On Aug 1, we travelled to Moline, IL. Toured the JD planter & combine factory. On Aug 2, we attended local dealer sponsored training class for combines @ the JD Davenport Training Ctr.
Between the factory tours & product classes, we stopped @ the "JD Museum" near the Commons.
I recommend using the ImageEvent provided slide viewer for this album. If you don't like the default 5 second view-shorten it a bit. There are 120 photos-make sure you get thru all of them!
Very worthwhile trip & class.
Date(s): August 6, 2004. Album by Ron Lukow. 1 - 122 of 122 Total. 3033 Visits.
enlarge 29KB, 640x480 1 We took 2 days off & went to Moline for JD combine class. Took extra day & toured combine & planter factory. Did planter factory tour 1st
enlarge 71KB, 640x480 2 Larry (on right-my brother), Kurt (my son) & I went on tours
enlarge 55KB, 640x480 3 Me-usually not in photos.
enlarge 58KB, 640x480 4 Nice murals in reception area of planter factory
enlarge 69KB, 640x480 5 JD 290 wire planter on display
enlarge 61KB, 640x480 6 This planter was built only a few hundred ft from this spot-this same factory.
enlarge 58KB, 640x480 7 This 290 was built in 1956
enlarge 44KB, 640x480 8 If you click on "ORIGINAL" size @ bottom of photo-you can see that in 1950 a 290 listed for less than $250. I'm sure they'd deal back then also
enlarge 58KB, 640x480 9 Click on "X-Large" or "Original" below photo. You should be able to read photo description
enlarge 53KB, 640x480 10 Another display planter-the "999" model. These are all on display in the factory
enlarge 57KB, 640x480 12 In May of 2003, JD mfg it's 1,000,000th NT opener (750 type)
enlarge 42KB, 640x480 13 New style JD unit
enlarge 51KB, 640x480 14 The venerable 7000 type unit
enlarge 68KB, 640x480 15 From here on-there's lots of factory photos. They allow any still photos you care to take.
enlarge 78KB, 640x480 16
enlarge 69KB, 640x480 17 Planters are moved thru factory w/forklifts. Hyd pwr unit on forklift makes all cylinder movement possible
enlarge 63KB, 640x480 18 Kind of a map of assembly area
enlarge 51KB, 640x480 19 I wish I could weld like this. I beieve most welding is robotic
enlarge 50KB, 640x480 20 These cutouts were done w/a "laser cutter". Not sure if those are available for home shop yet or not-but it's on my "wish list". They cut up to 3/4" metal almost perfectly smooth.
enlarge 48KB, 640x480 21
enlarge 49KB, 640x480 22 Some kind of contolled environment room for testing. It's the same temp-humidity in there 365 days/yr
enlarge 60KB, 640x480 23 JD uses bicycles for employees to cover distance within factory
enlarge 50KB, 640x480 24 Semi load of tires
enlarge 78KB, 640x480 25 Markers getting mounted on planter
enlarge 68KB, 640x480 26 Looks like a 1790 model of some type
enlarge 68KB, 480x640 27 This was our "tour guide" explaining new JD planter units
enlarge 63KB, 640x480 28 Some areas were too congested for civilian viewing, so they use video format to explain the operation
enlarge 83KB, 640x480 29 Worker assembling little gear drive for unit. Screws are fed thru hose on gun
enlarge 70KB, 640x480 30 Units are pulled for occasional accuracy tests
enlarge 56KB, 640x480 31 Visitors (Kurt here) are given these headset type things that receive transmission from the tour guide & videos. You can hear perfectly every word they say
enlarge 85KB, 640x480 32 One preconceived misconception I had about planter assy line was that they ran groups of same planters. That's wrong-they run all different types, intermingled.
enlarge 70KB, 640x480 33 This little 4r planter is destined for somewhere in GA
enlarge 77KB, 640x480 34
enlarge 82KB, 640x480 35 This is a human welder getting ready to work
enlarge 77KB, 640x480 36 Mounting liquid fertilizer. All tanks-hoses-fittings are pressure tested upon completion
enlarge 64KB, 640x480 37 Shipping dept. Semi-trailers are loaded w/forklifts
enlarge 69KB, 640x480 38 75% of our "group". Tour guide is retired JD guy. He worked for 30 some years in the hydaulic cylinder factory next door
enlarge 59KB, 480x640 39 Vending machine for employees. A card is needed for employee to get "supplies" (screw tips, etc) rather than rely on supply chain. This allows personal tracking of items also
enlarge 66KB, 640x480 40 Tool "repair" dept. Jigs & assembly tools are repaired here
enlarge 30KB, 640x427 41 Planter factory is on mandatory overtime right now
enlarge 65KB, 640x480 42 These are the old unit gauge wheel axles on 7000 units. They are machined from single solid shaft.
enlarge 72KB, 640x480 43
enlarge 63KB, 640x480 44 "Parking lot"
enlarge 48KB, 640x480 45 Planter tour completed-next stop....JD combine factory.
enlarge 77KB, 720x435 46 Recent aerial view of combine factory. Photo is scanned from JD supplied pamphlet. Must be a Sunday or holiday-not many cars in parking lots (south)
enlarge 72KB, 640x480 47 Great old photos in lobby area of combine factory
enlarge 43KB, 640x480 48
enlarge 58KB, 640x480 49 The "waiting area". Everyone gets to relax in a new 60 seat
enlarge 24KB, 640x427 50 Layout of combine factory. Again-scanned from JD supplied pamphlet
enlarge 62KB, 640x480 51 Tours thru combine factory are riding tours. Wagons pulled by garden tractor. Guide narrates via speakers mounted on people wagons.
enlarge 59KB, 640x480 52 Employee unloads steel from forklift to cookie cutter press
enlarge 53KB, 640x480 53 The amazing thing about this very large machine is that it's computer controlled...from SWITZERLAND!!! I mean, that's where contolling computer is..not in Moline factory!
enlarge 52KB, 640x480 54
enlarge 71KB, 640x480 55 Conventional presses
enlarge 49KB, 640x480 56
enlarge 64KB, 640x480 57 Combine assemblies making their way between paint rooms
enlarge 60KB, 640x480 58 This is the famous "paint dunk" process JD touts. Again-there's no human involvement
enlarge 52KB, 640x480 59 Barcode above the unit can be read anytime showing progress of mfg within factory
enlarge 70KB, 640x480 60 More paint dipping
enlarge 65KB, 640x480 61
enlarge 43KB, 640x480 62 Some parts require human touch-up in enclosed booths
enlarge 41KB, 640x480 63 Combine paint actually results in dull finish. Sheen is achieved thru robotic application of clear coat
enlarge 59KB, 640x480 97 Classroom environment was very comfortable
enlarge 56KB, 640x480 98 A few hrs in classroom is followed by move to the shop area for static displays
enlarge 46KB, 640x480 99
enlarge 56KB, 640x480 100
enlarge 41KB, 640x480 101 After 900 yrs-JD has finally replaced old feeder house drum adjust mechanism w/new method. No wrench required. I had this idea 30 yrs ago.
enlarge 56KB, 640x480 102 New feeder house on "phantom" corn head
enlarge 40KB, 640x480 103 Instructors were very thorough & prepared
enlarge 46KB, 640x480 104 Flow into rotor systems is well explained
enlarge 60KB, 640x480 105
enlarge 66KB, 640x480 106
enlarge 46KB, 640x480 107 Instructors make good use of PA systems
enlarge 62KB, 640x480 108 Full cutaway of STS separator assy
enlarge 68KB, 640x480 109
enlarge 51KB, 640x480 110 JD 12.5L motor from 9860 STS
enlarge 64KB, 640x480 111 Hands-on excercises were given for setup of machine functions
enlarge 68KB, 640x480 112 New "6XX Flex" heads was well explained
enlarge 47KB, 640x480 113
enlarge 66KB, 640x480 114 We move outside and receive demonstration of new feederhouse-head attachment process
enlarge 54KB, 640x480 115
enlarge 60KB, 640x480 116 New cutterbar pressure system is explained & demonstrated
enlarge 46KB, 640x480 117 Minimal amount of weight on cutterbar
enlarge 19KB, 640x480 118 New long auger w/camera system installed
enlarge 47KB, 640x480 119 Back to the classroom
Again-well thought out teaching aids
enlarge 40KB, 640x480 120
enlarge 49KB, 480x640 121 Back to the shop for more hands-on, personal excercises
enlarge 21KB, 640x480 122 That picturesque Mississippi again...for the last time on that trip. Time to go home.
