For the last 45 years, RDO Equipment Co. Truck Driver Bob Nelson has driven tens of thousands of miles throughout the Midwest, hauling equipment from John Deere factories to RDO customers and stores.
It’s during this period that Nelson estimates that he hauled three to five pieces of equipment a day, which accumulates to the delivery of roughly 35,000 pieces of equipment throughout his career.
However, for Nelson, this total number is merely a symbol of the connections he has built along the way.
Whether it was building relationships with fourth-generation customers, being greeted by name in RDO stores and John Deere factories throughout the Midwest or working together with his fellow truck drivers — each delivery comes with its own unique story.
Although Nelson has no shortage of tales to tell about his career, memories of working with the local community are among his favorites.
“Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to haul vintage equipment for several local parades,” said Nelson. “Seeing the community's excitement was something I always looked forward to.”

It was for one of these parades that Nelson hauled one of the oldest and most memorable loads of his career — a World War II M4 all-terrain tractor.
From hauling 1940’s era machinery to today’s technology, Nelson has truly had a front-row seat to the modernization of equipment.
When Nelson began honing his skills as a truck driver in high school, he never expected that his career would be an example of history in motion.
“When I first started driving truck, I could fit up to three pieces of equipment on one load,” explained Nelson. “Now, it’s one tractor per load because customers can do more with less. It’s been great fun to see the excitement customers have about their rising productivity due to technology.”
Building strong relationships with customers and team members is one of the components of being a truck driver that Nelson deeply enjoyed.
“Although I never knew what the day was going to bring, I did know I’d make friends along the way.”
From starting at a local equipment store as a truck driver in 1978 to joining RDO through an acquisition in 2003, it was his positive attitude and sense of humor that made Nelson a favorite with all that he met.
As Nelson put it, “I’m just here to make people happy.”
After 45 years and more than 35,000 stories to share, it’s safe to say Bob Nelson has fulfilled that goal.
Congratulations, and thank you to Bob Nelson for a career of commitment and dedication to RDO customers.