John Deere is off to a good start in 2012, reporting first-quarter (ending Jan. 31, 2012) equipment sales and revenues of $6.767 billion, an increase of 11 percent compared to the same period last year.

Equipment net sales in the United States and Canada increased five percent for the quarter. Outside the U.S. and Canada, net sales were up 21 percent.

John Deere’s sales success led to record first-quarter earnings of $532.9 million.

“By completing another quarter of record performance, John Deere has started 2012 on a strong note,” says Samuel R. Allen, chairman and chief executive officer. “These results are evidence of the skillful execution of our operating and marketing plans. They also reflect an enthusiastic response by customers worldwide to our advanced lines of equipment. Maintaining such a high level of execution is especially noteworthy as we move ahead with major new-product launches and significantly expand our global market presence.”

It never ceases to amaze us what talented people can accomplish when they put their minds to it. In this case, it’s a video that was produced to honor a tractor that had been flooding the ice for 40 years at a hockey rink western Canada.

What makes this video interesting is that the story is told from the perspective of the tractor and tells of its journey from Braselton, England to Rossland, British Columbia in search of work. It’s clever, funny and well-produced. Not only that, but the video also saved the tractor. It was scheduled to be replaced by a more modern zamboni, but this video went viral and the locals decided to keep the tractor in service.

To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA) has declared Feb. 1 “Hedgehog Day.”

The pun-happy organization says it will “mark the mowmentous occasion” by the unveiling of Mike “Hedgehog” Miller’s 80-mph racing lawn mower for the 20th STA-BIL Lawn and Garden Mower Racing Series.

“On Hedgehog Day, Miller will bring his souped up, 80-mph Factory Experimental race mower out its burrow,” the USLMRA says in a release. “If the Hedgehog does not become scared by his shadow, he will leave his burrow and his lawn mower racing season will begin on April Fool’s Day on the 20th Anniversary of the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association. If the Hedgehog sees his shadow, he will return to his garage to tinker and make adjustments for the season, making his racing debut June 23, under the warm summer sun at the 4th Annual STA-BIL Land of Lincoln Regionals, at Nostalgia Days in Zion, Illinois.”

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“Just like the famous furry rodent from Pennsylvania, I fully expect to be correct in my prediction of the coming lawn mower racing season,” says Miller. “And also like my Keystone State counterpart, I will not share my prediction with anyone in advance, not even with the lawn mower racing inner circle: ‘Mr. Mow It All’, ‘Turfinator’, ‘Sodzilla’ or ‘Ace of Blades’.”

Tractor Technology Keeps the Industry Moving

By Geof Fowler

More horsepower, higher flow hydraulics, electronic wizardry, more creature comforts, a new take on old technology and new sources of power all coming your way.

With productivity demands pushing large Ag tractor horsepower numbers to the point where peak ratings as high as 660 in 4WD machines and 389 in row-crop machines are no longer unheard of, the big news coming your way is ‘bigger isn’t better’ is out. Already, hydraulic flows as high as 113 gpm, 3PH lift capacities in excess of 10-tons, GPS guidance, field mapping telemetry options, and automated steering are solidly redefining farming today.

2012 will be no different, but what will be particularly interesting to follow is how the trickle down of these technologies will impact smaller utility tractor market all the way down to everyday lawn and garden machines. Read on and we’ll discuss some of the trends we expect to come in 2012 and beyond.

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Our Favorite Tractors of the Year

By Geof Fowler

Although the final numbers aren’t in, 2011 is shaping up as a good year for the tractor industry. Leading the increased demand is the large farm tractor segment which after a year of postponed purchases attributed to the added cost of Interim Tier 4 engines (as much as a 9% increase to sticker prices) has bounced back. High horsepower, high flow hydraulics, GPS, field mapping and telemetry options, automated steering and 4WD all are in demand. It won’t be long before we see the trickledown of these new improvements to the Utility (UT), Compact Utility (CUT), Subcompact Utility (SCUT) and even Lawn and Garden (LGT) and Garden Tractor (GT) industry segments. We can hardly wait to see what 2012 will bring.

In 2011 we were treated to a taste of new designs as well as machines from manufacturers who understood they had a good thing going and didn’t tinker with the recipe. In that vein, we introduce you to our pick for the Top Ten Tractors of 2011.

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10 Gifts for your Favorite Tractor Owner

By Geof Fowler

The holiday season is here and it’s time to hit the stores to buy that special someone a memorable gift. If your special someone likes to tinker with tractors, why not give them something they can really use? Our list includes ten gift ideas for that special tinkerer in your life that won’t break the bank and if you chose one or more we’re confident your present won’t end up as next years regift.

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2011 John Deere 1026R

By Geof Fowler, Photos by John Deere

With its 2305 model a bestseller and a standout amongst a field of stellar competitors, John Deere raises the bar with the new 1026R and gets our designation as Tractor of the Year (TOTY).

Harlan and Ed couldn’t be more different. Harlan is a self-employed machinist who, along with his wife Rita, raises and boards horses. Ed is an actuary for a major insurance company who teaches at a local community college and, in his spare time, maintains an eight-acre mini-estate. Both sit on our guest judge panel and participated in this year’s Tractor of the Year selection.

Says Ed, who already owed a John Deere 2305: “The 2305 was the perfect tractor—almost. It did everything it was asked of, but there were always little things you wished Deere had included. The 1026R addresses that list and more.”

While Ed and his wife muck stables and put their sub compact tractor (SCUT) through the daily dirty task of maintaining their stables, Harlan maintains his mini-estate with a shiny orange Kubota BX23 that we’re not sure has seen a drop of rain. His views were less from the capability side, although that was important, and more to the ease of use. Says Harlan: “I just want to use the tractor when I need to and not bloody my knuckles in the process.”

But the two from their divergent viewpoints both agreed on ten reasons the all new John Deere 1026R is our 2011 TOTY.

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On the occasion of this year’s Agritechnica, the world largest indoor farm equipment show (held Nov. 15 – 19 in Germany), the John Deere tractor 7280R (max. power 310 hp with IPM) was selected as “Tractor of the Year 2012” by a jury of editors of 20 European farm equipment journals.

Chosen from a group of seven finalists, the 7280R represents state-of-the-art tractor technology. In addition to featuring fuel-efficient stage III B Diesel-only engines, the 7280R is also available with ActiveCommand Steering. The ActiveCommand Steering system automatically adapts the steering force for optimum control and manoeuvrability in the field and on the road. Other features include the CommandView II cab with CommandArm operator console, GreenStar 3 CommandCenter display and optionally available ActiveSeat.

Houston-based Mahindra USA has introduced the all-new 6010 HST Cab and 6110 Shuttle Cab to its 10-series of tractors. The 10 series tractors are a value line of compact economy machines designed for a multitude of uses. The new 10 series models are both four-wheel drive and became available at Mahindra dealerships nationwide on October 31.

“The new 6010 and 6110 tractors continue Mahindra’s tradition of providing our customers with the superior performance, power and value that they require and expect from the world’s #1 selling tractor,” says Cleo Franklin, vice president – marketing and strategic planning for Mahindra USA. “These new tractors are economical, easy to operate, and ideal for general purpose farming, agriculture/livestock operations, and grounds maintenance.”

Hypro has introduced two new products – the Poly Diaphragm Pump Series and 3” Poly Transfer Pump Series.

Hypro’s polypropylene diaphragm pump is built with polypropylene heads and manifolds for corrosion resistance and is designed for harsh chemical applications. The three-cylinder design eliminates the need for pulsation dampening devices, and lengthens the life of the entire pumping system. This poly diaphragm pump series has flow rates up to 11.0 gpm (41.6 lpm) and pressure to 290 psi (20 bar).

The poly diaphragm pump is built with external inlet and outlet manifolds compared to that of internal manifold design. According to Hypro, this allows for easy valve replacement and lower cost repairs. The oil sight glass is located in a protected spot, positioned at the top of the pump body, reducing the chance for breakage.