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Drawing silage, whats it like? need peoples opinions
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10-11-2013 2:59pm#1Hello all, il cut straight to the point. In the next few weeks or early in Jan i might go around asking few contractors for job at silage. Ive abit of experience as ive mowed, swarted, wrapped bales, draw bales, stack, spread slurry and do a small bit of baling. What is it like to actually draw pit silage? Does it require much skill or just stay under the chute of the harvester? Ive never pulled a silage trailer in my life though ive used a 20/21ft bale trailer single axel.
I have great respect for machinery and wouldnt drive them hard or dog them unless i was told to so, which suited one fella i worked with before! I think nothing of coming in on a day off or staying late in the yard to wash and grease the tractor.
Id be very keen and willing learn the ropes of drawing pit silage as il have alot more free time next summer and the number of hours dont matter to me. Also another thing is the most ive worked with is two other people on the one job, most of the time it was just me on my own or the odd time the farm might draw in with me or stack, whats it like working in a team? What rules did ye each have? I know i wouldnt get anything mad in wages maybe 8/9 euro a hour to be honest i dont exactly know id be just glad of the work and learn something new. So what was yer first time at it like? Was it very hard to try and grasp? Any information and replies are much appreciated.
Thanks
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Yes im on about next year! I dont want to be asking when its too late. Ya oh ive met a few tight gaps and yards when tired and it really tries ya. Ya ive done a few long ones myself, and start at 6am and not see a bite to eat til 6 that evening. Mad for it at the start and after few weeks sick of it. The joys of it. But Drawing pit silage is something now im really wanting to try so god willing it works out, after making few contacts too who might help. Oh and i operated a keltec 8 pack as well, they are a really nacky bit of machinery to use. My best is about 300 bales in one day and only about 4 damaged
Thanks for the replies lads 0 -
Yes im on about next year! I dont want to be asking when its too late. Ya oh ive met a few tight gaps and yards when tired and it really tries ya. Ya ive done a few long ones myself, and start at 6am and not see a bite to eat til 6 that evening. Mad for it at the start and after few weeks sick of it. The joys of it. But Drawing pit silage is something now im really wanting to try so god willing it works out, after making few contacts too who might help. Oh and i operated a keltec 8 pack as well, they are a really nacky bit of machinery to use. My best is about 300 bales in one day and only about 4 damaged Thanks for the replies lads
Give it a lash sure you'll soon find out if your suited to it0 -
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Hello all, il cut straight to the point. In the next few weeks or early in Jan i might go around asking few contractors for job at silage. Ive abit of experience as ive mowed, swarted, wrapped bales, draw bales, stack, spread slurry and do a small bit of baling. What is it like to actually draw pit silage? Does it require much skill or just stay under the chute of the harvester? Ive never pulled a silage trailer in my life though ive used a 20/21ft bale trailer single axel.
I have great respect for machinery and wouldnt drive them hard or dog them unless i was told to so, which suited one fella i worked with before! I think nothing of coming in on a day off or staying late in the yard to wash and grease the tractor.
Id be very keen and willing learn the ropes of drawing pit silage as il have alot more free time next summer and the number of hours dont matter to me. Also another thing is the most ive worked with is two other people on the one job, most of the time it was just me on my own or the odd time the farm might draw in with me or stack, whats it like working in a team? What rules did ye each have? I know i wouldnt get anything mad in wages maybe 8/9 euro a hour to be honest i dont exactly know id be just glad of the work and learn something new. So what was yer first time at it like? Was it very hard to try and grasp? Any information and replies are much appreciated.
Thanks
Drawing silage is stressful where any of the following are present : steep hills, boggy ground , tight silage yards, crap tractors. It's a doddle if those scenarios are not present.0 -
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loving the feedback and tipps lads ya ugh i done my time in rough machinery
back be broke after it! Who im thinking of asking would have machines in reasonable shape anyway and can be as bad as a tractor i was in before, i actually mean to say the seat was jammed solid! you could jump up and down on the seat as hard as you could and it would not budge. Id have cans of redbull though any cans are a balls to keep as they go under seat sometimes and burst open.. 0 -
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Was at it last year, like urself had plenty of experience, had spent 5years wrapping, stacking, and drawing bales with 30ft trailers, wanted a change of scenery and luckily the lad came after me to drive silage trailer and any other gear so i did,
As the lads say the hours will be long, and i mean really long, admittedly last year('12) was a bad year for hours with the weather, but we had racked up 33 hours out of 36 at one point, my advice would be i your offered an odd day on loader take it as while you dont get to see the countryside as much as on trailer your back will generally thank you for it (well so long as it's not a rough yoke) but at the same time try not to get stuck on it as it's not always the easiest place to be
Biggest thing I'll say is you may be used to the length i the trailers already but just bear in mind the weight sits very differently and centre of gravity is a good bit higher than a load of bales normally.
Oh and no matter what the crew it'll always be foot to the board as the harvester can generally fill a trailer in Around the 2minute mark!0 -
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You definitely will be at first but with out tryin to sound to rough (or cocky for that matter) you'll quickly grow a pair and get used to it under the pressure
most newer loaders will have decent enough lights anyways so dark isn't to bad, just try not to do your first one at night, it's like everything really, your better to start fresh after a good nights sleep when your learning your way around anything like that! The loader can be a dangerous place so be sure your comfortable on it. And always bear in mind you need to be watchful, silage pits are a major attraction to young lads, they were for me and probably yourself to so you need to always be keeping an eye out, and also keeping an eye for the next load appearing, a lot of pressure will come on you on a short draw and if you start to slow up the operation be prepared to have the boss breathing down your neck.
The thing i despised the most when on the loader was a roofed pit and tryin to pack it into the bloody rafters
On the trailer side i always hated side banks, especially in wet fields. Oh and the idiots you meet on the road.
On most crews you'll generally end up on the loader or a particular tractor and my best advise would be keep the windows, mirrors and cab floor clear. I used to hate going in after someone else had driven the tractor i was normally on as i nearly always had the floor swept out so it didnt smell.
Oh and lay off the red bull, there's a b*tch of a crash off it and you never no when it'll hit! And thats the last thing you want at 11pm on ye road with a full trailer and no end in sight for another hour or 2! Plenty of water will keep ya going much longer than anything else, it'll keep you from feeling hungry when compared to soft drinks aswell as it is quite good at filling the somach0 -
Hello all, il cut straight to the point. In the next few weeks or early in Jan i might go around asking few contractors for job at silage. Ive abit of experience as ive mowed, swarted, wrapped bales, draw bales, stack, spread slurry and do a small bit of baling. What is it like to actually draw pit silage? Does it require much skill or just stay under the chute of the harvester? Ive never pulled a silage trailer in my life though ive used a 20/21ft bale trailer single axel.
I have great respect for machinery and wouldnt drive them hard or dog them unless i was told to so, which suited one fella i worked with before! I think nothing of coming in on a day off or staying late in the yard to wash and grease the tractor.
Id be very keen and willing learn the ropes of drawing pit silage as il have alot more free time next summer and the number of hours dont matter to me. Also another thing is the most ive worked with is two other people on the one job, most of the time it was just me on my own or the odd time the farm might draw in with me or stack, whats it like working in a team? What rules did ye each have? I know i wouldnt get anything mad in wages maybe 8/9 euro a hour to be honest i dont exactly know id be just glad of the work and learn something new. So what was yer first time at it like? Was it very hard to try and grasp? Any information and replies are much appreciated.
Thanks
Well they all say that everyone should do a year/ summer at silage for the experience, well thats what my boss says anyhow.
i think its well worth doing, working out in the weather when friends were working in factories, being on the road , seeing whats happening and so on.
As the boys say wet fields , high ground, tight yards , narrow roads, bad gear,long hours , idiots on the road are some of the worst things about the silage.
some advice after years of doing it myself
- you will be expected to drive on but take it handy enough for a few days til you get used to the machinery and they way the boys you are working for do things.
-watch out for the idiots that try to overtake you when you are turning right with the indicator on, eithre block both lanes or let them by, seen a lot of accidents with new drivers doing that
-keep mirrors and window clean, essential when the sun gets low and then dark.
- when backing the trailer on the level, tip the body slightly so you can see the back axel of the trailer, dont tip it too fac as the back door will open.
- if you meet a car on a narrow road with soft margains , it backs up not you.
-watch what the other drivers do, for things as getting into fields, round yards and in wet fields ,as they might have been there before and know where the dry spots are.
-try to get work with a contractor with good gear, tractors with good seats , air conditioning this summer was a massive bonus, two mirrors on the tractor, all lights working on tractor and trailer, trailer brakes that work properly , good tyres , radio
-look after the tractor yourself, check for engine oil, back end oil , water, brake fluid daily . ive seen lads ignore the brake fluid resevoir only to end up with no brakes and wonder why.
- be wary of heel irons where the gate is hung. The farmer takes down the gate and the heel iron is sticking out and can be clipped by the tyre bursting it. Also if you think you dont have enough space dont try to bull you way through a gap, you will probably burst a tyre. the low ground pressure tyres take very little abuse.
-take advice from others , to quote Otto von Bismarck — 'Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others
-be wary of instructions from farmers especially if you end up mowing, they will tell you there are no stones/ nothing to hit, send you into wet spots , small fields that , tight corners that will be impossible to pick and f n blind when you cant pick them
-Always look busy, it can impress the boss.
-if working for a small contractor mowing isnt a bad thing to be doing as there always seems to be mowing to be done when the pit needs covering. also most people dont want to see the mower til 9 or 10 in the morning and after 10 at night, sugars and dew
The hours will be long but you are expecting that, though be a small bit wary in off peak times, there are a few contractors round here that you could get a phone call that they need you at 2 and will be finished at 5 .
Be wary of the man that takes you on on a trial. i know one man who has a rep of taking on people on a trial and after a week or two when you are looking for a paycheck telling you that you were on trial and it didnt work out and not getting paid.
There will be no nights out as all you will want on your days off is sleep.
If you have any interest in servicing machinery/fixing machinery you will work the wet days as well fixing machinery that broke down and servicing machinery.
on wet days be prepare to go agitating/ spreading slurry.
As regards driving the loader, if you are not happy / confident dont do it . A contractor beside me bought a new loading shovel and got a driver who claimed to be able to drive them, drove loaders for years in quarries on pits etc and a short while later the loader was upside down on its cab. If you are intent on driving one , start on a pit with walls .
Hope this helps somewhat0 -
@ 9935452 that's very helpful and appreciate it and I'm sure other people reading it do.
Ya I loved doing it, the smell of grass, diesel , oil, etc ya I've been on wet and hilly ground before but never with a silane trailer. I assume that if they done it in that field before it's safe to go across once you go easy.
Ya dip engine oil and back end oil. Never check the other oils like the break as much as I wasn't really told to, but il check everything from now on why would you want to see the back axel of the trailer? To see how far back you can go is it?
These tractors sound luxurious you'd want them though.
Friend of mine got caught by a fella this summer actually he paid him but only half what he was owed! Ya il be glued to YouTube now watching the silage pit videos haha. What's it actually like filling a load? Do you just maintain speed along side the harvester?0 -
@ Zr105 , that's a awful dose alright working In a shed its like you can't relax at all. I'm the same I'd practically vallet the tractor. Ya I know energy drinks aren't the best but when you're desperate you'd do anything nearly.
Thanks for all that advice 0 -
@ 9935452 that's very helpful and appreciate it and I'm sure other people reading it do.
Ya I loved doing it, the smell of grass, diesel , oil, etc ya I've been on wet and hilly ground before but never with a silane trailer. I assume that if they done it in that field before it's safe to go across once you go easy.
Ya dip engine oil and back end oil. Never check the other oils like the break as much as I wasn't really told to, but il check everything from now on why would you want to see the back axel of the trailer? To see how far back you can go is it?
These tractors sound luxurious you'd want them though.
Friend of mine got caught by a fella this summer actually he paid him but only half what he was owed! Ya il be glued to YouTube now watching the silage pit videos haha. What's it actually like filling a load? Do you just maintain speed along side the harvester?
With the trailer slightly tipped it allows you to see behind it and if you are reversing somewhere tight like a passage you can see both sides of the trailer especially if you only have one mirror or reversing round a corner. try it and you will know what i mean.
There is nothing to filling a load , maintain speed beside the harvestor , choose a gear that the tractor is more or less ticking over in, they dont need to be revved out.
Then eithre you fill your load or the man in the harvestor does.
if you fill the load fill the back first working your way forward and finish the load by throwing a bit more on top.
The two exceptions to filling the back first is when the ground is wet or hilly where you fill the front first for traction, get the weight on the back wheels of the tractor.
If the man on the harvester fills the load you just pull up beside him and hold steady. he normally will match your speed .
Also if you are new to a contractor , expect to get the worst tractor and trailer he has til you have proven yourself.its not the worst thing in the world to have a smaller tractor and trailer, faster to fill and easier to maneuver in a tight yard
Another tip i was told about for hills is if the trailer ahead of you is getting full and you are following it up a hill, follow the harvester and not the trailer as if the trailer comes off the tractor for whatever reason it will hit you if you are behind it. Also dont clutch coming down hills or cut corners short , the trailer will push you and possibly jacknife the tractor and trailer.
Don't ever rely on the hand break to hold the tractor and trailer on a hill, point both ends uphill.
Be cute when you are driving , farmers hate to see ground torn asunder, dont go through wet spots with a full load, if there is a passage nearby and even though its bumpy take that rather than chancing it through a wet spot. As the chap i work for says if it takes you a few minutes longer to get back to the yard , it will be a lot quicker than having to pull you out.0 -
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i like itWith the trailer slightly tipped it allows you to see behind it and if you are reversing somewhere tight like a passage you can see both sides of the trailer especially if you only have one mirror or reversing round a corner. try it and you will know what i mean.
There is nothing to filling a load , maintain speed beside the harvestor , choose a gear that the tractor is more or less ticking over in, they dont need to be revved out.
Then eithre you fill your load or the man in the harvestor does.
if you fill the load fill the back first working your way forward and finish the load by throwing a bit more on top.
The two exceptions to filling the back first is when the ground is wet or hilly where you fill the front first for traction, get the weight on the back wheels of the tractor.
If the man on the harvester fills the load you just pull up beside him and hold steady. he normally will match your speed .
Also if you are new to a contractor , expect to get the worst tractor and trailer he has til you have proven yourself.its not the worst thing in the world to have a smaller tractor and trailer, faster to fill and easier to maneuver in a tight yard
Another tip i was told about for hills is if the trailer ahead of you is getting full and you are following it up a hill, follow the harvester and not the trailer as if the trailer comes off the tractor for whatever reason it will hit you if you are behind it. Also dont clutch coming down hills or cut corners short , the trailer will push you and possibly jacknife the tractor and trailer.
Don't ever rely on the hand break to hold the tractor and trailer on a hill, point both ends uphill.
Be cute when you are driving , farmers hate to see ground torn asunder, dont go through wet spots with a full load, if there is a passage nearby and even though its bumpy take that rather than chancing it through a wet spot. As the chap i work for says if it takes you a few minutes longer to get back to the yard , it will be a lot quicker than having to pull you out. 0 -
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Hello all, il cut straight to the point. In the next few weeks or early in Jan i might go around asking few contractors for job at silage. Ive abit of experience as ive mowed, swarted, wrapped bales, draw bales, stack, spread slurry and do a small bit of baling. What is it like to actually draw pit silage? Does it require much skill or just stay under the chute of the harvester? Ive never pulled a silage trailer in my life though ive used a 20/21ft bale trailer single axel.
I have great respect for machinery and wouldnt drive them hard or dog them unless i was told to so, which suited one fella i worked with before! I think nothing of coming in on a day off or staying late in the yard to wash and grease the tractor.
Id be very keen and willing learn the ropes of drawing pit silage as il have alot more free time next summer and the number of hours dont matter to me. Also another thing is the most ive worked with is two other people on the one job, most of the time it was just me on my own or the odd time the farm might draw in with me or stack, whats it like working in a team? What rules did ye each have? I know i wouldnt get anything mad in wages maybe 8/9 euro a hour to be honest i dont exactly know id be just glad of the work and learn something new. So what was yer first time at it like? Was it very hard to try and grasp? Any information and replies are much appreciated.
Thanks
Get agreement on wages a in writing and get paid every week
Why not start with him now doing odd bits see how it goes0 -
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If i could get a some what normal job id take it i know id always have a odd day here and there at home driving. I wouldnt rely on it either to pay the bills id be happy if i got enough just to keep my car going and abit in the pocket. Do nothing for 3 weeks then work all around the clock for 2 weeks. Its the joys of it i suppose. Ya im more beef/suckler farmer, never held a cluster in my life but wouldnt mind learning how cause it would be handy. I was thinking about that too just tipp away helping a farmer if i could learn how, which i plan to do sometime. 0
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If i could get a some what normal job id take it i know id always have a odd day here and there at home driving. I wouldnt rely on it either to pay the bills id be happy if i got enough just to keep my car going and abit in the pocket. Do nothing for 3 weeks then work all around the clock for 2 weeks. Its the joys of it i suppose. Ya im more beef/suckler farmer, never held a cluster in my life but wouldnt mind learning how cause it would be handy. I was thinking about that too just tipp away helping a farmer if i could learn how, which i plan to do sometime.
It could be hard to get paid with some contractors. The lads I work for have mostly their own families to fill jobs. The sons have college and jobs to see after as well. 3 lads at most brought in for drawing. Start of first cut and maize can be a handful with some at college. I know that finances are tight meeting repayments repairs diesel bills etc. If you have an interest and understanding of machinery you'll learn tricks when fixing them. A trade would be a better bet but hard got in current climate. I'm the sort of lad who'd tackle anything building welding plumbing electrical. Not a chancer either. Read books and watched the experts.Love manual work. If you've an interest in anything like that keep it up. Anything you can do yourself at home saves money. I got caught with a builder putting up a shed years ago. Never again. The only 2 services I pay to come in now are vets and contractor.0 -
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Im in college at the moment full time and busy enough. And for me anyway the education comes first while im here, so i cant commit myself really that much outside of the summer. Id be okay id throw my hand to anything if id some clue like and wouldnt mind learning, worked around cars before for abit. Ya all the lads i know have there families driving for them. Ah wel see what happens, worst comes to worst and i dont get much it leaves me more time to be tidying the farm at home 0
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Im in college at the moment full time and busy enough. And for me anyway the education comes first while im here, so i cant commit myself really that much outside of the summer. Id be okay id throw my hand to anything if id some clue like and wouldnt mind learning, worked around cars before for abit. Ya all the lads i know have there families driving for them. Ah wel see what happens, worst comes to worst and i dont get much it leaves me more time to be tidying the farm at home
Would you consider going to Uk for harvesting? would suit with college and you'll still have work on a wet day. Most farms take on lads late june-September just take your time to pick the right place and you'll be shown alot and earn a nice few pound.
Experience is prefered but most guys will give you a fair chance, and students are expected to do some damage. Neighbours had a guy tip a trailer through roof of a shed at 4am due to tiredness as much as anything this summer0 -
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