My first time using this 615 combine and 824 corn head. Estimated yield was 120 bu/acre, non-irrigated. The corn will be used for chicken feed, cattle feed, and deer corn.
My Dad 86 years old used to combine atleast a 1000 acres of corn in the mid 1970s with a 915 and a 6 row 30 inch corn head. Know in 1978 he was doing short of 1400 acres. Then in 1979 he went to a 1480 with some New problems. I know he always liked the 915. The corn always yielded 125 to 150 an acre then. I was always the long hour rider then. Great machine and thank you for sharing. John T 😊😊
Thanks, John! That's a lot of acres for one combine back in those days. My dad had a 915 throughout the 70's and it was also a good machine. Also around a 1,000 acres, but we didn't have any corn; only cut milo and soybeans with it. I got to drive it in the late 70's before he traded it for a White 9700 which wasn't as reliable.
I've ran a 615 since 94 (my first combine). I bought it at auction with a 3 row corn head & a grain head for $350. No one bid because it wouldn't start! Drove it home 8 miles pulling a Parker running gear ($7) with my grain head on it.
What a beautiful combine!! I would love to see a video of all the work you did to this last winter if possible. Growing up in central New Jersey, in a fairly large farming area (hard to believe, right?) I worked alot with a neighbor who had an 815 back then, I got to drive that quite often with corn harvest, I miss this very much!! The AC never seems to ever work though!! Thanks again!!
Thanks! I intended to cover all that but then thought it would be too boring. I'll revisit that and see what I can do. I've never been to New Jersey. I hope there's still some farming left! The 15's were a good series. I drove my dad's 915 in the late 70's.
Grew up as a farm kid with my dad and grandpa using a gleaner e. It was a two row head also. I think dad spent as much time swapping out those greaseless bearings as he did anything else during the harvest! He had a 5 gallon pail of those little bearings! I think he could about do it blindfolded! I’m glad you didn’t put a bunch of music in there.
Nice combine, kind of rare, not a whole lot made with the quick attach feeder house, and the 824 head is not common either. Do you still have the 403 then? You should make the trip to the half century of progress show in Rantoul illinois. It's the world's largest classic working farm show. I think you'd enjoy. We plan to take our 303 there.
Hey man it's a 1975 model I know because we owned it from 1978-2000 or so. Serial #12001. I know all the history on it. We bought it from the original owner. If you want to hear about it give me a holler. You bought it from our kinfolk that we sold it to.
I was half asleep last night and gave you some wrong info. It's a 1974. They made 12500 615's in 74 and the last 500 had the new quick attach head and this i s the very first one. In 75 they all had the quick attach head.
Thanks for commenting! And what a coincidence that you found it on RU-vid! (Sorry for the late response, we were dealing with hurricane Beryl and the aftermath; just got internet back). I love knowing the history as it's often as interesting as the equipment itself. Tom did say that it was a family owned machine, but I didn't know much else. I had a feeling that the 12001 serial number had some significance. It's a well worn combine and I put quite a bit of work into it, but it runs strong and did a great job in corn last year. If there's anything else you would like to share about, I'll document it. Thanks again!
Interesting the take out auger flighting doesn't stick past the housing. Corn just grinds out till the next pass...great sample as always. Better than my S680 on a good day...
This is the first machine I've had with the inclined or "bubble up" hopper auger. It looks original. I agree on the sample. I was impressed with it. Thanks for watching!
