Although the story of John Deere begins in the 1800s, it wasn’t until 1918 that the company purchased the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company and acquired the Waterloo Boy Tractor. This marked Deere & Company’s entry into the tractor and engine business.
The Waterloo Boy Tractor was exactly what farmers were looking for: durable, economical, and reliable. The tractor was advertised as, “A good tractor backed by a permanent organization.” This original, two-cylinder tractor was started by gasoline and operated by kerosene
to save on fuel costs.
Deere & Company sold tractors under the Waterloo Boy name until 1923 when the John Deere Model D was introduced.
Celebrations will be held throughout 2018 to mark the 100 year anniversary of the tractor era. Find a list of these events and read more about the history of John Deere at https://bit.ly/2L5t84O.
