By 1925, Deere & Company realized the standard Model D did not meet customers' needs for industrial applications. Steel wheels were not suitable for hard surfaces, and the gearing was too slow for safe road speeds. Solid rubber tires were added, and engineers fitted a 28 tooth sprocket to the final drive, giving a road speed of . The company replaced the two-cylinder engine with a . In 1926, Deere & Company advertised the model as the "John Deere industrial tractor", with rear wheels and fronts with solid tires. This became known as the "DI". Options also included wheel weights.