to know Ron. I met him when the truck was first introduced in Sarasota, FL.

If you’re looking for a utility tractor to meet your needs then you won’t need to look further than the new tractors that John Deere is showcasing during the Drive Green Utility Tractor Show.

This is a 3000 series compact utility tractor for example. You can find a series of pictures like this in an online photo album that I’ve already started for you. It’ll give you a good idea of the types of equipment you’ll find along our show route.

So plan to come on out and not only look but drive these new tractors. That’s how you’ll know which one fits your needs. Besides, we’ll have experts on hand to answer all your questions.

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

We’re about to kick off the most exciting cross country tractor show you’ve ever seen and it will all be covered right here. Expect to see lots of pictures and interviews as the show unfolds.

I’ll be your Drive Green Guy and look forward to bringing you all the action from many of the stops along the way.

We’re in the final stages of getting this Show Blog set up for you with all the features that will make it very easy to subscribe to and visit. Stay tuned.