I know it is green but who actually makes it ?

[CountryBoy]

My John Deere 4400 has a Yamnar engine,assembled in Augusta Georgia,I do not know where the rest of the parts/tractor is made.But I love that Japanese made Yamnar engine.I dont know where the hydro is made........Any one else know where the rest of my tractor is made ?Who makes it? Does John Deere actually make anything on the 4000/4010 series or is it all just various manufactures of the various pieces of the tractor and put together and then the John Deere name pasted on it ?
How about my John Deere L130 riding lawn mower ? I know it has a Kohler engine in it,who actually makes the tractor?

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Almost all manufacturers are outsourcing. There is a huge differance to that approach than buying a product and slapping your name on it. Look at the x90 series, thay are great, but very differant than the 4000's.

Interestingly, I have read that Yanmar is one of only tho diesel manufacturers that doesn't outsource any componants to build their engines.
I hope the other one isn't Kubota, just so there will be poetic justice for all their pomp about building their own engines. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

But don't worry, I am not losing any sleep about any of this....

 

[RoyJackson]

Deere, as most other manufacturers, have quite a supply chain to deal with. I cannot say with 100% certainty that Yanmar outsources some of their components, but I'd put money on it.

As an example, I'd worked in a fairly small machine shop the produced a great number of Catepillar's shearpins and pivot pins of all sizes. We also did a little work for Deere, but these were mostly small bosses and other threaded fittings.

 

[GreenMtnMan]

OK, this is purely anecdotal and tangentially interesting but I thought I'd toss it out anyway. A friend of mine and his girlfriend came over to visit one night. When she saw my JD tractor she mentioned that she used to work for a Wisconsin manufacturing company that made some parts for Deere. She said that Deere had the most stringent requirements and best quality inspection process of any of their customers. Unfortunately we got sidetracked and I didn't hear any more details. Since they broke up I doubt I'll ever see her again, but if I do I'll try to get more details.

 

[gator]

According to this press release your JD lawn tractor is made by JD in Wisconsin. Has the history of that plant in it too.

 

[Docsknotinn]

I am not under the impression that Deere manufactures anything. I believe they out source and have items built for them to their specs as this is far more cost effective and generally speaking they have more quality control. I have seen many try to lay claim that Yanmar makes JD cuts but I think most of us realize that is not the case. Yanmar has the JD engine contract which is interesting considering some of JD's other labels. Interestingly enough the Kubota BX is built in Georgia as well. I am for one at least thankfull that some US labor goes in to theese machines.

 

[RoyJackson]

"She said that Deere had the most stringent requirements and best quality inspection process of any of their customers."

Then that company had some pretty loose customers. Deere wasn't particularly tough...neither is Catepillar.
The automotive companies are really stringent. Surprisingly, Harley Davidson isn't that tough, except for cosmetics.
It's a sad tale, but many of these big companies outsource because of the unions. Union QC people can be a PITA to deal with both as a supplier and within the company. It's not that they're that good (seniority counts more then being qualified...I know, I was a Steelworker (union) in defense contractor for a few years). A real drag...

However, most of those companies do assembly work...not too much componentry is manufactured in-house.

 

[GreenMtnMan]

<font color="blue">The automotive companies are really stringent </font>

I did say it was anecdotal. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Along the same lines, from my perspective as a CUSTOMER I think Deere's QC is better than either Ford or GM, based on seven vehicles I've owned from those two manufacturers. Sometimes I'm a slow learner, but NEVER AGAIN on either of those two brands. So far in my brief tractoring life I'd buy another Deere in a heartbeat. That's where QA meets reality.

 

[shady1701]

The L130 is made in greenville TN (you can do search and find that out All L-series and also did use to do G-100's all homedepot products) i do work there.. transmissions made by dana and tuff torq (morristown tn).
most parts are made by out side suppliers and shipped. the paint's done by outside company onsite...everything else i can't say on specific manufacturing processes etc..
they did make the 1 millionth kohler engine and put it in a 110 on 3rd shift approx. 5 months ago. it was 24K gold plated engine plate and was given to CCE president which sent it over to headquarters of CCE (consumer/comercial division)
If you're a kohler fan..

 

[Russell]

Deere assembles the 4000 and the Fifty-Twenty series in Augusta. Most if not all of the hydraulics are outsourced (I know..we make several SCV's for the 4710 and up in Easley, SC). We make 2 and 3 spool mid-mount loader valves, rockshafts, brake valves. We also make some of the valves for the X-series and the like in Horicon, WI.
Deere makes a few hydraulic components, but there are mainly in the Ag sector (combines and the like).

Any CUT will have a yanmar. For some reason, American companies can't or didn't want to make a good small diesel.

Deere isn't really strick on quality, but they are on prices. They are forcing supplies to outsource (lots of which goes overseas) becuase of prices requirements. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif