John Deere green...

Since 1959 Merlyn Farlee has had an eye for all things green, John Deere green.

At 26 years of age with a farm, wife and two small children, Farlee purchased his first John Deere from Byron Implement Company, Byron, Neb. The 1959 John Deere 630 cost the starting farmer $2,300.

The 630 served the Farlee farm well until 1962. The farm began to grow and a bigger tractor was needed - a John Deere 3010 was purchased. Farlee traded his 630 in on the new purchase, but kept track of the sentimental piece of equipment.

Farlee continued farming in the Republic, Kan., area for the next 41 years and then had an opportunity to rekindle the relationship with his first green tractor. He noticed his 630 listed on a sale bill for the area farmer who had purchased the tractor following the trade in 1962.

This was his chance to purchase back his very first tractor, a piece of his farming and family history.

The 630 that had helped start the Farlee farming operation was in good condition. It was in need of just a few minor fixes, but Farlee knew what it looked like brand new and knew he could restore it.

When Farlee brought his purchase home he began fixing and touching up here and there. The tractor’s exhaust was replaced, a new seat and tires were added and the motor was tweaked. Farlee would often go out to the shed, start it up and listen to the familiar pop and gasp the tractor made. The familiar sounds took him back to days before tractors with cabs, four wheel drive and GPS – back to 1959.

The final touch up to the 630 came with a new coat of paint. Farlee may have brought it back to peak running condition, but Bruce Kuhn of neighboring Scandia, Kan., made the familiar green and yellow look as good as new.

The 630 is one of two pieces in Farlee’s nostalgic collection. He also owns his first combine purchased, a John Deere 55.

Some things are just better appreciated the second time around.