Combining soybeans

I took Brad lunch yesterday while he was running beans. I stayed for a little bit & rode around with him. Then I realized I've never shared pics of beans. Ya'll have seen plenty pics of corn - now it's time for a new lesson - soybeans 101. The combine itself is the same, but the thing on the front is just different. It's called a bean head. They can vary in length, but ours is 25'. Yeah - it's massive.
The reel constantly turns & feeds the beans into the machine where they are devoured. There are hundreds of little plastic "teeth" on the reel that help grab the beans & feed them in.
Now you may be asking yourself - "Uh, you said beans - what the heck is corn doing there too? Is it a corn field or a bean field?" Well - I'm glad you asked! Remember the wind storm last September? It knocked down practically ALL the corn in EVERY field. When the cornstalks fell, that meant the ears that were full of corn were on the ground too. Obviously it was very difficult for the boys to combine last year. And of course, they weren't able to get EVERY ear off the ground. So it laid there. And was rained on. And it sprouted. And a corn stalk grew. And voila!- you have corn stalks in a bean field. Kinda freaky huh?!

The other thing that really sucks about beans is how dusty they are. And it's not like regular dust. It's furry. Don't ask me how - it just is.

When I pulled into the field - Brad was in the back. It was SUCH a pretty day I had the moonroof open in my awesome Explorer. As soon as I pulled into the field - not even near the combine - I had hairy dust floating into my car. That does NOT make me happy.

I rode around long enough for Brad to finish the field. Brian was there to help him unload the head to move to another field. When we went to unload - we found this little guy playing in the beans in the trailer.

And this little guy? Ok-he's not so little, but Brady's been helping the boys out on the farm. And even though he's 13 - it was still SO weird for me to see him driving that big ole tractor with the grain cart. I remember when he was born! Guess that means I'm getting old?!

In case you were wondering - YES we believe in child labor on the farm. I mean-do they expect a free ride? C'mon - kids are expensive! And since Brad & I don't have any children to exploit - Brian & Lora's kids have to pick up the slack. Sucks to be them!

Even though the combine takes up the whole.entire.road when they move - moving with the heads on is NOT an option. So they unload the head onto that little trailer & Brian drove it to the next field. Then they re-attach it.

Tell me THAT wouldn't scare the hell outta ya if it was coming straight towards you in a vehicle?

More child labor in action.

B-rad is such a good sport! I hold up the camera & smile & he knows that's his cue to smile back!

Heading out of the field. Brian's in front with the head (you can't see him) 'cuz Brad's next in the combine, then Brady's bringin' up the rear with the tractor & grain cart. (Yes he drives it on the road. It scares me too, but Brad & Brian used to do this when they were WAY younger than 13 - he's gotta learn sometime!)

And like usual - there are drivers stuck behind them. Sorry 'bout their luck...