A Couple Reasons Why Farming Isn’t Predictable

Equipment problems, and obviously weather.

We applied most of our nitrogen fertilizer last fall because harvest was quick and the weather was suitable.  Only a few fields remained to be completed this spring.

Well, we headed out to the field Wednesday hoping to finish up with fertilizer in about three days.  To start the day we couldn’t get the electric valve to open and allow fertilizer to flow into the applicator.  After an hour or so of not finding the problem, turns out we just had and extra wiring harness in the tractor and had the wrong one plugged in.  Problem solved, let’s get to work.  That is, until the sensor that controls the steering on our GPS guided tractor gave out.  That didn’t stop us from working the rest of the day, but the next morning John Deere came out and replaced the sensor, which takes about five minutes.  Too bad it takes about half an hour to get to the five minute part, and another half hour to put it all back together.  At this point Thursday is half gone, but we’re up and running 100%.  But then at the end of the day I happen to notice some fluid leaking under the tractor.  Upon inspection I’m slightly relieved it’s hydraulic oil and not motor oil, but it’s leaking at a rate that tells me I better quit running. 

So Friday I start my second morning in a row with a John Deere m.echanic with me in the field.  Good conversation, but I don’t want to see these guys everyday or it’s going to be a really long spring.  Turns out we just have a coupler on a line that’s come loose, so I’m rolling again by 9:30am. 

Friday goes smooth all day until about 4:00pm when I notice a tire on the applicator rubbing on a hydraulic cylinder.  Inspection shows the bearing is completely gone and the wheel is just riding on the spindle.  It’s not our applicator, they are provided by the fertilizer dealer so we have that going for us, but the spindle is ruined and it’s a tough spot to work in.  They can’t get parts until Monday or Tuesday.  Today is Saturday and they have a spare applicator they can have to us by this afternoon, so I’m about to head back to the field to finish the two hours of work I have left in our north-most fields, followed by a 40-60 minute drive  home depending on how many people I need to pull over for. 

All these little setbacks might force us to finish nitrogen after planting on a few acres because it looks like we’ve got some good rains coming.  All these little things add up when you’re working in the narrow window for optimum planting time.  We did great last year, finishing it all in three weeks straight minus a half day sitting for rain.  That’s a pretty rare feat.  We had constant rains the day after we finished, April 30, which meant we had neighbors not able to return to the fields until early June.  So let’s hope things go a little smoother from here on out, because what seems like a few hours of downtime now, can turn into weeks of equipment sitting idle.