50 years ago, in 1971, the company sold its first backhoe loader.
Brian Hennings is Product Manager for John Deere Backhoes and Tractor Loaders. He says not only does it it have a loader on the front and an excavator on the back, but what really makes it valuable is being able to drive it to and from job sites.
"The machine is really one of the most versatile pieces of equipment out on a job site. Some compare it to a swiss army knife of construction equipment. It can load trucks, it can stockpile materials, trench with the rear structure, dig holes and access utilities and other types of underground surfaces then you can turn it right around backfill into the trenches."
Since Deere introduced its first model in 1971, Hennings says the general concept has stayed the same, with the loader and excavator, but nearly everything else has changed - the engines, hydraulic systems, and transmissions. Other companies introduced their first models in the 1950's.
Deere has begun testing its first electric model, but any large scale production is still some years away.
The company makes backhoe loaders in Dubuque, Iowa, plus Brazil and China. It does not reveal sales and production figures, but will say prices for its seven models range from 114,000 to 222,000 dollars.