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E. Kansas | Several years ago I was curious about the date of production of my dad's 4010 diesel. I wrote to John Deere with the serial number (this was before email). Here is some of their response in the letter I received from them:
"The 4010 tractors went into production on May 2, 1960, with the beginning serial #1000. Your 4010, serial #4418, was built and shipped on October 18, 1960, to Osage City, Kansas. We are most pleased that your tractor has performed so well for you and hope it gives you many, many more years of excellent service."
So, today marks 50 years since 4010 production began. It would have been a fun day to have been at John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works and seen the first 4010's roll off the line. I saw either the 1st or 2nd 4010 at a two-cylinder show in Iowa several years ago. Hopefully it's still alive and well.
I have my dad's 4010 and wouldn't consider getting rid of it for anything. It has always been well maintained and stored inside. I grew up on it and it's part of the family. My dad bought it in 1963 from the original owner, who lived and farmed close by. It's a good sounding old tractor and I admire the build quality, simplicity and all the work it has done for us all these years with minimal problems. It's mostly retired now, but it's still got a lot of use left.
Today's tractors are nice and have a lot of capabilities and comforts not available in 1960. However, that takes nothing from the legacy and proven reliability of older tractors like the 4010.
A Happy 50th to the 4010. | |
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A Look Back < < < John Deere 4010 Production
