Who Makes John Deere Compact Tractors?

Misinformation abounds about who designs, and manufactures John Deere Compact Tractors. Tractor Time with Tim answers this question, giving the modern history of JD compacts, and addresses rumors that Yanmar or TYM makes some Deere tractors.

UPDATE 3/06/23: Looks like I may be contributing to the misinformation! John Deere has reached out to me stating that the 30xxD series is NOT designed by Yanmar. Rather, it is designed by the Pune India engineering team.
This is frustrating to me, as we fully intend to provide detailed and accurate information. We had asked several sources, all of whom stated this is a "Yanmar design". I am sorry for this error.

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[TractorTimewithTim]

UPDATE 3/06/23: Looks like I may be contributing to the misinformation! John Deere has reached out to me stating that the 30xxD series is NOT designed by Yanmar. Rather, it is designed by the Pune India engineering team.
This is frustrating to me, as we fully intend to provide detailed and accurate information. We had asked several sources, all of whom stated this is a "Yanmar design". I am sorry for this error.

[harrisla]

WOW!! Thanks for all of your effort to keep us informed!! I have a 4710 bought in 2004 and 1025R bought in 2021. This really helped me learn more about my tractors. Keep up the good work.Thanks a

[zhoop]

Great video! First tractor I drove was an '82 Deere 850. Boy is it simple compared to my '23 1025R. No power steering, no 4 wheel drive, no loader, no live hydraulic. But with a 72" mower, 2-bottom plow, disk, and rear blade, it did a ton of work. Dad didn't care it came from Japan so long as he could get parts at the local Deere dealer. Dad traded the 850 for a 790 with a loader. After I left home, he traded the 790 for a 3720 with a cab with heat and AC!

[GPOutdoors]

Good day Tim. Excellent episode and very informative. Loved it. Big thanks to you for all the work that must have been involved in putting this together. Have a great week out there!

[azaleaoutdoors]

Your visit to Augusta is some of my favorite content on YouTube! Great video thanks Tim!

[jimhancock]

Good info! Had wonderful success with a JD 950 2WD FEL doing all sorts of projects. A local farm had an 850 4WD FEL that my memory says was made in Germany. Don't remember now if it was Mannheim. This was back in the 80-90's. The farm had other JD equipment and all were maintained well and had tons of hours.

[ndpara]

Great video. I’ve had a 3320 and now a 4520. Absolutely love them and the power tech engine.

[Wolf]

The 55 series built in Horicon Wisconsin was designed and built in that factory. We used Yanmar engines and transmissions. The
transmission was hydrostatic built to our specification. The system was designed to have live and independent PTO. Many paradigms were broken on these ( at the time innovative and unique ) tractors. First models were the 655, 755, and 855. A few of the firsts on these first compact tractor line manufactured and built in the US since the 9N Ford. The tractors featured hydrostatic power steering, live independent PTO, two pedal hydrostatic foot control, and the big surprise at the 55 series intro meetings was
the first jump on and off front end loaders. In all the years I had never heard the cheers and whistles the dealer organization gave
us on that unique add to this truly unique and innovative tractor series. Later we added the 955. As we ran out of manufacturing room in Horicon it was decided the tractors would be moved to Augusta, Georgia. Unlike our current line of compacts the 55 series
was a frame built tractor. The operators station was convenient and operator friendly. The fenders and hand holds were as solid as a rock ! No flimsy rattling parts here. Today kept up 55 series tractors bring premium prices in the used market especially the 755, 855, and 955.

[roberthughes]

Thanks for putting this together Tim. It's so hard for me to get my mind clear on these manufacturers versus sold under names.

[dfestus]

Nice presentation . In 2003 I purchased a deere 2210. It was the predecessor to the 1 and 2 series. It really was a nice machine at the beginning of the sub compact tractor revolution. I think this machine deserves honorable mention . Thanks for all you do. Love your videos.

[malcolmtaylor]

Thank you Tim! Love this sort of information. My grandfather’s Oliver 60 was my introduction to tractors.

[martyshelton]

I really appreciate your deep dive and description on this topic, I was looking for an older compact tractor and wanted a JD, your description will help me decide.

[chadroberts]

Great information, Tim. I did not realize the 3D was a Yanmar tractor made in India. Keep up the good work.

[Treeplanter]

A build history of Kubota tractors would be cool and interesting to watch.

[lawsonlawnandfarm]

Awesome video here I really enjoyed that. I was thinking that the modern compact tractors were John deere built I didn’t know that the 3d was a yanmar design though. However the yanmar style tractors were pretty darn good too. Those older 50 series were bulletproof to my knowledge. I had a 2305 though that I tore the pto out of and come to find out it was a common issue. It had the tag right on it built by yanmar

[kimjohnson]

Tim, my 2003 JD 2210 was built in Japan. I ordered it and it was the 1st one sold in Saskatchewan, Canada. 1775 hours on it right now. Runs great.

[TedErhartCFP]

Really enjoyed this one Tim! I have a 2004 4510 and I've been super happy with it. Interesting to know it was a Yanmar design. I always say knock on wood but I've literally had no problems in the 6-years I've owned it. I'd like to upgrade to a 4066R at some point but I'm not sure I'll ever sell my 4510. Very simple machine. I believe my engine is totally mechanical (no ECM) which means more reliable in my mind!

[utubota]

When I owned my old Yanmar tractor, I went to the JD dealer for parts. At the time, someone made a translation list of the Yanmar-JD parts list.

[pc]

The days of vertically integrated manufacturing has been gone for decades for American manufacturers. Still common in Asian manufacturers.

Great video Tim.

[ryanclawson]

This was one of the things that kept me coming back to Deere when I look towards a SCUT/CUT for my uses. Going to look at other companies that have a dealer presence in my area (CaseIH, LS, Massey, Mahindra, and Deere), Deere looked to be the most consistent in who they partnered with and parts support for tractors that have long since been discontinued. It’s not a situation where Iseki built this series, TYM (or their predecessors) built this series, Mitsubishi built this other series, LS MTRON built this other one.

Most everything painted that shade of green can be traced back to Deere or Yanmar. And as someone who’s had to deal with chasing down obsolete parts or vendors/subcontractors who may/may not still be in business, I can definitely appreciate that level of brand management and support.