• Oct. 6, 2007
On call
It's been pretty slow around here the last couple days - which was pretty nice after hosting 2 different sets of house guests this week. The most exciting event yesterday was when my brain nearly melted down helping oldest son figure out a chemistry problem. Today we were just tending to a few housekeeping items - a little laundry, a little cleaning, and a little knitting. (OK, I guess that last item can't count for housework. ) I was also thinking about how I really didn't have anything to blog about: no finished projects, no livestock antics, no new recipes to review. Then the phone rang- it was farmer husband. He calls sometimes to have me run an errand for him - usually to pick up a needed part for a repair. Today he wanted us to bring any fire extinguishers we have out to the field as the combine had been on fire. He told me where he was and then hung up. (Is it bad that I immediately thought "blog fodder!")
So! We grabbed the two extinguishers and hit the road. I was thinking how ironic this was as I'd just been explaining to my dad (who has lived his whole life in Chicago or the suburbs) that yes, a combine can catch on fire. It can be a real danger when we're having weather like today - it's really hot for October (90's) and it's very dry. The chaff and dust get up in that combine engine and if you get a spark it's easy for a fire to ignite. (combines run on diesel so you at least don't have to worry about a fuel tank exploding)
When we got to the field, the fires had been put out - both in the combine and the field - although the field was smoldering in a couple places. The dark areas in this picture are where it had burned.
This by the way, is what they were combining - a field of soybeans.
The men got a generator hooked up to an air hose and they blew all the dust and debris out of the combines working parts. See all the dust! 
Then the service man arrived to take a look at things. Thankfully, the fire was noticed and put out so quickly that no real damage was done. They are guessing that a rock or something got up in the rotor and caused a spark which ignited the chaff.
Then farmer husband asked me to go to town and get more fire extinguishers. They can't stop every few minutes to blow off the combine, and with this kind of heat, he wanted to make sure he had plenty on hand just in case. He also needed a clean tshirt and some visine!
So, we drove into town, picked it all up, and went back to the farm they were at to drop it off, and then back home again. Hopefully there won't be any more excitement like that the rest of the day.
Here's your farming 101 lesson for the day: this is a bean head, that they use to combine drilled beans. A totally different head gets put on to combine corn. They also take it off
when moving the combine on the road because it's so wide.
And here's a tractor with an auger wagon.
Not exactly how I planned to spend my afternoon, but at least everything worked out, and farmer husband appreciated us being able to run out the door at a moments notice. I'm just glad he's never bought me a pager!! Have a great weekend!
Comments
• Oct. 6, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Danielle
Wow, Thank God no one was hurt or things didn't get out of control! That could be a really scary situation.Farmerhusband is really lucky to have you to do his bidding lol ;) I know what you mean about this kooky weather lately, what's up with it anyway? It's more like Aug. here than Oct., right?
No, I want you to have my walking foot! I never use it anymore--you will I'm sure. email me your addy so I can send it to you asap: here's my email joenorris488@comcast.net
• Oct. 6, 2007
oh my!
Posted by Anonymous
so glad everyones ok..especially farmer husband.
*whew*
xoxox
jen
• Oct. 6, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Thank you for a educational post. I enjoyed reading about farm life.
www.oiyi.blogspot.com
• Oct. 7, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by woolwinder
I'm glad all is well. It would have been a bad day if the fire had gotten of control. The cotton farmers around here are harvesting their fields. There is farming all around us, but all I know about the process is what I observe in passing. Your post was very interesting to me.
• Oct. 7, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anita
Wow. I can't believe how warm it's been! My dad and brother farm in Iowa and they have had a lot of rain. They are working on corn right now.
Glad there was no damage to the tractor! That's frustrating when all work has to stop and wait for parts.
• Oct. 8, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
well that certainly was exciting.
glad nobody was hurt.
what amazing machinery.
enjoy reading about the farm life, very interesting.
jessica
www.somethingjessica.blogspot.com
• Oct. 8, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
That was quite the excitement!! I'm like you... always thinking 'blog fodder'. My kids keep telling me that if it weren't for my blog I wouldn't take any pictures! Thanks for the combine lesson :-) I have a funny combine story I'll have to tell you someday!!
Janice
• Oct. 8, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I love these pictures! And I am glad the fire was not a big problem! It seems "just like a man" to continue to use the combine with extra fire extinguishers in tow!!! ;)
Randi
• Oct. 8, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Oh my gosh that must have been so scary! That would have freaked me out. Not only do you have a hubby, a very expensive piece of farming equipment and an entire field of soy beans on the line, but you are also going out with a fire extinguisher in hand. Just an extinguisher! Lordy! I am so glad it is all okay.
~kelli
• Oct. 11, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Mama Bear
What a blessing everyone was ok!
My grandchildren would be impressed with that rig! They think their grandfather's old 48 Ford tractor is something. My husband, truth be told, would love a tractor like yours, but for snowplowing and moving logs around.
• Oct. 11, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Gosh, that was scary. Glad everything turned out OK.I can't imagine why you don't want a pager ;)
• Oct. 11, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
That previous post was me, hakucho, a bit out of practice. I also think I didn't sign my name to the cute pumpkin hat comment as well.....got to register to this blog thingie ;)
• Oct. 12, 2007
combine fire
Posted by Anonymous
I want to know more about all the farm machinery and how it works. I am totally fascinated. I want a tractor but have no excuse for one. I'm glad the fire was put out fast and no one was hurt. You lead such an interesting life!
