Straight cutting with a John Deere Titan

Using a variety of archival VHS tapes I have compiled these videos depicting my John Deere 6620 Titan combine busy harvesting spring wheat crops. The combine employs the use of a straight cut header and all the film footage that is shot is located here on the Canadian prairies in East Central Saskatchewan. During the course of this production I make reference to an earlier video and this is the link to "Westward Bound Canadian Pacific Grain Train"------- • Westward bound Canadi...

[@AdamAdam-vy1pe]

I love that you took the time to have these videos made through out your farm career. I think that’s rare. It’s so good to see this farm equipment doing it’s job in the 80s and 90s.

[@berniepfitzner487]

I love the commentary Don. A good reminder to young farmers that a dead fish cannot swim against the current. The coffee shop gossip keeps a lot of people thinking inside the box whether there is any profit in the box or not.

[@DeereDon]

Certainly appreciated reading your very "interesting" comments.

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

Really look forward to these videos!

[@DeereDon]

Hi Nick, thanks for your interest in my old VHS film footage, sorry to say I will only be able to produce a few more and then I will be done. Wish we had taken more film back in those days..

[@m.j.l.abulle9107]

Thought you preferred the red variety & swathing ! Lol yes it's good footage and commentary for back in the day that's for sure . Rolling Stones on the combine radio !

[@SouthSaskFarmer1]

@@DeereDon well some is better then nothing!

[@troyp467]

I'm glad this exists to preserve this history and share thoughts of farming on the prairies st that time.

[@marvinschmitz3442]

Your articulate approach to your operation is quite entertaining. I grew up on a farm 30 miles west of Wichita, KS. Back in the 50s and early 60s Dad put out around 20 acres of Barley which we swathed and then picked up with a SP model 12 Case combine, but then took off the pick up equipment to harvest the 200 acres of wheat.

[@DeereDon]

Hello Marvin: Hard to imagine that swathing took place in your area that far south of the U.S./Canada border, but I guess it certainly was possible in that time era, (no doubt it didn't take long and swathing disappeared altogether, just like in this district.) I certainly appreciate your various comments, thanks for taking the time to watch my video, there are others similar to this one if you care to search them out.

[@stevenstart8728]

Nice footage. Your crops look very good. You were very lucky to have your wife in the truck. My Mother always carted the grain in the 70s and 80s for Dad. In more recent times my wife has carted hundreds of loads in our bogie drive twin steer international. Canola is the only crop wind-rowed here and even that is now going out of fashion. I still like to windrow it though as it brings it in a week before the barley is ready and gets some much needed cash flowing at the start of harvest.👍🇦🇺

[@DeereDon]

Originally my Father did all the hauling of grain at harvest, once I was married my wife was delegated the task, even my brother from another province came home to help at times, but my wife was able to finish harvest in 2010 (when we retired) driving a GMC tandem with automatic transmission. And yes, I swathed all my canola, but that too is changing rapidly.

[@EDBZ28]

So glad I came across your videos! I grew up with this JD equipment and its so nice seeing it being operated in its prime. We also owned a 1979 model 4400 and then purchased a beautiful used 1980 model 6620 from a neighbor in the 1990s, and they were both great machines. You do an excellent job narrating your videos too.

[@scruffy6151]

Good to see another video. You were a man ahead of the times with a straight cut table.

[@DeereDon]

Good to see your very kind comments.

[@patloebertmann537]

Poor Dear old Don lost his marbles keep up the good videos I still run a 6620 and a 7720 good machines

[@Deere70Diesel]

I’ve watched all of your videos. Absolutely love these. I was born in 91 but was brought up on these older Deere’s. It’s really neat to see these when they were practically new. Also excellent choice of music in the cab haha

[@original72canuck]

Another great video with entertaining commentary Don (especially with you rocking out to the stones in the background)! Looking forward to the next one. Keep them coming!

[@DeereDon]

I certainly had to smile with the comments you made, yes, these old tapes bring back some good memories, used to have the radio always going in the background. Unfortunately I do not have too much more film footage and then I will be done. Sad to say.

[@scruffy6151]

@@DeereDon as the old saying goes good while they last.

[@charlest2999]

AWESOME video Mr. Don. It's just so cool to see this equipment being ran when it was new. I run similar stuff now. 7720 and 4450 and I wish mine were half as nice now as your were then. Makes me jealous.🙂

[@truthandfreedom885]

You were a good operator to be in a position to purchase new equipment during the eighties. Enjoy your videos. Thanks for taking the time to upload them.

[@DeereDon]

I will admit there was a upswing in grain prices at that time, and with a couple of years of high yielding crops it all went a long way to help pay for some of my equipment. Thanks for your interesting comments!

[@ericwill1239]

Thanks again for sharing! Always look forward to your videos!

[@christopherhannotte2086]

What a great video. I spent many hours in a 7720 cab with my uncle when I was young. It looks like your equipment was kept in meticulous condition! Great work!

[@tombexy]

Keeping that header full at the end! Awesome to see these machine working when they were new! I think swathers will slowly make a come back, I already have to sign a declaration that my milling oats are glysophate free and with some countrys moving to ban it altogether there could be a big shake up in the ag world in the years to come!

[@okins55farms]

These are classics! Great video!

[@horselakeranch]

Another excellent video!

[@pinesedgefarm1155]

Some great footage, thanks for sharing.

[@keithrobinson1331]

We do love the videos of your farming experience thank you for sharing them sir!👍

[@DeereDon]

I do appreciate you taking the time to watch them!!!!

[@old3ddad402]

Worked down in Nebraska and this Manitoba boy tried to explain what a swather was to most of the younger farmers

[@tylerdaringer2918]

Great video. When were harvesting we pick up chatter from a near by Dairy farm and worse speaking an entire different language lol. My Dad had a Titan 6620 side hill was a very very reliable machine until one harvest bearing went out and caught on fire and made the front page of the paper, great times!!!

[@jimmystrange3817]

Great video enjoy your narration

[@rumplestiltskin7304]

Our farm was south west of Regina, 12 miles from Ogema. In 1961 we had quite a drought Our combine Massey 17 pull type came with both pickup and header. So we put the header on. Worked well on the short grain.

[@noelhohberger1188]

Love watching that machine working

[@thebreakofdon5188]

Another great video. Honestly you ran newer stuff then than I run now lol.

[@roosty6]

Video quality is great. Looks as good or better than the original vhs tape.

[@dejavu6475]

Great job DD

[@massey375]

Just found your channel. I have a 6620 also great machines

[@travishildebrandt3631]

Sometimes it works for the better to do what you think you need to do, regardless of what the naysayers think. Usually it works in your favour 👌🏻. Great video. And a big hello from another farmer in southwest Saskatchewan!

[@DeereDon]

Thanks for your interesting comments. Greatly appreciated.

[@hughwhaley3179]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@jenniferpablo1973]

Hi don a very nice video of the old days and how many farms changed to headers 👍👍

[@danielflint7780]

These videos are great. I enjoy watching this old equipment when it was actually pretty new. How much ground did you farm at the height of your operation? I always find it interesting,especially today when farms grow to massive sizes, that there was, and still is people that can get it done on a much smaller scale. Thanks for the videos and keep them coming...until you run out.

[@DeereDon]

Hello Dan: Certainly appreciate all of your interesting comments. As for land size, at the maximum I farmed 10 and 1/2 qtrs. of land, near the end I was somewhere around close to 2/3 cropped, 1/3 summer-fallowed. Some of this was rented, one fellow decided he wanted to sell and I was given first choice, I decided to back out, at the same time another farmer passed away and the estate had to be settled, decided again that it was too late in life to keep going, and since at that point in time I had achieved what I had started out to do in the beginning, namely seed 40 crops. And that is when we retired. That was 10 years ago, and right now I do not miss it at all, I remember the good times, and when I look at these old videos it brings back some good memories.

[@rikacoetzer8135]

KZbin ahead of its time👍👍👍👍

[@zz449944]

11:45 While unloading on the go is common practice, there is nothing wrong with stopping to unload. It is definitely safer, preventing collisions of the grain hauler with the combine. Those few minutes can allow the combine operator to get out of the cab and relax for a few minutes. Short breaks from the noise and vibration of the combine might ultimately allow the operator to work longer days and help prevent mistakes caused by fatigue. * * * Excellent videos. I had no idea that swathers were so integral to wheat harvesting (in Canada) and their role in eliminating weeds from the finished grain. It makes me wonder if our past will become our future someday, where herbicide and defoliant use will become less common and use of a swather will again become part of the harvest process. Questions: How much is the usual amount of time between swathing and harvesting? How much grain is typically lost (or gained) by swathing? Does poor weather factor into the use of swathing versus straight harvesting?

[@DeereDon]

The time between swathing and harvesting (spring wheat) is usually around a week, give or take, depending on the maturity of the grain (at time of swathing) plus what the weather (hot, cold, rainy, damp, etc.) is like for that week. It can vary anywhere from 5 days to as much as 10. If the crop can be picked up within the week, and no rain falls during that time, then very little crop is lost, only losses that might occur will be at the headlands. On the other hand, if the entire crop happens to be very short and light (especially on hill-tops) then these very light swaths lying close to the ground can suffer drastic pick-up losses. In that scenario it is most wise to consider waiting to straight cut rather then swath. The worst is when rainy periods set in for days (or weeks), that will cause the swath to slowly settle into the stubble and make picking up a truly difficult operation. As well, if the swath is extremely thick and heavy then the grain will take forever to dry out underneath as it is shielded from sun and wind, essential items required to dry the grain before any proper harvesting can take place.

[@calcolson2813]

Brings back lots of memories. While harvesting wheat near Choteau Mt. I used a 7720 titan. With a 24 foot straight cut header. I had a pickup header. But would prefer not to have to use it . Only as a last resort.

[@DeereDon]

I could not agree with you more!!

[@mikefunk8992]

Nice video. I’ve always found those John Deere combine controls clumsy to operate and the engine beside the cab made it loud in the cab. Gleaner was way ahead with technology at that time.

[@DeereDon]

I am not exactly certain what you mean by "clumsy controls" with the header and variable speed on one side of the steering column, reel lift on the other, all the engine/transmission/ "miscellaneous" controls on the right hand side. I believe the cab found on the Titans at that time was as quiet as any of the other companies. Cab had nice steps for entry, wide door for accessibility, not sure how much more all of this could be improved upon back in 1978 when they were introduced. If Gleaner was ahead at that time (1978) with technology like you mention, then it only stands to reason that they would still be way out front in the lead, but by last account it seems that Deere sells approximately 75% of harvest machinery (combines) in North America, give or take. I stand to be corrected on this----- but I still wish to thank you for your most interesting comments just the same.

[@genechronister7085]

Nice vid!

[@renemllermadsen8509]

Nothing Runs ! and I repeat ! "NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE!!...." :) :P And I have to say ! Maybe Im A Huuuuge Deere Fan BUT ! In my opinion The oooold stuff was the prettiest and most reliable equipment they ever made ! at moline plant I have driven a good mount of their products from 87´to the end of thier finest era wich are 1995 eqiupment after that yearrhhhhh I do not know what I have to say but It were not the same gear like the good old round cap models 40´series tractors and 7 and 8 series tractors :) .... but anyway my favorite model has and will always be the 40´series tractors they made :D :) and Im getting so xcited when I se your equipment from that time ! :D it remembers me back to when I was a Kid..... But anyway another completely nice video Sir. :D It was a pleasure to watch Regards from René Madsen in Denmark Europe PS : Sorry for my bad english and gramatics ..... :)

[@DeereDon]

Hello Rene: So nice to hear from someone on the other side of this world, and am glad you enjoy watching these videos. I only have maybe 3 more videos to present to the viewing public and then unfortunately I will have run out of material. (I just wish we had taken the time and trouble to shoot more film back 30 years ago.) Thanks for your many interesting comments.

[@renemllermadsen8509]

@@DeereDon Maybe it’s sad Sir, but for about 30 years ago great farmers like you did not had time and Technology for running around with Cameras and document your work like they do today ☺️👍☝️ ..... but it still feels like being a kid and a Young farmer again when we see a fully operational farm like yours .... it’s so amazing .... I especially remember a time I worked for a farmer here in Denmark .. and he was also only operating with the green equipment, and ofcourse a Young tractor Crazy Boys biggest Wish , were climbing up in the cap of his 4755, chasing a Combine hauling grain in the summer, or use the whole day ploughing the fields in Fall or the work in the spring . ☺️ Yes ! ☝️ it was a whole another time for about 26 years ago and yearh 30 years when I were a kid ...... But again we didn’t farm the same amount of land as you guys over-there ☺️ but Nice to chat with you Sir... ☝️☺️

[@samtalley791]

Another great video! I always get excited when I see you have uploaded I really enjoy these videos showing how things were before my time unlike the song playing I CAN get some satisfaction haha. Beautiful straight truck I have a GMC 6000 I use here on the farm that I just love. Did you keep your farm ground and rent it out or sell it and just keep the home place at your retirement? It’s interesting to see the differences in how people do things in different areas.

[@DeereDon]

I sold all my farm land to a very good friend, but kept the home qtr. where we built a new home. All the bins in the background of this film are gone, sheds still remain, the home quarter is rented to the same guy I sold to. If you look at some of my other videos you can see the yard as it is now. As for my grain truck, it was a 1980 GM 6000 with the 366 engine, bought it 2nd hand in 1981, used it until 2005 when I traded it for a GM 8500. The old truck ran great all the years I had it and only had one minor problem with it. Nothing serious, it certainly earned its keep on this farm. Appreciate your comments

[@samtalley791]

@@DeereDon thank you for replying. I asked about land sale because in my area it is common to sell off the grain bins and machinery and then keep all the ground and rent it to neighbors. Some people choose to rent their bins as well. But my father in laws area most people sell everything and move to town/ other places. It appears you took extremely fine care of your equipment and homestead. I admire people like you that go the extra step and put in that effort.

[@DeereDon]

@@samtalley791 Hello Sam: I guess it all boiled down to the fact that I did not have very much land, some of the land I farmed was even rented, and because of that I did not have any excess money to throw about. I wanted the best that money could buy, but having said that, I also knew it had to last, and the only way that was going to happen was if I took care of it. Which I did to to the best of my ability. I do thank you for your comments. Just curious (and I may have asked you in the past, forgive me if I did) but whereabouts in this big world do you hail from, give or take? Do not have to answer that if you do not want to, no problem.

[@DeereDon]

@@samtalley791 That sure is different soil in your neck of the woods then what is found here in Canada. And fairly flat, compared to what I am used to. Having said that, can I assume your mailbox is right beside the speed limit sign?

[@crookdogg1356]

The good ole days!!💪

[@thetractorguyoldtractor3524]

Beautifull scenic country ... curious what is the name of the town in the background and are the three prairie grain elevators still standing?

[@DeereDon]

Hello, if you go to my channel and look under "Saskatchewan Grain Train ......., you will see a more comprehensive story plus you should be able to make out the name on the elevator of our town. All the elevators are gone, first two in 2002, last one in 2003.

[@DL541]

What is the difference between a JD Titan and Turbo? I worked for John Deere in the late late 90's. The farmer I worked for occasionally had a 8820 Titan II, big machine. However, we saw mostly Turbo's and Titan II's.

[@DeereDon]

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I wanted to check my brochures regarding JD combines, and it took awhile to find what I was searching for. To begin with, there is really no difference between a regular Titan and a Turbo Titan, other then the fact that the combine has a turbo-charged engine. This means essentially more engine horsepower and these engines were provided when the combine came with hydro-static drive. When JD changed over to Titan II combine design some time in around 1984 then there were quite a few "convenience" improvements but the big change came with refinements to the cleaning deck where total combine capacity was increased. (Also a change in the concave area rounded off this package of improvements over the original Titan class of combines.) Thanks for your interesting questions.

[@kolewiebensohn]

All I can say is if that was a farm in iowa their would be atleast a half dozen gravity wagons sitting around the field, pick up heads are far and fee between because no one grows oats around here anymore, it's all rye that gets chopped into silage

[@rickmatz4456]

Swathing will help you gain a 3 week head start on straight cutting. Wheat and barley can be cut green. Barley can be super green and make 55 lb per bushel.

[@DeereDon]

Can you possibly explain why swathers are really no longer sold, why sprayers are selling so good and canola crops are finally being cut straight. If you cut barley "super green" it obviously is not for malt but for feed. That is a given. There is a tremendous amount of variables you are throwing about and it circumstances are not as cut and dried as you are stating.

[@rickmatz4456]

@@DeereDon of course. Not everybody bothers to grow malt. 90 percent of canola is still swathed. And if you swath canola a day early you can drastically reduce yield. Most farms still own and always will own a swather. And yet some of these farms will wait for months and even wait until spring to harvest a crop that they could have swathed in the middle of August. The high clearance sprayer and glyphosphate have really made weed control and harvest ability much more efficient. I farm nw of Calgary. Much harvesting is done late or in the spring. Usually I would rather my crop was in a window before we get 2 feet of snow. But if left out all winter it may be better standing.

[@DeereDon]

@@rickmatz4456 Appreciate your quick reply. I guess it is fair to say is that it seems the vast majority of farmers (and here I speak for this area) are relying unfortunately solely on straight cut (for virtually everything) where I happen to believe in "moderation". I strongly supported the use of straight cutting, but NEVER got rid of my swather for the reasons stated in the 2nd last clip of my You Tube video. I never used gylphosate on my crops either, but around here it is tossed about like confetti at a wedding. And yes, I would agree with you when it comes to some guys that will absolutely refuse to swath their fields when it is getting late, but no, they leave it stand and end up harvesting it the next year. SMH.

[@rickmatz4456]

@@DeereDon yes. I believe glyphos is totally overused. Especially on feed barley and on oats. Oatmeal is loaded with glyphos. Most farmers are 10 days behind with glyphos preharvest burnoff. Even 20 days or more behind. And then when do get their crop in they work their fields at 10 mph and their organic matter is 400 feet in the sky. I watch these guys conventially till and seed. And then roll it at 12 mph. They really have no idea how much their methods and glyphos are destroying their land.

[@rickmatz4456]

Ilove 20 footer . You can get down the road with it.

[@patloebertmann537]

What did you have for tractors just curious

[@DeereDon]

When I purchased my 6620 Titan in 1984 my main tractor was a 4240, with a 3020 as chore tractor. When the 6620 was traded for a 9400 in 1995 I had acquired a 4455 as my main tractor. If you search around in my You Tube channel you will see these same tractors at work on my farm within that time frame.

[@d6joe]

More videos please.

[@sassymassey5002]

Do you still farm?

[@DeereDon]

I decided to retire in 2010 after seeding 40 crops. I enjoyed what I did all those years with no regrets, but felt there is a time for everything, and so we kept just the home quarter, rent it out to a good friend, and get to live in the same yard in a new home and am proud to have received the Century Family Farm Award 3 years ago.

[@redbaron278]

Elmer Fudd does voice over. Nice.

[@DeereDon]

You can't have Elmer Fudd without some Daffy Duck. Just lovely.

[@tiger5551]

This is really funny but informative , in American you have to look real hard to find farmers running pick-up headers As most all run straight headers

[@DeereDon]

As my JD dealer told me many years ago, the moment you cross over the border and go any distance south the chances of seeing a swather sitting in some farmers yard is indeed a very rare occurence.

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Do you miss farming?

[@DeereDon]

I did in the beginning (10 years ago) but at this point in time with the way agriculture is rapidly changing, I would say definitely not.

[@lorenzoagostini9827]

Carburatore dell'orto vhst rosso per a AM6 HM BAYA