If there’s a “ground zero” for tractor manufacturing, it’s Deere’s assembly plant in Waterloo, IA. The multi-building operation includes a foundry, a drive train assembly line, an engine assembly line and a final assembly line.

Farm tractors traditionally use diesel engines. But, even though today’s diesels are cleaner than ever, agricultural engineers are scrambling to find alternative power sources.

Agricultural engineers around the world are developing robotic tractors. Autonomous vehicles equipped with state-of-the-art computers, lasers, sensors, GPS systems and machine vision technology are closer to reality than most people realize.

Whenever most people think of Deere & Co., they envision one of the company’s iconic green tractors.

Assembly lines should be arranged to optimize flow and minimize waste.

Farm tractors haven’t changed much since diesel engines started replacing steam power 100 years ago.

Composites are an attractive alternative to metal for automotive and aerospace manufacturers.

Engineers make several common mistakes with assembly applications that involve small screws.