John Deere "Test Farm" Literature?

[anthony]

Hi everyone,

I'm not really sure where to get this information or who to ask, so I thought I'd try my luck here. I'm looking for ANY information on a so called John Deere "Test Farm". From what I was told there was a farm that was used to demo John Deere tractors and equipment. This farm was also used for photo opportunities for literature. I found one picture of the farm for Deere & Company Annual Report 1959( Shown below).





I remember paging through some literature at some toy shows, and seeing a grain truck unloading into a portable dryer, a 630 with feed cart in a beef lot, and then some 40 series parked next to a beef lot. I guess what I'm asking is :

- Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

- Does the farm still exist/ location.

- Does anyone have any pictures of this farm they are willing to share........liture books.

- Does anyone have any other information on this farm?

Thanks alot for the help. I've looked around in John Deere magazines and history books, but not much luck. I will make sure to give credit for those who helped.

[jasonbengough]

Hi

I am not sure if this is the same farm or not, but back in 2003 my cousin bought a John Deere 9610 combine directly from Deere & Co that was used to test out the newer feederhouse for the 50 series combines. Anyway He had to go down to IL to pick up the combine at a "Test" or Experimental farm in IL. He was not allowed to say to anyone where this farm was located. All he was able to say was that Deere had a bunch of stuff on that farm that he saw, but was sworn not to tell anyone exactly want he saw on that farm. He was only allowed in to pick up the combine and then had to leave. He did not say what buildings were on this farm or its location. For the most part the farm he was on was "Off Limits" to the public, and I believe he went through Security to enterence to this farm.

Lots of interesting stuff he saw that he could not comment on.

[anthony]

Jan 8, 2010 9:35:42 GMT -5 @jasonbengough said:

Hi

I am not sure if this is the same farm or not, but back in 2003 my cousin bought a John Deere 9610 combine directly from Deere & Co that was used to test out the newer feederhouse for the 50 series combines. Anyway He had to go down to IL to pick up the combine at a "Test" or Experimental farm in IL. He was not allowed to say to anyone where this farm was located. All he was able to say was that Deere had a bunch of stuff on that farm that he saw, but was sworn not to tell anyone exactly want he saw on that farm. He was only allowed in to pick up the combine and then had to leave. He did not say what buildings were on this farm or its location. For the most part the farm he was on was "Off Limits" to the public, and I believe he went through Security to enterence to this farm.

Lots of interesting stuff he saw that he could not comment on.

Thanks for the info. I kind of wonder if that'd be the same farm, would kind of make sense. I could see how it's very off limits and not much is said about it. I ended up emailing JD my questions, be interesting what they say if anything. I had good luck one time emailing Claas and they sent me info back, a picture and a calendar so who knows. Thanks for the help it was interesting reading that.

[G&G farms]

hey keep us posted on what you find out

[anthony]

Feb 9, 2010 13:58:50 GMT -5 G&G farms said:

hey keep us posted on what you find out

I diffently will.

[anthony]

UPDATE

Well I received an email from John Deere that said:

"There are test sites in Moline, Arizona, and Florida. We do not share particular information about these sites. I cannot provide further information on this as these sites are closed to the public."

So Jason what you mention about your cousin fits in perfectly. I can truly understand why this site is closed, why it's "top secrete" and no one can really provoide information. I think it'd be pretty awsome if that picture above was the actual Moline test farm and all the buildings are still up............but we all know what happens to old farm buildings over time

I was just looking around for information cause I thought it'd be interesting and kind of cool to build a replica of the display to show off my John Deere items.

I kind of feel like Niclos Cage in National Treasure searching and searching for info............maybe I just need to buy a 400,000 dollar combine to get my answer.

[farmerboy3]

or just find out the next truck goin and high jack it or hitch a ride LOL

i have found pictures of IH dealerships and farms i wanted to make to i just gotta get the time and energy to do it

[Tomas D.]

That would be interesting to see in person both the IH and JD one.

[Quinton DeDecker]

ya it would be intresting

[Chris Taylor]

I have a book that mentioned it. If you really are that interested go to school as an engineer as thats who would work there shouldnt be too hard to spot on Bing/maps its just you are gonna have to look over the entire northern part of the center part ofthe eastern part hahaha bet that was confusing! they hauled one of them new combines by down here in MO so they have other test farms then what they told you. I know they have been seen in IA too.

[Austin Stewart]

Mar 15, 2010 10:20:33 GMT -5 Chris Taylor said:

I have a book that mentioned it. If you really are that interested go to school as an engineer as thats who would work there shouldnt be too hard to spot on Bing/maps its just you are gonna have to look over the entire northern part of the center part ofthe eastern part hahaha bet that was confusing! they hauled one of them new combines by down here in MO so they have other test farms then what they told you. I know they have been seen in IA too.

The engineers just go there to play with the toys The real work is done in cubicles lol :

[jasonbengough]

Anthony, Sorry for the Late Reply to this topic,

Yeah it was most definately the Moline Test site where my cousin picked up his Deere 9610 combine. I Know Deere can't elaberate on what goes on there, but makes sense for the Moline Site to be head of Testing experimental combines and planters as they are built in Moline... I suspect they test tractors there as well but likely a lot of combines... I imagine Deere does the 1st testing there on new designs before they Select Certain Large Farmers or Custom Operators to test the new machines.

I Sure wish I could have went with him when he picked up his 9610, that would have been neat to see inside that Farm.

[philipc81]

john deere has sites all over the us they have tested equipment down by paso robles in california like air drills and ams components and also have tested the new cotton picker in california they have certain farmers all over that they take stuff to . when th 70series combines came out they had one up here and they used our shop at our dealership to work on it they sectioned off part of the shopp so we couldnt even see it

[Tim Carlson]

dang.. Im gonna hire me a undercover guy to hunt this place down hahaha.. I would Love to see a farm packed full if bran new JD equipment. That would be awsome.. Thanks for sharing

[djt14]

ya that wuld be sweet

[magnum 7240]

that sounds very intersting

[The Lunchbox]

www.deere.com/en_US/attractions/plowshare/pdf/plowshare.pdf

[farmman2222]

The moline site ia acutaly in coal valley a town 10 minutes from moline. My Grand father spent alot of time there and at waterloo when he first started at deere in the late fifties in Product development.

[jdjake]

Coal Valley is also where they run their construction equipment operator school. My buddy went there when my Army Reserve unit got 3 230 and 1 330 excavator. He brought my back a hat and belt buckle.

[CDC]

They also do tests on farmers fields all around the country for ex. They ran a new prototype swa***r head** on one of our fields and a few other guys in the area