2009 News Releases and Information

MOLINE, Illinois (April 29, 2009) - In Episode Two, "Battle in Bowling Green," now posted on John Deere's www.skidsteersmackdown.com Web site, real contractors get in the cab of competitor equipment to take on a John Deere skid steer in a hill-climbing contest with Smackdown supremacy at stake.

The Hill Climb is the first of four battles filmed in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and just one of numerous battles in The Ultimate Skid Steer Smackdown's Season Two "Prove It Tour," which has Deere taking to the road to visit job sites, tradeshow lots and dealerships throughout the country, testing the skills of on-the-job skid steer operators in machine vs. machine competitions.

In this event, two contractors climb into their brand of skid steer to take on a John Deere 313 in front of a cheering crowd of 1,000 people. First, they had to negotiate two small moguls, but then they had to conquer a five-foot berm, grab a bucket of dirt and tackle the same obstacles on the way back to the starting line.

"These inclines are similar to what you might see on a jobsite," said Sam Norwood, manager, John Deere Commercial Worksite Products. "What's important here is a skid steer's weight distribution and stability. Let's just say we had a lot of fun – and not all skid steers are created equal."

Smackdown Returns with Real Contractors

New battles involving Deere skid steers and compact track loaders, and their competitors, will be posted on the site as the "Prove It Tour" rolls on. View all the action at www.skidsteersmackdown.com There's also a chance to blog about the results.

John Deere (Deere & Company — NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services for agriculture, forestry, construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe. John Deere Construction & Forestry produces more than 120 machine models and distributes its construction, forestry and worksite products through a network of more than 1,300 dealer locations worldwide.