Chris Leach's Page

Yeah i like my machine, it may not have alot of the gismos and electronic crap, but as far as im concerened that means that there is less on it that can go wrong, A newer machine has the likely hood of breaking down just as an older machine, its just depends who is behind the operation and if they go through their equipment and are prepared for that unexpected breakdown, the faster you can it fixed and back moving says alot too, farmers understand breakdowns happen, but if it takes half a day to fix a common bearing because you didnt have one and then didnt have the tools to fix it, they tend to look down on that. I think one of my biggest investments has been 250 dollar utility bed trailer, it has pretty much all the tools i could need, air compresor, fuel tank, wrenches, work lights, and if something breaks down that we dont have, i always make sure to get two of them so im prepared the next time.

As far as advertiseing goes i got one job through the local grain elevator, they new i was looking for acres and a guy came in trying to find someone so they recommended me. Ive also advertised through the local classified paper, got one job last year through that, i also put up signs and business cards at all the local farmer stops, co-op, livestock auction barns, banks, anyplace thats got some place to stick a card. I think my biggest problem is my older equipment, some of the bigger guys take a look at my age and what i have and just sneer and go on to someone bigger and better, most of the work i have gotten is older farmers with just a few acres, they arent to pressed for time and as long as i do a good job they are happy. Have to say i would rather cut for them anyways. It may lead to some rental ground in the future.

I started two years ago, my dad hadnt harvested his own crop for almost 20 years, so i took my first plunge into equipment at 18 using a starting farmer loan from Farm Service Agency, i bought an older combine a grain cart and a grain truck, it really saved on our custom harvesting bill, and has really let us expand our operation, we can plant soybeans, oats, barley, and know that we can get in and get it cut, having to wait for someone to do it for us really cost us a few times, expecially in the fall. I hoped to do some custom harvesting to help pay the loan payments, and kinda like you this past two years have been a struggle for me. Im not really looking to travel 150 mi, Furthest i went was about 35 which was a two hour drive on combine, bout 25 min trip in the pickup, so far ive only got one guy that has "promised" his acres to me for next year. What kind of equipment do you run for harvesting?

For your custom harvesting operation, is that just for your local area or do you make a run?