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View of the day-Getting measured up for duals.
Yesterday was one of the most beautiful days we have seen in a long time, Al had high hopes...that was until he took the pickup out to see if he could get to the cart. Fortunately, he didn't get stuck, he was fast enough to get turned around and back to the road before getting stuck. We wait.
We spent the day in the camper, a tough thing to do when there was perfect harvest weather out there, but what can you do? We certainly were not going to chance getting stuck. To bad there wasn't any wind to really help with the drying.
This morning, we met Tyler from SaskPro in Esterhazy out at the combine. He had come out to measure up the rims on the combine to make the adapter for a set of dual tires. It could only help with field conditions. He left to go to Carlyle to measure up the rims at Kim's for a perfect fit...Kim wanted to get some made for his sprayer, as well.
We stopped at the other field where Beukes was working with another combine, to check out the situation. They looked like they had been finding the mud a fair bit. It was really cold, windy, and it was misting off and on, so it didn't look like anyone was going to be moving, unless it cleared up. Not in the forecast...actually, there was sn...sn...sn...the "s" word in the forecast.
The rest of the day was spent in the camper, in front of the fireplace...there is no way we want to make it official by actually running the furnace and we just wanted to take the chill off.
At least we didn't get snow...
View of the day-Good thing the General doesn't have to go very far with the ruts it is leaving.
Yesterday was a sunny day, so we got a little drying...little being the key word. We took a road trip to Moosomin, then down to Storthoaks and over to Carlyle. We were looking to find some dual tires for the combine...we are pretty sure we will be needing the extra flotation. We had to make an appointment to get a custom made setup to attach the extra tire, then we went in search of rims and tires.
After a visit with Kim, Marg and Gordie, at Carlyle, we went up to the Moosehead Inn at Kenosee Lake for supper, then we took a tour of the cabin that Kim and Marg were the proud new owners of. The sun had just gone down, so we didn't get a good look outside, but the inside was plenty roomy and they have a great view of the lake.
We had big hopes for today, the sun was shining and the wind was blowing. Yep, we had hopes. We went out to the combine, Al drove the General out and once he got in the field, Marilyn noticed his wheels were spinning like crazy, but he wasn't moving very fast. He got it parked...sort of...then we went about getting the combine greased and the windows washed.
Al managed to get the General moved closer to the lineup and briefly entertained the thought of taking the pickup out to the tractor and cart that was out in the field...that didn't last long. If it was that greasy where we were on the high spot at the gate, we could only imagine what it would be like down where the tractor was. We refused to take any chances.
We talked to Beukes and found out they were going to give it a go...they had the quadtrac in the field with them, so if they got stuck, they had the power to get out. Not so for us.
Maybe tomorrow...
View of the day-Without the rain gauge, we can't tell how much it rained out at the field, but we heard from our farmer that it was just over two inches...and it wasn't finished yet.
We decided to make a run back to Yorkton to pick up a few things that had been forgotten at home. This was a much easier to remedy than when we would be 1300 miles from home and realize that they had been forgotten. After stopping at the combine to open up the grain elevator traps to let any accumulated water out, we were on our way.
Marilyn had to stop at Staples to get a laptop order done for the Association of Canadian Custom Harvesters and Al had a few places to visit on his own. Once we were done with what we had to do, we went out to the house to get our forgotten goods...and check the rain gauge-2.75 inches!
We stopped for supper, then headed back for the farm and the camper. The Seahawks were playing and Al wanted to get back for kickoff.
No final number for the rain here...
View of the day-Oh, the day held such promise.
With the forecast of rain, we were told to "get some grain in the bin", even though the moisture was testing almost 19%. You know the drill..."Shut up and drive". So we did, starting at around 11 am.
Al kept busy hauling grain and trying to find a spot for the grain cart, so Marilyn wouldn't have to drive too far to dump the combine. With all the sloughs and soft spots, that was a bit of a challenge, especially since he couldn't get the General any closer than the gate into the field. Marilyn was being cautious by unloading the combine well before it was full...better to take time to do that, rather than wait for the big tractor to pull her out of a hole with a full hopper.
The clouds were staying to the south and we had sun for a few hours after we started combining and we were able to get another 40 acres in before the clouds finally engulfed us and it started to sprinkle. With only a small patch left to go, Marilyn was racing against the weather, when she got the call from Al, who was about three miles south, that "the dust was not flying on the road anymore...be prepared to get the cart tarped in a hurry."
Then the rain hit and while it wasn't pouring to start with, you could see that it was socking in all around and it was planning on staying for a while. The rule of combining in the rain...don't quit until it is running off the header. It was official now.
Just as Marilyn got the cart tarped and the radios and cameras shut down in the tractor, she notice a service truck driving out into the field towards the combine. It was the farmer, Beukes and his brother Alex with fuel for the combine. Apparently, they had time on their hands to fuel up the rig.
Once the combine was filled, they were on their way and Marilyn got the combine back to the edge of the field and headed back to the camper for the day...or days, depending on the rain.
It wasn't looking good...
View of the day-Al starting out the season by trying to avoid the wet spots.
Today was moving day for the last of the equipment...that being the camper. As usual, it started raining as we were trying to get loaded, pretty sure we haven't hauled the camper down our road when it wasn't raining.
We had to do a couple of errands before we left town...parking was a task with the long load...so we did a bit of walking, but at least the rain had let up.
We got to the farm east of Kipling and found a cozy spot to park the camper, within distance of water and power. Before we got completely set up, we took a tour with the farmer to see the fields we would be working on. There was rain forcast for Wednesday, so he wanted to get started...even if it was a bit too wet.
The winter wheat had been dessicated for a couple weeks already, so it should have been ready to cut, had there not been 7 inches of rain in the last three weeks. We checked the fields over, then went back to finish setting up the camper.
We moved the combine and the Dodge out to the field, then Al had the honors of making the first round. Even though he gets everything set before we leave, the difference in crop means a lot of tweaking to get it just right. Marilyn didn't mind giving up the reins since she was somewhat apprehensive about the field conditions.
Once everything was set on the combine and we got the truck full of wheat, Al went to dump it in the bins that were about 4 miles from the field. The wheat was testing 16.1% moisture when we started but it got down as low as 14.8% before heading back up after the sun set and the wind died off.
This wheat is running around 50 bu/ac, so Al is kept busy, not only hauling, but trying to make sure he stays on dry ground...so far so good. On both counts. We are finding mud, but fortunately the farmer said Marilyn could do some "cherry picking" and just do the high spots to start. She's good with that.
We went until dark, then called it quits...we don't know the lay of the land and the surprises it holds...no sense in getting stuck on the first day. The farmer had his own combine and has a neighbour working in the field with him and apparently, they have been stuck a couple of times. He has a big quadtrac tractor, so he has lots of "tug" power to move the combine in short time.
A good first day, making the move and getting started. Only 40 acres, but with the late start, heavy crop and tricky fields, that is pretty good.
Now if only the rain can stay away...
View of the day-Do we remember where to start? It's been so long.
Well, the tractor made it to the farm in one piece and was waiting for us. Al's plan was to wait a couple days for the yard to dry out a bit before taking the combine and shop trailer down to Kipling. We were able to use the yard at Yorkton Auction Centre...Al had the combine trailer there for a week, already...so the plan was to load Wednesday and haul out on Thursday.
Before we could do any of that, on Sunday, we took the pickup head down to Carlyle, since we wouldn't be needing it in Kipling. We got down there, had a short visit, then started back for Yorkton.
We took a look at a tree that the beavers had taken down that was on the edge of the dugout beside the house. This tree was about 12 inches across, maybe 25 feet tall...now horizontal...and it was the only tree that was touched around the entire perimeter. We didn't venture any closer...those beavers can get crazy.
Speaking of beavers, we also saw this beaver house in a slough on our way home. These beavers know how to live...there was a satellite dish on this one! The signal couldn't have been that good with the water up that high.
With the tractor and two headers gone, we were half way moved...only the combine, shop and camper to go. Al drove the combine in to work on Wednesday and had Curtis, from work pick him up from the auction yard. Marilyn picked him up from work when she was done at Staples, then it was back home to get the General. Once it was aired up and all the straps, ramps and chains were located, we went back to town with it to start loading.
The loading went really well considering how out of practice we were and the humidity and heat made us feel right at home...well, South Dakota home, at least. It seems we always load in the heat...how we managed to pick one of the few days of the summer that was actually hot, was one of those "Murphy" deals.
With the combine loaded and hooked up, we went back home to call it a night, that way we could get an early start in the morning. It ended up being not so early an evening, since we still had to get everything in the shop trailer tied down for the move...not so easy in the dark, but we got it done.
We left reasonably early Thursday morning and the only setback we had was to be following a house that was getting moved down the road. Fortunately, they did stop to let the backlog of traffic by before we hit the valley. After that, it was clear sailing...can't say "smooth" sailing on Saskatchewan roads...anything, but.
We got to the yard, unloaded the combine, got everything parked out of the way, then took a look around to see where we might be able to park the camper. There had been a lot of building going on and with this being a new job, we weren't sure what the flow of the yard was...we don't want to be in the way in the high traffic zones. Oh, well, we will figure it out when we get there with the rig.
We headed back for Yorkton, stopping in Whitewood for a quick sub, then took a detour to Grayson, to grab some lunch supplies for the camper. We took the back way home to check out the fields along the way...no signs of action, yet.
The plan is to make the final move on Sunday...but rain is forecast for Saturday...
View of the week-First load of the harvest season has been delivered to the first stop near Kipling, SK.
Plan "A" was to get the header moved down to the farmers yard on Saturday, but it had rained so we decided against that. Plan "B" was to go get the pickup head from Rogers over at Lipton...there hadn't been any rain to speak of in that direction, so we were good to go.
We were working on getting everything else up and running, after the winter off, so the yard got a little congested with all the machinery scattered around. One by one, we managed to whittle the "to-do" list down...hopefully we got everything done that we had to.
Sunday was Al's birthday, so Marilyn took him out for brunch, then we were off to Rogers. It did sprinkle a bit off and on, but no where near the mess they got down at Kipling...they were over an inch total for the two days. We got the header and took the scenic route back, since the roads are bad enough without the rough riding, pickup head trailer helping to throw us around. We made it back home and parked the trailer...it's destination will be Carlyle, but we won't need it there for a while.
On Tuesday, we figured we would attempt to get the straight header moved. Marilyn took the header to work in the morning, so we would be able to leave right after work for the 90 mile trip. It was only a short trip...relatively speaking...but just to make us feel like we had never taken the summer off, we started off the season with wheel issues. The bearing was on the brink of disintegrating on one of the rear trailer wheels. We managed to make it as far as White's Ag in Whitewood, just under the wire as they were closing up for the day. We had to leave the trailer overnight so they could fix it first thing in the morning. Just like old times.
The next day we booked off work early so we could finish the move and this time we were successful. After paying our tab we were on our way. We got to the yard and it was pretty wet, which was made worse by the fact that it was newly landscaped. We managed to get the header parked out of the way by one of the bins, had a visit with Bukes, the farmer, then started back home.
Al had decided he wanted the seat in the General covered and was going to take it to the local upholstery place. Marilyn has several sewing machines and lots of material, so she decided to do it herself...it was just a matter of getting the seat out. Simple, right? If only. The seat cushion was only bolted on, so that was no problem...the back, however, was a whole other ballgame. It refused to go without the whole mechanism.
Marilyn started searching online to see if there was somewhere to get a new seat. There were lots of places and they would ship, but that meant a few days to get the seat. After work the next day, Marilyn decided to see what there was around Yorkton, checking out the obvious places, then stopped at Truck Proz, the local heavy truck repair shop. There, in the middle of the show room, was an air seat under a plastic protector...exactly what she was looking for! After inquiring if the seat had been a special order for someone...it wasn't...and getting the price...$200 less than anything online...out came the card to pay and a boxed up seat was in the back of the pickup and she was on her way home.
We got the old seat out, got the new one put in place...would you believe it...the holes lined up! A perfect fit. We did have to get a new fitting to get the air hose hooked up, but that was an easy enough fix. Boom. A new seat without any grief. If only the door latches could work the same way. Baby steps...baby steps.
Next on the list was to get the tractor and cart moved down to Kipling. Just when we had everything arranged, we called down to see how things were going. They were now up to 5 inches of rain that had fallen! Bukes assured us it was fine to bring the tractor down and unload on the road, then it could get parked in the yard.
We had made arrangements to get Al's friend, Larry, who owns Kardynal Transport, to haul the rig, since we were now down to one truck without the Freightliner. Larry found an opening for us on Saturday, so Al took the tractor in to town Friday night and left it by the trailers to be loaded early Saturday morning...real early...5:30am early. We got there at the crack of dawn...which is coming later...and after getting it loaded and chained down, it was on it's way.
More rain, but it's getting closer...
View of the day-Getting measured up for duals.
