Ordering 5520 Augusta Plant Info

Shadow_River · Jul 12, 2004

Does anyone know if it is possible to watch your tractor be built at the John Deere factory in Augusta, Georgia? As I recall, It seems that I have read where some buyers have went to the factory and watched their own tractor be made. Has anyone actually done this and if so, what does the process entail, how long does it take etc? Who do you contact to make arrangements?

Ordered a 5520 MFWD, Powreverser Trans, with Cab, SL-FEL and 49 Backhoe. Backhoe has already arrived at dealer but the tractor is not scheduled for delivery until mid September, so if possible I would like to watch the process.

KubotaBling · Jul 13, 2004

Um i'm not exactly sure if u can watch ur specific one but i do know they give tours on regular basis at cce plants i'm thinking that plant is the turf care division too. Way the scheduling is it'd be hard to say ur tractor will be made at x time x day etc.. i know therez alot of issues in scheduling they should be about shut down this time our plant is around june thru septemeber is slow months. If u've talked to the dealer um maybe check out the deere.com website throw some emails out.

Woodbeef · Jul 13, 2004

It would be nice if Deere actually let you drive it off of the assembly line......

BillG_in_TX · Jul 13, 2004

Maybe if you bought one of the units they make at Waterloo, IA (like the 8320), you could drive it off the line and get a gold key!

Seriously, it sounds like cowboydoc might give you some ideas on how to pull this off.

cowboydoc · Jul 13, 2004

I would think they would do this at Augusta. Just talk to your dealer and they arrange it all with Deere. I went to mfg. plant and watched my baler and mower conditioner being made too.

1075 · Jul 13, 2004

Don't know about Deere, but I did it when I ordered my Corvette. Took my son with me to Bowling Green KY and watched it at several points on the line. Saw the body and chassis come together, wheels go on, to name a few. They let my son put the first gasoline in it and do the first start on the line (gave him a certificate commemorating his assistance with the birth of a Corvette). I rode along during the dyno and leak test. It was an awsome experience that I will never forget.

I know that this is off topic, but I would think that Deere would be open to doing the same type of thing. My advice is to try and reach someone in the Public Relations Department at the factory yourself. I would not trust the dealer, that's what I did with Chevy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

beenthere · Jul 13, 2004

I would trust my dealer. My dealer had me in the Augusta plant twice. Before the new 5000 plant was up and running, and after. Check it out. Hope it works for you. All depends on the scheduling and where your tractor is in the que, and as someone mentioned, the shut down periods.

fgross335_2210 · Jul 13, 2004

I was just at the John Deere Pavillion in Moline, IL, last week, on a vacation stop. (Awesome place by the way.) Two of the videos I watched mentioned the "Gold Key" program where farmers can watch their tractor or combine being built and then indeed get to start it up and drive it off the line. I'd say there is a good chance Deere offers the Gold Key program in GA as well.

BTW...if you're ever in the Quad Cities area the JD Pavillion is well worth your time!