Resting between harvests, Weinert, Texas
Parked in a field across the street from the inactive cotton gin, here are two John Deere S770 combines. The one on the right is fitted with a John Deere 635D Draper Header. The machine at the left has no header attached. A draper header has canvas belts that transport cut material to the center intake of the combine. This arrangement is better for handling crops where the moisture content is fairly high. An auger header works well for drier crops, since those with a higher moisture content can have the auger create "slugs" of material resulting in a clogged intake. These machines are set up with air conditioning, heat, radios, GPS tracking and field navigation, and a computer that monitors all systems during the operation of the combine. Looking at the cab of the one on the right, I can't help wondering if the white bucket might be the "rest room". The 635D header cuts a swath 35 feet in width. Like most agricultural equipment, these machines are VERY expensive. Used 635D headers (2009-2014), can run $19,000 to over $28,000, depending upon condition. Used S770 combines run around $290,000 for a 2021 machine, to over $500,000 for a 2024 combine with low engine hours. So if you're a farmer who doesn't have the money to buy these machines and have them sit idle for long periods , you get set up with roving operators / owners who harvest for a fee.
In poking around the machine on the right I noticed that the keys were in the cab... couldn't tell if the ignition key was in the bunch. It probably wouldn't matter because this is a machine unlikely to be stolen at night by someone wanting to take it for a "joy ride".
Taken with a Nikon D610, Tokina AT-X 90mm f/2.5, and a KOWA 2x Bell & Howell anamorphic lens.
JLH9455K-WSK2x
Resting between harvests, Weinert, Texas
Parked in a field across the street from the inactive cotton gin, here are two John Deere S770 combines. The one on the right is fitted with a John Deere 635D Draper Header. The machine at the left has no header attached. A draper header has canvas belts that transport cut material to the center intake of the combine. This arrangement is better for handling crops where the moisture content is fairly high. An auger header works well for drier crops, since those with a higher moisture content can have the auger create "slugs" of material resulting in a clogged intake. These machines are set up with air conditioning, heat, radios, GPS tracking and field navigation, and a computer that monitors all systems during the operation of the combine. Looking at the cab of the one on the right, I can't help wondering if the white bucket might be the "rest room". The 635D header cuts a swath 35 feet in width. Like most agricultural equipment, these machines are VERY expensive. Used 635D headers (2009-2014), can run $19,000 to over $28,000, depending upon condition. Used S770 combines run around $290,000 for a 2021 machine, to over $500,000 for a 2024 combine with low engine hours. So if you're a farmer who doesn't have the money to buy these machines and have them sit idle for long periods , you get set up with roving operators / owners who harvest for a fee.
In poking around the machine on the right I noticed that the keys were in the cab... couldn't tell if the ignition key was in the bunch. It probably wouldn't matter because this is a machine unlikely to be stolen at night by someone wanting to take it for a "joy ride".
Taken with a Nikon D610, Tokina AT-X 90mm f/2.5, and a KOWA 2x Bell & Howell anamorphic lens.
JLH9455K-WSK2x