The past few years we've pulled the heirloom dry beans by hand. Last year, when the harvest was thin but the work was still just as hard, we agreed that there had to be a better way. So all year we've been watching for specialized edible bean harvesting equipment. Earlier this year we found an edible bean head that fits on our existing combine.
The other bits of needed equipment seemed more difficult to find. We'd find a bean puller, but it was designed to mount to a John Deere tractor, and not a Massey Ferguson or Kubota. Or we'd find one that was ridiculously overpriced or completely falling apart.
Finally, just as we feared we'd be hand-pulling again, we found a puller on the other side of the state. Our friend (and soil consultant) Joe went to look at it and purchase it for us. He then delivered it to us, along with his own bean shaker/windrower, which he is loaning to us. So grateful for his help and experience and generosity.
This is equipment that makes us very, very happy. Note how the skidsteer comes in handy as we unload the equipment. What did we do before we owned this nifty tool?
The Farmer and Joe discuss how to use this new machinery. There has been a bit of a learning curve this year, but we are so grateful for tools that make our jobs a bit less physically demanding.
We're not getting any younger, you know.
Comments
Post a Comment