Deere Gathering Features Nearly Every Model Ever Made

Deere Gathering Features Nearly Every Model Ever Made AG WORLD 26-6-23 A unique herd of Deere gathered in Berne, Indiana, this past July. Nearly every model of Deere tractor made from 1918 to 1994 was on display. Perhaps most amazing was that none traveled farther than 30 miles, and most could be driven to the meet. "We ended up with 98 tractors in all," recalls Mark Habegger of Berne Hardware Co., a John Deere dealer. "The only model we missed was the 8560." Rare tractors included two Waterloo boys and an 8020 4-wheel drive. Only 100 of the latter were built. An even rarer specimen was the model 62. According to Habegger, only 78 were ever built. He also had a couple of GP standards with variations from the different years they were made, as well as a couple of D's, one on steel and one on rubber. "We lined them up on a lot next to the dealership with just enough room for a golf cart or Gator to carry handicapped visitors through," says Habegger. "We had between five and six thousand people come through the exhibit. There were people from19 states, the District of Columbia and even from the Philippines." Habegger began lining up tractors about a year prior to the show, which coincided with a local festival. They found the tractors through discussions with employees and customers. Only row crop and 4-wheel units were sought, not small utility or garden tractors. Although the event was a success, don't plan on seeing the lineup next year. The dealership has no plans for a repeat. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Mark Habegger, Berne Hardware Co., Inc., 1145 E. Main St., Berne Ind. 46711 (ph 260 589-8117).

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