Picture: A line-up of the new John Deere 6920 tractors at Walton Farm, Eccleshall. In the foreground Rob Deane and his father John. Standing on the steps to the cabs: Andrew Hamilton (left), Robert Johnson and Maurice Tomkinson of Rea Valley Tractors.
It's 29 years' ago that farmer John Deane bought his first John Deere tractor.
And it's because he's enjoyed 29 years of John Deere reliability that the business has just bought its 10th .
In fact, the farming and contracting firm on the outskirts of Eccleshall, Staffordshire, has invested £150,000 in three new John Deere tractors.
Once again they have returned to Rea Valley Tractors Ltd., of Newport in neighbouring Shropshire, for the Premium range of 6920 tractors that have 150 hp and new 4 valve common rail engines.
Rob Deane, who partners his father in the business, wasn't born when the first John Deere tractor arrived at 345 acre Walton Farm 29 years' ago. The tractor was working on the beef, sheep and arable farm within 10 days of being shipped into the country.
It was the first in the area which now has a monopoly of John Deere tractors. The Deane's business has four John Deere's – the fourth is a 2120 model.
Said John: "We keep them an average of five years to when they have averaged 6,500-7,000 hours and are still reliable. Then we get back on the treadmill and start buying new ones all over again.
"They are very good for big square and round baling for the haylage and silage market. We also use them for wrapping, muck spreading and straw and we find they perform very well on the farm and in our contracting business".
On a Sunday morning when an alternator had failed on one of the previous models, John's wife Kate drove to the Newport depot of Rea Valley Tractors for a replacement part. As it turned out, Rea Valley had to open up their depot at Pontesbury, near Shrewsbury, to locate the alternator required - and the tractor was up and running again by mid-day.
"We operate as a team", said salesman Andrew Hamilton who negotiated the latest purchase of John Deere tractors on behalf of the Newport depot of Rea Valley Tractors.
"Workshop manager Robert Johnson and Maurice Tomkinson, who is parts manager, always make themselves available in an emergency situation and this is one of the reasons why Rea Valley Tractors enjoys such a good reputation, as much in Staffordshire as anywhere else".
Said Rob Deane: "A tractor is only as good as the back-up which is given in service and parts. If there isn't that essential back-up, there's no point in having the tractor in the first place.
"I must say we get excellent back-up from Rea Valley when we need it though, fortunately for us, we don't need to call upon them for parts very often".
The three new 6920's have replaced a 6410, 6910 and 7700 – Andrew Hamilton finding a buyer for one of the tractors before they had even left Walton Farm.
