Harvesting windrowed crops with a John Deere 9400 Maximizer

The new series of combines introduced for the 1989 harvest season by the John Deere Harvester Works of Moline Illinois were referred to as the "Maximizers". They were advertised as such because these combines were designed to provide maximum comfort and control, maximum convenience and reliability as well as maximum productivity. Everything about them was different then what had been built in the past, and they certainly lived up to that name as many are still hard at work today in the harvest fields across this continent. I owned one of these models from 1995 until my retirement from farming in 2010 and this video depicts a typical day in my field picking up windrowed crops located here in East Central Saskatchewan.

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

Those photos and these videos are remarkable. You should be proud of the videos you've created

[@sassymassey5002]

Yessir

[@DeereDon]

You better thank my wife instead of me, she had to put up with constant nagging from me to pick up the VHS camera. As for the photos, the vast majority of them were taken by my brother when he would come home from Vancouver the odd time to "help" with harvest. Appreciate your comments.

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

@@DeereDon well then incredible good work deeredon's dear!!!

[@DeereDon]

@@SouthSaskFarmer1 Thank you, Mr. South Sask Farmer! I appreciate your comment. And, yes.....there was some nagging involved! hahaha! I'm glad to see all you guys on here enjoying the videos!!

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

@@DeereDon love them!

[@milessteen8233]

My comment is late by almost a year but I recently found some pictures of my grandfathers 9500 and it reminded me of your video. Thank you for the great video.

[@DeereDon]

Thanks for taking the time to view my video, hope you are able to possibly view some of my other work!!

[@lttl858]

Your videos are outstanding and the way you keep your equipment is a reflection on who you are. Thanks for letting us be a part of your great farming history.

[@Abritinluzon]

Thank you for the interesting video I always enjoy your videos as they are from the time when I farmed

[@lingenfeltera]

Thank you for taking us on a trip to the not so distant past.

[@Gearsofchocolate]

Another remarkable piece of film production!

[@pinesedgefarm1155]

Thanks for another amazing video of your very nice equipment.

[@Pennies_on_the_dollar]

As I have stated many times, these videos are amazing. The narration, voice dialogue and exact details make for a video I could watch and listen to for hours!! Each one , I know sadly as we have discussed is getting closer to the end 😰 , maybe by some miracle from the heavens something will change and you will find a new passion and continue!! That would be nice but not an option I'm sure. Anyway, your equipment and the way you kept it in tip top shape, just defines what I can tell in these videos...how well you care for things, and work them!! Just rambling now trying to tell myself that this isn't one of the last videos. Regardless my friend, what an excellent compilation of the farming past. The vhs taping brought to us here now, the excellent narration, product details, opinions, and the feel we were with you during all the years farming! Hats off my friend, amazing truly...thank you very much!! At least we still have a few hopefully to look fwd too, but these to go back too!! Thanks again my friend!

[@DeereDon]

Wow, where do I start? I do sincerely thank you for all your kind comments. I had one VHS tape that had my 9400 combining in swaths as well as straight cutting, so I decided to split the two of them and make them each separate rather then a very long film that would take a lot of work to complete. This windrow version was not too hard to put together, but the straight cutting tape needs a lot of editing, so that might take some time. As for what becomes after that, I have played around with a few ideas, but nothing definite. Thank you for taking the time to watch what I have produced as well as your encouraging words!!

[@Pennies_on_the_dollar]

@@DeereDon Can't wait to see the next one, I can imagine the editing is very time consuming!! I myself will wait patiently for that day it is ready!! Maybe (fingers crossed) you will decide and feel comfortable doing future videos, if not I TOTALLY understand, all works of art truly!! I can't say thank you enough!!

[@noelhohberger1188]

Just great farm machinery

[@mhft1091]

Excellent work

[@bobpaterson1845]

What a fabulous diary of your life and times on the farm an the equipment you worked with 💪 thank you for sharing 👍

[@danielflint7780]

Thank you for continuing to make videos Don. Yours are some of the most enjoyable to watch, and the many stories you're telling are fascinating. Can't wait for the next one. I'm glad South Sask Farmer suggested checking you out.

[@EDBZ28]

yes and maybe South Sask can take a few notes of Don's class in putting out videos with no profanity.

[@DeereDon]

Thanks for watching, and I guess I owe S.S.F. another big "Thank You"!

[@WFE_1983]

Love these. Well done!

[@grgsrvc]

Getting a straw chopper instead of the straw beaters must of been a welcome update too.

[@DeereDon]

Yes, it was indeed quite a change going from one extreme to the other. I didn't have anything against a chopper, other then the fact that the engine on my 6620 would possibly have a problem trying to supply the necessary power to keep it going in heavy straw conditions. Therefore I lived with the spreaders and they still did a decent job nevertheless.

[@grgsrvc]

@@DeereDon actually I thought your 6620 did a very good job in spreading straw. 18’ wasn’t that hard to cover. Plus the fact of the matter was the chopper on the 6620 was heavy and you had to remove it if the opportunity came about that you wanted to drop straw for baling. The spreaders were much easier to remove.

[@grgsrvc]

@@DeereDon it’s also neat to see a combine with out a GPS receiver working in a field. Not very common anymore. Now if the gps breaks down it almost seems like we have to stop the combine and get it fixed before we can continue

[@scruffy6151]

That is one nice looking combine.

[@DeereDon]

Thanks "Scruffy", I knew you would approve, was waiting to hear from you again.

[@scruffy6151]

@@DeereDon I was out bsing with a friend all day yesterday. I have no brand loyalty because, they all make good machines but, some just look better from year to year. Waiting for it to warm up more here 37⁰f at time of post.

[@davejd8302]

I quite enjoy the videos that you have shared.

[@govegasorgofarmin7942]

Another great video! Some really nice looking equipment!

[@hughwhaley3179]

Thanks for sharing Awesome video

[@ericwill4837]

Thank you for sharing another great video!

[@DeereDon]

I enjoy doing them even though it takes quite a lot of time, but probably one more video with the 9400 straight cutting and I am going to be sorry that there will be no more. My appreciation to all those who have taken the time to watch them so far.

[@horselakeranch]

You did it again! Great video

[@DeereDon]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!!!!

[@Deere70Diesel]

Thank you for the videos! I absolutely look forward to seeing these.

[@DeereDon]

Thanks for watching, but unfortunately I am coming close to the very end of my VHS library.

[@keithrobinson1331]

Don thanks for sharing this👍👍👍👍awesome

[@DeereDon]

I appreciate your "thumbs up" and not the opposite!

[@jeremyperala839]

Thanks for sharing another interesting video.

[@DeereDon]

It was my pleasure, thank you for watching!!

[@ohioplowboyhawk6738]

Again Don great work 👍👍

[@DeereDon]

Thanks for watching it, I certainly appreciate all who do take the time out of their day to view it and provide a comment.

[@scottbohn929]

Thanks for another great video! It’s enjoyable to see how you upgraded on your equipment. It was the same on the farm I grew up on. When we purchased a nice used 4430 we also upgraded on our tillage equipment because we had more power and comfort to handle larger implements.

[@DeereDon]

It does seem to be a common theme, once you get a bigger tractor you "need" a bigger cultivator, the bigger cultivator is almost too big, so now you "need" a bigger tractor, I certainly have been down that road many times. Ha, ha. Thanks for taking the time to watch my newest creation.

[@truthandfreedom885]

My Great uncle Fred had a JD #65 and my Grandpa set my uncle Dave up with a new JD #96 in the early 60's and my Dad had #95 & #105's. It unreal how much land they were able to farm with that smaller yet new machinery. Great Video and narration Don.

[@DeereDon]

Thanks-----for both your very interesting comments, as well as taking the time to watch my old VHS videos.

[@ziggysanderson]

The Maximer line was really a great line for John Deere. I worked a farm with a 9600 and a similar tandem. Great videos, its a fine documentary on farming in that time and place!

[@DeereDon]

Thanks Ian, glad you enjoyed watching it, certainly appreciate what you have to say.

[@jeffreyvandervoort8324]

You sir are one heck of a farmer. I know, I was raised by one! Keep posting.

[@DeereDon]

I do wish to thank you for your comments, much appreciated.

[@fuzzb4419]

Top notch video!!!! You sure had a nice line of equipment that anyone would be so proud of. I bet the dealership loved it when they got your equipment on trade!

[@DeereDon]

I would try to keep my equipment in good condition for that very reason, as most times the dealer would look at what I had to trade and there wasn't much haggling that needed to be done. Unfortunately, I had no control of what happened to that same piece of equipment once it got on the dealers lot, and maybe it is just as well I never did see it after that point in time. It probably would have broke my heart. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!!

[@thetractorguyoldtractor3524]

Outstanding farming video & discusion regards to the advancement through that farming career! Always enjoy your postings to you tube. A lot of widy days so far this spring , and very dry. We will need timely rains in May and June for certain!

[@DeereDon]

Thanks for your interesting comments on both my video as well as conditions in your area. Yes, the same applies here, was out yesterday inspecting the country-side and can not believe how dry it is for this time of the year.

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

Deeredons dear lol 😆

[@original72canuck]

DeereDon, another well put-together montage of harvest in east central SK! That 9400 would have been a step up in harvesting capacity/efficiency, but an even larger step change in comfort over the titan series for sure, and was certainly not easy to find in your neck of the woods. In fact, I've only ever been around just a handful of these across Canada, US and Argentina. Thanks for sharing!

[@DeereDon]

Like I said in the video, I had given up all hope. I have only seen a couple since and in most cases they are well used unfortunately. I considered myself truly blessed when I happened to stumble upon this one. I do thank you for your comments.

[@m.j.l.abulle9107]

Really enjoying your videos & your narration is tops too . Have done 5 harvests with a 9600 in various crops these older ones get the job done with a minimum of fuss & are very operator friendly , no doubt a cared for red machine of the same age would be simmilar .

[@DeereDon]

I have spent time working for other farmers now that I am retired and many hours have been spent in a 9610. Very nice machine, something like the Ever-ready Bunny, just keep going and going. When I bought my 9400 I did consider the 9600, but the cost difference literally blew me away, and that was the end of that idea. I do thank you for watching and commenting.

[@samtalley791]

As soon as I saw the thumb nail I knew I had to watch this first chance I got. My favorite things in one picture 9400 combine and older straight truck! I hope to own a 9400 for operations here someday. As always you did an excellent job with editing and narration. I’ve really enjoyed your work. Not sure how things are in your neighborhood but we’ve been running wide open at the coop I work at. Several guys putting anhydrous on. I hope to start planting beans in 2 weeks.

[@DeereDon]

It is still "winter" in this area, just got through a mini-blizzard on Monday, not much snow, but cold wind making for even colder temps. Was out on my Gator this afternoon and things are drying up quickly, at this rate I can see guys in the field before the end of this month. Thanks again for watching my video, and thanks for your very considerate comments!!!

[@thegumbofarmer2383]

Some pretty good looking crops your grew!

[@DeereDon]

I would have to give a lot of credit to the good Lord up above as there were many times he must have felt I was in dire need of some help. By the same token, you certainly have some nice land to work, very picturesque country. Can you give me a rough idea whereabouts you call home? No problem if you do not wish to mention that detail.

[@thegumbofarmer2383]

@@DeereDon I farm 1 1/2 NW of Edmonton. Very very heavy clay, lots of hills and lots of rain.......normally. If you feel like taking on some land there is lots for rent around me at the moment!

[@DeereDon]

@@thegumbofarmer2383 I can not imagine land "sitting" there waiting to be rented, anything around in this district, and it certainly is not the quality of yours gets snapped up pretty quickly. Unless, of course, the cost of rent might have something to do with it?? (Just thinking out loud)

[@thegumbofarmer2383]

@@DeereDon Rent is reasonable....I even took on 4 quarters for free last spring because nobody wanted it...including hutterites..... Township average for canola was 8bu last fall.

[@DeereDon]

@@thegumbofarmer2383 There must be a typo error on my computer, it showed 8 bu (per acre), there must be probably a 3 in front of the 8??

[@rodneycody8746]

Nice

[@kolewiebensohn]

Those maximers were the last good john Deere combines built. If I can ever own a dream combine it would be a 9500-9510 with sidehill. Them 9500s could eat the corn and beans like nothing else and would barely spit it out the back(if set properly). I bet you loved that 9400 something fierce.

[@DeereDon]

My 9400 was an excellent machine to operate and only gave me one major breakdown in the 16 years I owned it, something that really amazed me. It was not a happy day for me when it left this yard and I stood for a long time watching as the semi-truck that was carrying it fade into the distance.

[@kolewiebensohn]

@@DeereDon I bet, having been emotionally tied and physically tied to that machine, it would have been hard for anyone to get rid of

[@DeereDon]

@@kolewiebensohn I couldn't agree with you more

[@sassymassey5002]

They save you tons of money because you don’t need to buy an air seeder you just need to cultivate in spring and you where good lol, great video we try as much as we can to find nice low houred equipment it’s amazing how other farms can operate with such junkie equipment

[@DeereDon]

I tried whenever possible to buy "slightly used" but it didn't always work out. It was only when I saw that there was nothing but junk to be had that I bit the bullet and purchased new, but it would be the last resort in every situation. Thanks for your "tongue in cheek" comments!!!!!!

[@thebreakofdon5188]

Love the video. Very sad to see them ending. I have a little hopper wagon too. Not used for combining anymore. Funny how these things get outgrown lol. Did Rooty aquire your swather?

[@DeereDon]

Yes, Roosty 6 got my swather and now it is hard at work in his canola fields each year. It was one of the few pieces of equipment that stayed in this district, the rest of it got scattered to the far ends of this province. Thanks for watching these videos and commenting too.

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

Seen lots of 9600s and 9500s but I've yet to come across a 9400! Very stumpy and square. Short walkers in those machines eh?

[@tyerock7851]

Yeah it does look very short compared to a 9600 lol

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

@@tyerock7851 would be neat to see on up close haha

[@tyerock7851]

@@SouthSaskFarmer1 ya it would maybe add one to your fleet 😂

[@DeereDon]

Hi Nick....The difference between a 9500 and 9400 (as far as walkers) was 20 inches, but according to Les Hill from the PAMI institute in Humboldt the 9400 was far more efficient at harvesting then the 9500. The 9600 was still the King, but like he told me, if you can afford the 96 then go for it, otherwise stick with the 94.

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

@@DeereDon really eh. Cleaning area was far more matched to the machine eh

[@EDBZ28]

Don I think Deere should be hiring you and putting you in charge of their "Archive Department". I always wondered what combine you owned after your 6620 Titan, and now all of us know. My father and me have owned a 9500 for 17 years; they are an exceptional machine. Thank you for sharing and putting together a wonderful video. You had beautiful trucks too!

[@DeereDon]

I was looking forward to a comment from your neck of the woods, was wondering if you were out seeding yet and had taken the time to watch my latest venture. As shown in the video, I started out with something that did not come close to resembling a grain truck, so both of these grain haulers were gigantic steps forward in my world, and naturally they were cared for to the utmost. I was truly sorry to watch them leave this yard over the course of time.

[@EDBZ28]

I always make time to watch your videos! Haha. We are about a month away from planting. Some guys who plant oats (very few being grown anymore), may have gotten some in and maybe peas, but nothing else. With the dryer weather we were having we took advantage and spread our fertilizers for various crops. We’ve also been reblading our jd n/t drill in our shop and finishing maintenance on tractors.

[@calanhort1136]

Awesome videos did you get any fotttage when they lifted the railway?

[@DeereDon]

I managed to get a lot of photographs, but unfortunately no film footage. By that point in time my old VHS camera was no longer working, and the digital camera I was using did not have a very big card to write to. Thanks for watching!!

[@matthewkabanuk443]

Was there an option for bigger grain tank extensions than the flaps shown? I’ve seen some Maximizers with much bigger angled extensions, but that’s probably a modern day modification.

[@DeereDon]

All Maximizer combines came with just the standard grain tank extensions, nothing else. But like always, there is a company that is willing to build what the farmers want, so yes, there was an option, but I would be willing to bet that Deere didn't recommend it (tire overload, axle overload, drive-train overload, grain tank fountain auger overload, etc.)

[@tylerdaringer2918]

Those Combines are very very reliable. I know first hand the difference between the Titan Series and the Maximizer combines.

[@lingenfeltera]

5:28 I still really enjoy these videos. I have noticed, that your operation appeared to favor John Deere. Even back to the Model D. I am just curious if John Deere was always the preferred brand? And why? A great dealer, superior product solutions for your operation, or an affinity for green paint? If there were any other brands on your farm, I would like to also hear the history. I have a feeling there would have been more than 1 attempt from different dealers to get you to switch. Take care!

[@DeereDon]

Hello: I guess it all began when my grandfather became good friends with another individual when they homesteaded in the north-east part of this province 115 years ago. They eventually moved together at the same time to this part of the province in 1918. Shortly afterwards the other fellow became a JD dealer. At the time my grandfather was looking to buy a tractor, he naturally gave his good friend the business, the tractor appears in this video, and I guess you could say the rest is history. Yes, there were a few other machines (not JD) that did enter on to this farm, but the majority were green and yellow. For myself, before I finished high schooI I became involved with who eventually became my father-in-law, he and his father were predominantly JD and it made me realize that this was the way to go. Have had no regrets since that time.

[@lingenfeltera]

@@DeereDon Thank you for the reply and sharing your stories. My family farms in Northern Nebraska. Although the methods are different, the underlying factors of efficiency and dollars remain the same. Thank you again!

[@robertmoulton2656]

Did your 2360 also have the chrysler "hot water" slant 6 ?😮

[@DeereDon]

My 2360 came with the 4 cylinder diesel engine built in the Saran Works in France

[@tiger5551]

Later on these videos will be worth a lot

[@tyerock7851]

Did you ever disengage or remove the straw chopper and sell straw ? Or just chopped everything

[@tyerock7851]

But very nice iron in prestine condition once again thank you for sharing!

[@DeereDon]

The only time I rolled the chopper ahead on its small carriage was to drop flax straw. That straw had to be collected and burnt otherwise it just caused multiple problems in the fields afterwards. The rest of the time the chopper was always in use as I wanted to return all the straw back on to the land.

[@tyerock7851]

@@DeereDon yes makes a thick matting I’ve seen lots of guys just burn it because that’s all you can do other then a heavy offset disc a couple times

[@_MOTH_69]

Is that 2360 swather the same one rootsy6 farms with now?

[@DeereDon]

That is correct.

[@_MOTH_69]

@@DeereDon that's really fascinating. Thank you so much for uploading these old home movies.

[@DeereDon]

@@_MOTH_69 I enjoyed doing each one, looked forward to the many individuals that made a comment, which of course included you. Thanks.

[@_MOTH_69]

@@DeereDon sorry to keep hitting you with questions but was that 7721 titan 2 that rootsy6 owns, was that yours at one time as well?

[@DeereDon]

@@_MOTH_69 Negative, the only pull-type I owned was my little JD 65, after that it was just self-propelled. His 7721 came from the local dealership about 30 miles to the west. My father-in-law owned the very first of those pull-types in this district (7701), an excellent combine behind his 4630 power shift, but I noticed it took so much time and so much space to turn around in, something I felt a self-propelled could do so much quicker.