I took these pictures a few weeks ago, and have been meaning to put them here for people to see. The harvest in the district is now well and truly over, with summer crops already planted and looking lovely after the rain last week. This was the harvester/header that did the work on the property here. The photograph was taken as I stood on my northern lawn. The wheat paddock [the one in my header photo] is not much more than 80 metres from our house. These big machines are very sophisticated these days, with GPS systems, comb sensors in order to avoid hitting higher ground, bin-full beepers, and more beepers than one can throw a stick at!! They have sealed, air conditioned cabs for the driver's comfort. Can you imagine how horrible and dusty the work would be without that.
This photograph is showing the wheat being transferred from the header to the 'chaser' bin. A little later in the day, the tractor and bin were being driven along beside the header with the wheat going straight into it. This needs a lot of concentration and communication between header/tractor driver. If there is a big crop, there is also a need for trucks to be employed in order to move the grain to on-farm storage or take it directly to the wheat depot.
I took this photograph in town during harvest. These are the 'big rigs' that are used to transport grain. I know it's not a property shot, but I couldn't resist taking it. Unfortunately, I missed the front wheels, but on doing a count, that vehicle has 54 tyres. I actually thought it was amusing seeing him pulled up in front of the tyre shop - bet that shop owner was rubbing his hands together when he saw the big guy pull up!! Is it any wonder transport costs are soaring. I hope these few images show a little more of my world.
Thank you all again for your wonderful comments on my recent playing. I do appreciate the feedback.
8 comments:
Linda these photos are great. It is always interesting to see what is happening on the land.
All of that equipment is huge in real life and must consume heaps of fuel.
Where would we be without our farmers?
Hi Linda, I always like your interesting news of life on the land too. These are great photos....did the tyre shop man get any business,.
Wouldn't the tyre man be cross if the driver parked outside his shop and then just walked over to a cafe to get lunch before going off again??
Speaking of beepers and alarms; i decided today that i need a beeper on my sewing machine so I know when the bobbin has run out, so i dont sew another long way past it!!
I love seeing your photos of life on the land, it is so interesting.
Oh! Linda, chuckled at your comment about the tyre shop owner!! Very interesting to see about the harvest and hear how sophisticated it all is nowadays. Must have been hard going in times gone by.
Linda, now everything is clear to me! Your post is so informative and i loved to read it. And I am smiling over the "more beepers than you can through a stick at" - how funny - I love this expression. Yes, this is really a wonder-machine with luxury, needed with such big monsters.
The imagined tyre-shop-owner-story is lovely.
Just fabulous seeing that harvester in action. Interesting that they have gone high tech like everything else. Watching Landline though, all farming seems to have gone high tech. Thanks for sharing.
It is good to read about the harvest and see the photos..I have a friend in Moree who has a farm of wheat and cotton..i've visited twice and on one occasion I helped with the cotton harvest and pulled a lever or two on the cotton baler...a huge machine producing an equally huge bale..I've also sat in the cab of their combine harvester..an amazing piece of kit with heaps of computerisation!!Amazing..x
Oh such well deserved comfort for those guys/gals now! You did a wonderful job explaining how the wheat gathering all comes together.
My German mother said she used to have to do it by hand with a scythe. She was young and always had blisters.
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