Harvesting with the help of a Titan

In this archival video is shown my John Deere 6620 Titan as it employs the use of a pickup table in which to feed swaths of spring wheat into the combine. The Titan family of combines was introduced by Deere and Company in the latter part of 1978 and remained in production for 10 years as a very successful line of harvesting equipment.

[@Abritinluzon]

South sask farmer sent me over interesting videos

[@cilliangalvin8646]

South sask farmer brought me here, Youre great video kept me here.

[@DeereDon]

HI, glad you are enjoying this video, there are others on my website you might be interested in if you roam around a bit, you may find that some of them though that were produced a few years ago are somewhat "amateurish" , unfortunately I only have another possibly 4 more videos from days gone by and that will be the end of it. Since I am retired and just living on a small acreage I will not have the opportunity to produce anything else of any substance.

[@cilliangalvin8646]

@@DeereDon Well since writing my comment i've actually watched all the other videos on your channel. To bad you wont be any more after the next 4 i really liked the other ones. Still looking forwars too the 4 videos.👍

[@stepark3437]

I have 2 of the 6620 and just retired the 6600 because of it not being a hydro and the ladder. not getting any younger.love them

[@haveraygunwilltravel]

Have a 7720 Titan ll sitting in the shop. We use a 9600 now but the old girl still runs. It needs new straw walkers.

[@johnhrasko5036]

The 6620 was the first combine we owned on our farm in think in 1988? It was a yellow top titan. We used a secondhand 218 flex platform for 4 or 5 years until we moved up to a 9500 and a 920 flex table. It was a reliable machine. I went on a US harvest run in Summer of 1983 the most prevalent combined on the run back then were 7720's and MF 750.

[@truthandfreedom885]

I miss picking up a swath. It was a fun way to harvest.

[@DeereDon]

Swaths had their advantages and of course their disadvantages. I am somewhat disappointed though that in todays world that swathing is no longer the method when it comes to harvesting canola, and that I feel could be a mistake.

[@pennybaker3879]

Very informative and enjoyable. Glad Nick made mention of you.

[@shaneholst6940]

Thanks for sharing!

[@marvinschmitz3442]

Interesting style of harvesting up north of Kansas. Back in the sixties Dad would swath barley before the combine but wheat was simply straight harvested.

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Another fine video. Thanks Don

[@ronniesorter1888]

South Sask Farmer sent me over.

[@keenankelley187]

Pretty awesome. Had a 6620 Titan II RWA dang good machine.

[@DeereDon]

That combine with that option is a very rare bird indeed!!

[@barneyshort8227]

Those were true air seeders back then!!! Needed a stick to see them moving as well. Ducks and geese coexist with Deere’s

[@MilkMan608]

Some people don't know how to properly set a machine!

[@benduffin5727]

Good ol south Sask farmer sent me here!

[@SilverGleaner]

I really like how professional your video turned out. Nice job!

[@DeereDon]

Thank you, all of your comments are greatly appreciated!!!

[@RobertLidstroem]

Very interresting and well made!

[@Chevy4x4dawg]

Awesome video and thanks for sharing the great information!!!!!! You had a very Very nice looking machine.

[@DeereDon]

Chevy-------Thanks for the comments.

[@dejavu6475]

Great stuff DD, keep up the good work!

[@original72canuck]

Looks like a great crop of HRSW you’ve raised back in the day! Being born and raised in SK, then turned combine and front end equipment development engineer for about the last 27 years, your video resonates with me on many levels. Thanks for sharing!

[@DeereDon]

Thank you, for your very interesting comments. My crop was grown on summer-fallow which is all we did back in those days, a few pounds of dry fertilizer down the tubes of a JD 9350 press drill and a bit of help from the Good Lord up above can create good results. I visited the JD combine factory in East Moline in 2003 on a factory tour, to say I came away impressed would be an understatement.

[@original72canuck]

@@DeereDon Cool! Back in the early 2000’s if a Q&A session was part of your tour there was chance I was one of the engineers you had a chance to interact with, as I tried the support those sessions when I knew customers from western Canada were visiting. The factory changes every year - some years more than others depending on when new products are being introduced. If you get a chance for a second visit, I think you would be equally blown away not only by the scale but also new mfg tech that goes into ensuring quality levels that customers expect

[@DeereDon]

@@original72canuck Hello, this will be a bit long, please bear with me. When our bus arrived on March 5th, 2003 at the doors to the Harvester Works, the guys on the bus knew right away that something was wrong. Our "leaders" went inside, were in there for quite some time, came out and told us that our group was not supposed to be there that day, the factory was not expecting us and basically we were told to more or less to leave. Nobody knew what to do. Finally our guys went back inside, told them we were NOT leaving, so the factory gave us a quick "rushed" tour of the plant. I managed to get a few good pictures, there was no time for any chit-chat, no time to look at anything in any detail. Escorted back out the front doors in quick order without even the usual "thank you for coming, have a nice day". That evening our guys checked all the forms, all the necessary paperwork, all the necessary protocol needed for this event, and they discovered (after consultation with Deere & Company) that somebody in the factory (the secretary??) had indeed granted permission but had neglected to tell factory staff we were coming, and the fault was NOT ours. The impression I got was that our bus load of farmers and dealers were ready to declare World War III upon the Harvester Works. When we got to the Waterloo Factory the next day we were welcomed with open arms, were given service that the President of the U.S. would never receive, and ALL the staff couldn't be more courteous. Naturally there was a thousand times we heard "We are very sorry, this will never happen again". A month later Deere & Company flew a small delegation up to our dealership with official staff from East Moline to provide all of us with a nice catered supper, films, nick-nacks, souvenirs, etc. which also included a nice presentation, along with question and answer time to follow. They did tell us at the end of this very nice meeting that they were truly sorry that this had happened, the factory had made sure this was remedied, and that we were all welcomed back at any time in the future and this time everything would be totally different. You may certainly verify this with factory records.

[@original72canuck]

@@DeereDon Wow! Extremely embarrassed to hear you had that experience during your harvester works visit, but proud to see that Deere went over and above to correct it on the remainder of your trip as well as afterward! We deeply value our customers!! Too many years have passed for me to corroborate your story as leaders of the era have moved on / retired and record retention policies have caused the information to be lost to time. However I can offer that approximately from that point forward, Deere & Co started to handle all tour reservations, as I've I had to contact them for family and friend tours even if it was just for the harvester works facility. If you are ever planning to be back in the area, I would encourage you to go to www.deere.com and scroll down to the lower RH and look for a link for factory tours to make arrangements. The current link is www.deere.com/en/connect-with-john-deere/visit-john-deere/ but web pages shift over time so the general deere web page is your best bet. Kind regards, and looking forward to more classic farming vids!

[@DeereDon]

@@original72canuck Yes, I will admit, Deere did make a blunder, but I also PROUDLY stated afterwards that they basically did everything in their power to help solve the problem. And yes, the rest of the tour went as smooth as silk. I came away with many happy memories, and would do it again in a heartbeat. My wife bought me the bus ticket as a surprise 50th birthday present, I was busy farming at the time, but now that I am retired I kind of think I would stick out like a sore thumb on the bus riding along with all the "youngsters" on the seat beside me. I got to see where my machinery came from, and I guess that is all that matters. At the moment I am working on another video concerning my 4455, its quite extensive so will probably take a few days. Stay tuned!!

[@charlest2999]

Very interesting. Keep those history videos coming. I enjoyed it

[@DeereDon]

Hello Charles, I appreciate your comments, my only regret is that I/we were not able to make more back in those early days of camcorders and VHS tapes, I am working on another one at the moment, should have it ready hopefully by the end of this week, but unfortunately, there might only be another 4?? at best after that and I guess that will be the end. And since I am retired I really can not provide anything else on this small acreage that I can think of. I do sincerely apologize as I will not be able to present anything after that.

[@dejavu6475]

DD you sure raised some fine crops.

[@DeereDon]

I believe the crops I grew were more attributed to the fact that in the beginning of my farming career I made enough mistakes that I realized that it wouldn't take long and I would be out of a job. I was fortunate that I had some good friends and associates who patiently advised me on how to improve, plus I also have to give a lot of credit to the Good Lord up above who delivered timely rains (plus just enough sunshine and heat) just when I needed them. Without Him looking over me from time to time I seriously doubt I would have made it this far.

[@dejavu6475]

@@DeereDon I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

[@sarahosborn889]

South Sask Farmer sent me over great video

[@jeffreyvandervoort8324]

Came here at the suggestion of the South Sask Farmer. Loved this video and subscribed. Grew up on a Kansas Farm and we ran only Deere.

[@DeereDon]

Just curious, are you still in farming, and if so, do you still run with the Long Green Line?

[@jeffreyvandervoort8324]

@@DeereDon I wish. When the farm economy crashed in the early 1980’s when I graduated college, I went into sales instead of farming, my first love. Dad still has his first Deere, a 1967 3020. I grew up on that tractor but we had a bunch of much bigger machines after.

[@dougschmitii6165]

Nice video!

[@noelhohberger1188]

I spent alot of time riding in one of those

[@kennethscofield4565]

Niiice, south sask farmer sent me!!

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

Pretty cool to be able to look into the past like this!

[@kennethscofield4565]

@@SouthSaskFarmer1 Im old enough to remember 83' , seems like yesterday. Seems odd to be talking about that being the"old times" but I guess....

[@scruffy6151]

@@kennethscofield4565 my daughter was born in 84 I was 28 at that time. Time fly's by fast.

[@DeereDon]

@@scruffy6151 I would say that time goes by quicker the older you get, just my opinion. (Looks like I am a year up on you according to my math)

[@scruffy6151]

@@DeereDon born in 56

[@kolewiebensohn]

My grandpa ran a 6600 and that was his last combine he owned till he died. I'd personally love to have a 9500 or 9510 Sidehill with straddle duals for a 6row 30 inch corn head to harvest with, they are the last of of the good john deeres

[@DeereDon]

Yes, I would have to agree with you, after this 6620 I owned a 9400 and after that it seemed where JD started going totally high tech. Not that it is a bad thing, but somehow I felt that the machines started getting overly complicated. Thanks for your comments.

[@thebreakofdon5188]

@@DeereDon did you buy the 9400 new as well?

[@DeereDon]

@@thebreakofdon5188 Hi, in regards to my 9400, no, I did not purchase it new. I needed a larger combine by 1995 and the Maximizer combines at that time were totally beyond me financially speaking. I looked around and found a real nice 9400 on a JD dealers lot, had been used for 3 seasons, with 500 engine hrs. and 400 separator hrs., well looked after by a smaller farmer much like myself. Got a good trade-in value for my 6620 and the rest is history.

[@trevorn9381]

@@DeereDon What year was your 9400? I heard that the early ones had problems with the crankshafts breaking. We had a 2000 model 9450 for the last six years that dad and I farmed and it was a great machine.

[@DeereDon]

@@trevorn9381 Hi Trevor, my 9400 was a 1991 model, which I purchased second-hand in 1995. In the 16 seasons that I owned it I never experienced any problems whatsoever with the engine. It ran great, good power for what was required, and I was always impressed with its excellent fuel consumption. As for crankshafts breaking, that is something I never heard of, and the fact that these engines were used on so many other applications makes me wonder if that is maybe an unsubstantiated rumour.

[@scruffy6151]

👍👍

[@Murphyslawfarm]

👍👍👍

[@kevinbirn5141]

I enjoyed watching your video alot. That was a very nice Combine you had when you Farmed. How big of Straight Cut Header did you have for your Combine when you Farmed if I may ask you

[@DeereDon]

I tried ordering a 22 foot from my dealer but he could not get one in time for harvest, but he was able to find a 20 foot within a few weeks before harvest. It was smaller then what I wanted but the crop that year was too short for swathing so I had no choice.

[@SilverGleaner]

@@DeereDon Deere must measure their headers differently than Gleaner because a friend of mine went from an L2 with a 20 foot head to a 9400 with a 20 foot head but the Deere head wouldn't cut 8 30" rows like the Gleaner did only 7, later went to a 9610 and 25 foot. 9400 was a little disappointing overall but he likes his 9610.

[@DeereDon]

@@SilverGleaner If my memory serves me correct, the table measured 20 feet from the edge of each crop divider. Having said that, the dividers angle slightly outwards from the table itself, so my guess is that the cutting part probably is around the 19 1/2 foot width. (No doubt that would make it difficult to cut 8 rows.) For myself in cereal crops this was not a problem as the crop easily slid between the dividers and I always got the basic 20 foot cut.

[@sassymassey5002]

Sent over by south sask farmer

[@nickkercheval2704]

I bought a new 6620 in 1981. Ran it for 10 years. Very dependable but in retrospect I should have bought a 7720 for more capacity. I harvested corn, soybeans and soft red winter wheat as well as a little barley. It cost $59000. US without heads.

[@fuzzb4419]

Nice video...What part of Saskatchewan did you farm?

[@DeereDon]

As I say in my other You Tube videos, I farmed in East Central Saskatchewan, north-east of Regina about 40 to 60 miles by the crow flies.

[@sarah_farm]

you work very hard and you harvest the labor of your works,keep up the good work and perseverance! And it's an honor to have you visit our channel, we can discuss more about our experiences in harvesting and building farms.

[@rickmogk6807]

South sask sent me

[@darrelneufeldt8450]

South sask sent me😬

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

Whatd you run for a swather back then?

[@DeereDon]

I used a John Deere 18 foot 800 s.p.

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

@@DeereDon would be neat to see some video of it

[@DeereDon]

@@SouthSaskFarmer1 I did a video a month ago kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWGtiWp5grWFf6s Hope that works, it is not very long but it is all I have of my 800.

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

@@DeereDon yes I found it shortly after!

[@gleanerman2195]

These combines were 20 years behind Gleaner.

[@DeereDon]

If that were so then Gleaner would still be ahead of Deere, could you maybe explain what the he// happened??

[@DeereDon]

@@cameronvelthuis1844 It is most certain he made a type error and meant to say Gleaner was 20 years behind, that would make far more sense and would prove he was using common sense

[@MilkMan608]

​@DeereDon They didn't call them Silver Seeders for nothing. Or Self Propelled Hog Feeders!

[@gleanerman2195]

@@MilkMan608 We had a young farmer that blead green back in 1983, we were running 4 N7 Gleaners at that time. We would stop and let him look behind those 8820's every chance we got. There would be grain all over the ground, he could never find hardly any behind our combines. Plus we could cut wheat three times as fast. He did finally admit that the Gleaner was far superior to the Queer deere. Same even today, weighs a lot less, burns way less fuel way, way simpler, cost a lot less to rebuild and easier to work on, if you ever have too. The Gleaner wins hands down.

[@DeereDon]

@@gleanerman2195 Like I said 2 years ago, maybe you would be so kind as to explain what position Gleaner holds in the market place (regarding combine sales) on farms across North America. Farmers vote with their pocket-books, and unfortunately Gleaner has lost the election.

[@interman7715]

Ole mate should have bought an Axial flow.

[@roosty6]

Looks like that map did not include Canada. Here is a little bit more of that same 6620. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aquwfJ2qdr-FnJI

[@DeereDon]

Hi Roosty, had forgotten about that classic, certainly brings back a few memories!! As for the map, I guess Deere & Company didn't want to put the words up in the Arctic, wouldn't look right.

[@pistonringfarms8107]

Just more reasons why john deere combines are better.

[@IH_5288]

South sask farmer definatly did not suggest your channel