This is me going in for my second shift. It isn't a very pretty sight when I come out, so I spared you those pictures. Let's just say I run to the air compressor, and we have ourselves a bit of personal time getting corn dust out of about any place you might imagine it being.
This is a sweep auger. Thanks to that little motor at the bottom of the picture, it toodles itself around the bin auguring out the corn. I imagine it's kind of like one of those little robot sweepers you let roam in your house all night. (Do those really work?)
The corn goes down one of two places in the bin, but the main hole is right underneath the motor. There is another auger under it that takes it on out to the big auger that dumps into the truck.
As you might be able to tell from the picture above, there is some spilling and running over as the corn hill comes down, so at least one person needs to be inside, helping get this corn back on the right side of the auger! Here are your tools:
Here, you can see a better picture of the auger that takes the corn to the middle of the bin and sends it on its way out to the truck.
Once everything is turned on, it gets VERY LOUD AND DUSTY IN THE BIN!
Ok, so why the heck am I in there doing something that belongs on "Dirty Jobs?" Well...... Tall Guy has had three back operations, and Gpa is up at least one heart operation on me, so I would rather pitch in and help than find myself having to do it all. You MUST wear a mask, and my allergies are going to cranky that I didn't have goggles on, but you seriously could not see after a while if you wore them.
And that was how I spent my Tuesday morning. After that, I made lunch and ran to Illinois for parts! All in a day's work for a Real Farmwife of America. ;-)
Will you be having your own show on TLC anytime soon? In all seriousness, I am impressed--not just with what you are doing but the work it takes a farm to get it's product to the market!!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
Farming is NOT a job for the faint of heart, literally or figuratively. It can be a huge demand on the body at times, and then with the drought this year, it also taxes the mind 24/7. But we love it, and it's what we do, so we keep trying to do it to the best of our abilities. Thanks Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteHow come you get all the fun!!! ;-) What a JOB. I love it that you share these big-farm photos with us. And just in case anyone still has any romantic ideas about farming...
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot of HARD WORK, as this post shows!
What a strong brave woman you are....wearing that red shirt!! LOL
ReplyDeleteSeriously, way to step it up! Farming sure isn't for the faint of heart...more like for those with hearts of steel! Hoping and praying that the drought turns around next year. I've loved looking at your green grass photos.
Now, if only they sold those sweep augers to help clean my kids' rooms :)
Hi Lana, I always love reading your blog. Since I was born and raised a city gal, I know NOTHING about farming... SO--this is all a new experience for me, and so interesting. You are right: Farming is not for the faint of heart!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...
Hugs,
Betsy
Your are a good woman! I don't envy this job!
ReplyDeleteYou are a mighty great woman! Way to go Lana!! I agree with Prairie Mother, I wish they had one to clean the kiddos rooms too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all of those photos. It's nice to be able to see the up close and personal of how things work.
Ashley
You are right that your life is definitely not for faint of heart. It is so interesting for those of us NON farmers to get a peak into your life tho and am always excited to check in to learn more about the life you live.
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