Off to a Good Start

We are studying tools, fasteners, safety and other boring stuff but we get to take combines apart and we don't have to put them back together.......yet!

New Computers Installed

We were fortunate enough to get 15 new desktop computers and 3 new laptops this year and after a couple weeks of spare time the software is all loaded and they are ready to go. It was time to pass on the 2004 models and get something a little faster. Today we spent most of the day setting up the new computers in the lab.

Nearly Ready For The New Class

We have been working getting ready John Deere Tech Class of 2013. We rounded up a couple combines to tear apart again this year. With 40 students starting this year we decided to get two 9000 series combines. They have had some problems with a fire and a tornado, but it will make for a good learning experience.

Scholarships and Class Pics

On Friday we gave out several scholarships to the second year students. The scholarship money is provided by the John Deere foundation and the recipients are chosen by a committee of members from our advisory board. The students submit an application that includes current GPA, short-term, long-term goals, school activities and community activities.

I would like to congratulate the winners and thank everyone involved with the process.

While we had the group together we took a few pics of the class by the new equipment.

Summer Trip

Last week we went on our summer factory tour trip. We got on a Hawkeye Stages bus on Wednesday morning and headed for Dubuque. We toured John Deere Dubuque Works and watched them build logging equipment, dozers and skidloaders. From Dubuque we went to John Deere Davenport Works and then to the Pavilion. We had a little hotel mix up but John Deere arranged accommodations at The Isle of Capri for a “little” rest. On Thursday it was off to Harvester Works to see combines and header equipment being built. We then ventured to Corporate Headquarters for a little history and new equipment on the showroom floor. Overall it was a great opportunity to learn about manufacturing processes and a little “Deere” history.

Thanks John Deere and NICC.

New Toy

So what could be better than Service Advisor on a 55" screen? Marcus and Brion won first place National PAS Ag Mechanics contest and we had a little prize money to spend so we decided to buy a TV for the program so it won't be so hard to look at a computer screen during class. Here is a couple pictures.

Thanks Marcus and Brion too bad you aren't here to watch it.

Racing!

We had the opportunity to do a little recruiting at the Iowa Speedway at Newton today. It was an Iowa John Deere Dealers sponsored race. I talked Lori into going along so we left home at 4:15am to get there before the fans. We talked to a lot of people and gave out more foam antler visors than I care to remember. There were several former students stopped into chat and that is always fun. At noon we got ready for the race and we had awesome seats. We were in the second row near the finish line. We were so close there were rubber particles flying at us when the cars went by. Rodney was looking out for us and sent along headphones/hearing protection or we would be deaf by now. The second lap Lori looked at me and said "This looks like fun but I want to be driving." At the end of the day we decided that we drove 150 miles farther the drivers and it took us three times as long. I took a little video to help you get the picture.



Banquet Snapshots

We had the John Deere Tech Banquet and Open House on May 11th in the John Deere Tech building and in the new cafeteria. There were 28 graduates this year and their guests included parents, employers, friends and representatives from John Deere. Congratulations men it has been a fun 2 years. Here is a link to some photos.

https://picasaweb.google.com/JDTechCalmar/Graduation2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCMDric_dpuujSg&feat=directlink

John Deere Tech Staff

Precision Farming Practice

Yesterday we had a little playtime with the AMS toys.We played with everything from Auto Trac Universal, Curve Trac to ITEC Pro, Here are some pictures of the ride through the pasture.

Thanks to the Class of 2010

We finally used the gift certificate from the class of 2010. We had a bit of a hard time getting everyone together and at the last minute Jim couldn't make it. We will get him out sometime to make up for it. We also brought Rodney and Laura along now that he is part of the team. My wife was there as well but she was taking the pictures.

Thanks from the JD Tech Crew.