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Muddy Waters

How does everyone load them?Do they want them on pallets?

9/14/2011 6:41:26 PM

formerly RGG

I think most growers use some sort of tarp. I have one that is folded up with rope handles attached at each corner. I think the people conducting the weigh off usually provide the pallets.

9/14/2011 8:32:54 PM

Garner, NC

In use a sleeping bag, more redneck ingenuity!

9/14/2011 9:41:56 PM

Garner, NC

I use.....sorry

9/14/2011 9:42:24 PM

formerly RGG

That's excellent use of something you already had Todd. There was no need for you to purchase a tarp. That's good thinking.

9/14/2011 9:53:03 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Suggestion for travel...cover em w/something!!! 70mph wind, sucks water out of anything!!! Be sure to uncover when arriving at site...melons or pkns get hot under sun when not moving at 70 mph!!! Peace, Wayne

9/15/2011 2:28:51 AM

Muddy Waters

I saran wrap fruit on a trailer PW or truck,buy a roll & treat it like a mummy.I was wondering if anyone uses a tractor to load them.Im thinking taking my 1000 pd tarp I bought from Ray Waterman & cutting it into melon tarps & having sewn by a seamstress,nothings to good for the melon sisters.Then I might place Captain Marvel on a Dolly leaving tarp under to transfer to scale.Then I have a friend who works at Detroit zoo,I will borrow a couple Gorillas for the day to load & unload at site,will make for some great photos. With steel ring
& cargo straps lifting device,I was finding no use for these old kin tarps.No I have one.

9/15/2011 6:14:28 AM

Muddy Waters

Now I have one!

9/15/2011 6:15:58 AM

Lexington,IN

Does the saran wrap make them sweat? I know that I put my 232 in a van and covered it with a heavy plastic tarp the night before weigh off. The next morning when I removed the tarp the floorboard in the van was soaked, I'm guessing close to 3 quarts of liquid was sweat out. I lost biggest melon that year by one pound. I guess you'll have to cover them with something if transporting far in the back of a truck, but what about a box over the top of them weighted/tied down?? Wonder if you waxed them with car wax if that would hold in moisture? Guess that would make them a bit tricky to handle but still possible with your tarps. You'll figure it out, and good luck at the weigh off. Nice crosses by the way...

9/15/2011 9:41:17 PM

Bowdon, GA

Good point PW never thought about it. Mine lost a little over 4 pounds this year after a week off the vine and a 10 hour ride with no cover.

9/15/2011 10:49:06 PM

sevierville, Tn

Wax would probally not be legal at the weighoffs

9/15/2011 10:54:01 PM

Watervalley Ms

wax on wax off

9/15/2011 10:57:19 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Nothing, non natural, to the growth of the fruit is allowed...going by the rules set forth by the GPC!!! So no wax on!!! D.B. wrap in the back of a pk/up, I think...helps...not needed & prbly hurt ya, in an enclosed van!!! Also, and completely legal, by Gpc rules is leaving vines on past stem & keeping them in jugs o water!!! Helps to keep fruit hydrated & minimizes weight loss!!! Of course Vine & stem have to be trimmed b/4 weighoff!!!

9/16/2011 3:01:47 AM

Lexington,IN

I was wondering about the wax being considered illegal after I suggested that. I have used furniture polish to shine melons up before taking them to a weigh off. But the last melon I weighed officially was like 2004 I think, and no one seemed to care. But the competition was never there back then so I guess no need for any one to protest. PW, my 232 was not wrapped, just covered over with a tarp. And the vines were in bottles of water, there was just ALOT more water in the floorboard than was removed from the bottles. I don't know why it happened, but I can say I will never do that again...

9/16/2011 11:40:58 AM

Muddy Waters

Ive saran wrapped lots of kins,with the big rolls like the shipping departments use never had a sweating problem!I think that might be a tempeture thing Dewight if you had a cold night with a warm melon.I noticed the 255 sweating a few weeks ago on plant.It was a cool night after a hot day.

9/16/2011 8:43:50 PM

Muddy Waters

Thanks Dewight the 255x239 leonard should be a Hot seed!

9/16/2011 10:13:40 PM