Antique John Deere Tractors
John Deere Company, a name that farmers and non-farmers alike have come to associate with farming equipment, was started in 1836 by blacksmith John Deere. While he began as a repairman and manufacturer of small tools like shovels, production eventually began on plows, wagons, planters, and cultivators.
The early 1900s began with companies such as International Harvester Corporation becoming popular in the tractor industry, but the production of new products was needed. John Deere Company began its tractor line in 1912, having no idea the incredible future that it would hold.
John Deere's first tractor was the AWD (All Wheel Drive), and the first prototype was ready in 1915. This first go-around, John Deere used a Waukesha engine. This engine was reliable, but a bit under-powered for the tractor. In 1917, they decided to try a McVicker engine, and it was much more appropriate. Production began later that year on what would be the first 100 John Deere tractors. Although the AWD had features that were innovative for its time, the price was much higher than competition, so production stopped after the first 100.
Even though John Deere got somewhat of a rough start, they would eventually get their costs down, allowing them to be more competitive. Their innovative way of thinking would provide them with new ideas on how to help farmers, making them a very popular choice. This would eventually make them arguably the most well-known tractor manufacturer in the world.