Nancy Eberts – Eberts Harvesting, Inc.
We are working on soybeans in Eastern North Dakota and have finally had some field time. The snow, ice and humid/gray days (along with winter conditions) have subsided – for now.
The picturesque frost came off the trees after a few days and looked like hail on the ground.
I have water in the bathroom but not the kitchen. But…hey…I can still take a shower and do dishes in the bathroom sink. Life is good!
Myron is always up at the crack of dawn getting things started and “unplugged”. His quick breakfast is usually an egg sandwich in Reynolds Wrap (quick to eat if no time to sit) and, of course, his vitamins and vegetables! (In liquid form!)
Supper tonight is scalloped potatoes and roast beef! Gonna run the oven as much as I can. I may need to run to Menards later today to get more washer fluid and Howe’s for the trucks .
Working together to prepare the draper heads for the day. The frost (and sometimes even snow) overnight freezes the soybean dust and debris to the belt and in every crevice on the header.
With the snow and frost every morning, the machines, and especially the heads, need to be cleaned up. Soybean dust and debris is nothing unusual but when you add frozen humid air continually it is an added daily chore. Cole is running the pry bar this morning.
There have been days when it has been necessary to use the torch to heat up the frozen soybean dust and debris to clean the heads. The equipment is continually subjected to the frozen air and cold temperatures.
Another “seasonal necessity” is windshield washer fluid – we have now switched to the purple stuff (-35 degree gallon jugs). This is sprayed on not only in the morning but also a few times throughout the day if the weather includes light snow. It’s sprayed again at night so the build-up doesn’t freeze to the header and helps make for easier servicing in the morning.
The video is an example of spraying the fluid on the edge of the draper. This is what they have been doing for quite some time to help keep debris from sticking and building up.
In the frigid temps, a constant check of air pressure, whether equipment or trucks, is a must. Single digits can make tire pressure a constant “situation”. The combines are out in the conditions overnight and, although plugged in, it takes some time to get rolling in the morning.
The mornings are long enough just getting things started and rolling – but there is always something. Here, a spindle broke. Myron has the repairs and got things back together in no time. Some days, there is “just one more thing” to add to the list of morning chores.
Humid air and cold temperatures make for what looks like a cool picture but, in reality, is a constant struggle!
All in all, we keep moving forward…slow, but steady.
There are a lot of acres of crops yet to be harvested around here. The October 11th snowstorm (which dropped 13” of snow), the continuing moisture, humidity and cold temperatures have created an interesting fall harvest. The nights are longer now as the combines and other equipment are driven to a farmstead near the field to plug in whatever they can. It is a constant cold – a constant part of “getting it done”. But you do what you have to do. You know you’re not alone and that, little by little, it will get done.
You take the good with the bad.
If Mother Nature gives us a break, things will move along so that we will be home before Christmas!