Harvester Works
The founding and success of the Harvester Works speaks of the solid and farsighted thinking which has characterized the steady growth and progress of Deere & Co. Before the go-ahead signal was given, detailed information was secured, critically examined, and finally adjudged conclusive that: (1) a large and continuing market awaited grain binders, and that (2) three experimental binders, which had been built at the John Deere Plow Works, represented what the market wanted.
To these guarantees of success was added a third. "John Deere folks" have always been a cut above the average in loyalty...integrity...ability...willingness to accept a challenge. So a decision was made to staff the new John Deere Harvester Works to large extent with office and shop personnel from other John Deere factories, particularly the Plow Works.
Production started in 1911 in a group of buildings in East Moline, Ill., which were rented for such time as it would take to erect new and modern (for 1911) factory structures. The rented quarters were none too spacious, and sudden popularity of the new John Deere grain binders added to the problem. That is why, the following year, it was necessary to erect a circus tent for assembly and storage purposes, and even to carry on many operations in the open air when weather permitted.
Production of grain binders barely topped 500 in 1911. In 1912, it was nearly 2,000. By the end of 1915, it was averaging nearly 320 a week. In 1913, decision was made to manufacture corn binders. Production was 398 that year, 2,821 in 1914, and 4,325 in 1915.
In 1914, mowers and sulky rakes were added to the Harvester Works line. More than 12,000 mowers were shipped in 1914, nearly 15,000 in 1915. Production of sulky rakes was 6,438 in 1914, and 8,232 in 1915. In all, more than 44,000 implements were shipped in 1915, the fifth year of the company's operation.
Since then, the John Deere Harvester Works has steadily moved forward to the position it holds today.
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