July 16, 2012

View of the day-This combine was parked at the junction of Hwy 83 & 12 and it looks like it  has lots of traction.  Actually there is a bracket across the top of the feeder house that the wheels are bolted to for transport.

Plan for today was to get fuel for the combine from Java, have lunch, then head out to the combine and maybe do a test.  We got the first two items crossed off the list, then went out and fueled the combine.  After finding the farmer working on an auger in his new shop...*drool*...we stopped in to see what his plans were.

Because they were still busy hauling corn out of the bins, we wouldn't be able to start until the trucks were freed up.  It was decided then, that we should at least move out to the field and cut a patch out to park everything on when we got there.


This field is right along US83 highway, so the traffic is pretty hectic.  We have passed this field several times every year for at least 18 out of 21 years...the other three years we allow for construction that made us detour around.  We are always amazed by the turns this job takes us on.

There was a 'point of interest' marker across from the entrance to the field and we were able to weasle in with the header behind the Dodge so Marilyn could hook up.  By using the slow transport wheels on the header, instead of the big high transport trailer, it eliminates having to find a parking spot for the trailer...which would mean having to back up that four wheeled rig.  We haven't mastered that yet.  Perfect spotting of the header by Al and we were hooked up and ready to make some dust...once we got turned around.

Al jumped in and took over the combining duties...here is proof that he does get to drive it every once in a while.  We made a couple of passes on the outside edge and cut a big patch for the semis to park, then we were going to go back to get the grain cart to empty the hopper full that we had gotten...it was averaging around 70 bu/ac.  Just as we were leaving, Lauren, the farmer stopped his semi on the highway...he was hauling a load of corn into Selby...he grabbed a sample from the combine, then went on his way.  As did we.

We went back to get the tractor and cart, then decided to try and fix one of the hoops that was tired and just wanted to lay down...one of the rivets holding the pipe to the bracket insert had broke loose.  Marilyn was going to get into the cart and pass the hoop to Al, but the 102º temps made the cart too hot to handle and being as Marilyn had to sit on the end cap to get into the hopper...well, no one needs a hot seat...we scrapped the fix for a cooler day.


Al got the cart out to the field and we got the combine hopper unloaded and tarped the cart.  We came back to Selby and stopped at the grocery store to pick up something light for supper, then went back to the camper.  Marilyn went directly into the shower and while she was in there, a phone call came for Al...it was Lauren and he had a truck free, so he figured we could come back out and combine enough to fill it.

Al went out on his own and Marilyn stayed back at the camper, watching the radar to see if the thunderstorm warnings for our area were going to hit.  Al called just as he got started combining to say there was an error message and he needed to know what to do to get rid of it.  Marilyn is so used to the little things that come up, so that when Al asked if he could just get in the combine and go, she said yes, it is all set...not thinking about those little issues.  He got the error message off while they were talking and he was off and cutting.

Marilyn is sure Al had it all planned...