Just came back from the sale where my old 4420 combine got sold.

Dad's uncle bought it new in 84 and it became mine in 1988 after he passed away in a tragic auto accident.

I ran it until 1999 then traded it on the current 6620 I have now. 

Here is some pics of it in the fall of 1999 before going to the field.

Here it is the day it left the farm

I knew where it had went and who had gotten it. It was only at the dealers lot a day or so after I traded.

Today it sold at his retirement auction.

I think it had 2400-2500 hours on it when I traded today it sat at 3019.3 Not too many hours added per year. 

I had never spoken to the man until today and it was interesting to hear his experiences and how it had been a good machine for him. He had traded the original 213 head for a later 915 head that had fore and aft and also had a nice 443 oil drive corn head with poly on it and a 3 point tractor mover for the heads.

All 4 pieces sold for one money and I got a chance to talk to the new owner and tell him what I knew about it. Sounds like it will stay in the state of Ohio over around Columbus somewhere. I hope it will serve him well too as he currently has a 4400.

It was good to see it again and remember all that had happened and what it helped me accomplish during those years. I know for sure it's the same one. I had the serial number in the trade papers plus several identifying items were still there even if I would not have had the serial number.

It was still dragging the static chain from the rear axle,

The grain bin auger cover still had the angle iron reinforcement to keep it from bowing in the middle.

The 2 bolts in the cab wall for the back of the extinguisher bracket.

And the 5 holes in the platform where my fire extinguisher bracket was mounted.

A ring worn in the paint by the upright guardrail where the fire extinguisher had sat and worn the paint before I had the holder and the grain saver on the end of the auger.

Here it was today !

Sadly I only have 1 video of it in action transferred off a camcorder when it was here. And not very many good pictures either.

It's the second movie in this album

http://imageevent.com/vprb/farmmpgs

Motor still sounded very good today and was not smoking.

I hope the new owner has many years of continued success with it too.

I suppose many will think this a dumb post that is too sentimental but it was something I felt like sharing.

4420 combine, later 915 head with pipe reel and fore and aft, oil bath 443 with poly and a 3 point had mover all sold together for one money. $23k

Descriptions from sale bill plus numbers I jotted down.

4250 (1984) cab & duals, 4,887 hrs $38,000

4230 (1975) w/ cab, 6,048 hrs $18,000

Very nice 4420 combine, approx 3,000 hrs (1983); 915 grain table & 443 (4, 30"rows) poly nose, oil operated corn head. This unit has approximately 3000 hrs & will be sold complete,  $23,000

John Deere: No-till 750 grain drill (2002) $14,500

JD Disc Chisel $6500

JD 15' rotary hoe $275

JD MX7 rotary mower (2008) $2650

JD 115 scraper blade $1700

 Case International: Model 1200 planter (2004) $14,500

International: Model 710, 5 bottom plow $1400

370 disc harrow $2200

4500 field cultivator  $775

DMI Crumbler $2600

Demco 300 gal poly tank field sprayer (2008) $3300

2 – 300 bushel Unverferth hopper bed gravity wagons on 10 T gears, one w/ auger $3200 & $3100

J&M 250 bushel hopper gravity bed wagon $1600

J&M 475 bushel grain cart $5800

McCurdy hay elevator (actually I think it was J&M)  $900

Brillion 60 culti-packer $1300

Chevrolet, 1975, 2½ T grain truck w/ hoist, Knapheide bed w/ sideboards, plus stock racks, good condition, 18,961 original miles! $8000

Donahue 350 bushel, fifth wheel gooseneck grain trailer $8000

Picture of the Truck

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P1010039.JPG (131KB - 330 downloads)

That was for combine and both heads and the 3 point mover.  All 4 items for that price.

It is light enough and well balanced that I can go where bigger heavier machines will get bogged down.  My problem is that as my corn yields have increased, some approaching 200 bushel I need to really slow down to get the corn through it.   With 150 bushel corn and four row head you can run right along in second gear & the half speed setting on the variable speed control. But when you get up to 200 bushel and more corn it just can't seem to take it, either through the cylinder (wide open) or the separator.   You can flood the separator especially on sloping ground.
  It has been a very cost effective machine for me.  I went to a 915 head as well and it sure helps when cutting beans planted with a six row planter.  By matching the head to the planter it makes it easier to follow the guess rows.  Mine was a low hour machine when I got it (1400) but I didn't pay anything like $23K for my machine & heads, less than $10K but I guess that's why my cost of production is so much lower than what others report.
  You should show some pictures of your 6620 as well. 

Between Dayton and Lima don't really want to give any more precise location for obvious reasons on an Internet forum.

As I sat here reading this thread it made me chuckle. I had more of a love hate relationship with a 4420 we had years ago. It was the first diesel machine we had and the first machine with AC in it. Always had Gleaners but bought the Deere only because the local dealer closed. This was the first machine with a hyd. fold auger on it. The first day out, brand new, Dad wacked a telephone pole with the auger. Thinking back that was a accomplishment with a 13' platform. Took the stress off me when I kissed one with a 26' auger on a combine. Back then remembered the cab was nice with AC and a radio. Also had a mechanical crank you could open the concave you sometimes get a "slug" through without getting out with a bar in the big pulley. As far as the cab the downside we parked the machine in a old crib and when you started it up to get it out the first time to get ready for harvest, you would flip on the AC and get a face full of dust soaked with mice pee. Sitting in cab you could fold your forearms in and touch both sides of the cab with with your elbows. Also am thankful I wasn't decapitated by the door the seat was mounted to changing belts on that power shaft, what a PIA. It was a sad day when that machine left, We bought a couple year old 9400. That machine quickly made the pain go away. 4420 was in good shape with not a lot of hours and I think we sold it for 13000.00 with the 213.