Explore the rich history of John Deere lawn maintenance equipment, from its humble blacksmith beginnings in 1837 to becoming a leading innovator in agricultural machinery. Discover key milestones, brand evolution, and current operations of this iconic company that has shaped land care and farming industries across America.

The Evolution of John Deere Lawn Maintenance Equipment

Starting from humble beginnings as a blacksmith's workshop, John Deere's story began with a simple discarded saw and the vision of a talented blacksmith. Over the years, this modest start grew into a leading American manufacturer specializing in agricultural and landscape maintenance equipment. Today, known as Deere and Company, it was established in 1837 in Grand Detour, Illinois, and has continuously advanced through innovation and dedicated service.

In 1848, the company relocated to Moline, Illinois, with Charles Deere joining in 1853. Despite economic hurdles, by 1874, Deere sold approximately 50,000 plows. The distinctive leaping deer logo was registered in 1876. By the late 1800s, Deere's product line expanded to include wagons, buggies, and sophisticated machinery.

John Deere upholds core principles of integrity, quality, dedication, and innovation in all its products. After John Deere's death in 1886, his son Charles managed the company’s growth. Presently, Deere's main operations are based in Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Council Bluffs/Omaha, and San Francisco.

In the early 1900s, Deere's revenue exceeded $2 million, and Charles Deere passed away in 1907. The company faced a major embezzlement issue in 1931 but persisted. During WWII, production shifted to support wartime efforts, then returned to normal. Sales surpassed $1 billion in 1966. Even during setbacks like a 163-day strike in 1986, Deere kept expanding, reaching $36.2 billion in sales and $3.1 billion in profit in 2012, a record high.

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This blog offers researched and educational content but is not definitive. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed, so please verify details independently. Offers and schemes mentioned may vary over time.