Friday Iron: Deere, JLG, and the Week in Equipment
Friday is always a good day for reflection. What did I accomplish this week? Did I clear my inbox to zero? Did I read something non-work related? Should I continue to eat Swedish Fish? Yes, I must find some quiet time to ponder these important things. When it comes to Friday reflections on off-highway equipment, I simply turn to Jessica Klein — Construction Equipment’s video machine expert. Multiple times a week, Klein recaps the biggest equipment news on our YouTube channel in both desktop and mobile formats (very thorough), but Friday is the one I enjoy the most. This is a quick hit, not-even-two-minutes recap that is perfect for the contractor or fleet manager on the run.
Sooo…let’s take a look at what happened this week. Klein discusses it all in the excellent vid above.
Deere announces two new facilities
No matter what side of the political aisle you may be on, it’s probably good to be connected. When President Trump made a speech in Clive, Iowa, last night, he announced two new U.S.-based John Deere facilities. Both are expected to open in 2027. Now there are further details from Deere. One facility is a parts distribution center near Hebron, Indiana, and the other is major expansion of Deere’s excavator complex in Kernersville, North Carolina. The excavator facility will see at least some production moved back to the U.S. from Japan. Read more…
JLG marks 50 years with the release of the ES2632M micro scissor lift
JLG Industries knows scissor lifts. The company has been engineering and producing them for half a century. In 2026, JLG is celebrating 50 years of scissor lift innovation. To reinforce that legacy, the company just announced the new ES2632M micro-sized scissor lift. This machine sits at the top of JLG’s growing micro scissor lineup. It targets indoor contractors who work in tight spaces and care about maneuverability, floor loading, and efficiency. The ES2632M also signals how serious JLG is about both scissor lifts and micro lifts these days. Read more…
Hauling gets smarter with Felling’s DDI Drop Deck I Series
Felling Trailers just dropped us a line, announcing a rework of one of its equipment trailer platforms. It’s the DDI Series, short for Drop Deck I. This lineup replaces the previous I Series boasting stronger hitches, cleaner specs, and more flexibility for hauling. The DDI Series targets contractors, landscapers, rental houses, and fleet managers who haul smaller compact equipment daily. Think compact track loaders, mini excavators, and mowing equipment. The redesign starts at the front and carries through the deck, frame, ramps, and running gear. This is not a cosmetic update, noted Felling. It is a structural rethink. Read more…