Howdy friends and neighbors. Look out! No, it’s not the Hillary express! It’s a loaded wheat truck headed for town. Wheat harvest is in full swing in Western Oklahoma as combines eat their way through the 08′ crop.
Have you ever stopped to notice all the colors of harvest? I mean there are more different shades of colors of trucks, tractors, combines, grain carts, service trucks, fuel tanks, ice chests, and cell phone cases. The array of earth tones and contemporary blends encompassing the spectrum of light reflection would make the make-up artist that is in charge of the local Miss Main Street contest green with envy. Next time you’re out and about, just take a second and look for the rainbow of harvest implements and support gear.
Of course, the combine is the centerpiece of the bouquet. Combines can be green, red, yellow, blue, or galvanized. Most are accessorized with a matching two-way radio antenna. If John Deere green antennas are not available, then black seems to be the popular choice. Next in the wheat harvest food chain would be the grain cart if the crew were lucky enough to have one. The sky’s the limit when it comes to combinations of cart and tractor selections. It seems blue or red carts are the most popular choice coupled with green or red tractors. But, don’t get me wrong, if you prefer a different color of tractor that’s just fine. Surveys conclude that harvesters remain very loyal to the color of their combines and tractors. Loyal enough that fistfights usually follow debates between clashing colors. Caution! When out and about, don’t question a harvester about the color of his machine, especially if he is “broke down” and holding heavy tools in his hands. Usually, pinkish shades of red will be on the face of such harvesters.
Next, we move to the trucks. The color and the configuration of colors vary widely when we start looking at the trucks. I’ve also noticed that sharpness also ranges from “show room” new to dull rust. I’m going to leave the shape of the trucks out of this article due to lack of time. Chrome is about the only color that remains consistent throughout the gamut of trucks. Even the oldest, rustiest truck will have a shard of chrome somewhere between headlight to tail gate. Studies have shown that when desirable potential mates of the opposite gender work at the grain terminal, cleanness and properly displayed chrome become increasingly significant. Sort of like a peacock’s tail, but with a hydraulic lift.
Man, service trucks could be in an article all by themselves. But sticking with the theme of color, it’s mainly what is attached or sticking out of the service truck that has the most abundant selection of color. Tool boxes, fuel tanks, air compressors, tow ropes, jumper cables, clogged fuel filters, broken sickle sections, pry bar, rusted chain, folding chair, and at least a dozen empty pop cans, snuff cans, oil cans and WD-40 cans make up the bouquet of the service truck. And like the little white weeds in a wad of roses, parts and fuel receipts (mainly pink, yellow or white) line the dash to simply finish the service truck and the harvester.
I’m Monte Tucker, and that is what’s under my colorful hat. Happy Harvest!
