I�ve decided to weigh in on this one as well.There certainly is a mystique regarding John Deere tractors. Whether it is the color, or the quality of their past products, or the company�s longevity, or the two-cylinder engines, or the archival information that still exists, or that you can still get some parts for these wonderful old beasts, or a combination of all of the above, I don�t know. But it�s there. That the archival records exist is wonderful. It has awarded collectors and restorers the opportunity to find out so much about the tractors and equipment they own. However, this information has not been readily available. It is my understanding that Deere has maintained these records for their own purposes (understandable), and answering letters and other questions has been done on a first-com-first-served-as-available basis. Green Magazine and Two-Cylinder have filled a gap by researching the archives, gathering and organizing information, and then making that information readily available. In this capacity, they have rendered a great service to Deere by doing research that Deere otherwise wouldn�t have done (and didn�t do). So now, in this age where information is king, Deere starts to realize that it could turn its archived information into money in their own pocket. This includes a collector�s center and some sort of publication. Obviously, if they can tap into an existing publication, they have an existing base to start with. Hence their approach to Green Magazine. However, they appear to want a significant amount of control, as well as a significant amount of the profit. I am firmly behind Mr. Hains� decision to rebuff them. Score one for the little guy. I believe the independence of both Green Magazine and Two-Cylinder is part of what makes them great publications. They don�t repeat the �company line�, and nothing says they have to. So if Deere wants to profit from the John Deere collecting hobby by charging for archive access, parts, etc., fine. More power to them. However, they would do well to find a �reasonable� cost for this access. If the price is too expensive, and the parts cost too much, and the attitude is hard to deal with, Deere will create resentment toward the company. If it is impossible for us as collectors, restorers, and everyday people who still use our A�s and 40�s around our 10 acres to obtain information or parts from Deere, then we will find it elsewhere. This will provide ample opportunity for enterprising people to compete with Deere (which is already happening). And in the worst case, we will be no worse off than our brethren who collect tractors from other companies who are now defunct. So, to Deere and Company, keep the fees and prices reasonable, and treat us decently when we�re paying out the money, and we will gladly allow you to be part of the collecting/restoring hobby. But if you make the fees exorbitant, and you look down your collective noses at us while we are paying it, you will find yourself alone with a few rich friends, and will not be very welcome �out on the farm�, from whence your heritage came.
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