Combine Melt Down

You know, if you have equipment, it will break down.  You just hope that it isn't at a critical time.  But it rarely breaks down when it is good for you.  For us, it has been the combine.  Two years in a row actually.  Prior to us taking over the farm, all the machinery was on what I like to call the "differed maintenance program".  Rig it then fix it later.  But the problem was, later never came.  Later was years down the road when a tiny problem was so big, there was no more rigging it.  So, this time, the insides fell out.  I know, not likely, right?  Well, I wish!  The back end literally dropped and all the sifters and what not's inside were out on the field.  I even have proof, an empty back end to a combine!

People always ask what we do with our kids when we are working on stuff or in the fields.  I never understood that question.  The obvious answer, they are with us.  They love learning about the equipment.  My 6 yr old can tell you more about most of it then I can.  You have no idea how much help a little one can be.  Especially when something is dropped in a small place that you cant get to.  And they love being helpful.  Here, when equipment needs fixed, it is a family affair.  Even grandpa still gets in on it.  

This is our International 1440 Combine.

So anyway, the combine is old, and now, most everything is replaced.  New insides, new auger (from the previous year), and hopefully, it is good to go for a few more years.  We hope.