Designing the New Generation John Deere Tractors

Designing the New Generation John Deere Tractors

See for yourself how the lines on the drawing board turned into actual iron and rubber! This insider's account takes you behind the scenes and tells the history of how and why the "New Generation" program came into being. Retired John Deere engineer, Merle Miller, delivers the full and fascinating story of the 3010 and 4010 New Generation tractors. Merle Miller retired from Deere & Company in 1984 after 38 years with the company. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He served in the military as Engineering Officer on LST ships in the Mediterranean and U.S. waters. He advanced to Lieutenant, USNR, before resigning his commission in 1953. Following active military service, he began his career with Deere & Co., rising to the title of senior division engineer. During his years with Deere, Mr. Miller worked as supervisor on testing and design groups. Some of the projects he worked on included the 8010 tractor, the 1020 and 2020 tractors, roll-over protection, Deeres own enclosed cab, the 6000 and 7000 series tractors, and several series of the four-wheel-drive tractors. Mr. Miller has been active as a director of the Council of Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) and served on several American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) boards and committees. He is an ASAE Fellow Member.