Moline, IL - Waterloo, IA trip

Royse · Aug 18, 2013

Going to visit the dark side! LOL
My nephew is a big JD fan, thanks to my late father!

So I'm taking him out to Moline, IL and Waterloo, IA the first
week in September on vacation.
I picked that week because it's the week of the QCA tractor parade and show.
We're planning on visiting the JD HQ, pavilion/museum, touring the
factories and visiting the National Farm Toy Factory in Dyersville in
addition to the parade/show.
What else is out that way that an almost 16 year old tractor nut
would be interested in seeing?
We'll only be out there for 5 days, but it may be a once in a
lifetime for him, so I'd like to hit all we can while we're there.

Larry NEIL · Aug 18, 2013

Stop in Davenport and tell my ex-girlfriend Denise, that I don't miss Her a bit!!!
Other than that the Buffalo Bill museum in LeClair just North of Bettendorf.

Old Bob · Aug 18, 2013

American Pickers is at LeClair also. Field of Dreams is close to Dyersville.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 18, 2013

You could go to LeClaire and see the antique archaeology.

kruser · Aug 18, 2013

Hope rrlund don't see this!

Nice sights tho - From what I hear.

LA in WI · Aug 18, 2013

About 30 miles east of Waterloo on Hwy 20 is city of Independence. They have an Ag museum close to the hwy....very nice layout. Worth stopping to see. Big Bud was there but was set to leave in July.

Further east on #20 is Dyersville, home of "Field Of Dreams" ball field...bring your gloves, bats and balls and play a while as a small game is usually going on with complete strangers enjoying the scene. You can walk into the outfield corn and disappear like in the movie.
LA in WI

dstates · Aug 18, 2013

If you are in the area at the right time, you could stop by the Antique Engine and Tractor Association fall working show. A really good tractor show with working steam tractors, some plowing, harvesting and threshing all going on. IH tractors are the feature this year.

http://ae-ta.com/

By the way, I work at the JD planter factory. Were you able to get a tour there, they don't do to many of them, but it is close to the Pavilion.

Enjoy your trip!

Patrick Klise · Aug 19, 2013

Don"t know if you or your nephew are into guns and history....but the Rock Island Arsenal has a fabulous collection of guns used in past wars including arms used by our enemies. The museum is free (as I remember)Just a hop and skip from Moline.

Revredneck · Aug 19, 2013

Depending on the dates you're here, I would highly recommend the Old Thresher's Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, IA. It's five big days, beginning the Thursday before Labor Day and going through the holiday.
Also, I'd think a 16 year old would appreciate the National Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque.
As someone else said, the Ag history museum in Independence is a great place. I think they still have Big Bud there. It's called Heartland Acres.
I'm just east of Waterloo. E-mail is open if you want to stop in for a rest or just to say "hi." Have a great trip.
Good Luck and God Bless

Scott-SD · Aug 19, 2013

In walcott Iowa the I80 worlds largest truckstop and truck museum.
iowa80truckingmuseum.com

Samuels68 · Aug 19, 2013

Depending on the route you take from the Quad Cities to Waterloo, the Iowa 80 trucks top about 10 miles west of Davenport on I80 has a nice display of antique trucks in the main building and an entire museum of antique trucks in a separate building. They aren't tractors, but still pretty neat nonetheless. May be worth a quick stop for lunch or Dairy Queen if you go that way...
JD Harvester works in East Moline is neat if you can get a tour. Deere has some first rate manufacturing facilities.
As someone else mentioned, Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant is not far out of the way, an hour or so south of Iowa City. Could easily spend the day and not come close to seeing it all!
Enjoy your vacation, and honk if you see a tall goofy looking guy on a beat up Massey Ferguson!

Anonymous-0 · Aug 19, 2013

Before you get to Walcott you could stop at the Iowa Machine Shed, they have some old machinery and a good place to eat.
I suppose they are still in business as it has been a long time sinse I been there.

Paul Searl · Aug 19, 2013

You should have picked the NEXT weekend, 13-15th is the Annual working farm show at Joslin IL, a few miles from the QC area off I-88, about 15 minutes from the John Deere HQ. http://ae-ta.com/ which features IH this year and has a lot going on, it will be far far more than the weekend before.

Deere Scotty · Aug 19, 2013

Although not JD!
1) Oliver Museum in Charles City, IA.
2) Kinze Museum, & Showroom. I-80 exit 216 around Williamsburg, IA.

Royse · Aug 19, 2013

Thanks for all the ideas, we'll see how many we can get to!

dstates, Deere's website "says" they do two to three a day M-F.
That's at tractor works, engine works and harvester works.
It also says to book at least 48 hours in advance.
I've been calling every day since the first of the month.
All I've got so far is voicemail.
Maybe Mother Deere doesn't have enough time for paying visitors?
Not even us old two cylinder owners. Hopefully I hear from them soon.

dstates · Aug 20, 2013

Royce,

Here is the contact info I found for factory tours... Is this the number you have called?

"Contact Deere & Company Guest Services at (800) 765-9588 or via e-mail to [email protected]"

If you don't get a hold of them, let me know and I'll see how I can help.

dstates

dstates · Aug 20, 2013

Royce,

I also just checked the Harvester tour schedule and you might be lucky on the week you will be in the area. The only week in September that will be having tours is the 2nd-6th.

Also, here is some info for Waterloo tours.

Tractor Assembly Division: Assembly of 95-500 HP Tractors and Deere Crossing Gift Shop
3500 East Donald Street
319.292.7668
Tour Length: 1&1/2 Hours (20 minute video and 1 Hour Riding Tour)
Time Schedule(Monday through Friday): 8 A.M., 10:00 A.M., 1:00 P.M.

Engine Works: Complete Assembly of Engines 200 - 600 Hp and Deere Crossing II Gift Shop
3801 Ridgeway Avenue
319.292.5347
Tour Length: 1&1/2 Hours (Riding Tour)
Time Schedule: (Monday through Friday): 9:30 A.M and 1:00 P.M

Hope this helps,
dstates

Royse · Aug 20, 2013

dstates, thank you very much for that information!
The 800 number is the one I had, also another one for Moline off
the website. I got voicemail labeled JD Ag Tours which said they'd
return my call. They have not.
Tomorrow I'll call the other numbers and see what happens.

Thanks again!

Royse · Aug 21, 2013

Success! I was able to confirm tours for the Tractor Works factory,
Engine Works and the Harvester factory, all within two days.
Should be a great trip.
dstates, thanks again for the contact info!

dstates · Aug 21, 2013

(quoted from post at 13:22:56 08/21/13) Success! I was able to confirm tours for the Tractor Works factory,
Engine Works and the Harvester factory, all within two days.
Should be a great trip.
dstates, thanks again for the contact info!

Great! Enjoy your trip and tours!

Moline, IL - Waterloo, IA trip

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