A few weeks ago, my sister and I went out to do some photography for one of her photo assignments. She’s currently attending BYU-Idaho, and has a minor in photography. It was fun getting out taking some nice sunrise photos.
Category: Photography
-
Moonlight Photos of the Model A
Last night I took the John Deere Model A out for a few photos. There was a bright moon, so I thought it would be neat to see how the exposure would turn out. I think there was a little too much light though as there weren’t many stars in the photo. However, it was pretty cloudy so I don’t know if it would have mattered much anyway.
To create the shots, I had the camera on a tripod and and did a 30 second exposure with my 5D Mark II. On the one on the left I also hit it with five seconds of light off of the LED flashlight from my iPhone. I think the results turned out pretty well.
-
Photo Shoot with the John Deere Models B, A, and G
The John Deere Models B, A, and G were three machines tractors in the series of consecutive models in the letter series. The B was the smallest, followed by the A, then the mighty G, which was the largest of the row crops. To make this a complete series of row crop lettered series tractors, I would simply be missing the Model M, which would be the smallest of the group of row-crop models. There was also the models D and R, which were “standards”, and not row-crop.
-
630 Christmas Eve Ride
Enjoying a hobby in old tractors means more than just tinkering and working on them. It means taking them out for a ride! Here’s a video I took while on the 1959 John Deere 630 while going over the dry farm.
Update: I also recorded a video that’s similar, but with the A and 630, on New Years Day.
-
Plowing Fall 2013
This fall we plowed up with the John Deere 4230 and JD plough the alfalfa field next to my parents house, as well as some additional acreage. Prior to ploughing, I also sprayed the field to kill off the alfalfa with the John Deere 4020. I also did some disking with the 4020 and BW disk.
-
John Deere 630
My grandpa helping us load the 630 
Doing some work on the 630 
I’ve always enjoyed the look of the 20/30 series two-cylinder John Deere tractors. Once upon a time (before I was born), we had a 630 on our farm. I believe they had a loader on it, and used it to load hay with, but I’m not quite certain. Because of this, the 630 has always had a special interest to me.
A quick history on the 630. If you know me, you know I enjoy the John Deere Model A. The A was replaced by the 60, and the 60 was replaced by the 620, and the 620 was replaced by the 630. In other words, the 630 is basically a late-fifties Model A.
I knew I would like to own a 630, I just didn’t think the opportunity would present itself quite as quickly as it did. My dad has a co-worker that was talking about selling a 630, and knowing that I enjoy the two-cylinders, dad mentioned to me that he was selling one. It wasn’t running at the time, and had been sitting for quite a few years.
Of course, I had to jump on the opportunity. Who wouldn’t, right? I ended up purchasing the tractor, and was fortunate that my grandfather was also able to go with me to pick up the tractor. As much as I enjoy spending time with grandpa, it’s even more fun getting an old tractor with him! He also grew up on and spent his entire life on a farm, and as such gives us opportunities to talk about the “good old days” when these tractors were in their prime.
To spare you the boring details, I had to do quite a bit of work on the tractor throughout the summer and fall. I don’t mind a good project though–that’s the best way to learn about a machine and become acquainted with it.
Although the project is not completed, as you can see from the photos and video, the project paid off. I now have a nice 1959 John Deere 630 to enjoy.
Till the next big thing…
-
Fall Rain Storms and Migrating Geese
It’s that time of year ago–time for combining, changing of the leaves, and geese. Last night, with my window open, I could hear the geese gathering all night long. They are starting to migrate south; seeing a V in the sky is now a common occurrence.
Also, this fall we’ve had a lot of rain. We’ve been trying to get some hay in, and every time it gets nearly ready to bale, it starts to rain on it again. It’s a bit of a pain, but it makes for some pretty mornings.
-
Morning after a Rain
Nothing quite beats a morning after a rain… It’s been getting warm and dry lately, so the rain yesterday was greatly needed–even if it did rain on some down hay.
-
The Story of the A
I had intentions on writing up a photo-book story of the restoration process of the John Deere Model A. I’m having a hard time finishing it, so I thought in the meantime, I’d just throw it up here. If there are any major spelling/grammar mistakes or things you’d like added, please use the comments field below. I’ll add some photos later. Click “Continue Reading” below for the full story.
