#8 John Deere 1025R Hilling Potatoes & Corn with Disc Hillers / Listers

[@dutch971]

I don't get it. I've seen a few of your videos. I'm going to say that everyone in the family seems to be, I'm going to say, extremely over excited to have the small tractor out running. Most people get a tractor because they have a purpose for it, you guys seemed to get the tractor because you are all giddy over this tractor. If I had a 1000sqft yard to mow. It'd be like me getting a $6000 60" zero turn with a stripping kit, a sun shade, mulching blades, and a chute blocker just so I could mow the ditch. I don't get it.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

First, welcome to our channel. ..and thanks for your comment. You've chosen to comment on one of our very first videos. We didn't have any idea that this video would ever become popular. We posted it so that Katriel's grandparents (farmers on both sides) could see our new little tractor. Obviously our later videos are different. We expect several folks to watch. Anyway, your observations are right. We have no need for a tractor. None. We had an old "Sabre" riding lawn mower which was more than adequate for our needs. So, no argument from any of us on that point. Both Christy and I grew up on farms. My extended family still farms, and you can see some videos with them on our channel occasionally. Christy and I actually own some farmland as well. Unfortunately, it is not close enough to our house to visit very often. We have been living in suburbia for our entire adult/married lives. I'm a software engineer, and Christy is a chemist by training, and has been working in HR and other business roles over the last several years. Even before we had the tractor, we always did projects together, and we do our best to enjoy whatever the task is. We have found that having a positive attitude, and making things "fun" just makes things more enjoyable overall. I suppose you could say that the tractor is my "corvette". You know, my mid-life crisis toy. I've always wanted some connection back to the farm, and given my line of work, moving to the country hasn't been very practical. We didn't expect to use the tractor very much. We thought it would be just like your example...WAY over-kill for us. I suppose one never knows how God is going to work. Here we are almost 3 years later (only 2 years for KZbin). We have ~250hrs on the tractor. We have almost 15000 subscribers, and about 7 million views on this channel. We have a steady side business where we do work for others in the community. This work (and the KZbin channel) more than pay for the toys we have acquired. The therapeutic value of the tractor is amazing to me. While I love working with software, it is often very hard to visually see progress on the project. With the tractor, it is easy to progress. Seeing the job well done is rewarding. Seeing a happy customer is exhilarating. Our gardening, and this tractor have helped Katriel to develop her career path. She is very passionate about improving crop yields, and nutritional value through plant biotechnology. I didn't intend to write a book here, and I suspect you were not expecting a serious answer to your question here anyway. ..but that is what you got. Our tractor purchase was so absurd that we had no choice but to laugh about it in the beginning. ...and we've continued to laugh about it. Does this help you 'get it'?

[@Malakie]

I just got one of these tractors along with Snow plow, rototiller, drive on mower, bucket, furrow blade, rear blade and cultivator. I already owned a leaf raker/bagger of another brand that works just fine with this unit and a dump trailer for tree branches or hauling pretty much anything else that also works just fine with this tractor. Name one single zero turn that has the ability to do all that, switching implements in a matter of minutes? Or name one that has full PTO capability, front and rear hydraulics, heck even a cup holder and 12 volt lighter socket for accessories.. With it's selectable 2 or 4 wheel drive (basically just move the lever for what you need), I have yet to have any problems in deep soil, sand or mud. I used two different zero turns last year and could not stand either of them, especially due to the ride. This year I actually enjoyed mowing the yard and working the huge garden, among other things. While it costs more than a zero turn, it makes up for it in all the things we can do with them.. Next year I will be adding a snowblower, a weed/fertilizer sprayer and a post hole digger. The one thing I don't really have use for, yet, is the excavator...

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Malakie Usn welcome. Thanks for watching. You might be surprised. The backhoe is really nice!

[@Malakie]

I got lucky with mine. The dealer had to order my unit because they only had the R series on the lot and I wanted to save a bit of money so chose the E series. I figured all that extra cost for arm rests on the seat, the 12vdc adapter plug, LED fender lights and toolbox were something I could do without.. So both my dealer and myself were shocked when my unit arrived and it was the brand new 2018 model that includes some of those items, plus adds some other nice features. I added my own LED lights and 12 vdc plug and the arm rests I don't really need. They moved the toolbox to behind the roll bar assembly, added two nice deep tray/compartments behind the built in cup holder and now the entire PTO is selectable control between front, back, bottom or all and is activated with a switch on the dash now, not a push or pull button. Love raising the mower deck via hydraulics now vs manual! The only thing that is a pain in the ass is the rototiller. First it is so heavy that moving it by hand is not something you want to do. And it does not come with the quick connect system like everything else.. It has to be manually attached to the 3 point lift as well as the PTO shaft. Would be nice to be able to just back up to it, raise the lift and it lock into place like some of the other tools do. But other than that, the tiller is one hell of a nice unit.. I had planned on buying the one bottom plow this next spring. Not anymore. This tiller can go deep, about 10" at the deepest setting. Once I turned the garden, I realized I have no need to plow plus this tiller chops things up so you are not left with chunks. Now I am getting ready to mount the snow plow as we are already seeing snow in Wisconsin.

[@gilyoung7770]

Hey...you dont get it!:-) who needs a reason to buy a cool tractor.?

[@aaronburford5701]

Catching up on Tractor Tim content..... It is an important part of my daily routine... Thanks for sharing ,

[@frankgrayczk9599]

Love your tractor, property, family...and especially your Mom's red hair and your commentaries. Thanks for your videos, said they are well done.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks Frank!

[@banecrushr]

A little secret to tall, luscious corn growth... add chicken manure to the section you want to grow it in. Do it on your 1st tilling, then let it sit for about 10 days or so. Then after till everything back in, meaning after you harvest, let the stalks dry and till them mixed with chicken manure back into your garden....do that a few years and you will see what I am talking about. I have a JD 1023e, I use it mainly to mow my acre yard, and with the front loader move sand and what not on my yard. I had a garden but still working I just don't have time to keep it up like I want and it needs. Soon as I get the JD paid off, I mean to go buy a middle buster, rototiller and a hiller like the one your using and start gardening again! Love that your whole family helps you, I have 3 grand babies that are gonna learn how to grow food in the next year or so. Good vids man.

[@231MasseyFerguson]

Great job. Have to side dress and hill my potato row soon as it dries up here in South Louisiana. Getting ready to plant the sweet corn also.

[@semco72057]

I can tell that you all have the grass under control and the crop looking great right now.

[@anthonytosco802]

Tim good morning, Love your videos and figure I would start from the beginning , lol

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks!

[@Gixzer04]

use hiller for corn long as your row spacing coincides. hilling corn is old school but just as beneficial for its roots. Awesome videos ,

[@ronaldhagan6474]

tim, get you two rollen cultervaters an i think you love it, they siff the dirt up clost up around your plants,

[@joseluisflores45]

good job Jonny is very good helper

[@kennethbailey2616]

Get an old Farmall Cub. They’re perfect for cultivating corn and hilling spuds, great ground clearance.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

But they go so fast...even in first gear.

[@kennethbailey2616]

It’s been over 50 years since I used one so maybe it wouldn’t work but I recall cultivating our sweet corn with one.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

We mowed our yard with one when I was a kid. I loved it! Far from perfect, but lots of fun.

[@Rdrake1413]

Best tractors for hilling or cultivating are Farmall Cub, Super A, 100,130 or a 140 the engine is offset to the left and when you cultivate you are looking right down on your rows. Plus you have a lot more ground clearance.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Rdrake1413 agreed. We had a cub when I was a kid. The 140 had more power, and slower gears so was better suited than the Cub.

[@Rdrake1413]

Just recently found your channel and have enjoyed the videos. We had IH tractors on the farm when I was growing up. My grandfather had a Farmall 100 he used for the garden and plowing snow in Corry,PA. I have a 1950 Farmall Super A that I use for my garden. I wish I had grandpa's 100 but my uncle has it. But my Super A is pretty much identical even has the 123 CID engine.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Rdrake1413 Thanks for watching, and thanks for your comments. The Deere 1-series is definitely not perfect for row crop cultivation. However, it is MILES ahead of the old stuff when it comes to connectivity (loader/backhoe/mower attach & removal). It is also MUCH easier to handle, turns shorter, etc. The only thing it lacks in is 'memories' :-) Oh well, I'm creating those now for my daughter, Katriel!

[@Rdrake1413]

I have a 1 point fast hitch on my Super A makes hooking up implements much easier than 3 point. Quick hitches are nice on 3-point tractors but they don't always work on some 3-point implements.

[@sandmansandman6819]

I now see why you had the tines moved back. using a reciever hitch to change things around.

[@rev600hods]

I grew up on a potato farm those plants can take a lot of abuse when their young,good job.

[@peterjohnson6934]

I don't know if you have IFA Country store in you town, but there 16 - 16 - 8 is the best garden feed I have ever used. However I use Turckey poop cause it's organic.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

don't have that store. Nor do we have any turkey's .... well, other than me :-)

[@justme22250]

you know you can use the hiller disks on the corn as well. using the hillers on the corn will make the corn more resistant to high winds/storms as well as burying the weeds

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Maybe you should watch the rest of the video????

[@joshua7999]

Love the beagle

[@garlandhood9729]

Doin great went to buy same tractor but it was high ended up buying a Jd 3038 for not much more money

[@cd272443]

IDK John Deere had this attachment? I have a GT 245 with the tiller. And this looks like a great idea! TY!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+cd272443 John Deere didn't make it. Some of the comments below show where I got the parts, and how I built it. It works wonderfully to hill the potatoes. Thanks for watching!

[@southlakelife]

Did you make that hiller Tim? I"m still hilling by hand and I keep expanding my potato patch since building a root cellar. I would love to get more info on that. Great video!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Stupd Flanders I assembled it. Got the toolbar from Stevens Tractor. And I recommend getting the disks, shanks, and holders from www.agrisupply.com

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Do you have a Heavy Hitch? If so, you can get a toolbar to fit it from www.heavyhitch.com. He also has the disks, shanks, and connectors. So, you can get one-stop shopping there. If you choose that approach, you will also have a platform for some other cool attachments. check them out at the heavy hitch website.

[@bhurley5243]

Nice setup you have there Tim. I live near two Agri Supply stores. I am like a kid in a candy shop when I go there.

[@timkd5vmv583]

What size is the tool bar you have? Is it the standard or heavy duty model? I am debating on whether or not to get one. Thanks for all of the info.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Tim KD5VMV I'm now using the Heavy Hitch model. That toolbar from Stevens Tractor is the 60" model. However, I had them make mine 54" instead of 60"

[@deanwilson7047]

Wicked video Tim and Family Now THAT takes the work right out of it eh? I sooooo have to either get this or fab one up! Really enjoy the content man! God bless and please keep making them! Great with the morning coffee or just chilling on a rainy day. A fan from East Coast Canada, Dean

[@TractorTimewithTim]

This was one of our first videos, Dean! Long time ago. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@deanwilson7047]

@@TractorTimewithTim Really did Enjoy all the ones ive seen you have done. I always wanted to be a "tractor head" as the wife put it lol....loved them since a kid Now that i have one im a fanatic lol Thanks again Tim Keep the vids coming please and thank you. Getting ready for the 50hr service for mine now. Hey....have you ever used a shop vac on the transmission inlet to create neg pressure on the transmission case so you dont dump liters of precious very expensive fluid out while changing the transmission and HST filters? Thanks again Tim

[@jimmielittle877]

Mom says dad always said it helps the corn hold moisture better .

[@tufu3186]

what is the cost of that attachment and and also the model

[@TractorTimewithTim]

We use a hiller bedder from heavyhitch.com now. Use code TTWT for a 5% discount.

[@markthompsoncpa]

Dads has a nice tractor to play with

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for watching, Mark!

[@ronaldhagan6474]

have you ever used 7 dust, it does a grate job also

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Ronald Hagan yes. Good stuff

[@alandavis4885]

What is the make and model of this attachment? Works fantastic!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Well, that one is homemade. However, I retired it for one that looks almost identical, but is made a bit better. It is called a ‘Hiller/Bedder’ you can buy at heavyhitch.com use coupon code TTWT for a 5% Discount.

[@teee2265]

Tim even back then you wore a Menards shirt

[@wntu4]

Cool tractor setup but seems like massive overkill for that little plot.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes, it is. Watch more of our videos, you will learn our story, and why we got the tractor. ...and how we use it quite effectively now (2 years after this video was shot). Thanks for watching, and welcome to our channel!

[@American_Heathen]

I noticed you don’t have the top of your roll bar on. How did you remove that?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

This is one of our first few episodes ... before we were popular enough to attact safety Sally’s. We do not recommend removing the ROPS. These little tractors ARE quite tipsy.

[@fightingbear8537]

Looks great!

[@73h73373r357]

I have the opposite problem as Katriel. I'm 6'4 1/2" while the maximum is 6'4". Btw, in 2003 they changed the minimum height requirement to 5' 2".

[@73h73373r357]

Do what now?

[@American_Heathen]

May I ask what your planting distance between crops? I am looking at getting a 1025r for my garden.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

36” is perfectly centered for the tires. However, we pushed. It a bit to get an extra row in. 32”

[@American_Heathen]

That is awesome. Thanks for the info

[@banecrushr]

Just remember RBHE, if you plan to plant corn, it has to be close for pollination or you won't get much off the ears buddy. Course, I'm pretty sure you knew this already, just sayn.

[@DesertDigger1]

I built a hiller like that for my 1968 110 J.D. with hydraulic lift because no one makes them.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+DesertDigger1 What type of rear connection does your 110 have? Is it a 'sleeve hitch', or a 'cat 0 3 pt hitch'?

[@helloeveryone906]

Would that rear implement work behind jd X748? Or is too 🤔 big 3 pt wise.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Should work. Use the HeavyHitch.com version. Code ttwt saves 5%

[@jimbob3201]

did you make the hiller or buy it ..

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Little of both. We will be demonstrating a new one this year, from Heavy Hitch. So, stay tuned. If you want a preview, check it out at www.heavyhitch.com (and remember the coupon code: TTWT for a 5% discount)

[@deangelopack8405]

also adjust the round blades that the dont throw as much dirt

[@ronaldhagan6474]

tim, have you worm casten tea to spray your plants to run bugs

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Haven't had much trouble with bugs. I do have trouble with ear worms in the sweet corn, but I can easily solve with a single application of Bt powder when the silks first appear.

[@hbprod928]

What size are these disc?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

We think they were 14” You can get a hiller like this at heavyhitch.com Use code TTWT for a 5% discount.

[@kevinlarge3687]

How far are your rows apart ?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

36”

[@jonathanslager7923]

I would love to meet the camera lady :) Makes it fun to watch

[@allanrenner3869]

Where can a person buy one of these hillers?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Heavyhitch.Com use code ttwt for a 5% discount.

[@jdb48]

Is that a homemade hiller?

[@coenwhitehead8307]

I love your vids keep it up

[@coenwhitehead8307]

🌽🥔

[@aagafonov77]

Good Work! :) In Russia distances bettween potatos rows are more smaler.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+aagafonov77 Nice looking tractor you have there. Thanks for watching. How close do you plant your potatoes? Any other tips on growing better potatoes?

[@deangelopack8405]

this is much better... he still needs a little bigger sweep

[@ronnynorthington2015]

Take the cultivators behind the disk off so you can get deeper with the disk

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for watching. This is one of our earliest videos.

[@joebrosius6783]

how many veggies can you buy after the cost of that thing

[@jimmielittle877]

When it's paid for you are looking at what 30 or more years of gardening?

[@Z71Ranger]

The Lawn Mower is to low... It looks like it did more damage than good...

[@coenwhitehead8307]

😋

[@joeking4389]

Not being a farmer I don't understand what was the purpose of doing this. I am trying to understand, and learn the how, and what, on using my tractor, now that I'm retired I just don't know what I'm doing.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

The potatoes grow close to the surface. The ‘hill’ keeps them from being sunburned. The corn...well, it is a way to kill the small weeds in the row without hoeing by hand. Not required on the corn...I was just playing! But hilling IS necessary on potatoes.

[@joeking4389]

@@TractorTimewithTim Thank you for your response. I'm trying to learn, late in life, but still trying.

[@zv4841]

я дома на мотоблоке тоже так акучиваю! Молодцы!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thank you. Thanks for watching. I would love to learn more about Russian Farming and Gardening.

[@zv4841]

Смотрите мое видео! Весной выложу новые видео! Удачи!Watching my video! Spring will upload a new video! Good luck!

[@daddio7249]

I watch these videos and cringe at the plants being buried. Here is how the multi millionaire potato farmers in north Florida do it. We make a flat guard that goes around the back of the disc and knocks the dirt down. Take three strips of 1 1/2 inch wide flat metal, thin enough that you can bend it. Weld them into half an H. The outside piece will be long enough to have a hole in it so you can bolt it to a tab welded onto the hiller shank a few inches above the axle. The cross piece should be about 8 in long and the inside piece about half the diameter of the disc. You adjust it to just a bit above the row. When in the right place the dirt will shuffle under the leaves and you will have a fat, square shouldered row, perfect to grow potatoes in. It works good for corn also.

[@sukhdeeprandhawa7182]

Nice

[@JM-yx1lm]

All this talk and energy over 20 feet of potatoes. Wow.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

This was our first or second (of 400+) videos published. We didn't even intend this video for public audiences. We posted with the only intention of showing Katriel's grandparents our new tractor. Perhaps you should try a recent video to see if the quality has improved, and now meets your standards.

[@Brenda-ux9kt]

expertise

[@johnh1235]

alright, who disliked?

[@bill45colt]

small tractor is too low on the ground for lots of this,,,,but good video,,,hows about next time,,,tell the photographer what he is filming and correct terms,,,,and what the intended purpose of the job is,,,,not to criticise but hopefully to make your films better,,,goood job overall

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+bill45colt this was one of our first videos. The intended audience was Katriel's grandparents. Since then, our channel has 'grown up' quite a lot. I invite you to watch other videos on our channel to learn our 'style'. I think you'll find our daughter Katriel's narration style will grow on you over time. The mixture of 'I have no idea what I'm talking about' and 'I got a 34 on my ACT exam' make for a humorous mix. ...at least in our opinion. I believe I mentioned in this (or another) video how the ground clearance on this tractor is really insufficient for row-crop work. In any case, welcome to our channel!

[@bill45colt]

yep ive seen a couple of them....great fun,,,,,and educational for your family and all the viewers who dont have a clue what gardening or a tractor or various implements are all about......great in every way!! Keep them coming! I had to learn also,,,and now have a 4430 JD after many larger and smaller ones,,,and only have 10 acres for it!! So whos ridiculous here??? ME!! have a great Christmas,,,,,keep the videos coming!!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I've put many hours on a JD 4430. Nice rig. Merry Christmas to you!

[@vitorleitao1963]

Ouro

[@joebrosius6783]

looks like a pretty expensive hobby

[@TractorTimewithTim]

+Joe Brosius watch our 'economics of gardening' video. ...as we've said repeatedly, we have no need for the tractor, but we've had LOTS of fun with it!

[@TheAradford]

like the vids but stop narrating everything want to listen to the deere running