Tractor Addict: How I Got Hooked on John Deere Garden Tractors. 

Neil, this is quality content at its finest. Not just the machines themselves, but the way you incorporate old home movies, photos, and the story telling. I can’t get enough.

Great story. I was waiting to hear you say that you were going to build another barn not that you are going to reduce the fleet.

Great story! I’m a lot younger, and starting a collection of my own. Don’t have a lot of land or property’s to mow. All garage princess!

A few years ago I was forced to give up my tractor addiction. I was a Cub Cadet and Kubota guy. I fully understand the attraction to garden tractors. The older tractors from that Era were just so well built and engineered they deserve love and restoration. I look forward to see the progress. Truly enjoyed this video

I can hear a thousand of these stories and still get chills remembering how I got into the garden tractor hobbie at 12 years old with my 68 jd110 swapping to a cub cadet 123 later on and being hooked on cubs ever since , 13 years and a couple hundred deeres and cubs later I still got a pack of them and now a son to share the passion with

the story was very cool.this video is one of your best

Great story!! Never been around tractors until I purchased my JD 1026R last year.

Amazing for so many reasons. Our hobbies, our fun time, our work time, our loves, and the biggest our memories with family. Nothing runs like a Deere family.

One of the coolest videos I’ve seen! I have a repowered 318 with cab and plow, a diesel 317 repowered I made for a spray rig. A John Deere 1025r and a xuv825m gator I love em!

Love your story only thing keeping me from acquiring a heard is storage space so I just keep tinkering with my 1973 110 :)

Beautiful story behind the John Deere tractors

My grandpa had a JD140. At my house we had a Cub Cadet 125 Hydro. I loved to drive them both.

I’m so excited. I have a 318 with a Honda engine in it. It’s rough but it’s great.

I am glad the new heart will be going into Bill and you reconsidered the paint. Can't wait to watch that happen.

So cool, I have had John Deeres all my life, and restored flipped most of them. The ones I am keeping is an 855 with the loader, and 72" belly mower (I have used this 1987 tractor in some capacity nearly every day of every year since 1997). I have a fully restored 318 that I use as a plow tractor (dirt plowdays, and snow), also a 316 that I am fixing up for my daughter, and a small 1966 model 60 for the grandkids....do't forget the 1968 300 backhoe out in my barn

I love your John Deere collection of garden tractors

Still an addict as is my son, though he has realized you can’t have them all! 2-110’s, 2-112’s all round fenders and three with Hyd lift. 2-140s one is an H3 a 655 2wd and a 955 4wd with 70a loader. 6way blade, snowblower, belly blade, mower deck, sleeve hitch all for NF. Mower Deck, tall chute snowblower, 3 point hitch, belly blade and wood splitter for the 140’s and loader, snowblower, mower deck and the 360 blade for the 55 series. Then for fun the 50 and 80 carts. It is an addiction. He had the 318, 322, 332 & 400, 430 tractors but those were all part of the down sizing process. Still are fun to see and run! Special place though for the 140 H3.

Super cool video and story! Thanks for sharing

Neil, I got hooked on your videos and family life awhile back and since I got kicked in the butt by Covid right before Christmas, I've watched MANY in the back catalog. Loved every minute of the Bill/Brutus marriage and watching you use your vast knowlege of JD garden tractors put to use. Your farm life with Kara and the girls is something to be cherished.

Super Cute! The Grandkids having fun on the tractors, it's the kind of thing kids remember their whole life.

I bought a 1973 John Deere 70 mower from my grandpas friend for $20 when I was in grade school. Restored it in High School. And I can not wait till the day I can teach by boys how to drive on it. Keep The Memories Alive!

what an amazing story, i've been in love with garden tractors since i was a child and saw a john deere commercial on a 90's magazine, this week i just bought a husqvarna lt 112, my first one and the only i can afford right now, really looking forward to mow tons of grass with it

I may be 13 but my tractor adiction started when I first layed eyes on one

Your story is much like mine. Love my old Deere!

I'm an addict as well , videos to prove . Just recently sold my 430 after having it for twenty years still have my H-3 . Love those John Deere's

I had a new 314 and then a 316. Then in later years a 2520… love the John Deere tractors !!!

Hollywood quality storytelling right there, loved it. Thanks for sharing

I grew up with a deer around. My favorite of all a 4440. So love that series of deer.

Neil, that hit right in the feels. I still have my dad's 1971 JD120 that I grew up on. Amazing how long these little tractors run. Good luck thinning the herd! I have the same impulses, and it's hard to let them go. Plus, tractors are fun!

I grew up in a small farm town in Illinois and I always coveted the lawn tractors others had but we could not afford. My grandad had one but I was too young to really use it before I moved away. I am now a city person with a small lot an have no need or space for a lawn tractor but every time I see one there is a pang in my heart. As others have said Neil your story telling is so real and touching, they bring me back to those days.

Great story. I’ll be along to watch future progress

Even as a city boy with some tractor experience, the motto “Nothing Runs Like A Deere” is still true.

I’ve watched this video probably seven times now and I still cannot get enough! Love these videos

Wonderful story, nicely told. You can never have too many tractors, only too little time. Thanks.

In the ‘80’s my dad had a lawn service he had a fleet of 3-4 I don’t remember all of them but I remember the 318 that he kept after he sold the business and the 430 diesel that I LOVED to run. The 318 He had wheel weights and a snowblower, a tiller a powered front thatcher, and a vacuum trailer that thing did it all. My favorite thing about the 430 was the posi button on the floor board that got me out of more trouble than it got me into. After a few years he sold that 318 to the neighbor we must’ve needed some cash but it didn’t matter because it was kept in the garage next door and we got to use it for everything even for a few years after my dad died. I mowed the whole block as much as I could between fences just because I liked it. Thanks for bringing the memories back, thanks to my Dad for teaching me many things about working hard and helping neighbors and thanks to Duane for letting us use that tractor to keep our place up. If he had a beef it’s that he only got to change the oil. Me and my brother did the mowing and the blowing and the mulching and the tilling. Happy Father’s Day!!!

My uncle has a John Deer garden tractor. It was originally my great grandpas but my uncle got it. It’s from the 80’s and it still runs like great.

I still have my 1971 John Deere 110 with 10HP Kohler engine. My dad bought it for me when I bought my house and it has seen many years of lawn cutting and snow plowing. I am in the process now of tearing it down and getting back to work plowing, cutting, carting and landscape raking etc. Thanks for the inspiration and great videos.

That's how I look at things also! Yup and I have a collection of lawn tractors and vintage 70 JD snowmobiles all restored....😀👍

I bought an 83 318 and did a very detailed resto/refurbish on it. Took a few years, at one point most of the machine was in ziplock bags and boxes waiting on reassembly. I'm proud of how it turned out!

I had the 755JD compact tractor. That was a really good machine. It had a lot of heart! I maintained a little over five acres with it! These are great machines!

Now THAT was cool, loved seeing the old footage and pictures of Vernie. Very good story Neil.

Interesting, I started out on a 140 as well. grew up for a few years on a turkey farm, and we had 8 acres of grass to mow, that 140 did it all for many years. it also had a push blade for the front and it cleaned top floors of 2 story brood barns. When we left that farm, that tractor stayed as we didn't own the farm and my father was merely managing it with home accommodations. wasn't long after we moved, Dad bought his very own 1971 140 with snowthrower, mower, tiller and front blade. that was in the early 90''s when he got all of that. My father passed away last year and that 140 is still running like a champ, he did upgrade the engine to 16HP though. I personally have a 430 with 44 loader and 46 snowthrower. I plan to restore that 140 someday and hopefully pass it down to one of my boys. I really would like a 755 with a loader, maybe someday. I have had quite a few Deere's over the years too a couple also being 318's. Very good video, loved your story!!

Missed Yeh Buddy! Because of you I've bought a cab over 5ton and a trailer to haul my equipment. I've been doing driveways, armour stone, general property renovation jobs Thank you

Dude, your lawn and driveway are on point

Your story is almost the same as mine. Dam I miss my childhood.. growing up on a small family farm with many acres of land that was in our family for over 100 years.

Auch powerful content. I go from edge of seat, to tears and cant stop watching.

I share the exact same story but with my father's tractor a john deere 430 diesel, amazing

Makes me want to dig out my old Wheelhorse Workhorse 700. It's still tucked in dad's machine shed. After overhauling the aluminum block Briggs twice and having it seize up shortly after both attempts, it's still running on a Kohler K series I pulled out of a 3 wheeled golf cart that was flooded in the Mississippi river during the big flood of 2001.

Really enjoyed the video. I got my Deere sickness from seeing my neighbor on his 318. One day I said I would have one of those! And on day I did,Loved Old Deere ever since! But after I got the 318 ,I started to wonder about the history of the lawn & garden Deere's,So then came the 110 round fender,crazy spell! Buying selling just as you did. One time I had 12 or 15 Deere. Always wanted & still do a 140 H3. Anyway , like you I realized I couldn't keep them all & I was fixing to retire,So sold off most of them except for a 1964 JD110, 2001 JD455,Yeah , I bought a Cub Cadet too,But still have it. 1961 Cub Cadet Original. Only one I ever sold ,that I miss was JD 330. I BOUGHT & refurbished and sold lot of good old Deere. Like you I loved the hunt!

Awesome story and video. New sub. I have a few restorations I'm looking forward to.

Yep I am a garden tractor addict, I got over 5 tractors and sadly running out of room. Love the story

For sure my new favorite RU-vidr, as they say Nothing Runs Like A Deere! Great story and can’t wait to see the future projects.

I had all those at one point. You really want a all in one greatest JD lawn & garden tractor it's the x595 or x748!!! Nothing like them and worth every penny!!!

When I was a kid, we had a John Deere 400 lawn tractor. To this day, I think that was the finest lawn tractor ever made! I can't even begin to imagine how many hours I spent on that thing and I absolutely LOVED it!

Grew up on a 317. She plowed in the winter, tilled in the spring, mowed in the summer, and picked up leaves in the fall. Taught me to check the oil and air up the tires. Similar to Bill she eventually got tired and we put her on the side of the ride for someone else to enjoy. Thanks for sharing Neil, once again you hit the nail on the head!

I'm a John Deere addict as well. I inherited a John Deere L110, then bought a John Deere 265. Then I found and bought a John Deere Model 111, STX38, and finally a John Deere 185. I now have five John Deere riders, and a YanMar (red) 1500 garden tractor with bush hog, and a whole lot of push, & self propelled mowers.

my dad bought a 140 in 1970 when I was ten. It became my tractor because it was my job to mow the farmyard. It had 2 front remotes and a hydraulic front blade. Dad routed the air cleaner to above the hood to keep out of the dust when mowing. Later he bought a 316, a 318 and a 322, always trading the previous mower. I even think he bought a second 140. The salesman at the dealership wanted to buy his 322 from dad because he said the company had made a mistake. He said they had put in too good of an engine!!. of course my dad didn't sell. He kept that one until he died. I understand your addiction.

I’m sitting at right around 55 tractors in my collection right now. Over the last year I’ve had well over 500 tractors come and go.. those 140s are gems by the way best garden tractor made in my opinion..

My dad used to have a set of old workhorse Craftsman tractors when I was a kid, they were made out of cast iron and heavy duty steel frames. They we invested in a 1977 Deere 214 with a deck, blade and tiller. I was hooked, dad wanted to turn around and sell it but I bought his half and never looked back. I’ve had that tractor for almost 35 years now and everything still works beautifully. I have a 1976 Deere 214 and an 81 parts tractor. The 76 doesn’t get used much anymore but I used to keep one set up for mowing and the other for snow plowing.

Excellent video. I'm a Cub Cadet addict as in i have 11 of them now including 2 originals, a 70,100,105,123,124,125,147,1250,1450 that not all run but good projects. I also have decided to thin my herd to make time for my selected favorites. And a john deere 300 and a new d100. My neighbor tells me they have Hospitals and programs for people with my problem. I just smile and wait for the next one to come my way.

Thanks Neil The words you said made me fall on the floor…”when you wanna be a farmer and you haven’t been born into a farm, driving a garden tractor is the next best thing…” I could agree more!!! Garden tractors have been a hobby of mine too. I started with my great grandmas R72. Not really a garden tractor but it’s we’re I stared. Lol Then a gt235 and a 210. I’ve recently sold both of those tractors and bought a X475. My AG teacher and I plan to build a loader for it. I’m so excited. I think your sooooo underrated. People need to your videos. Btw if you do end up selling one of your 55 series could you let me know. I from Easter ohio and I’d love to make a deal and an upgrade. Thanks Neil Your awesome

I feel ya... 300, 2 317's, and 3 318's... And almost every piece of Brinley equipment that fits... Still looking for a front loader😁

I bought my first 318 five years ago, rough shape but with some hard work and a love for John Deere I brought it back to life, I just recently upgraded to a 1025r and the same day they delivered it to me I was approached by a coworker that wanted to sell his 318 with a snowblower, 4 way blade and mower deck, it was such a great deal I had to have it, I still have my other 318 and have had people want to buy it, I can’t bring myself to part with it. My wife says I have an addiction lol, I am glad I am not the only one out there that likes green, thank you for sharing your story and passion for John Deere

Great story! Mine is similar growing up on my family’s 110 electric lift. I currently have a 110H patio, 140H3 & a 318 w/23HP Vanguard.

I’ve always wanted to be a farmer…all the cool machinery to tinker with and maintain, and lots and lots of driving them!

That was one of the finest videos that I've ever seen!!!! Thank you for sharing your memories and addiction! My problem started when my grandmother gave me my grandpa's 112 in april yellow. He bought it new in 69. Just mowed the yard with it.still has original Firestone tires on it. I now have 14 others. Rf110,sf 110's,140's, 200 series and a 332. Glad we don't need a Deere license for this 😊

I love Walt Adams… and the video too of course! Ive become a tractor addict too but I especially am addicted to the Iseki Bolens tractors. Ive never had a John Deere but the 50 and 55 series do interest me!

Loved this video! What a great telling of a great story. I am sure most of us can completely relate. Can’t wait for the upcoming projects!

Love this video. Same as me. Something about vintage and JD. Good old fashion American Engineering and Manufacturing

That’s an awesome story. Thanks for sharing.

I’ve always had a desire to farm, but like you, I wasn’t born into it. Right now I’m stuck with a 1/2 acre lot in a neighborhood, so my 1991 332 is going to have to do for now! I had a 1986 318 as well, but I sold that after I used the 332 for a few weeks. Something about that diesel is so addicting.

Awesome video and so true

I really enjoyed this, thanks for sharing and all the time you put in…. Fellow Deere addict here lol

Boy if that old girl could talk.Enjoyed the story.

Such a lovely little documentary! Put a big smile on my face.

Yep, exept I like them all. Loved your 318 restoration series!

Dude! Pure Gold! I’m just starting my journey!

I am still looking to get my first 318. I actually just got my first hydro mower, it is a simplicity broadmoor hydro 16. And i now own 2 mowers and one sears garden tractor.

Amazing how genuine your passion I have one and I may have just been inspired to get it back up and running

That’s Awesome what a beautiful place you have Thank you for sharing 👍💪🏻🙏🏻✌️

Cool video Neil and very relatable. My first was a 110 JD that i drove around the yard as a kid all summer long. very neat video!

Love my 316 great video.

This is still one of my favorite videos!

The plowing looks so fun

I have a johndeere 955 gotta say I love that thing

Around the time I was born, my parents bought an LT155 lawn mower, and that was a prominent figure in my childhood. My parents also got a 2040 but that spent its life at a relatives house. I loved the diesel but didn't see it nearly as often. Eventually when they got a zero-turn lawnmower, we pulled the deck of the 155 and I got to have it as my own off roader for a few years until we got a 6x4 gator. I spent one summer making that mower like new again to give to my uncle. A few years later I talked my dad into getting my dream garden tractor, a 430, to mow our new, hilly yard and collect leaves. I know to a lot of 318 guys feel the long nose looks a little goofy, but I love the presence the extra length gives it. The smooth, quiet and powerful yanmar diesel just completes the package. I plan to make sure that tractor outlives me.

Thanks so much for sharing your story. I also love John Deere. Enjoyed immensely.

Interesting story.👍 Thanks for sharing

What a great story Neil!

Thank you for your videos!! You're such a wonderful story teller!

Your love for those machines is how many of us feel about our hobbies. Do we really need all of it? No, we don’t. But do we enjoy it? Yes. We do. I have a similar addiction, except with Craftsman lawn tractors of all things. Not even usable garden tractors. I hope to eventually shift my focus to those, as lawn tractors are limited in their capabilities. But, me and you are similar in the fact that we collect machines we don’t really need because we have a passion for them. Thank you for sharing your story!

Love, love, love everything about this one. From the sweet memories in the old home movies and photos to the beautiful drone shots and I really liked where you picked up the toy 140 to reveal Vernies...it was full of lumpy throat moments. Vernie was a great mentor and teacher to your Dad, as Wilma spent time teaching me how to can, make pickles, jelly and so much more. They were like grandparents to me. They adored your Dad from the time he was born. I know you boys spent lots of time "working" for and learning from them too. Special people ❤ Miss them!

I'd love to have one to restore and use on my property. I love these machines.

Great story !

Loved your story and your passion. I understand. I have a 1983 318 that I restored years ago and still have it. I also found a 316 for my in-laws to use.

Great video!

Love thoses old tractors

Hi Neil, I have watched many of your videos and I have always fund you interesting. But until now I never realized what a great story teller you are. I enjoyed this video immensely. Thank you

documentary master piece ! I watch and loose sense of a time ! thx ! Greetings from Poland !

Nice collection