Hay & Vintage Machinery

At Wallen Creek Farms, hay production is a labor of love. We take pride in using classic, restored antique tractors and vintage equipment to work our fields. There’s something special about doing things the traditional way—yielding top-grade square bales with equipment that has stood the test of time. 

Here is a slide show of pictures from our 2026 hay season. Browse through the pictures to see the various tractors and equipment in action.

• 1936 John Deere model A - affectionately known as "Rusty". This tractor has no electrical system or starter. To start Rusty, we crank the flywheel over by hand. Rusty pulled the hay rake for most of the season, and occasionally pulled the hay wagon as well. You will notice a small red gas can hanging off the intake stack - we have to clean out the gas tank this winter!

• 1938 John Deere model B - "Beulah" - this tractor has been in the family the longest - it was owned by Arthur Earl Smith, my grandfather - most likely purchased in the early 40's. Beulah was in an old shed, with a tree grown up behind her, when we inherited the farm. The engine was stuck, but after a few weeks of work, we got her going again. This another hand-crank tractor. We pulled the tedder with Beulah for most of the season, although she also raked some hay.

• 1955 John Deere model 60 - a more "modern" version of the model A, this tractor has a starter, lights, power steering, and "live power". The 60 also has the horsepower to run the John Deere model 336 baler, which is what it did most of the season.

• 1956-58 John Deere model 720 - This tractor is actually our cousin's tractor. We had some trouble with the 60, and he lent it to us to run the baler for the remainder of the season

• 1980 Allis-Chalmers 6060 - "The Big Tractor" - this more modern tractor runs our modern drum mower, which we generally use instead of the old sickle-bar mower simply because it's faster and much less maintenance is required.