Local Farmer Still Using Equipment From The 70s

Inflation and the cost of new farm equipment is a common complaint of farmers today.
But Leroy Helbling, stays "In the "Black" by farming with decades-old equipment that's "Red!'
Mikkel Pates gives you a look in this week's agweek cover story.

[NateOBrien]

Best part about older equipment is that you can fix it yourself. No computers to deal with

[samuelscragg]

I think this farmer is a very smart person. No computers, no pollution equipment robbing him of horse power fuel economy, more than likely no payment to make on any equipment. And it looks like all his equipment is shedded and very well maintained. And I really liked the look on his face he was smiling and looked to be very happy.

[garygsp]

Ah, back when the farmer bought the equipment the manufacturer never had any thought of telling them what they could and couldn't fix. Looking at you John Deere.

[jaywalker]

This man is a real farmer not a New York businessman playing farmer. All is stuff is CLEAN, cows look excellent. Much respect !

[JurassicJolts]

I think the key was that he said “I’m not a big operation.” It’s cool to see somebody showing that you don’t need 10, 000 acres and $10, 000, 000 worth of equipment to make a profit.

[ShermanT.Potter]

It's the only way a younger farmer like me can make it in farming today. My tractor is a 1967 John Deere 4020, grinder/mixer is a 1971 or older John Deere 400, planter is a late 70's/early 80's John Deere 7000. My newest machine is a 98 Case 1845C skidloader as its hard to find older skidloaders that can lift round bales that I use for bedding. If you want net profit, use older equipment and keep it running well. I bought my grinder for $800, and have put about 1k into it over 7-8 years. A new grinder is 30k or more. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what's going to make you more money.

[russefarmer]

His equipment looks very clean, he is proud of what he does

[onesniper]

Im 25 years old living in a farm town and I love/respect old equipment especially. They where just built to last with quality and passion put into them. Never let the outdated fade away. Let them live on.

[razer]

Way to go! Farm with fully depreciated equipment. Do what ever you can to keep the bank off your farm.

[glenmiller]

My kind of farmer! Older IH equipment that still gets the job done just fine.

[Anguskowald]

I am a dairy farmer in Australia and we use old equipment all the time it might be old but it’s good

[theranger]

Equipment manufacturers refusing to share right-to-repair is killing our agriculture industry.

[larsassinck]

In our area 9 out of 10 farmers still use equipment from 70s 80s 90s only or partially. Stuff like old masseys, John deeres, new hollands, deutz's fendts and Ihc's/case are most common. We still farm with a ihc 553 from 1972 and a Mc Cormick D-439 from 1962

[davidchi]

Well done to the Farmer. You can see that he cares for the machinery, the animals and the land..

[dalesuhre]

My grandfather was born in 1908. He was the baby of the family he had five older brothers and sisters. Two brothers and a sister never married, although they lived at the same home their whole lives and farmed together. My mother and father moved to California but every year we went back to see our family in Indiana. We would visit my great uncles and Aunt at their house and I thought they were dirt poor. They were grain farmers. They still used mules to work the ground up, they're harvesting equipment dated from the 30s and 40s. They were very frugal with their money, when the last brother passed away his assets divided among his final remaining and nieces and nephews. My grandfather received over a million dollars in cash, and each niece and nephew (19 in all) received close to a quarter of a million dollars. I never saw a new piece of equipment or even a new truck or car on their ranch.

[thedon]

Atta boy Leroy!! We also only have IH 1980 ish equipment on our little farm operation.

[johnstanley]

Need more farmers like this, I grew up in farming and I'm still around it. A lot of farmers in serious debt and one harvest away from going under and losing everything.

[petergracemeguide]

Credit to all those who have classic usable machinery. U grew up with international tractor s, I have 4 oldies and a 1980 SAME . I just found my late father's 454 hydro as a forklift. Needless to say I'm happy as is the family to know we have that piece of dad history and now making my history with international. Thankyou international

[justthings]

if you really look at the majority of auction sales, they have 1000 bu grain carts, $500, 000 combines, 1 ton dually's, $500, 000 quad tracks, etc. The rooster has come home to roost, now the auction takes place, IRS takes a 1/3, but you were a self boasting big shot while it lasted..

[donruggles]

Nothing wrong with old equipment red or green it gets the job done .