11/17/16 – Colby, Kansas

Lindsey Sterkel

What an absolute amazing time we had at Tractor Works today!!

We had to be there bright and early, but the tractor factory supplied us with a very good breakfast and shortly after with a Thanksgiving supper for lunch.

We got to see the assembly lines for the 6000 series, 7000 series, 8000 series and 9000 series tractors. It was very cool to see where all of these tractors were going to be shipped after they were built, a lot of them are going to Russia. We did see one going to Great Britain and Turk knew the person it was going to.

The fun fact we learned was the tractors going to Russia were all being assembled, obviously, in the factory. After assembly, Russia pays to have the machines taken apart to ship and then they reassemble them in Russia. They also do not have to have emissions on their machines like we do.

We had to wear PPE (personal protective equipment) going through the factory and split into four groups. Our tour guides took pictures of things and of us through the tour.

We even get gold key parking!!

Kelly and Warwick got to start a tractor for the first time in the tractor’s life in our group. Kelly also got to drive a tractor off the line! The guys on the line let Kelly and I torque a couple of bolts on a cab! Such a great time! And amazing to see how advanced that factory is…it’s unreal.

Our tour guides did a GREAT job. Our guide really knew his information about the assembly lines and the other tractor factories. He had worked for John Deere for 30 years, retired and is now back giving tours! They made it very fun and an experience all of the crew will remember. Everyone in the factory is very friendly, as well.

Our awesome tour guide of many, Gary giving Turk some special gifts!

How cool is that?!??

We absolutely love Tractor Works; they do a great job. We look forward to next year and to the combine factory tomorrow!!

We cheated on our JD boyfriends and had to sneak a picture with CLAAS.

I don’t think they feed the fish enough at Cabela’s!!

HarvestHER