Yesterday seems like a week ago and I’m even struggling to remember what we did other than cut wheat.
We finished the smaller of the two fields near Arnett yesterday and moved to the larger one. This field appeared to be a piece of cake. However, it’s yielding 60+ bushels per acre and the straw causes a little bit of an issue at times. So, it feels like I’m creeping when travelling at 3.2 mph. I remember when that speed was tops! The field is relatively flat – no terraces like the rest of them have had. And, the best part, it’s across the road from the elevator.
When more than a couple of trucks come to this elevator to dump, it really causes a line and the trucks could be there for more than an hour. The wheat is yielding so well that it doesn’t take much time to fill our trucks. If we had been much further away, the combine would be sitting while both trucks were in line. At least this way, the combine has been able to keep moving – so far.
It sounds as though I really have it out for the Arnett elevator. I do not. It’s much slower pace than the ones we usually dump in. The people who work there are THE BEST! I love hauling into the place because the people are so friendly and make you feel like you’re their best friend. Because of the employees, the rest can be overlooked! 🙂
We’re down to the last 70 of the 1,000 acres we started a little over a week ago. One machine certainly doesn’t “wipe out” a field as fast as two or three (or more) would! One combine does eliminate a lot of the issues that owning multiple combines sometimes produce! We chose to remain small and keep it a family run business. When the stress level gets way out of whack, and I feel like walking away, it’s usually better after I’ve had a good night’s sleep. We worked quite late (for us) last night to fill Frank. I believe it was 11:30 when we got back to the trailer house. I was starving! I think I could have eaten a whole elephant! Nice to have leftovers in the frig – thanks to Taylor and Callie! Just as I was climbing into bed at 1:00 a.m., I heard it – the pitter patter of rain on the roof. It didn’t rain very much but enough that we’ll have a late start. When it’s this close to being done, you just want to get it done! The girls are hoping we finish because we suggested going to the drive-in movie tonight, IF we finish. It probably won’t happen now – unless we don’t cut wheat at all.
While in the process of moving from west of town to east of town, we saw this high tech operation in action. LOVE IT!! As one of our Montana friends once said from the seat of his cabless combine, “Pure pleasure!!
I’m sitting under a tree outside of Ed’s Cafe using their wifi and the birds are in full sing! The sound of one particular bird takes me back to being a 12 year old girl inside my Grandma and Grandpa’s trailer house on the farm near Dacoma, OK. I’m not sure what kind of bird it is, I should look it up. I think it’s some kind of flycatcher… Anyways, I remember laying on the couch that pulled out to a bed trying to get a little extra sleep and that bird would start so early in the morning! I can remember Grandma having NO sympathy for me when I would complain. Probably because she had to get up and start her day anyways. Funny how something like that can take you back to a place and time in your memory bank!
The sun is shining. I imagine Jim will be calling soon to have Taylor take me to the field!
From Jordan, I believe that old combine is a Massey 92 or Super 92 (I suspect the Super model with the header size. That combine is close to 50 years old! Hope he keeps chaff cleared on engine stuck down below the cylindar that could catch on fired. This was the last combine of that series with the next the MF 410 and 510, then a couple years later the 760. Why do I know? Hesston made straw choppers for combines back then and I was the one that sold straw choppers to the companies which was great fun.
Dave Jordan
That is my husband. He always cleans w/air and keeps shedded. It goes in before anything else.The combine is a 1964 Massey Fergurson Super 92 18′ header, that is the orginal red paint, and anyone in Arnett will tell you that. My husbamd is Mac McCartor, born and raised here in Arnett. He has run that combine since 1977.
Glad to hear the wheats doing good there. I’m sure the farmer has a grin as big as ever, especially once you finish the last 70 acres. It’s always a good feeling once the last bushel is in the bin. Now an update on our harvest. We started cutting on Tuesday and cut on Wednesday and Thursday. Then yesterday it rained and is raining right now as well. Cant complain there, we REALLY need the moisture. The wheat here isn’t doing as good as one might think driving by unfortunately. Only 10 – 15 bpa on dryland so far. I think it’s neat to see old equipment like that still running and in good shape. What advantages do you see to being a single combine harvester (if you don’t mind sharing) other than being family run?
The biggest advantage is the labor issue. That’s something our industry is having to deal with more and more each year. Those people who have the Class A CDL don’t want to do seasonal work …normally. When my grandparents started this business they didn’t have an issue with help but they didn’t have to deal with the rules and regs like we do now. When you have a lot of employees you deal with more expenses like insurance, workers comp, IRS, a place for them to stay which means either a hotel or their own trailer and that expense. Food and groceries have to be taken into consideration. And above all else, someone running your equipment. Jim isn’t willing to let just anyone run the equipment that he’s worked so hard to get and keep up just to have someone else mistreat it. But, you only have the income off one machine too. Those who have more machines have more acres to find to keep them running, more expenses but also more revenue. With one machine it’s very easy to find other harvesters who need help or a farmer who needs another machine to work with them. Starting small and working to get bigger (if that’s what you want) would be the way to decide what works best for you.
Well thanks for sharing. I can understand all of that. Things with the IRS and such are getting to be reducilious. I understand about not letting just anyone drive it either. Even though I don’t own the combine, i get mad when someone will break something just because they don’t care or when they trash the place because I’m the one that drives it the most and I like to keep it in good shape. Yea, one of these days when I go I’ll find out what size business I like. I do think the smart thing to start out is just get one, older combine that will still do a good job but not break the bank
Talk to Anthony.
Sent from my iPhone
Hey T&J, Mark knows Masseys never die, but this is a bit surprising! Brad finished Dacoma about Wed. good wheat and good people. His customer built him a trailer space in Dacoma, and Carol’s Cafe there is reported to be the world’s best hamburger. Alva country is absolutely overrun and beat to shreds by oilfield activity. I missed out this year, twisted my knee and am home recovering from surgery (time for facebook!). Glad to read you are doing good.
Come see us sometime, you are going to be closer than you think, about 25 miles. We’ll fire up the grill!
Glad to hear Brad got along so well! But sorry to hear of the accident and surgery! Take care of yourself and enjoy the time to yourself 🙂
Thank You to the Nebraska Wheatie. The Massey Combine picture is of my husband, Mac McCartor, we’re not high tech just old school. He loves that old machine. Can’t find parts very easy, but he keeps machine going somehow. Thank you again, you made his harvest. Stacy McCartor @ smccartor@pldi.net Arnett Ok
OH MY GOSH!I’m so glad you left a comment!! We were so excited when we saw that old combine still cutting wheat! I’m glad it made his harvest and didn’t make him upset. I know when we stopped to get the picture the girls were concerned about someone not being happy that we took their picture. It did my heart good to be able to relay your comments to them. I may have made his harvest BUT it was actually he who made our harvest! I hope he can keep it going. What’s the history of the ‘ole girl? I would love to hear it and I’m sure others would too. Thank you so much for reaching out.