How many parts?

fixerupper · Oct 6, 2015

Bandit's post got me to thinking about Deere's parts system and a new question came up in my mind. (Dangerous!!)

How many individual parts does Deere have in the company parts system in the US? This covers ALL Deere branded machines, ag, industrial, homeowner, literature, everything from Deere. Every bolt, O ring, cotter pin, belt, felt washer, spring and the list goes on. To me it's mind boggling how,they can keep organized as well as they do. I'm sure someone at Deere knows the numbers.

showcrop · Oct 7, 2015

Continued support of old tractors and equipment at the level that old equipment owners want would require construction of new warehouse space and hiring of more workers every few years.

Mike M · Oct 7, 2015

Back when the Columbus Ohio branch of John Deere was still in operation they had an open house I went to.
Over the years I had ordered a lot of parts out of there usually for old stuff and most came from there and I had it the next day.
One thing that amazed me the most was how small it actually was ! I imagined something way , way larger. They keep it resupplied every day from another place I think it was in Illinois.
Now our parts come from some place in upstate NY I think ? No next day service unless you pay a lot extra. But the dealers get stock orders more often so you can get stuff in around 3 days without any extra shipping costs.

Tech 7 · Oct 7, 2015

I used to go to Grimsby (Hamilton) Ontario for service training. Our classrooms were in the parts warehouse there and, prior to increased security I would "tour" the warehouse. It was incredible with everything from the smallest fasteners that were stocked by the 1000's to chaffer frame for combines, tracks and drive sprockets for dozers and 100's of larger pieces.
When Deere closed the facility at Syracruse NY the Grimsby parts depot became responsible for more territory and was added on to. In addition to Eastern Canada (Ont, Quebec and the maritimes) they distribute parts along a considerable amount of the US eastern seaboard. I think Atlanta Ga. is the next parts depot going south.
The "Big" warehouse at Milan Ill. is easier measured in acres than square feet.

mb58 · Oct 7, 2015

I worked as a parts man for JD back in 1980. We cleaned out a large room upstairs that was filled with old, outdated parts. Scrap iron man got it all. I think about the stuff that was in that room and what it would be worth to restorers today.

Karl in MD · Oct 7, 2015

I sold parts at a Deere dealership in the early '90s, and sometimes I would go into parts history on the computer to see when Deere stopped making a part. Many of the parts for the 2-cylinder tractors weren't made after 1957-58. It looked like the 30 series tractors were built using up that parts supply. It kind of surprised me, considering the old saw about Deere always having parts for everything they made.

vscummins · Oct 7, 2015

But yet they still have a lot of parts for 2 cylinders and there still running on that same supply ? Even in the 90s they had most parts for my 420c .

Brent Zappe · Oct 7, 2015

One year I needed a part for my JD 70 d I went to the John Deere RPO and asked them. They got on line and found the part plus shipped it to me all for a price. It was a very interesting to see them do it. The John Deere parts are on line from all there delarships and who ever has that part can sell it to they other delarship that needs it. Have you ever tried to find a push rod for a pony cranking engine ? They do have them and can get you a brand new one for you but they will find it threw one of there delarships that have them in stock.

Cory Schmidt · Oct 7, 2015

A really long number such as Pi without the decibel point. Thank the computer for organizing.

I work for a place that makes parts for Deere(close to 2/5 of business is Deere). On the shop floor they have a card catalog system to look up layout location. There are at close to two drawers(about a foot long) full of just index cards each with one or two(if use same layout) part numbers on. Speaking of which there were at least 3 Deere jobs waiting for me when I left today, might be ten or so when I get in tomorrow.

Karl in MD · Oct 8, 2015

Parts for the Dubuque tractors were better because of the 1010 and 2010, but parts for the Waterloo 2-cylinders were getting thin, especially diesel and pony motor parts. There are still plenty of some parts in the system, shucks, I was able to get 6 opener assemblies for a hoe type grain drill that was last built in the '50s. Overall, IMHO, Deere is still better than most, if just because of the continuity. Mergers, shutdowns, rebranding, etc. have ruined most of the rest of the industry for those of us running old stuff.

How many parts?

fixerupper

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showcrop

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Mike M

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Tech 7

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mb58

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Karl in MD

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vscummins

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Brent Zappe

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Cory Schmidt

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Karl in MD

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