North Dakota Building Stacks of Oats

[mbkerk]

We are nearing our show, WMSTR (http://www.rollag.com) (Labor Day Weekend) and I have been putting in a lot of hours on the show grounds getting ready. Usually it is normal maintenance things, but once and a while I get to learn something new.

We have a big threshing demonstration all 4 days of our show. We usually have somewhere around 25 loads of wheat and oats to thresh, so there are a variety of separators and power equipment to see in operation.

There seems to be a demand for threshing off of stacks, and we try to accommodate. This year Doug G, who normally builds the stacks could not get it done, so Rick H, Kelly M, and I built them. Rick has helped Doug in the past, so he knew how it was done, but these are the first he has ever built. They turned out pretty good! Kelly and I had never been involved in this procedure, so we learned! It took 4 loads and about 7 hours to get them done!

Here is the procedure...

This is before we started. There was rain threatening the night before, so we had covered the ground. You can't build the stack on wet ground. Rick is pictured here getting ready to start. BTW... most of our loads are bigger... this one finished the field.

http://www.98dodge.com/images/oats1.jpg

Here is the stack getting started. It actually ends up bigger in diameter as you work your way up as the straw works out when you pack it in. Kelly M is on the wagon pitching Rick bundles... I climbed to the top of one end of the wagon to get the shot.
http://www.98dodge.com/images/oats2.jpg

Here Rick is about 1/2 way up the first stack.
http://www.98dodge.com/images/oats3.jpg

The stack is starting to taper in to finish it off... WE are now throwing bundles up to Rick. This is the second load on that stack.
http://www.98dodge.com/images/oats4.jpg

Here are the finished stacks. Not too bad for first timers! The feeder on the separator will be between the stacks, and there will be a man on each stack throwing the bundles in... 2 on each stack when they get a little shorter. Kelly M is between them here... collecting forks.
http://www.98dodge.com/images/oats5.jpg

For those of you who follow my posts, you will recognize that the 3 people who built the stacks also happen to run Jim's 40 Avery! Word has gone out that the Avery crew reserves the right to thresh these stacks! That might be a tall order, since we are featuring Case this year, but I think the Case engines can thresh off of wagons and do just fine! We'll have to see who wins this one! It may influence who builds the stacks next year! :biglaugh:

[MowHoward2210]

Great pics, Mark. I wish I could be there---so the pics are greatly appreciated! :fing32: :fing32:

[mbkerk]

Great pics, Mark. I wish I could be there---so the pics are greatly appreciated! :fing32: :fing32:

They kind of look like a couple of Domes! :biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

BTW Curt... There is an airport in Fargo! If you want to fly in, I'll pick you up! I'll even give you a guest shot on the Avery!

[Greg]

Sure does, Mark.... But the barn in the background is bigger...and not red!

ROF ROF ROF

[Mickey]

Have not seen grain stacked like this before.

Sure enjoy seeing farm demonstrations of old farm practices and the equipment used.

Be sure and post some pics from the show.

[Jim_WV]

Very interesting Mark, did'nt realize what went into this, thanks for sharing the pics and info.

[MowHoward2210]

They kind of look like a couple of Domes! :biglaugh::biglaugh::biglaugh:

BTW Curt... There is an airport in Fargo! If you want to fly in, I'll pick you up! I'll even give you a guest shot on the Avery!

Those would have been a lot cheaper!


Maybe one of these days..... :trink39:

[Carl]

Mark how water tight are the stacks? I finally figured out that the bundles are put on the stacks with the heads up. I suppose that is so the heads will dry out first? But it seems that the water wouldn't run off the outside as well. Did you pick up on any of the theory for the stacks?

Had the opportunity to go to one of the last thrashing bees when I was 10 or 12. The thrasher was powered by a tractor at that time. But suppose that originally it could have used steam power, if it was old enough. Remember it had steel wheels. It was good harvest weather that year so the bundles were picked up from the field and hauled directly to the thrasher. I do know that the bundles in the field were stacked together somewhat, but don't think that it was a pile.

[Ray T]

You did a good job of putting those together. Looks like the start of a good thrashing show.

I think it is interesting that we all get excited at watching all the work that goes on at these tractor shows by hand and by real horse power and the Amish farmer down the road just considers it "standard operating procedure".

[911radioman]

Looking good! Wish I had the time built up to venture out there for a few days.