In the last seven days we have finished cutting for one farmer, readied machines, loaded and moved, unloaded and cut for the next farmer…twice! Chances are, we should finish today and be doing it all over again tomorrow!
These are the days and moments a “team” is tested. Getting the equipment ready to move and moving it are a big part of what custom harvesting is all about. It’s not simple or easy and every minute counts . The reality is you better be ready, willing and able!
The weather is as unpredictable as the traffic and road construction and the physical work is continually demanding. This is precisely why I tell prospective employees that harvest is not 9-5 and there are no weekends off when the crop is ready to be harvested.
When loading and unloading, everyone has their job and knows what needs to be done. So when we all work together, we have the combines unloaded, the duals on and the grain headers hooked up. The tractor and cart are unloaded and all the “haul trailers are parked. The trucks are hooked up to the grain hoppers and everyone has the correct field names. Plus, someone still has to set up campers. Sometimes, they are set up before we start cutting but many a time it is not (for us anyway) until the machines are in the field. Every minute counts!
Myron and I are VERY proud of our “team”!
Ramps down and Cody and JD unhooking chains.
Markus is under there – do you see him?
I am lucky to be in the cab while the men are outside in the hot sun.
Dylan being Dylan.
JD
One more!
Jordan taking window protectors off.
And CUT!
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".