Forums
New posts
Forum list
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New resources
Latest activity
Trending Threads
Resources
Latest reviews
Search resources
FarmTV
Farm Compare
Search
Tokens/Searches
Calendar
Upcoming Events
Members
Registered members
Current visitors
New Resources
New posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Forum list
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
Install the app
Install
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
Forums
Arable Farming
Cropping
Potato harvest memories
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="David." data-source="post: 6596745" data-attributes="member: 67"><p>Gramp decided that when the women wanted 2s hour he would get a machine.</p><p>Put word out that digging was on for following week, got to field with spinner on the Monday and sure enough there was the annual showdown over pay as the women arrived. They were not going to work for less than 2 bob/hour and downed baskets; Gramp said they could all bugger off then; he was good on labour relations.</p><p>Got back to farm, jumped into car and went to wherever Johnsons factory was, Wisbech? I forget. The last half a dozen single row trailed cart elevator harvesters for season were in production, and he ordered one there and then, for delivery as soon as paint was dry.</p><p>Machine duly arrived and was put to work, and that was the end of hand picking, save for the few that were cultivated out of the headland rows to open up field. A couple of the women did eventually relent and help man the machine, mainly because like Ernie, he was having his cocoa with one if them three times every week.</p><p>I can remember the day when Gramp absent mindedly did a swing turn whilst cultivating a headland, and gouged a lump out of my aunt's scalp as she bent down picking spuds. There was discussion if it was absolutely necessary to go to casualty for stitches, 'cos it was going to rain.</p><p>I can remember the old Johnson harvester squeaking and squealing it's way along, with it's metal digging chains. Always trailed a ruddy great tank chain along the bottom of the next row to be lifted, to part the tops and move some chickweed. Tractor was an old P6 E27N.</p><p>Following the bonanza year of 76, a new Grimme Gazelle arrived, Gramp having been impressed with the almost silent running of the rubber continental webs, and the claimed low crop damage.</p><p>I can remember it being parked in the barn for some time whilst they mackled up a canopy for the pickers out of dexion and clear poly sheeting. I assume the proper factory canvas one was deemed too expensive a luxury.</p><p>Tractor was still the old E27N, it used to burble along at about 1200 rpm all day long and actually had about the correct speed to PTO ratio for the job.</p><p>Those cage wheel machines were not much cop when it was wet, the baskets soon filled up with wet soil and the drive wheels would slip, it was my job as a teenager to walk alongside and help pull the wheel round as it started to stall. Gramp was big on H&S too.</p><p>I also remember how the women on the machine (family) would start harvest all fresh and friendly, but as the job wore on for a couple of weeks it would turn into a proper bitchfest of bad language and ill feeling</p><p>Happy days as they say.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="David., post: 6596745, member: 67"] Gramp decided that when the women wanted 2s hour he would get a machine. Put word out that digging was on for following week, got to field with spinner on the Monday and sure enough there was the annual showdown over pay as the women arrived. They were not going to work for less than 2 bob/hour and downed baskets; Gramp said they could all bugger off then; he was good on labour relations. Got back to farm, jumped into car and went to wherever Johnsons factory was, Wisbech? I forget. The last half a dozen single row trailed cart elevator harvesters for season were in production, and he ordered one there and then, for delivery as soon as paint was dry. Machine duly arrived and was put to work, and that was the end of hand picking, save for the few that were cultivated out of the headland rows to open up field. A couple of the women did eventually relent and help man the machine, mainly because like Ernie, he was having his cocoa with one if them three times every week. I can remember the day when Gramp absent mindedly did a swing turn whilst cultivating a headland, and gouged a lump out of my aunt's scalp as she bent down picking spuds. There was discussion if it was absolutely necessary to go to casualty for stitches, 'cos it was going to rain. I can remember the old Johnson harvester squeaking and squealing it's way along, with it's metal digging chains. Always trailed a ruddy great tank chain along the bottom of the next row to be lifted, to part the tops and move some chickweed. Tractor was an old P6 E27N. Following the bonanza year of 76, a new Grimme Gazelle arrived, Gramp having been impressed with the almost silent running of the rubber continental webs, and the claimed low crop damage. I can remember it being parked in the barn for some time whilst they mackled up a canopy for the pickers out of dexion and clear poly sheeting. I assume the proper factory canvas one was deemed too expensive a luxury. Tractor was still the old E27N, it used to burble along at about 1200 rpm all day long and actually had about the correct speed to PTO ratio for the job. Those cage wheel machines were not much cop when it was wet, the baskets soon filled up with wet soil and the drive wheels would slip, it was my job as a teenager to walk alongside and help pull the wheel round as it started to stall. Gramp was big on H&S too. I also remember how the women on the machine (family) would start harvest all fresh and friendly, but as the job wore on for a couple of weeks it would turn into a proper bitchfest of bad language and ill feeling Happy days as they say. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Arable Farming
Cropping
Potato harvest memories
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top