All sounds familiar. Never drove a combine in the peas but plenty hours on an old International sidehilling wheat. HOt yes, dirty, yes. No air conditioned cabs in those days,

Your youth sounds much like mine Stam. 12 years old and driving a horse drawn buck rake in the timothy, then the mower as I got a little older. Then needling on the Case bailer. And finally when I was a truly young animal, bucking bails on the skid behind the bailor.. I know about the uncle's loaner too. Oh well, pocket money+ board and room for the summer and no green card needed.
Back to school sun bleached blond and brown skin from the sun. Arms pumped from bucking bales.It did have some fringe benefits.