Combining in Northwest Wisconsin

Today DH is driving the combine while son and nephew are hauling semi loads of corn to a facility about  90 minutes away one direction.  Our grain bins are full which requires the corn to be hauled away.   I went to the field to ride with him.

The head is 20 feet wide which takes twelve corn rows at a time.  

The combine is equipped with a computer.

 

This is one of the touch screens.  It shows a running bushels per acre, the bushels per acre for the field, the moisture of the corn,  and many other things. 

 The main control for the head is a type of "joy stick." Each of the buttons controls part of the head.  Another computer screen is on the right.  Usually it shows how full the grain tank is.  When it is 4/4 full it signals with a "beep".   Another amazing feature is "auto steer."  When one of the yellow buttons is held until it beeps twice the computer takes over to drive the combine down the rows. 

This is the view from the drivers seat.  This year they have chased several bear out while going through the field. 

If you look closely you can see our dog, Pepper lying on the floor watching or sleeping.  Sometimes when Colby is riding with Todd he will lie their also and take a nap.  One day he slept over two hours while riding with Todd. 

When the grain tank is full the corn is emptied into either a wagon like these, the grain cart, or one of the trucks. 

They start extra early and work long after dark.  

This year it continues to be all family.  From DH to our son to our grandkids riding safely in the combine.  Also, our nephew moved here from New Jersey and is helping.  He is learning farming is hard work, long hours, and yet he is learning why his grandfather, Herb and now Todd spend the hours farming.