I wish!

[6or7dazeaweek]

How hard would it be for JD and other tractor manufacturers to use a "logical" model number scheme. Boat builders have been using them for years. At least with boats, the larger the numbers the longer the length....gotta start somewhere. JD has me completely baffeled as for their numbering scheme.

I certainly don't have the answers but I'm sure they could adopt something that made some sense to the newbie's.

Everyone have a safe & happy holiday season.

Jon /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[777777]

Hi,

Well I agree with you regarding the numbering system.

Have a JD dealer not too far away and have been in there a whole bunch of times and still am no clearer regarding numbering and models than I ever was.
I can tell you what a 2210\2305\790 are but when you get into the 3's and 3's, I am at a loss.

Take care

Tom

 

[beenthere]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
......... but when you get into the 3's and 3's, I am at a loss. ......... )</font>

Them's 3's give you the 6's /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Now 50-60 years ago, they were A, B, D, H, and R. Probably there is a scheme to things, that are fought out in a board room within Deere somewhere......then again, maybe not. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I find it more frustrating reading labels anymore, that are in 3-4 languages, and even the english is hard to spot. Let's get back to one, IMO.

 

[6or7dazeaweek]

Hi Beenthere...I'm with you. The older I get the harder it is to read anything...especially the newspaper. Labels require a magnifier lens lately. I do remember somewhere in the mid 60's I was watching a farmer getting ready to start an old John Deere. I don't know what model it was. but it made the most racket of anything I'd ever heard before. On top of that, it sounded as though it would quit at any given moment...but of course it didn't. It wasn't diesel or least I don't think it was. Probably now that thing is still running fine for someone.

Got off the point of the topic though.....last week took an old friend over to see the Deere dealer...he had not seen him in 30+ years so they had a good visit. During a lull in their visit, I asked about the Deere model numbering & the dealer said it has no rhyme or reason, and even he had difficulty with the numbering. Now I don't feel so bad.

Lets see if we can come up with a good numbering scheme for Deere. How about something like 54X4150? The 5 or first number representing the model year, the 4X representing 4 wheel drive, and the 4150 representing 41.5 horse power. I like it myself, and there would be no doubt in anyones mind what it is you were looking at....and it wouldn't require a brochure to check the specs. How about some other numbering schemes?

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Wishing you & yours a very festive holiday season.
Jon

 

[jim_wilson]

This isn't just a problem with John Deere - there are manufacturers in all industries who seem to suffer serious brain fade when it comes to inventing logical model and part numbering schemes. I think in many cases it boils down to the person or people who are responsible just don't have any real world experience or think logically - then the system they invent becomes ingrained in the company and you are stuck with it forever once it is adopted.

 

[beenthere]

Actually, from my perspective, I don't see any good reason to complain about the numbering scheme. No different than cars, that now have Vibe, Maxx, Trailblaizer, etc., etc. ad infinitum. Nothing there about year, tranny, hp, top speed, ..........not at all.

So if Deere would do this, should others then follow and have the same scheme (by implication, sounds like what you 'wish')? Wouldn't that be a dull world, IMO. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Year doesn't make sense, as models are introduced in mid-year and sometimes still sold as new two years after mfg. Most are 4wd so that is redundant, IMO. Horsepower is subjective at best and sometimes engine and sometimes PTO. Also, the numbers now seem to (not always) be based around major assembly line runs, and change when the features change. Also, as with Deere, there is some kind of obvious goal in mind to have their whole line from top to bottom exhibit a 'similar' pattern. But I can see that takes time to do, as models can't likely be changed all at once, I suspect because of line changes and such things as supplying new models to all the dealers at about the same time.
For awhile, the CUT of Deere were the 4000 series, with numbers from 4100 up to 4700. There were three frame sizes, small-medium-large. Now there seems to be a switch to the twenty series, and the large CUT frames are the 4x20's, the medium are the 3x20's and the small are the 2x??. For some reason the small ones don't (at least not yet) fit the 2x20 pattern. This was all in less that 6 years, I believe.
Sounds like from rumor that the lawn and garden tractors are in for a shakeup in numbering. I wouldn't be surprised that Deere has a pretty good idea what works for them in marketing their products, and don't do it blindly as suggested. But I don't really know that for sure. Just a wild _ guess on my part. But Deere seems to be successful and continues to turn out a good product. At least people that buy new, can have the 'new kid' or 'new number' on the block, making the 'old' ones obsolete, so to speak. I've got one of the old ones now twice removed. Missed the 4310 (would have upgraded to a 4410) and now am procrastinating on a 3520. Still liking the performance of the 4300, so its hard to trade up just to have a new model number. Would like the e-hydro however. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Now, having rambled on over that, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[RogerH]

While a year ago I would agree the John Deere's numbering was difficult to understand, I think they have gotten their act together and except for a couple models, it makes a lot of sense. First the series are lined up beautifully in size:

2000 Sub-Compacts
3000 Mid size compacts
4000 Large size compacts
5000 Utility Tractors
6000 Larger Ag tractors
7000 Even bigger Ag tractors
8000 Great big Ag tractors
9000 Huge Tractors

Now, within each series, the second digit gives the relative power. For example a 3120 has less power than a 3320 which is less than a 3520 which is less than the 3720.

Next is the 3rd and sometimes 4th digits which indicates updates in models. For example the 5225 is a small update to the 5220 which was a more significant update of the 5210 which was an update to the 5200.

Then, if you understand that Deere uses the last two digits "03" and "05" to indicate lower featured "Advantage" tractors, then you can almost put it all together. A 5103 is two wheel drive only, imported from India. A 5105 is also an "Advantage" tractor of similar HP to a 5103 but has front wheel drive available for an additional feature.

A lot of confusion happened particularly in the compact tractors as Deere was working toward getting this scheme in place. For example, there is a vast difference between a 4115 (being replaced by the 2520), 4210 (replaced by the 3120) and a 4120 (current production) all which were available in the market together last year and perhaps can still be found on dealer lots.

Now, for a couple of models still hanging out there - the 790 and 990. These have a lot of history behind them, having been in production since the 1970s (???) as the 750, 850, 950, 1050 (I think).

 

[777777]

Ok, I was doing just great until you got me past the first digit.

I think I will print out the 2000,3000,4000,5000, etc list.
After that, am lost again but at least I have some idea now.
Must be age catching up to me.

Love your descriptions for each. What number for a humugous tractor or do we go to 5 digits then.

Have a great one and thanks for the input.

Tom

 

[Deere_parts]

Nope still 4 digits

A cool quarter million and then some for options will get you a 500 HP 4WD 9620 that could cut your front lawn in one or 2 passes. I just can't figure out how to get a 50 foot MMM under one of these monsters /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Biggest problem cutting grass is getting under the tree limbs without knocking down the whole tree. The other problem is compaction and busted drain pipes because it weighs 40,000 Lbs. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[keeney]

The problem is that every new marketing team always wants to "fix" the model numbering scheme, so of course its going to be different than the old scheme. Then you have multiple product groups or divisions each with their own ideas. Then you have to avoid duplicating old numbers that have already been used (at least for a few years). Then you have to skip numbers that are bad luck in many different cultures. Then you have to try and pick cool numbers. Then you try and make them make sense across a variety of actual options and machine sizes.

Its actually amazing they make any sense at all, but I think its better than giving every product a "name" like the car industry.

- Rick

 

[AKfish]

This may be a bit off the track of this discussion -- but is there anything in the wind about an upgrade to the 110 TLB? I believe that the 110 is more or less a 44hp 4610 on growth hormones. With the new model upgrades from the 4x10 series to the new 4x20's can the 110 be far behind? AKfish

 

[6or7dazeaweek]

RogerH: Thanks for showing the numbering scheme. I've been looking at JD tractors and there's new old stuff as I call it. Dealer calls it new & it looks like it's been on the lot for at least a couple of years(paint fade etc). I'm sure some of the older 3 digit tractors are very nice and perhaps might even be better than the newer stuff, but that's just me thinking out loud so to speak.

The numbering for the 2000, 3000, 4000 series is starting to make sense to me now....all I need to do is to not think of the older model numbers.

Thanks for all of the posts....nice to get many different perspectives from TBN'ers as to why the numbers are what they are...etc etc.

Happy Holiday season to all!
Jon /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[deerefan]

THe numbering scheme does help. I frequent tractordata.com to help with model#/horsepower questions. JD model #'s can get overwhelming. It takes a little time and study, but they can be understood. I'm still in the studying part of it.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

OK, Deere had the Waterloo Boy (models N,R ect) Then they introduced their first "in house" tractor, the "D". Then they released the "c" (smaller than the D) The "C" was the prototype for the GP, which was also sold as the GPWT, GPP, GPO, ect. Then Deere started making the "A", (AO, AR, AW, AN ect) The A needed a smaller brother. The "B", (BN, BO, B, BW, ect) Then they wanted "bigger" Next "logical" letter? The "G". (Again, GW, GN, GM, ect) All along, the venerable "D" was still the big hoss. When the "d" was getting long in the tooth, a diesel "Big tractor" was introduced. The "R" semed logical. (Even though the "D" was still in production) When the need for something smaller came along, the "H" was born! (HW, HN, ect) It was around for a few years until its replacement came out, the model "M". Deere started about this time to build a VERY small tractor. The "L" It became the "LA" in due time.

Making any sense?

GOOD!

It doesn't to any of us-----------------

 

[777777]

Oh please............

I am going to stick with RogerH as as least I can understand the main series.

Was starting to think that anyone with a Deere was a math genius.

Have fun guys and best of the holidays to all.

Tom

 

[daTeacha]

In the car business, there are committees and computers that work to come up with names that will attract the target market to the showroom. Mustang, for example, is designed to appeal to those who are mentally youthful, while a name like Camaro was actually generated by a computer program and has no meaning in any language yet still appealed to a pretty large audience.

I think tractor buyers as a whole are pretty tied into the whole "Tim Taylor" syndrome -- More Power is better! Hence, the more or less numeric terminology that makes it more or less clear to you and your neighbors just how a big and mean your machine is. Presuming of course that your neighbor knows the system in use at the time of purchase. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[sandman2234]

Ok, so what your saying is almost everyone that owns a John Deere tractor is larger than mine, since it is in the 2000 range. My subcompact??? is a 70 hp tractor that tips the scales at 7000 pounds.
You guys must have some HUGE tractors.
David from jax, home of the smallest tractors in the world(JD2555)