Todays job was to meet with our truck drivers and move grain from our Silo bags in the paddock to our new grain shed. The grain shed was finished yesterday and we really needed to get the bags out of our paddocks prior to sowing or significant rain. I know that drought is the current talking point, but in heavy sticky clay paddocks – a local storm can create havoc and it was forecast.
And even before we started the day it had already showered, making things a little damp. So off Dan and I went…
Dan coordinated the trucks at the shed and I loaded the trucks in the paddock.
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So this is how we load trucks from a bag. A silo bag is simply a large sausage of grain which was filled at harvest. It provides a cheap and simple way to store large amounts of grain for a short time period. However, the bags are vulnerable to damage from mice, birds and foxes which create holes allowing moisture into the bag ruining the grain. |
For the trucks, however, this is hard work. The ground is quite spongy and a loaded truck is very heavy. Which leads to the next photo.
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It takes alot of torque to get a 50 tonne machine moving in soft ground and while the truck is trying to leave I hear a huge ‘BANG’ So, this is the picture of a drive shaft from one of the trucks. Look closely at it – notice anything…? Thats right – its not connected to the truck and trucks don’t move far without drive shafts.And of course the truck blocked access to the bag unloader as well, halting all proceedings. While this is happening, the sky is getting darker and the clouds are rolling in. |
So what else can we do – we have to pull the loaded truck clear and the only machine available is our 7 wheel tractor. You might think a 7 wheel is a little unusual and it is – It currently has one of its tyres off undergoing a warranty repair for a few weeks – making it a little lopsided to drive.
But we grabbed our largest chain and the tractor and went to the rescue. Below is a picture of the tractor and a picture of one of our chain links. Now, instead of having one long large chain we now have three chains – just a little shorter than before.
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So, Dan headed off to town to borrow a chain – which was rumoured to have held the ‘Titanic’ in place at one time – it was a big chain and did the job. Geoff, the owner of the trucks, went and got another prime mover to tow the now stranded trailer.
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However, the storm clouds and lightning kept coming and in the end – it beat us. And I’m not complaining – we are very blessed to have the storm. However, we finished the day with a Jammed auger (trying to unload as the rain started), and half empty silo bag, a broken truck now stranded in a boggy paddock, a stranded semi trailer full of grain in another paddock and – the final insult – my old fergie tractor refused to start, making me walk back to the paddock through the rain and mud for my ute. |
Another day in paradise! 😉