Runaway Load of Hay - Portrait of a Dairy Family
Melton rode out a runaway load of hay
Down behind the machinery shed, the old farm trailer in it's final resting place.
It was summer time. Melton had cut some hay and had it bailed by a contractor. I pitched in to help get it into the shed.
At around 10.30pm we were heading toward the hay shed with the last load. I well remember the mild night, the full moon directly overhead and the feeling of accomplishment with the task almost complete.
Years before, the bottom tongue had broken off the trailer draw bar. The weight of the front heavy trailer kept the draw bar down on the tractor and an old bolt served as the tow attachment.
Draw bar of the farm trailer with a new bottom tongue welded on.
Scott was driving the tractor and as he topped a sharp rise on the steep farm road heading up from the creek and past the main farm house, the trailer momentarily bucked, allowing the draw bolt to come free. Then the front of the trailer dropped to the ground.
Melton was on the rear of the load while I was on the front, overlooking Scott on the tractor.
Sizing up the situation in an instant, I was soon down onto the loading board and on the ground, before the trailer had started it's backward run.
But Melton, not knowing what was going on, stuck to it.
It's a steep hill and so it wasn't long before the runaway load of hay was going at a pace. Off the track, to the right and into the gully it sped with Melton hanging on for dear life.
Eventually, one wheel got up hill on the far side of the gully and the runaway load of hay swung around with bails of hay and Melton going in all directions in a most undignified manner.
When Scott and I arrived at the spot, there was Melton in the moonlight, amid the hay bales, picking himself up, belting his leg with his hat and declaring: "Well, all I can say is Blast!" Then, as he put his hat back on, he added: "I rode 'er out. I rode 'er out!"