JD Waterloo Factory Tours

FBH44

Well-known Member
Just returned from Waterloo, where oldest son was finishing up a summer internship job in Drivetrain Quality Control, analyzing gears. I highly recommend the tours. I toured Engines and also Drivetrains. I wish I had time to tour Cab Assembly, I think that's where they actually assemble the tractors. In Waterloo they are building the biggest JD tractors, the 9000's, 8000's 7000's. Just a personal recommendation, we had difficulty finding a good restaurant until the last day, found a really good one at the corner of Highway 63 and Ridgeway. Just go online and get the phone numbers to make your reservations. Free. Tours are ride-along all thru the factory; no walking required.
 
Currently in Cedar Falls at Antique Acres near Waterloo Iowa so I took the Deere Engine works tour yesterday FANTASTIC Then later I toured the John Deere Museum in Waterloo also FANTASTIC

John T
 
Yessir, I was absolutely flabbergasted yesterday. Here was this guy driving around on a green golf cart with yellow wheels as we were setting up our club tent, and he sure looked like the world-famous John T - - but what would he be doing way out here?? But it WAS! Couldn't believe he found his way all the way from Indiana to our little local show here in northeast Iowa. Hadn't seen him for several years. Had a good chat.

Told you, John T, that you absolutely needed to visit the JD Tractor and Engine Museum, glad you found it as fabulous as I believe it is.

Welcome to our little area of paradise.
 
I owe it all to you Dan, THANKS. After the engine tour I told my buddies this friend recommended the museum so off we went Your club president had me put my exhibit boards in the JD Tent

Come see us but call me 812-606-1121 so we can meet up

John T
 
Dan - Did you visit what used to be my '41 H while at the show? It's the one with starter, no lights. In the need to downsize as Western Home looms bigger in our future, though I hated to, I let it go a couple of days ago. The buyer headed straight to Antique Acres with it. Thanks for all the help you gave me on it. Now I still have my MT and Super C to find homes for, along with a bunch of vintage JD L&G tractors. - Leon
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I took the tour in 1969 it was all in the down town factory,was back in 1982 with FFA tour what a change toured the engine plant , tractor final assy and foundry. Wife and i were in Germany in 1990 went to Mannheim toured the tractor plant there, they do things a lot differant over there all were good tours
 
Leon, I believe I did see it, although I didn't realize it was yours. I was there only briefly there on Thursday to help with the set up, and went back briefly today, and have other commitments for the remainder of the weekend.
 
Thanks, John. Your troubleshooting boards are a great addition to our display. We're honored to have you display them.
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If you're ever in the Quad Cities area, you should take the Harvester Works tour. It's also very good. They show pretty much the entire combine assembly and painting process. There is a bit of walking during the tour - you have to walk up a flight of stairs and along a walkway to see the BIG paint system close-up - but the rest of it is on tour carts. You do need to call ahead to reserve a tour time. Also, there is a brief factory production shutdown coming up soon, so I doubt they will be doing tours then. But it's definitely worth the visit.

And while you're in Moline, you can visit the John Deere Pavilion... it doesn't have as much equipment as the museum, but it does have an interesting mix of new Ag/Turf and Construction/Forestry equipment, along with some older equipment.
 
Different subject that just popped into my mind. Did you ever have anything to do with Sarkes Tarzian TV manufacturer in Bloomington?

I applied for a job there "way back when" but found a better offer from RCA in Pennsylvania.

Went right by the Antique Acres last Wed 16th on way home from Illinois visit to family. No time to stop.
 

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