Old Cheap Combine VS New Expensive Combine

[@M_Pashby]

I love the vintage equipment. Paid for and still earning its keep.

[@walnutclose5210]

The year I was born my grandfather planted the last corn crop ever planted on our farm with a horse drawn, 2 row planter. They "picked" that crop (you picked corn, then, not combined it) with a 1 row planter pulled by a 20ish horsepower, 2 cylinder tractor - having given up picking by hand into a horse drawn wagon some decades earlier, in the 1930s. Growing up, we planted with a 4 row planter drawn by that same tractor, and picked corn with a two row pulled or, later, mounted picker. The corn was dried in open cribs, and shelled or ground during the winter. By the time he was nearing retirement, my Dad was driving exactly the machine featured as the "old way" in video. In those earlier years, we fed nearly all the corn we harvested to our own livestock, but by the time the 6600 showed up, corn had become a cash grain crop. I scarcely recognize agriculture nowadays as farming - rather more like an industrial, highly subsidized factory driven by computerized, automated equipment that just happens to take place in a field.

[@charlesperry1051]

One big difference: you can repair the old equipment without a John Deere tech and all of the software copyright issues.

[@jtwhite2084]

Or John Deere just declares it to obsolete so they can sell you a newer one. Most of the computer controls on that 2022 combine have a life of less than 10 years so that will likely determine the lifetime of the whole machine.

[@kurtcraig3421]

i'm not a farmer but iv'e been watching a few vids on this issue and my god you guys are getting bent over and reamed out when it comes to the right to repair. being charged 400 bucks for a sensor repair that costs 20 dollars to make.

[@Timv2010]

If you buy the machine you don’t have the problems of repairing your equipment

[@agentcrm]

@@kurtcraig3421 Have a look at the Junkyard Digs video getting a 6600 combine running. The clutch slave cylinder seized, a JD part was $$$$$, the same part is used in Chevy trucks and $20 from the parts store.

[@schafn]

One mouse setting up shop in that new combine would render it completely inoperable and it would take weeks to get things sorted out to the point where the computer would let you harvest with it again. If you wanted to pull it out of the weeds in 50 years you'd have to dumb it down to the level of the 6600 to make it thresh grain again.

[@Namtov]

Born in 68, I grew up around such old combines and tractors. Every time age is efficient in its own way.

[@Lookin4LoveInAllTheWrongPlaces]

Well said. Two short sentences and you said something more meaningful than most in this comment section.

[@rtbell2806]

To think i started harvesting in 1968 when i was 12 years old with a 2 row picker mounted on my Uncles John Deere A and thought i was on top of the world! Those were long days and nights in the field, but i wouldnt trade those memories for anything bigger or better!

[@guydaubenspeck9206]

Yeah I'm 63 and I have three newer tractors here on the farm now with the good 12 volt halligan and led lights. But I can remember taking out the old Farmall m on the disc working ground in the dark with the 6-volt lights you might as well have the candle on the radiator cap . LOL how far we've come

[@jamesm875]

I was born on the farms and used to do the nightshift on the combine at 12 . Born in 58 learned how to plough on my own by 9 welding by 12 and could strip repair and rebuild a tractor/ bulldozer engine by 15. Everyone now just wants to sit on their PlayStation. As a wee edit my first ploughing tractor was a petrol paraffin Ferguson 35 with a 2 furrow. Thought I was king of the castle when i got the Ford 4000 with a cab.

[@M_Pashby]

@@jamesm875 I grew up rural but not farming. Spent 20 years in neighborhoods and have recently returned to some workable acreage with chickens, rabbits and soon goats. My 8 & 10 year olds are excited to get the (mostly complete) 8N that was left with the property running again. I’d much rather see them wrenching on that than tapping on a screen.

[@ericslotsve3982]

Started combining age 10 in 1967 running a cockshutt 545. Those were the days.

[@jonathanbair523]

Just remember on the older stuff from like the 90's.. Before it got computerized.. Things where made to fix it your self, now you need a computer to plug in to see what is wrong... I say older is better as its a DIY job, not call and wait for some tech to get around to you..

[@67chevy4x4]

Wow, the overhead drone shot really gives a big comparison on harvest quantity. Love that you're using the old equipment and not just letting it sit

[@Eddie_Schantz]

I spent the summer of 1973 on a harvest crew from Frederick, Oklahoma to Havre, Montana. We ran two 1972 Johne Deere 7700's and a '73 7700. Although I spent most of the time in a truck, I did run a combine occasionally. They were great machines and I don't recall anything in the way of major repairs that we had to do. I made three harvest runs in the 70's and one in 1985 and in those days I don't recall ever seeing a tractor an grain cart on a crew so I can't say for sure when they got started using them on a wide basis. Thanks for a great video.

[@sitchad]

And that old combine will be running long after the newer one bites the dust.

[@scottgorski7931]

Plus you don't have to be a computer programmer to fix the old one.

[@agentcrm]

Which is survivor bias, because old equipment is no where near as reliable or long lasting. That old combine would have 1/4 of the grain ran though it and it's flogged out badly.

[@farmerboybill]

That 6600 shouldn’t even have a 6 row head on it. It was built for 80 bushel corn. You gotta CRAWL to not overwhelm the elevators and augers in 200bu corn

[@JulianKeller-om6wz]

​@@farmerboybillyeah. It should have a four row head. Grant should have found a 7700. There are actually some around that are in pretty decent shape. I saw decent one sell on a farm auction for $750.00 recently.

[@glennschlorf1285]

@@farmerboybill really... Id rather have the old 6 row just run it slower for 150 plus bushel corn...

[@justmyopinion80]

Watch this 50 years from now. In 1972, that combine was top of the line and ran circles around the vintage combines of the day. I cannot fathom what a new combine will look like in 50 years.

[@AdventureAwaits1111]

@@justmyopinion80 i cant imagine the 2022 running in 50 years. Industrial farming has completely gone too far. You cant beat the old iron....but...i also like carburated vehicles without a computer. Low tech always runs. 👍

[@fefifofob]

They will be robots. Running them as a fleet will be required.

[@SanDiegoCaliforniaUSA]

@@AdventureAwaits1111 Exactly what I was thinking. I bet that vintage 1972 can be around in another 50 years. Hard to think a 2022 full of technology will be able to be out in the field still. It'll be easier to get a 1972 up and running again over a 2022 running again in another 50 years.

[@timothyhanneman7715]

The 1972 combine is probably EMP proof , might safe some people if the sun blasts the earth

[@jdas3833]

Does tractors from 50 years and now going to be totally autonomous

[@HomerJ1964]

That 6600 and 4020 take me back. When I was a kid, we farmed about 350 acres just west of Cedar Rapids Iowa. We had a 6600 combine, but we pulled wagons with either our 2020, 4320, or 4620 John Deere’s. We also had a 1968 tilt cab Chevy C60 with a dump bed that we hauled with. We also milked about 80-100 Holsteins. Due to my Dads health problems, we quit farming in 1977. I still miss it.

[@weslymathis3004]

Running 6600 and 6620 combines, my first cousin has a S670. I finished cutting beans second week of November, my cousin finished last week, we farm within 100 acres of each other. He had some sort of electronic problems and had to wait forever to get the local John Deere dealer to get him going again. I would not own a piece of equipment I could not work on myself.

[@Nail56]

Smart.

[@JasonRussell-b9o]

Just remember that old equipment is the reason you are alive today doing what you’re doing

[@tetedur377]

Thank you, Captain Obvious. I'm not sure how you're getting out of Laura's videos that they're somehow disparaging or putting down the older equipment, but maybe that's just your everyday mindset.

[@edwardmarino2776]

@@tetedur377I agree with him in part. I don’t believe Laura’s trying to put the equipment down rather, I think she loves to jab at her husband, which to me is unseemly, but if he wants to put up with it then that’s on him.

[@edwardmarino2776]

Novel idea for a video. There really is no comparison. That’s why they call it progress. But not to harp on it Laura, but it just seems like you take every chance you can to make fun of your husband. I know you may not mean it that way, but that’s how it comes off. Been with you since the beginning all I can say is things have drastically changed.

[@jodibihrer7325]

I couldn't agree with you more these young folks don't know how good they have it

[@russellbowman8051]

Such A Awesome Video Laura & Grant Looks Like It Was A Lot Of Fun!! Keep Smiling On!! 😅👍👊❤️

[@stevelowery4753]

The older set up is the perfect backup for when the New one breaks down.

[@weslymathis3004]

Yea, and you can still work while the other is waiting for the dealership to come fix it, since you are not allowed to repair the newer one's electronics.

[@johnbreen5668]

So you have to buy that over priced plastic part because it has the licensed software on it. Yeah sounds like a sound financial plan

[@weslymathis3004]

@@johnbreen5668 Exactly that is why I run a 6600 and a 6620

[@bertrutledge4546]

In 1974 and 1975 I went on custom wheat harvest. We had 4 John Deere combines, every year they traded 1 in and got a new one. We had 3 6600 and 1 7700. One had a 20 foot header, 2 22 foot and 1 24 foot, man that was a big header lol. I am jealous every year when I see combines headed to harvest. Enjoy watching you and Grant working together. Thanks for sharing.

[@throttlebottle5906]

you shouldn't be, that old equipment with real farmers lasted and was repaired on sight in a few hours and back to work vs. now days, a $3 part breaks and it takes an week or forty to get repair parts, not to mention most have no clue about how to farm without magical tools and conditions. doom and gloom if SHTF happens.

[@bertrutledge4546]

@throttlebottle5906 true, thanks

[@patricktobin1388]

Many years ago I got to run the pick up wagon for a friend cutting silage for his dairy farm, in August, in the south. Hot, long days and a better lunch than any thanksgiving feast. JT’s Barn and Grill is still using the “vintage” equipment because he only farms 150ish acres and can’t afford the new stuff. Run whatcha brung! It’s all good! And thanks for the memories!

[@northdakotaham1752]

I am running about the same as JT. Some of my equipment was pulled out of the trees and resurrected, put back in the field. The nice part, I can fix it myself and no equipment payments bc it's all paid off.

[@jerryware5749]

@@patricktobin1388 I watch JT's channel too. It helps that he is very competent mechanic.

[@Scotthobart1086]

Another great video! I started driving a 6600 in 1976 when I was 13 years old. We upgraded from a John Deere 95. The 95 did not have a cab. It was a night and day difference and we loved the upgrade!

[@throttlebottle5906]

surprised none of you rigged up some plastic and tarps or scrap materials from whatever. seeing plastics and other silly poison products were still fairly new then...

[@robertmacleod4058]

A comparison of grain loss with each machine would be very interesting

[@georgesjunk]

@robertmacleod4058 yes, agreed

[@ohrazda1956]

@@georgesjunk Not only the grain loss comparison, but the expense of operation / repairs and cost / time ratio.

[@rodnabors7364]

Pretty much what I was thinking. We'd basically stopped any grain production on our place due to combining costs but ballparked getting an older unit and running it. Figured that losses from the older machinery would be prohibitive in their own way, but I'd like to see it tested.

[@matbasterson2128]

I was thinking that exact thing. Any comparison of efficiency would have to include that. That '72 is newer than the last machine I used. I never ran any John Deere combines. I was a bit surprised that there appeared to be no variable speed control on that machine. Gleaners and IH had that back in the day.

[@shomron0]

I remember harvesting corn in Indiana in 1963. My grandfather used his combine and my Dad and I were in the grain truck. When it was full, we went straight to the elevator, no need for a wagon. I am waiting for the cost comparison of the old and new! I think it is the monthly payment and cost of breakdowns, etc. The older one, you can actually work on!

[@mikemullay5622]

I certainly understand the comparison. My 2012 Nissan Maxima and my 1965 Buick Skylark sedan both very capably get me to the grocery store and back, but the Maxima does it with A/C, seat belts, air bags, a navigation system, Bluetooth phone and sound, leather seats and the list goes on. The Skylark has roll up windows, a carbureted V8, a two speed automatic, a V8 engine getting 12 miles per gallon and an AM radio. It only has seat belts because I installed them myself. But I paid $20,000 dollars for the Nissan in 2016, and $3000.00 dollars for the Skylark in 2010.

[@baronlund9725]

Born in 44 and did the custom harvesting thing for many years and one stop was in Upland Neb. Small town with big fields of wheat. Used Massy machines at first and then went to IH. The ace that old machine has over you fancy new one is when both will break down, we can fix our machines and you are at the mercy of the dealer and when ever he shows up. Love ur channel.

[@ReflectedMiles]

Yep. When I saw what was going to be compared, my first thought was that one of the most important factors was when both are broken, not when both are operating. Right-to-repair really matters, just for starters.

[@danielbeiersr3642]

I own and still use 3 of these old combines, 4400,6600 and 7700 turbo, a lot of which one you’d prefer would depend on the condition of the older combined, the older combines are much simpler and much more visible. There are rear axle weights to keep the rear wheels on the ground if needed

[@claudairsocoll]

I like the old ones the most, it's always seeing old machines working.

[@brucehislop8860]

Born in '58 and grew up on pull-type combines (mostly barley). I would have loved to have that '72 model back in the day. Sure the big new combines work faster with less people needed, but when it breaks down you are done (and they do breakdown lots of videos on that!). One small repair on that new combine could cost more than buying a complete working older combine. It might take 3 old combines to do the work of one big new one, but the new one costs a cool million $$ with the header etc, while 3 old ones cost a fraction of the yearly interest you are paying on the new one... not to mention the depreciation on the new one. If one of the old ones breaks down you still have 2 continuing to work... you can afford to have a couple spares, plus one or two for parts and still have peanuts invested compared to the cost of the big new one. I'm not sure how the ROI works out on these big machines... maybe someone could chime in on that.

[@zymmer4]

he fact that one of them is still working 52 years after manufacture just makes the Green Greener !!!!!!!!!!

[@bmorg7244]

Only one of them will still be working 50 years from now.

[@northdakotaham1752]

There are actually alot of those old combines still be used. The average sized farm in the U.S., according to the USDA, is just over 400 acres.

[@kennyFF033]

"I may not be as good as I once was, but I'm better once than I EVER was!" says the ol' iron JD. That ol' girl is at least a year older than I am... and I ain't OLD! ;-)

[@stevewhite8161]

Laura and Grant, I really just love watching your video's. I love your compassion and pure joy you show. Keep up the great work and blessings to you both.

[@mad61974]

Very cool seeing them run side by side! 50 year difference in technology, our grandparent’s definitely knew the meaning of hard work. Thanks Laura, Grant and Gage for a very cool look inside the machines on your farm. God Bless!

[@rongreen5418]

50 years of R and D makes a huge improvement. Love the equipment from my era and they have their place on a hobby farm or in a parade. Thanks for your vintage videos.

[@frequentlycynical642]

Never been near a combine. Loved this video and the husband and wife combine team. I'm at 16:00 and still no mention of costs. These new ones are a hell of a lot of capital tied up most months of the year. Hey Brad, she's a keeper.

[@moneyandtimefreedom3352]

My most favorite video yet, very well done. There was a story that needs to be told and you did it right.

[@teddyhinchey8566]

It’s cool to see the old combine. It cuts just as good as the new.

[@kimblyelrod7850]

Due understand how younger farmers can be impressed on the bigger and newer combines. It's probably like the feelings I got when we moved from using an Allis Chalmers 60 pull-type combine to a Gleaner G, then to using a John Deere 6600. Also used a two row International corn cob picker for ear corn.

[@ohrazda1956]

You had "new" stuff to work the fields. I was trusted with the F-20 hooked to the family's AC Snapper with a bang wagon. Whoops, I almost forgot the elevator and scoop shovel.... LOL

[@PhotoArtBrussels]

... that old combine is in many countries around the world still a fantastic and wonderful machine they never saw before; and would be an huge increase in production.

[@georgelehl3461]

I was around to watch when the 6600 came out and was quite impressed in those days.

[@JulianKeller-om6wz]

I was a mechanic at a Deere dealer when they came out. I remember the first 7700 we got in. Holy cow! Was that a big machine! I remember some old farmers standing behind it going " My gosh. Look at how wide that thing is in back! I bet you can really go through the acres with that thing. But who can aford one"?. I worked on those things for a lot of years. When I see one setting I still like to go and look it over. I still remember everything about them. The things that went wrong, how to fix everything. Shortcuts for some of the repairs. What a pain it was to change the primary drive belt for the cylinder and get everything aligned properly so it wouldn't ruin the new belt in a short amount of time. I bet I could still fix about anything on one of them old suckers. I could still even guide someone through about any repair over the phone. Awww the good old days. Life was slower, simpler and better. A lot more farmers. All the small towns thrived. I grew up on a farm, so when I was done at work, it was home to the farm to help dad. Those were good times.

[@northdakotaham1752]

​@@JulianKeller-om6wznice story, I'm still farming with a 7720T which replaced my 6600. Wheat and soybeans, no corn. I am farming with about $25k invested right next to farmers with several million dollars worth of equipment in the field and six employees. I farm what I own and work alone most of the time. A family member helps as needed.

[@richzitting1978]

I love seeing the 72 combine and thr 4020. My Dad and his freind went in together on a farm in Mountain Home Idaho in about 1971. They tried to poor-boy it with some worn out Case combines, but after a couple weeks they had to go into the Deere dealer and buy a new combine just like that one. We had a 4020 too. What an awesome tractor.

[@bruceniven-z3b]

My 6600 combine was hydrostatic and I had 24.5x32 duals plus 4 wheel drive. Mine would be a better comparison. Another plus for the older combines was that you could not fall asleep as there was no GPS. You had to be awake constantly watching the tailings elevator and clean grain elevator to make sure the combine was performing as it should. A lot of work.

[@northdakotaham1752]

That one had hydrostatic also. It's the red handle to the right of the steering wheel...plus they did have air conditioning and heater, radio...so not quite as crude as it appeared.

[@Cst-dh7hn]

My family farmed up until early 70's then quit. My father quit working the farm full time with his brothers sometime in the early 50's. When we were kids, our school summer vacation was to travel back to the farm and help with planting, chores, and harvesting. A couple of the things I recall from that--driving truck under the combine and trying to keep the a steady pace so no grain (wheat) missed the truck and hit the ground (note that could not see where the boom was as there was no left side mirror); believe I was 13yo then. Also remember operating the combine for one year; only recall that there wasn't a cab and it was very dusty/dirty work.

[@gregboyd7728]

Awesome cinematography and editing.

[@skatedurr]

facts

[@alexandralaske9415]

they are both fascinating. I wouldn't want to thresh huge areas with the small one, but I would do small areas. The small one has one advantage: you can still repair it yourself. The drone shots are great

[@rickmcneal1660]

Thank you for this video. It's easy to think how much more efficient newer machines are today, but actually seeing the difference really brings home the point. I love old cars as they are easier to work on and bring back good memories, but everyday I jump into my new truck which is safer, actually more reliable, and much better fuel economy than anything from the 60's. I could be wrong, but I suspect that either you and Grant are able to farm more land than your grandpa or you're able to farm the same amount, but actually enjoy the fruits of your labor more. Please continue to post your videos as they are both educational (to this city boy) and entertaining.

[@frrapp2366]

unfortunately it takes more land to make the payments

[@kevinviator8536]

Thanks for sharing this comparison, I grew up in the 70’s with the older version Combine and tractors, farming rice and soybeans It was pretty hard on the body, one tractor had no springs on the seat it was brutal on the back. Keep farming , we need you guys It brought back memories I Had not thought about in years 😄miss that lifestyle

[@garymemetoo2238]

Someone pulling a 2022 combine out of the weeds fifty years from now would really be hard pressed to get the thing running at all since most or all of the electronics and other electrical components would be what is known as "unobtainium," perhaps only being found in museums of technology. And good luck with that.

[@CushmanDavis-z4b]

and the mice will eat up all the wiring. good luck re-wiring that combine.

[@Pawpaw-lh9nj]

Hello Laura and Grant. What a great video. Enjoy the new but always keep the old in your heart. Never forget how your grandfather and all the farmers used to farm. They didn’t have AC or heat, didn’t have equipment that drove itself. I love all the old automobiles and trucks but I want my new truck to drive for the comfort and conveniences. You guys are so awesome. That’s why we all love to follow you. Keep up the great videos. Love you guys ❤

[@kronax9252]

been farming with a 4400 now since 1982 appreciate the vid just showing this old equipment makes me happy to see there are alot of small farmers out there that really only have a use for these smaller machines there is just no need for a S780 when you only farming 200 or 300 acres of corn and john deere dont make a new small combine lol i will say that after watching this vid Grant you could push that 6600 a bit harder it will take it

[@peterollinger2584]

Awesome video. I like both. Have a heart of a true farmer. I grew up with those machines. Brings back memories of being in a cab.

[@Live_Free_23]

Enjoy the videos you guys. Brings back memories when me and my Dad farmed 1,200 acres of wheat/soybeans. We had old IH tractors, 560, 806 and 856. 915 IH combine and a couple of grain carts. I'd give anything to farm our old land again however we lost it in bankruptcy like many others back in the 80's. Again please keep up the videos and everyone send some love to my other favorite channels: Tayfarms, How Farms Work and Just a Few Acres Farms. You'll get a kick out of them too!

[@northdakotaham1752]

Check out JTs Barn and Grill. He restores and runs all the old equipment, like I still do, much of it pulled out of the trees.

[@zymmer4]

Laura..when the temp is 108, and the wind is blowing 28 MPH from the south...it's a no brainer..You set the A/C..set the Auto steer, set the radio..and enjoy monotoring the corn head..

[@donaldhofman5257]

I used to work for a JD dealer in Minnesota in the late 70s almost exclusively on combines and balers! I had to make some customized tools to replace bearings on the cylinder! It was a huge job to do the upgrade on the side hill combines self leveling feature! It wasn't fun to replace a hydrostatic motor on a stuck in the mud combine!!!!

[@jls1045]

What a fun video! I helped farm during my teenage years in the '60's, so this '72 combine wasn't even manufactured yet. My, I'm getting old!😅

[@donaldoswald5329]

Great comparison video! Certainly could have compared additional things about them, field losses, grain cleaning and so on, however besides the purchase price of each brought to today's dollar, cost of tire replacement and coearly fuel use would he large. Having ran a 6600 diesel harvesting grain sorghum and hearing today's large combine fuel use is staggering, the old machine had from 40-80 gal tank you could run all day on...today, huge tanks. Whike far from fun, the farmer could repair or replace the steer tires in his shop and be back in the field shortly, newer combines not so fast! Indeed, buddy seats, better cans, better lights, quieter cabs, ac/heat, and all are big help but as another commented....these vintage machines made today's ag possible! I deeply value and appreciate the comparison videos, there are others showing older JD 105, 95, and 55's harvesting....the beginning combines of modern agriculture, value these macines to and do not discredit the Allis Chalners, International Harvester, Case, Oliver, Massey Harris/Ferguson and New Holland or Ford machinery of the all too recent past!!!!! They built US farming!

[@KennyDean-h8t]

Laura, the newer ones may be better but the older ones are still standing the test of time and will work for a long long time ❤😊

[@crjcapt1781]

My first combine was a JD 55 and it was a great machine! The next one was a 6600 then a 6620! Each with its own improvements! My dad started with a JD 40 pull type then went to a IH 141! A couple of Gleaners in between!

[@baraktzfanya3980]

Dear Loura, this BIG new equipment, is what puts so many farmers out of business. The cost of a brand new combine comes up to 1.2 Million $ with a header, a nice size 8R tractor will add 300-400K to it. 1100B cart, 24 raw planter, 60f sprayer... 5 Million to start with. In the old days we run the 6000 combines, JD 4020, 12 raw planter & a sprayer hooked up to this 4020!! We didn't have to pay rents in order to accumulate more land, we had our 300-500 acres land we could feed a family. By then we could fix our JD's alone, tractors were reliable, cheap parts & tires. Think about it!! PS. Loves your channel!

[@jvin248]

Cost is the key difference few understand well enough. Three times the speed but fifteen times the cost; the old equipment can still be profitable at these lower corn prices.

[@murrayfarguson2013]

So much more….to go wrong.

[@northdakotaham1752]

Still doing just that here in ND, Red River Valley. Also working off the farm...full time.

[@petenelson6654]

I noticed you had a Crows Hybrid vest on, my Grand Dad and Dad were both Crows seed dealers for many years until my Dad passed away in 2003 from a heart attack. They both absolutely loved the seed varieties and I still remember those vests and hats from childhood. Thank you for the blast from the past with the vintage equipment

[@mikemadsen6820]

I drove the grain cart for my uncle in 1965. No cab. I graduated high scool in 1971. Does that make me vintage, old, or ancient? Hmmm. Nice video. Brought back memories of Defiance Iowa

[@Mr-Swayne]

The smile at 19:27 tells you all you need about vintage equipment

[@ksieck4679]

The drone shots at the end were really excellent!

[@traviskennedy3278]

God I love farming, I grew up on a mixed grain/ cattle farm. Unfortunately my parents had to sell the grain land back in the late 80’s due to high interest rates. We raised cattle until the early 2000’s, and sold the 4generation farm. I have so many memories of farming with my dad and grandpa. God bless you and your farm!

[@cotton678]

I think both harvesters are the best from John Deere And May they Live on for many generations to come!

[@jameswood-fd6hl]

6600/403 combine what we used in Illinois 1200 Acres long hard work but even now thinking about this brings a smile to me thanks Laura Grant on video

[@danbasham9207]

It's not that old... I was new in 1962....lol. I love these "vintage" equipment episodes.

[@InDeathOnlyNothing]

I wonder if those combines and tractors can be made out of Stainless Steel and never painted or needing paint. I'm imagining all the paint that is missing on those came off and went onto the ground of your crop fields. Another contaminant.

[@derekdraft5976]

It would be interesting to see a cost comparison of the expenses to harvest a bushel of corn with each machine. Fuel, time, efficiency... Love watching your videos and being an arm chair farmer. Thank you for all you do for the rest of us!

[@dougnewby9702]

...also the efficiency of the harvest to see how much grain run-through you got on the old machine vs. the new one.

[@JulianKeller-om6wz]

​​ If you knew what you were doing you could set those old combines to clean and hold grain just as good as the new ones. The principal of the maxhine is still the same. Take it in the front, thrash it, separate and clean it, send the waste out the back. Once you got it set the only thing that would make you run grain out the back was driving to fast and taking in more than the machine was set to handle. The guy that rents my farmland has two Deere S780's. I've checked the fields behind him. If two beans per square foot is a bushel an acre, he's running out anout 9 bushels per acre with those big, fancy, expensive machines. That is a lot. That's a lot of money that could be going towards paying for those things. I know I could set that old 6600 to do way better than that. You just can't over drive them and crowd them. The big ones have to be set right too, and you can drive to fast with them too. The capacity isn't unlimited.

[@malcolmjay6083]

Another excellent video. I spent a summer on a uk farm back in the 60's as a kid before combines existed just trailer based machines behind a tractor - still one of my best memories.

[@Jared-bc8xv]

Great video, love old equipment, l have ran lots of old equipment with wood bearing and chains that ran on wood never had a fire problem

[@northdakotaham1752]

The wood bearings on the 6600 are used on the slow moving auger that move the grain from the front of the combine to the rear. They turn slowly so not a big deal. Simple to replace with little disassembly.

[@Ironhands1206]

We started 30 years ago with a 525 oliver. Moved up to a 4420 which we thought was a huge jump, until 2012 when we went to a 1460 ih combine. We was in high cotton then. Could actually have a conversation in the cab without yelling. We run 2 1660 and 1 2188 caseih combine now. I'd quit farming if I had to go back to the old 4420 😅

[@massey35]

Laura & Grant, I love how ur going back to the old days in harvesting the corn, the only difference in the two machines new and old, the farmer could fix the old machine himself, the new computerized machines you have to call a mechanic

[@JulianKeller-om6wz]

And dont forget the price tag.

[@SteveStanley-m1e]

I'm 68. In 1972 dad bought a new JD 4400 combine (Smaller than the 6600 in the video) with a 13' grain head and 3 row corn head. For $17,000. It replaced our JD 45 combine. The first self propelled combine was purchased by my grandpa and dad together was a JD 40. 10' grain head. NO CAB. NO POWER STEERING. Oh...and it had a metal seat. Grant made the comment about how easy the motor on the 6600 was to service. Except for the starter. Which is located on the backside of the motor at the bottom. Cut off a 9/16 wrench and stand on your head to change it. Which happened almost every year. Seemed to be my job. I could go on but you get the picture. I really hope these young farmers appreciate how well they have it.

[@northdakotaham1752]

JT from JTs Barn and Grill is still running a 4400. Check out his channel.

[@rickwhite2567]

Presentation skills are off the charts. Your brain is working many sentences ahead of your voice. I remain very impressed.

[@jerrymiller8313]

In our area the farms have switched from fruit to grain. Combines have grown from the vintage one you show to the more modern ones as the corn and soybean acres increase every year. Still like the smell of the grape orchards in the fall but they are being taken out at a rapid rate.

[@kimblyelrod7850]

The tipsey of the 6600 and other combines like it, why a lot of farmers made "after market" (LOL) additions for putting weights on the backend.

[@BrianWetzel]

We use Red sauce (Beer juice)

[@tommartin2360]

City boy here. I’m not entirely sure why I watched this except that when I was a teen I did mechanical work on tractors and earth moving equipment. I have to say this was a remarkable video. Well done. You and your husband come across as very genuine. Nicely done! Also I was shocked about how much airborne debris there is while operating. That can’t be good for you! For that reason alone I would probably opt for the new equipment regardless the cost and crazy John deer do not touch policy

[@ZanderCejka]

Love old equipment!!!!❤ Love the vids

[@keenanmcclure1038]

Thank you for the awesome content! We had a John Deere 6600 combine that I remember well. It did a lot of work harvesting many crops and my grandfather could fix it when needed. We still have the 4020D. I'm glad that those tractors are still popular and used for work.

[@r.j.knight784]

Hope you have a great harvest this year

[@blanekopp7339]

That over head view was awsome. Just to think what the farmers had to go through back then. And what they have now is unbelievable thanks for sharing this! Stay safe and pray for a early spring lol.

[@tractorboy373]

I really like are old John Deere 7720 over the newer combines

[@jvin248]

Bolt in a fancy modern chair in the old machine and a sound absorbing headliner and back wall, it will be more operator comfort comparable. Do some numbers comparing pricing (old equipment price when new adjusted for inflation), harvest rates, grain cleanliness in the bin. Include labor rates combine operator and grain carts, fuel estimates. You'll triple your seat time in the old equipment but your machinery costs could be much lower per acre with the old equipment, curious to see how the numbers look. Then consider your seasonal harvesting window and total acres usually planted. If you harvest all the crop in a week now, say it takes three weeks in the old equipment, does it fit in the harvest window? Perhaps next year you could run one field all the old equipment and one field all the new equipment and see how they do. Keep your old equipment around and operational - they are the perfect backup for when the new machines go down and you need to finish planting or harvesting.

[@Jenny-t8y]

You’re perfect, absolutely a work of art.

[@albundy7198]

That’s really weird

[@davemurphy2774]

Farming with Kels a way better channel.

[@AdventureAwaits1111]

Thank you. You are beautiful.

[@prof1982]

I agree not so pretentious and no voice pitching . Grant should be made to do a harvest in a 1970s combine ,it might make a man of him .​@@davemurphy2774

[@tractorguy2494]

I absolutely love this. I grown up with gleaner f2 combines on our farm and then we switched to john deeres. I love the old iron more than anything but also love the new technology.

[@DailyTheme]

Problem with the John Deere technologies is repairing them and you can't because JD monopolized it and it locked everyone out Costing farmers massive money loss and keeping farmers from fixing equipment Can you operate a farm with broken machines?

[@katreniaclark]

Laura, I would like to challenge you to an entire day behind the wheel of the 6600. Now that would be interesting.....

[@danielbeiersr3642]

I own and still use 3 of these old combines, 4400,6600 and 7700 turbo, a lot of which one you’d prefer would depend on the condition of the older combined, the older combines are much simpler and much more visible. There are rear axle weights to keep the rear wheels on the ground if needed. All of my old combines have working A/C and I can work/repair anything on my older combines, no computer are JD tech needed

[@danielbeiersr3642]

My old 6600 10:06 combine burns 2 gallons of diesel per hour at working RPM, 7700 turbo burns 5 gallons per hour, what does that new model combine burn?

[@danielbeiersr3642]

I guess the biggest factor is that I can’t afford one of the new machines

[@kimblyelrod7850]

Being from the old school days, I prefer the older equipment. Cost, ease of working on for repairs, parts cheaper, and can't always have the luxuries of niceties.

[@rustyrelicsfarm2406]

The biggest combine I'd be comfortable running is an IH 1440. My dream fleet is a John Deere 45EB, John Deere 95, and IH 1440.

[@AdventureAwaits1111]

I agree. If the creature co.forts in the cab is what she likes, that old machine can be brought up to date with a newer seat and AC. But, sweaty and dirty is the life of a farmer! She is a KZbinr, not a farmer....she does good on video, but her opinions about the seat and buttons really bothered me. It aint worth the 1.2m price tag. I could put along in that old 6 row deere for days. The longer I am in the field, the longer I have peace. Its a different generation of industrial farming, its sad.

[@MurrayEllis-ur6fq]

Here in Australia I have been following “Laura Farms” for almost a year now . I watch on You-Tube Premium , and for this cost of a few dollars a month I can “Binge Watch” all of the more than 500 Videos at last count , without You-Tube cutting the Video Feed , for “Payed Commercial Breaks” every 5 minutes or so ! Now I must totally disagree with the Viewer who questioned Laura not being a Farmer ! For starters Laura was born on a Farm , her Parents are Farmers , and so where her Grandparents before them . From memory , and without checking old Videos , Laura studied at University , Business Management , before renting Land from her Grandfather “Papa Kirk” to start ‘Row Crop Farming’. When Laura was 20 , she married Grant , who is also a Row Crop Farmer , and between them they have brought a Tractor , a House with Large Sheds to store all their Farm Machinery they are renting , leasing , or buying ! And the Land they own or rent is becoming more and more with each Season ! So if that doesn’t make Laura and Grant “Farmers” , then what does ? Laura did say on one of her early Videos , it is very difficult to be a “Successful Farmer” with only one income , and did say they struggled in those early years , and may not have survived if it wasn’t for regular payments from KZbin ! It would have been about this time Laura started posting short Videos on KZbin’s ‘Farming Channel’ and her Videos have become so successful , Laura has become a “Rising Star on KZbin”! In fact Laura’s Channel has become ‘So Successful’ is attracting many Fans , who are not Farmers , and are learning one Video at a time , how to be a Farmer ! I could check and risk loosing this comment , but from memory ‘Laura Farms’ has had over 30 million KZbin hits is the short time Laura has been posting Videos , and I might add Grant’s Camera work , and Laura with her editing , directing , producing , and acting on these Videos , they are the equal of anything we see on Australian Television at the moment ! PS - Laura , if you read this , I feel annoyed when Readers make “Untrue Comments” towards you or Grant , about not being a Farmer , or just a KZbinr , without bothering to watch a selection of your Video’s to learn about “Laura Farms” and how successful you have become in just a few short years ! And how busy you are being a Farmer and a KZbinr , you just don’t have time to correct every untrue comment made by a Viewer when it may be seen by as many as one million Fans Worldwide !

[@jimvalentine2814]

God, look after and bless our farmers. They are so very valuable to all the world.

[@Phil00484]

Another reminder that cigarette lighters and ashtrays were standard on most everything that had a motor and moved back in the day.

[@SanDiegoCaliforniaUSA]

😆 Yep and now cigarette lighters are plugs for chargers. 😆

[@adambecker5300]

But having a 6600 will bring the old timers great joy still seeing it harvesting

[@davehughesfarm7983]

Old school.... Raised on 4400, 6620...Now we are stuck with 9650's and 1688's....And thats just fine...

[@BrianWetzel]

Amen🫡

[@wilson4328]

I'm 63 now and the first combine I ever ran was the 6600. That was 1976 harvest, Missouri.

[@buzzylogic]

Would love to see a breakdown of the cost of the old per bushel harvested vs the new (with the new equipment payments factored in)

[@matthewmonsees8288]

@@buzzylogic I would think that once basic needs are met, that this would be the golden standard for comparison, but I hardly ever hear it referenced. I'm surrounded by farming, butI'm not a farmer, I own a small trucking company and I know what my cost are to the penny per mile. My newest truck is an 03, and I run that era because they are the best blend of cost, efficiency, comfort, and ability to be upgraded. It makes way more sense to me to buy something that is big enough to not be hampered by size, can take a boost in power and then upgrade the comfort stuff. It's never been easier to add sound deadening, heat, a/c, GPS systems and such to equipment.

[@larsharris]

I wish I could still use my 4400 gas combine for corn. I used to do custom work with it. Small grain, and corn. But boxes get taller. I was doing under 300 bu per hour as I had to go to boxes to unload. Now 9400, 6 row head I run grain cart from it. Overv1000 bu per hour possible. .

[@TomRowan777]

I love how the change of seasons are reflected in Laura's eyes. Depending on the colors of the crops Laura's eyes reflect a range from Emerald Green to today's Glimmering Gold. Ridiculously adorable.

[@hoosierintx563]

I remember when my grandpa got a new 77xx Turbo with a 6 row head. That was a big machine at the time. I was able to run that combine almost every harvest for several years. No need for a grain cart as his fields weren't long enough. Wagons and tractor at one end and a couple of trucks at the other. There was a lot to pay attention to as there were no electronics to help us. I think there were 6-8 lights looking forward. I miss doing that with him. Maybe when I retire I'll be able to find a farmer that wants some help or help with Farm Rescue.

[@KaranDeuinva-x4f]

True goddess vibes, love it.

[@henrycarlson7514]

Interesting , Thank You . Interesting comparasine . We Must remember that in 1972 John Deere ACTALLY Cared about Us farmers and built stuff to LAST , be operated ,and be repairable . As an observation , back in the 70's there were 15? combines operating , now there are 2 maybe 3 on that same field . back then Combine breaks you drag it to the shop and fix it , to day you call the dealer and hope they can fix it . If you have 15 and loose 1 for a day or 2 the lose is not to bad , if you have 2 and loose 1 major disaster

[@massey35]

Am just thinking here Laura & Grant, I am 67 yrs old, and when I was a kid, I don't remember of farmers having there equipment catch on fire using the old combines or balers

[@farmerjon360]

I run a 6620 at 3mph in 240 bu corn. She does an excellent job,is paid for and ive rarely had troubles

[@abderrahmanemaarouf5184]

❤❤❤❤

[@andrewmacomber1638]

What a great video!!! So awesome to see the side-by-side comparison! Nostalgia for the old vintage implements!❤

[@MichaelSmith-lb4kv]

One word sums this video up, Brilliant, thank you, just love the passion and enthusiasm you all put into the work you do. Thanks again, greetings from me in Germany 🇩🇪👍