Between 1974-1977 the MF models 1505 and 1805 four wheel drive tractors were built in Des Moines. Additional 4WD models were built in the late 1970s. More information to come..
Thursday, October 22, 2015
LAWN AND GARDEN TRACTOR PRODUCTION AT DES MOINES PLANT
From 1969-1978 Massey Ferguson produced many of the famous little garden tractors, styled after their big brother field tractors, at the Des Moines factory. Massey may have also produced these lawn and garden tractors for other branding, but that information has not been confirmed. Here's an example of some of the MF-10s, MF-12s, etc. that came out of Des Moines in the mid-1970s.
From 1969-1978 Massey Ferguson produced many of the famous little garden tractors, styled after their big brother field tractors, at the Des Moines factory. Massey may have also produced these lawn and garden tractors for other branding, but that information has not been confirmed. Here's an example of some of the MF-10s, MF-12s, etc. that came out of Des Moines in the mid-1970s.
Massey Ferguson Des Moines Assembly Plant Production Timeline:
1965 - The plant opens for production; primary work is assembling machinery and implements
1969 - Massey shifts production of "recreational" equipment to the Des Moines plant, including snowmobiles and lawn and garden tractors
1974 - Last of the SkiWhiz snowmobiles produced here; lawn and garden tractors are built here, along with dump carts, rotary tiller, and combine corn harvesting heads assembled in Des Moines.
4WD tractors, including the 1505 and 1805 are produced in Des Moines.
1978 - 285 workers laid off when lawn and garden tractor production is sold and discontinued. 4WD tractors and disc tillage equipment continue to be produced.
1979 - Industrial backhoes and loader production moved from Akron, Ohio to Des Moines, allowing the 285 laid off workers to be recalled to work. Plant at almost 700 worker high capacity.
1980 - Massey' debt load and corporate restructuring, along with the worldwide Farm Crisis, results in layoff of 300 workers at Des Moines plant, cutting production staff in half.
1981 - Massey cannot overcome corporate challenges, and plant in Des Moines fully closed. 4WD tractor production in Des Moines shifted to Detroit and Brantford, Ontario.
1965 - The plant opens for production; primary work is assembling machinery and implements
1969 - Massey shifts production of "recreational" equipment to the Des Moines plant, including snowmobiles and lawn and garden tractors
1974 - Last of the SkiWhiz snowmobiles produced here; lawn and garden tractors are built here, along with dump carts, rotary tiller, and combine corn harvesting heads assembled in Des Moines.
4WD tractors, including the 1505 and 1805 are produced in Des Moines.
1978 - 285 workers laid off when lawn and garden tractor production is sold and discontinued. 4WD tractors and disc tillage equipment continue to be produced.
1979 - Industrial backhoes and loader production moved from Akron, Ohio to Des Moines, allowing the 285 laid off workers to be recalled to work. Plant at almost 700 worker high capacity.
1980 - Massey' debt load and corporate restructuring, along with the worldwide Farm Crisis, results in layoff of 300 workers at Des Moines plant, cutting production staff in half.
1981 - Massey cannot overcome corporate challenges, and plant in Des Moines fully closed. 4WD tractor production in Des Moines shifted to Detroit and Brantford, Ontario.
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