Here's some pics I put together from our farming operation

[94BULLITT]

Nice pictures Red farmer and MBTRAC. What part of PA are you from Red Farmer?

 

[redfarmer]

Nice pictures Red farmer and MBTRAC. What part of PA are you from Red Farmer?

I am from Lancaster area about 50 mi. southeast of Harrisburg.... And yes this area is very productive, max yields were 300 bu/a corn and 105 bu/a soybeans. Thank for the pics MBTRAC. Is that your new combine?

 

[MBTRAC]

Redfarmer - that's some yield !!!!

The AFX8010 is our "brand new" second hand combine - recently purchased s/h , 2005 39'frt 726 engine hrs/635 rotors hrs. Shares the shed with a 8120 & our high houred much (ab)used 2188 (they're a great machine)
We've switched over in the new/er combines to CaseIH from JD STS/CTS, (there's still a low houred STS9760 to go), depending on this years result & next years season outlook we'll may buy either a 9230 or 8230.
For the rougher jobs & for seasonal pressures (+ probably a few family sentimental reasons ) we keep a few "clunkers" around that are worth next to nothing s/h but capable of still earning their keep- JD7720, Gleaner, an ancient White 9700, & rare to see now MF PTO's + a SP MF which still are ok on oats & are easy to transport to more remote smaller jobs) -the old White sorts out the operators from drivers.....

 

[redfarmer]

Redfarmer - that's some yield !!!!

The AFX8010 is our "brand new" second hand combine - recently purchased s/h , 2005 39'frt 726 engine hrs/635 rotors hrs. Shares the shed with a 8120 & our high houred much (ab)used 2188 (they're a great machine)
We've switched over in the new/er combines to CaseIH from JD STS/CTS, (there's still a low houred STS9760 to go), depending on this years result & next years season outlook we'll may buy either a 9230 or 8230.
For the rougher jobs & for seasonal pressures (+ probably a few family sentimental reasons ) we keep a few "clunkers" around that are worth next to nothing s/h but capable of still earning their keep- JD7720, Gleaner, an ancient White 9700, & rare to see now MF PTO's + a SP MF which still are ok on oats & are easy to transport to more remote smaller jobs) -the old White sorts out the operators from drivers.....

you must cover alot of acres the way that sounds. we stay loyal to caseih because of great products and outstanding local dealer service. Tried a JD 7730 IVT but didnt like the IVT.

 

[MBTRAC]

Depending in the season we crop upwards of 13,000acres+ dryland across the farms + more share cropping/contracts, though there's been a few years where it's been zero because of drought- we also farm lesser areas of irrigated crops + dryland/irrigated silage/hay.
We've swayed away from JD tractors over the last 10 or so yrs to CaseIN/NH, IMO all modern tractors don't seem to deliver the same "horses"(once they age a bit) as the older gear & sure won't last as long with all the electronics - The STX535 has also been updgraded to 575HP so I guess we're a little HP "crazy".....but it's really about covering the most ground for the least time/cost.....
As for the JD7730IVT we haven't tried it, I'm sure the Hydro/IVT transmissions have their place in specific applications & find their feet in row cropping, to me they're a little too fuel hungry .......(the jury is out if this is offset longer term savings with less rebuild costs....)

 

[DT86]

13000 acres? Is that all?

Seriously though thank you both for the pictures. I look like a kid playing in the sand box now.

 

[redfarmer]

13000 acres? Is that all?

Seriously though thank you both for the pictures. I look like a kid playing in the sand box now.

Yes DT86 what you said! I can't imagine farming 20 times more acres that we already do. Thats like 20 sq. mi. If it were one big feild!

 

[MBTRAC]

Yes DT86 what you said! I can't imagine farming 20 times more acres that we already do. Thats like 20 sq. mi. If it were one big feild!

Unfortunately far from one big paddock - Our farms are spread across 2 States & c.1200kms/750miles & run run as one business - There's some logic behind this distance "madness":-
- Being across differing climates lowers the dryland seasonal risks & maximises the ultilisation of gear/labour, trucks & task specific equipment across dryland/irrigation - particularly the specialised gear like Combines, Forage Harvesters, spray, seeding & hay equipment (most of the larger tractors tend to be based at a "home" farm or local farming area)
-Following the different planting/harvesting times means there's usually far greater resources avaiable on the ground speeding up these time critical tasks on each individual farm - downside is big hours on gear quickly/upside is upgrading or rebuild of gear regularly so we have on own workshop, labourwise it's reasonably stable for the guys albeit "nomadic" at times
- It also allows, where there's season "breaks" for "opportunity" crops to be in the ground quickly be it on our land or share crops/contract, & in the poorer seasons the larger gear is set up/utilised in the smaller holdings on irrigated crops.(c.3000acres). And the cropping operations/byproducts also help support opportunities/flexibility in the cattle & feedlot business.

Irrespective of size, a farm is a farm; theres's something about seeing a good crop harvest that I still find fascinating (after a lifetime on the land).
Partly the combination of seeing of farming gear in action, the noise & unique smell of each crop at harvest time mixed with dust/diesel in the air, but mostly it comes down to the "magic" of seeing something "created" after some months from a seed & the the support of the weather.......there's nothing quite like the "buzz" of seeing a crop bought "home"........be it yours or someone elses, or the harvest from a home vegie garden with couple of tomatoes & lettuces,a hay field, 3000 acres of dryland wheat...............it's all the same feeling of accomplishment.................

 

[brin]

Irrespective of size, a farm is a farm; theres's something about seeing a good crop harvest that I still find fascinating (after a lifetime on the land).
Partly the combination of seeing of farming gear in action, the noise & unique smell of each crop at harvest time mixed with dust/diesel in the air, but mostly it comes down to the "magic" of seeing something "created" after some months from a seed & the the support of the weather.......there's nothing quite like the "buzz" of seeing a crop bought "home"........be it yours or someone elses, or the harvest from a home vegie garden with couple of tomatoes & lettuces,a hay field, 3000 acres of dryland wheat...............it's all the same feeling of

accomplishment.................

Very well said, I totally agree....I remember as a youngster watching my Uncle farm several thousand acres in the Mississippi delta....every morning the big ' M's ( tractors...Minn. - Molines ) they were red...would start up and one after another down the dirt roads they would go, off for a day's work....I worked on my uncles farm those summers and have fond memories...

Thanks for posting and I enjoyed all the pictures...

 

[MBTRAC]

accomplishment.................[/I][/B]

Very well said, I totally agree....I remember as a youngster watching my Uncle farm several thousand acres in the Mississippi delta....every morning the big ' M's ( tractors...Minn. - Molines ) they were red...would start up and one after another down the dirt roads they would go, off for a day's work....I worked on my uncles farm those summers and have fond memories...

Thanks for posting and I enjoyed all the pictures...

Minneapolis Moline....now there's a real tractor

We still run a few Whites which were the spiritual successor to the MM's