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How to Tell the Age of a John Deere Backhoe

Present a picture of a leaping deer rendered in bright green and yellow, and most people will tell you why this deer is special: It has been the trademark for Deere and Co. since 1876. The modest blacksmith shop has evolved into a 50,000-employee corporation, known for agricultural and construction equipment such as backhoes. Collectors of antique farm equipment consider John Deere equipment a favorite. The trademark deer has evolved throughout the corporation's history and can provide information about a backhoe's age.

Instructions

- 1
  Locate and carefully examine the John Deere trademark on the backhoe. The trademark can be found on the backhoe's boom or on the front grille.
- 2
  The original trademark, registered in 1876, depicts a deer, indigenous to Africa, jumping over a log. "John Deere" and "Moline, Ill." are found above and below the deer, respectively. All John Deere products manufactured from 1876 to 1911 bear the original trademark. A revised trademark appeared in 1912 depicting a white-tailed deer jumping over a log with the slogan "The Trade Mark of Quality Made Famous by Good Implements" appearing under "Moline, Ill." "John Deere" continued to be found above the deer. All John Deere products manufactured from 1912 to 1935 bear the revised trademark.
- 3
  The deer's antlers were changed, its legs were outstretched and it gained a solid black color in the new trademark appearing in 1936; a border was added around the deer. Products manufactured in 1936 bear this trademark. A new trademark was registered in 1937, the company's centennial. The slogan and border were removed while the deer remained the same. All John Deere products manufactured from 1937 to 1949 bear this trademark.
- 4
  Another revision of the trademark occurred in 1950. The deer's antlers now faced forward, its tail was upturned and the log disappeared. A new slogan, "Quality Farm Equipment," appeared below the deer, and a four-sided border surrounded the deer and slogan. "John Deere" remained above the deer but "Moline, Ill." was removed. All John Deere products manufactured from 1950 to 1967 bear this trademark. A 1968 revision of the trademark closely resembles the current version. For the first time, only two of the deer's legs were seen with one set of antlers; the border was widened to accommodate a larger deer. Products manufactured from 1968 to 1999 bear this revision of the trademark.
- 5
  The most recent revision of the trademark appeared in 2000. The deer's front legs are moving upward rather than assuming a leaping position; its body is toned and the antlers are sharp. The border remains but "John Deere" is located outside of the border. All products manufactured since 2000 bear this trademark.

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