John deere Production Numbers

esox21

Member
Why is it that a international company such as John Deere
was unable to keep accurate records. I'm sure they where not
anticipating tractors to become collectible. And if they did have
correct records, you would think they would assign an intern to
compile all the info and make a book that they would sell piles
of.
 
Are you new to the hobby of old John Deeres?
They have put out books and build sheets on all of their tractors. And they have sold hundreds of issues.
 
No. But serial numbers and productions are off on most books. It said in mr. Thinkers almanac that the first 2520 in 72 was 229015 but the actual is 229012. I understand that producing 1000's of tractors can be tough to get exact. I just wish that it was more exact.
 
Mr.Cherry from the two cylinder club. He archived a tractor for me and was in the john deere archives himself to verify it.
 
Maybe the JD records are accurate and the guys researching them are missing up. Whenever there is a human element in the process, mistakes are bound to happen. Just look down the page on the 4620 production thread. Did you ever ask Mr Cherry how and why 229012 is listed as a 71' and not a 72'. Are you 100% sure he was looking at the info right? The info that you say is wrong in other sources like the almanac came from others researching the archives too. What other mistakes have you found?
 
That's the problem and you said it "guessing." I'm not saying you are wrong or even Cherry is wrong. But you and him are the only ones that know about this. Like I said before info in the past that is potentially wrong also came from people looking in the archives. When you get a serial number searched do you get any sort of documentation proving it is what it is?
 
Absolutely. Now my opinion is that the serial search from the two cylinder club can be vague. But I resquested a very specific search. He is one if not the only outside guy allowed into the archives. So unless you know somebody else that can stroll into john Deere and peak in the archives I'm going to take his word for it. Especially that he took a second look to confirm his data. I still have the message saved if you would like to hear it first hand.
 
The story I was told is that the archives used to be open to anybody wanting to do research and it was just recently JD closed them off everyone but the 2 cylinder club. JR Hobbs wrote articles for Green Magazine which as been in existence since I think the late 80s. He did all his homework in the archives too. I think he moved on to 2 Cylinder before he passed on. Last year production of the 20 series seem to be very valuable. If you or someone else were to ever to sell the 2520 in question I think you would need some hard core documentation. That's why I asked. I know if I was a potential buyer I would be skeptical or least require some proof. And so would the guy who owns serial number 229015 and thinks he has the first 2520 made for 1972.
 
I would be ------ if I bought a tractor thinking it was the first of a year, especially 72 with their high collectibality. I wonder if there was shady dealings with the archives being they closed them. If you have 229015 and think it is the first 1972 2520 your not going to be happy. If you did have 22915 and think it was the first what proof do you have. I would like to know the real answer. Now mr.cherry did say that 15 was the first 72 gas. 12,13,14 were diesel. I questioned his answer at first and he kindly double checked and found the same answer. This search was in February. Really I'm just going off what cherry said. I still have the message if you want to hear it yourself. I'm not saying this in anyway to be argumentive. I'm just repeating what cherry said after his second visit on the matter.
 
I don't care one way or another about it. I would be happy to own any 2520 no matter what year. I own a IH 1256 that was the 7th one built. So I was thinking I might have the earliest one still intact. Then I was informed the Wheatland and Rowcrop models used separate serial numbers. So that means there are thirteen 1256s built before mine and most likely one of those is still around. Oh well. I'm not going to go out and try to track down each 1256. Just be happy with what I have. I'm just saying on the 2520 subject, if you ever sell it, prepare to defend yourself. I think you would need more then a phone message or email.
 
Didn't we go through all of this two months ago?
Esox (or should I call you Muskie?) your second sentence is right on. It never occurred to anyone at Deere that 50 years later someone was going to care what serial number started a model year, and perhaps this is the crux of the problem because they didn't always make note of it.
If you look at the registers in the archives once in awhile it will say "End of Model year", but most times it does not. All you can go by in a lot cases is a big gap in the fall production. I've seen cases where there was production of dozens of tractors a day, a couple week gap, one tractor, big gap, and then regular production again. Where does the model year end in that case?
One last thing, Deere's own numbers don't agree with each other. Many of the numbers used today are based on the Waterloo Production log book that 2C published years ago. If you were to go to the archives and hand count the tractor serial numbers you'd find quite a few discrepancies.
One more one last thing in regard to the first 2520. If JR were around he would certainly admit that he could have made a mistake.
 
Frankly, this "first" or "last" stuff is a bunch of hooey. Only a collector with too much time on his hands cares if a tractor is the "First One Made in '72!" or "The Very Last One Made!" The second-to-last or 561-to-last one works just the same (and can look as nice) as the "Last One!" I wouldn't give $5 more for a tractor based on serial number alone.

Why isn't anyone going for number 12345? How about number 111111 or 55555? Just as useless as looking for first or last.....
 
You're doing an awfull lot of worrying over something that just doesn't matter no matter how much you want it too. The first and last number in a series are the only two that count. Model years beginning and ending numbers don't mean a thing except at the parts counter. Enjoy your tractor for what it is.
 
I am in agreement first or last.Honestly I usually only look at year.My friend Ernie had the #1 2520 at his place prior to its sale in Waterloo and I didn't even look twice as it wasn't very nice and I think it brought over $40K to Mr.Keller.The first 1206 was within 20 miles of where I lived and a JD dealer in Missouri told me he had first 4020.I just like nice ones.
 
Mr.Hobbs sent me a few emails as he knew I respond to questions if I [THINK] I know the answer.I forwarded some of them to collector friends and it would take literally thousands of dollars and a lifetime to fiqure out some of the production questions with no answers.And it still might be an educated guess that Mr.Hobbs stated he would not do.
 

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