Friday, December 15, 2023
On Tuesday, John and I–along with my sister Sheila and BIL John– traveled to Moline, Illinois. That took about 5 hours of driving. We stayed the night in order to arrive early at the JD Harvester Works in East Moline.
Our 8 am arrival at the Harvester Works in East Moline.
We posed for a picture with a big S790 in the reception lobby.
L to R
Dennis Carnahan
John Carnahan
Sheila Hobson
John Hobson
Video boards around the factory announced our Gold Key visit.
At the factory on Wednesday morning, we were warmly greeted by retired JD personnel. Two gentlemen, Keith and Jim, were our guides for the tour. They showed us a short video of the history of the Harvester Works, fitted us with safety gear, and then led us to where we boarded a small tram.
L to R. Kevin, John, Kyle, Sheila, Dennis, John, Jim, and Keith. Kevin, Keith, and Jim made sure we had a good day.
As we traveled around the 71 acres of plant under roof, we saw just about every stage of the building of a combine. From receiving of the raw sheets of steel, the cutting of the parts by laser, and robotic and man-guided welding to the exhaustive painting process were all components of the process. We saw the feeder house assembly line. We saw the cab assembly line. We saw a large area where front-end equipment (corn heads, and draper heads) was built.
We toured the specialized paint area. In a series of 7 humongous tanks, assorted parts, grain tanks, and whole separator bodies are immersed in cleaners, etching solutions, and paint. There was a separate area where robots apply spray paint to headers and other big assemblies. Then, they continue along an overhead conveyor to an oven where the paint is baked and hardened. That overhead conveyor runs in a serpentine pattern for 9 miles through this factory!
In the main part of the facility, there were two final assembly lines, one for the S-series and one for the X9 series. At each of the stations (23 or 24, I think) in each line, crew members added specific parts, according to the specifications of the customer’s order. First, the back axles were added to the main threshing body, then the grain tank, then the engine and radiator and fuel tank. The clean grain and tailings elevators were added. Finally, the cab was installed. The S-line and the X9-lines converged into one final assembly line. In that line, the outer panels were added, the grain tank covers installed, the back wheels, and the decals. Smaller and foam-filled temporary front tires are added to move the machines under their own power. (The big front tires are sent separately to be installed at the dealer). Finally, the unload auger was fitted into place.
After that, the machines go outside to be driven and operated for 45 minutes on a test track. Any leak or defect is remedied upon its return into the building. From there, they go to a final inspection location, and after that, get loaded onto trucks or railcars for delivery to a waiting dealer.
Out the ‘back door’ of the factory. Here, Kevin explains the process of testing that takes place out there.
Towards the end of the tour, Kevin presented us with a “Gold Key” to commemorate our visit. I’ll use that Gold Key in the new S780.
The Gold Key.
We understood that 13 combines were completed and moved out the door while we were there that morning.
As we wrapped up the tour, we put a pin on the Gold Key Customer Map. This is where our machine is headed next.
This tour was very nice and informative. However, we have experienced better tours in the past. On our first Gold Key at the combine factory a number of years ago, we followed our specific machine on the final assembly line, and at the proper station, we climbed into the cab and we started the engine for its very first time! On this trip, it was not nearly so interactive with our S780; in fact, we never saw it at any stage of the build. Bummer. I guess it was during covid that the changes to the Gold Key tour were made. So, even though the guides were pleasant and engaging, it was less impressive than the Gold Key tours we recall from the past.
After the tour, they sent us off to Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse in downtown Moline. The food was fantastic there, and it was a very relaxing time before we headed back towards home. All in all, a wonderful visit, even if it didn’t quite equal previous visits.
Back home, the soybean deliveries to ADM in Newburgh for FH (first half) December are all complete. Beginning Monday, they will deliver the LH (last half) December corn and soybeans.
Here, some corn gets loaded into a waiting semi. This will be headed to GPC at Washington, Indiana.
John continues to install M-modems in the trucks so that we can locate them on JD Operations Center.
The Volvo comes into the shop so that John can install the modem.
It is a very sunny and warm day here this afternoon…60ºF (16C). Warm and sunny and dry… an exceptional December day! Rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow, and that will be okay, too. Looks like it will be too warm for a “White Christmas”. I will miss having the snow, but surely some will come in January and February.
As we move toward Christmas, it is another good occasion to reflect on our blessings and thank God for them. Yes, there have been some challenges this year, but the good things far outweigh the bad. From all of us here at Carnahan & Sons, we hope you find the best blessings of this Christmas season. Remember Jesus at the heart of Christmas. He’s the best gift anyone can receive!
Have a wonderful weekend.
