Good Morning everyone,
52 here 5:30 am , rain by night fall so pushing hard today on the crops. Ok Loyd asked me several questions from PA about midwest farming. I did not PM this as I thought some non farmers would find this interesting.
First we have a straight truck tanker that hauls diesel fuel all day long to keep everyone filled. Next all equipment is leased and back to the dealer by Thanksgiving (usually already sold for next yr). There are 3 - 16 row combines that run 4 to 5 mph depending on conditions in the field. Each takes in about 4,000 bu and hr. Each combine can do 300 acres of corn a day (totally depending on wx and how far we have to travel to the next place) Another BIG if is that we have the semis right on time waiting. There are three 1,000 bu Kinze "dump wagons" that follow the combines so they never have to stop called "catch on the run". These dump wagons can fill one semi (1,000 bu) legally.
Tractors: 3 new John Deere 9560R 4 wheel drives , duels all around, 825 cu in turbo charged engine putting out 600 to 700 hp (Ryan -this is REAL draw-bar hp, not what we look for in racing
350 gallons of diesel when full. 18 speed power shift trans going forward. Tractor weighs in at around 42,000 with lots of weights hung on the front.
Tractors are pulling 5 section, 50 ft wide chisel plows. When I am in the field the whole rig is 2 ft longer than the legal length for a semi in Illinois. We try for 250 acres a day per tractor. Then all equipment taken back and we lease all over again in the spring - new tractors , one new 48 row planter. One might think this is nuts leasing but the instant response day or night from Deere because they are warrantied is worth it trust me among other money issues. Nothing like sitting in the dark with down equipment and weather is coming. The corn is dried in a gigantic natural gas driers (should see that heating bill) then put into bins or trucked to the Illinois river. That is why we can combine even if light rain or dew.
Ok KW - your the only one that I think on here that can correct me from the big fields of N Dakota. Sound about right? Got to go. I will check in on my I Phone if any questions. sorry I did not PM this to Loyd but thought it might be interesting to others. Got to get done with this and go "petro hunting". I thought I retired from the Univ but when dad died I ran double duty - whew! You all have a safe day out there. Hope this is what you needed Loyd.
