Harvest is way behind schedule in 2019. What that means is when it dries out from this latest rain...every combine and truck and grain trailer available will be full bore into harvesting.
That also means long hours and possibly some inexperienced operators running equipment.
To all of my friends and family and even those I do not know...PLEASE...when driving...
BE CAREFUL!!
IF YOU: Are driving a motorcycle, car, or pickup...remember a loaded grain truck weighs around 80,000 pounds and CANNOT STOP as fast as you can.
Trucks, combines, grain carts, headers for beans and corn will be moving around the gravel roads and highways throughout the corn belt...give them room and understand they can't see you very easy.
In other words:
Stay the heck out of the way...
Pulling out of fields whether on gravel or pavement...the trucks will need a wide turn...especially near the elevators and storage sites.
Taking one extra minute or maybe only 15 seconds to slow down might save your life!!
Sometimes a truck will pull into traffic and if loaded will take time to get up to speed...STAY OFF YOUR PHONES so you do not become the next statistic!!
IF YOUR ARE DRIVING GRAVEL ROADS: There will be dangerous intersections and a lot of dust in the air...make sure the intersection is safe.
I drive over 20,000 miles a year on gravel...but I stay off the gravel as much as possible during harvest.
When coming over a hill...be prepared to stop....might be a grain cart or pickup there...or a truck coming at you.
And finally to farm friends and their families and employees: PLEASE keep your hands and loose clothing away from moving equipment, PTO drive shafts, moving chains, and stay the hell out of the grain bins that have old corn in them. You are in one of the most dangerous industries in the world. Make wise choices.
Until Next Time...enjoy the fall sunsets...
