JD Single Row cultivator tractor question.....

Kaliburz · Jun 10, 2007

Years ago, when I was a kid ( in the '80's), I recall looking at a brochure of a single row cultivator tractor sold by Deere. Bascially, it was similar to a Farmall Super A, but it was diesel (so I recall).

I think the pic was of it cultivating tobacco. Any how, was I dreaming or did they make one??? Kinda interested in getting one..... depending on where and how much......

Farmwithjunk · Jun 10, 2007

Kaliburz said:
Years ago, when I was a kid ( in the '80's), I recall looking at a brochure of a single row cultivator tractor sold by Deere. Bascially, it was similar to a Farmall Super A, but it was diesel (so I recall).

I think the pic was of it cultivating tobacco. Any how, was I dreaming or did they make one??? Kinda interested in getting one..... depending on where and how much......

I'm digging through several books looking for the EXACT model I THINK you're talking about, but you're PROBABLY talking about one of the Deere/Yanmar tractors. In 1977 Deere released the first 2, the 22hp 850 and 27 hp 950. In 1979 they were joined by the 33 hp 1050, followed in 1981 by the 650 and 750. In 1986, Deere released a variant of the Yanmar, the HC900. It was a 25hp diesel, offset seating and chassis for increased driver visability, and 23" of clearance under front axle/27" under rear end. I found one reference to the HC900 as an "excellent tobacco cultivating tractor".

Deere took a slammin' over the Yanmar/Deere joint venture. (Jap Deere) But in the end, they had the last laugh. The Yanmar Deere turned out to be quite a little tractor.

Kaliburz · Jun 13, 2007

Ah, so I wasn't dreaming.....

I would take it that there are very few of these around then.....

Farmwithjunk · Jun 14, 2007

Kaliburz said:
Ah, so I wasn't dreaming.....

I would take it that there are very few of these around then.....

No clue as to production numbers. Deere is very focused on statistics like that, so I'd imagine they would be able to provide an answer.

I live in Burley tobacco country and haven't ever seen one in the field. International Harvester built their "Cub" and ensuing models (140, ect) in Louisville Kentucky, just up the road from us. They had a natural "home court advantage" along with what was probably a superior tractor for the task. No one ever really threatened IH here. Once IH was out of the tractor business, there were enough of the "oldies" left to meet demends well beyond the years when tobacco was still the major cash crop it once was.

Deere always seemed to have their foot in the door with west coast veggie growers. Maybe a better chance to find an HC900 on the left coast I'd think.

My wifes family was heavy into tobacco farming. They did most of their cultivating with a square steel blade on the end of a hickory handle.

I stayed as far away as possible!

milkman · Jun 15, 2007

Farmwithjunk said:
My wifes family was heavy into tobacco farming. They did most of their cultivating with a square steel blade on the end of a hickory handle. I stayed as far away as possible!

You have a way with words that bring back painful memories.