John Deere Waterloo Works Factory Tours — Waterloo, Iowa

Discover the John Deere Waterloo Works Factory Tours in Iowa

Located in Waterloo, Iowa, the John Deere Waterloo Works Factory Tours offer visitors a rare opportunity to step inside one of the world’s most important agricultural equipment manufacturing complexes. This guided Factory Tour takes guests through designated viewing areas of the Waterloo Works campus, where John Deere designs, engineers, and assembles large tractors used by farmers around the globe. The experience highlights precision manufacturing, automation, and the scale of modern agricultural production.
Why it’s special: Waterloo Works is one of John Deere’s flagship manufacturing sites, and the tour provides direct insight into how some of the most powerful tractors in the world are built—right in the heart of Iowa farm country.

History & Story of John Deere Waterloo Works

John Deere Waterloo Works traces its origins to 1918, when John Deere acquired the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company. Over the following decades, the site evolved into a cornerstone of the company’s global manufacturing network. Today, Waterloo Works plays a critical role in tractor innovation, combining advanced robotics, skilled labor, and decades of engineering expertise to support modern agriculture worldwide.

What You’ll See & Do on the John Deere Waterloo Works Factory Tour

• Learn how large agricultural tractors are assembled and tested

• View automated production lines and precision machining processes

• Understand quality control and engineering standards used by John Deere

• See how technology and innovation shape modern farming equipment

• Explore exhibits explaining the history of John Deere manufacturing in Waterloo

Hands-On Elements: Interactive exhibits and visual displays; factory floor access is observational only.
Photo/Video Policy: Photography restricted inside manufacturing areas; permitted in designated exhibit spaces only.
Souvenirs & Extras: Visitor area gift shop offering John Deere apparel, toys, collectibles, and branded merchandise.

Pricing of the John Deere Waterloo Works Factory Tours

Adult price: $0 per adult (free)
Factory tours are free of charge but require advance reservation.

Visiting information

Duration: 90–120 minutes
Age limits: Minimum age 12 years; all visitors must present valid photo ID
Accessibility: Limited accessibility due to stairs and industrial walkways
Working hours: Tours offered Monday–Friday at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM only; no weekend tours.

Nearby

• John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum (Waterloo)

• Grout Museum District

• Lost Island Themepark & Waterpark

FAQs About Visiting the John Deere Waterloo Works Factory Tours

Do I need to book the tour in advance?
Yes. All factory tours require advance reservations due to security and limited group sizes.

Can visitors see tractors actively being built?
Yes. Tours are scheduled during production hours, allowing visitors to observe live assembly processes when operations are running.

Are cameras or phones allowed on the tour?
Photography and video recording are not permitted inside the factory for safety and security reasons.

Is this tour suitable for children?
The minimum age is 12, and the tour is best suited for teens and adults interested in manufacturing or agriculture.

Is the factory tour different from the John Deere museum?
Yes. The factory tour focuses on active manufacturing, while the nearby museum highlights history and product evolution.