Equipment

The last two months we talked about common questions about precision ag. What is precision ag? How large does a farm need to be to use precision ag? Does precision ag pay? What should I do first to get started with Precision ag? In case you missed it, the short answers to those questions are as follows. Precision ag is using the tools we have available to manage each and every acre to reach its highest economic potential. No farm is too small to utilize some form of precision agriculture. It pays to invest in precision ag. Grid soil sampling and collecting yield data from a yield monitor are a great place to start. This month we are going to look at some technologies you can use on your planting operation.

Auto steer

Most of the precision ag Displays you could utilize to collect data can also be used as the interface to control your auto steer on your tractor pulling the planter.… Continue reading

May Wes Manufacturing was founded in 1972 by Wesley Bruns and wife Mavis on their farm site near Gibbon Minnesota. Wesley was a farmer and an innovator. The initial farm products he developed were made of aluminum and galvanized steel and were the “Crop De-Viders” to guide grain into headers and the “Gravity Flow Hoppers” that folded out for unloading.

The age of plastics

Several years passed when Wesley discovered poly material and used it in his product solutions. His employees recalled him making trips with the pickup truck to the Twin Cities to purchase four-foot by 10-foot sheets of Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) poly. On one occasion, his load of poly sheets took to the air on a busy interstate freeway, creating traffic havoc.

Wesley used shearing, cutting and bending processes with the poly material to produce poly skid shoes for grain headers. To this day, the poly skid shoes remain May Wes’s cornerstone product line.… Continue reading

Evolution Ag in Plain City has announced that it will be holding its annual Open House and Customer Appreciation event on Wednesday Feb. 22, 2017 and those in attendance will be some of the first to see the revolutionary Condor ClearancePlus sprayer from Europe.

Evolution Ag Principal, Doug Loudenslager said that Agrifac’s Condor ClearancePlus sprayer can be adjusted to spray crops over 6.5 feet without damage and provides adjustable width to facilitate road travel as well as a stable platform for in-field use. It also boasts some of the latest technology available in the world today.

As previously announced the event will also be providing producers the opportunity to be recertified for pesticide application as well as being able to complete the new course required of all producers to be able to apply nutrients.

Loudenslager said that current and future customers are invited to the dealership on Feb. 22 to enjoy lunch as well as discounts on parts, filters and fluids as well as specials on products throughout the store.… Continue reading

Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc. announces larger 30’ to 40’ working-width models of its rugged and reliable Perfecta field cultivator.  The Perfecta implement combines a tillage, leveling and finishing action all in one tool for one-pass row-crop planting.

The new larger-width models feature 6” x 4” front frame tubing with a trussed mainframe design for added durability. The new sizes also feature a floating wing design that automatically raises 15 degrees and lowers by 5 degrees for easily following field contours.

Three rows of staggered, high-clearance S-tines provide the main tillage action up to 6” deep with three S-tine choices of models 10, 12 and 14.  The Perfecta model 10 features standard 1¼-inch by ½-inch S-tines with 2¾-inch goosefoot shovels for effective soil finishing in previously worked soils. The model 12 is equipped with 1¾ inch by ½ -inch heavy-duty S-tines with 4-inch sweeps for effective penetration in heavier, unworked soils and rocky conditions.… Continue reading

A good time to think about your irrigation system is before the spring growing season when heavy water demands arise. An irrigation system working at peak efficiency should deliver the right amount of water, at the right time, and with the lowest possible inputs of labor and energy. Unfortunately, peak efficiency is not always the case. Irrigation equipment such as pumps, pipes, valves, and nozzles are subject to ageing and degradation. Slow degradation such as a worn nozzle, clogged filter, or mineral deposits in pipes is not easy to detect. Degraded water delivery equipment can cause insufficient watering that result in non-uniform plant growth, increased pest pressure, waste of water, and pumping energy. Prior to the spring season, it is a good idea to inspect the irrigation system’s components. Make sure the system is clean of debris, mineral buildup and biological contaminants. Also take time to research and consider technology improvements to further conserve resources such as labor, energy, water and fertilizer chemicals.… Continue reading

General Motors is taking bold steps to expand the U.S. diesel vehicle market beyond its traditional stronghold in full-size pickups, and providing more options than ever before for customers to reap the additional benefits of fueling up with B20 biodiesel blends, America’s Advanced Biofuel. With eight new diesel vehicle options hitting the roadways in 2017–2018, General Motors now offers a full line-up of 20 different diesel models, from passenger cars, to pickups and SUVs, to commercial vans and low cab forward trucks — all of which are approved for use with B20.

John Schwegman, Director of Commercial Product and Medium Duty Product for General Motors, delivered the welcome news to an enthusiastic crowd at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in San Diego.

“Diesel propulsion deserves wider consideration by fleet managers across the country,” Schwegman said.  “With biodiesel production and retail distribution expanding, and so many proven benefits, we believe more fleets will embrace the technology as part of their sustainability plans.… Continue reading

Worksaver has released a number of new items in recent weeks. Here are some of the highlights.

New adapters for loaders on bidirectional tractors

Worksaver, Inc. is now offering adapters for loaders used on Versatile, Ford and New Holland bidirectional tractors.  Four adapter models are available to convert loaders to either the “Universal” skid steer mount or the Euro/Global mount, allowing more versatility in attachment options.

Adapters are designed for loaders used on Versatile 160, 256, 276 and Ford 9030 bidirectional tractors and for New Holland loader models 82LB, 84LB and 7614 that are used on TV140, TV145 and TV6070 tractors.

Bale squeeze for large rectangular bales

Worksaver, Inc. offers two new large rectangular bale squeeze models for handling large wrapped or unwrapped rectangular bales, the SSBS-48D and GLBS-48D. The bale squeeze arms open to handle bales from 48” to 96” in width and up to 3,400 lbs. Both models can also handle round bales.… Continue reading

I get common questions from growers about Precision Ag. One of those questions was “What should I do first to get started with Precision Ag?” As a generic suggestion, my recommendation was to start with grid soil sampling and collecting yield and planter information. So this month I would like to discuss both of these technologies with you.

Grid soil sampling

At Ag Info Tech we like to call it intensive soil sampling. Intensive soil sampling is a service that can be used by any sized grower. Several co-ops, national chains and independent fertilizer outlets offer this service for a per-acre fee to their customers. There are also several independent companies, like ours, that perform the service for a per-acre fee as well. Since the fee is charged per acre, it is just as affordable for the 50-acre grower as it is for the 5,000 acre grower.

Intensive soil sampling involves pulling several soil samples on a 2.5- or even one-acre basis, depending on what the grower determines to be most economically viable.… Continue reading

Winter is a great time to get ready for spring planting, which will be here before we know it. One of the most important parts of the growing season is planting. It’s crucial that your crops get off to a good start and it’s important to make sure that your planter is field-ready when the time comes. Planting seed into the best possible growing conditions is a one of the most important tasks of spring field work. A planter in need of some adjustment can result in varied seed placement, uneven emergence, and ultimately a reduction in yield potential.

Check for and replace any parts of your planter that are excessively worn. No-till coulters or disk openers that are worn out will not create the proper seed furrow and may cause poor seed placement. Good seed-to-soil contact is critical in ensuring seed germination and uniform emergence. Emergence that is uneven can cause a loss in yield potential.… Continue reading

Bane-Welker Equipment, LLC is turning a half a century old this August. To mark the occasion, the company is planning many events, sales and offers, as well as introducing a special 50^th anniversary commemorative logo which customers will see beginning later this month.

“It is hard to believe we are turning 50 years old,” stated Phil Bane, CEO of Bane-Welker Equipment. “I can’t believe it was 50 years ago that my dad, Kenneth Bane, signed a contract that started this journey.”

Kenneth Bane started Bane Equipment in 1967 when he answered the local newspaper ad from a representative for the JI Case Co., which was looking for a dealer in Montgomery County. By August of 1967, Kenneth and wife Patricia Bane, had signed the Case contract and the family business was born along with a commitment to superior products and service.

“At that time, no one could have imagined that 50 years later, three generations of our family would still be going strong and growing the business like never before,” Bane said.… Continue reading

Evolution Ag in Plain City has announced that it will be holding its annual Open House and Customer Appreciation event on Wednesday Feb. 22, 2017 and producers will have the opportunity to be recertified for pesticide application as well as being able to complete the new course required of all producers to be able to apply nutrients.

Doug Loudenslager, Principal and General Manager said that current and future customers are invited to the dealership on Feb. 22 to enjoy lunch as well as discounts on parts, filters and fluids as well as specials on products throughout the store. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.  Classes will be run in conjunction with the open house. The dealership is located on US 42 North, eight miles south of Delaware and eight miles  north of Plain City.

Product specialists from Case IH and the other companies that Evolution Ag represents will be in attendance to answer questions and review new product offerings.… Continue reading

Manitou Americas “Red Tour” is coming to Apple Farm Service’s Covington location on Thursday January 12th from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. This event allows attendees to demo the newest and versatile Manitou MLT Multi-Purpose Telescopic Loaders with a variety of attachments; including hay handling, grapple buckets, construction buckets, silage facer, snow removal and more.

“Apple Farm Service has been a long-time partner of ours and we are happy to have them as a stop on our MLT Red Tour,” said Rick Laws, Ohio District Development Manager for Manitou Americas. “This event invites all customers and equipment owners to stop on out to demo our MLT telescopic loaders and see how these “multi-tasker” machines can increase productivity on the jobsite, handling larger capacities at extended lift heights.”

Apple Farm Service will be the sixth stop for the Manitou MLT “Red Tour”. The BIG demo event will take place in Covington on January 12th, but some of the MLT equipment will stay on site at Apples for the next couple of weeks for those interested to check out a versatile, multipurpose, telescopic loader, or curious on how they operate.… Continue reading

The Ohio AgrAbility Program has a mission to promote independence for people in agriculture who want to continue to farm after experiencing a disabling condition. The program’s goal is to provide education, resources and technical assistance to those individuals and their families so they may continue to do what they love to do, farm.

Injuries are not limited to those that occur while working on the farm. Some injuries happen away from the property or are a result of an illness. Regardless of an injury, chronic arthritis, short- or long-term surgery impairments, or other health-related problems, the Ohio AgrAbility program can assist production agricultural workers in many situations.

This program conducts on-site assessments for the worker to determine how he or she performs their job and helps find solutions that will meet their needs. Often those solutions involve some form of assistive technology. Assistive technology includes any kind of device, modification, or service that will help a person with a disabling condition work and live more independently.… Continue reading

The world needs sufficient, nutritious and safe food, while simultaneously we strive to reduce our ecological footprint. That’s why Agrifac develops machines with the “4e for growers” concept. The 4e’s refer to efficiency, economy, ergonomics and ecology

FastFoldPlus: Fastest way to put the boom into position

Newly developed at Agrifac, FastFoldPlus. A system that reduces the time to fold and unfold the boom significantly. It will be easier and faster than before. New to the folding-unfolding joystick is a function and technology that enables the boom to not just unfold and fold faster, but also a lot safer. The result of the new system is a longer lifetime of the boom. Simply indicate with the joystick which parts of the boom you would like to unfold or fold. The system will now automatically unfold or fold the booms in the right order in the shortest possible time. Where before (un)folding was done manually step by step, it is now automatic, speeded up and more secure.… Continue reading

The changing agricultural economy of the last few years has led to a change in the climate of many agribusinesses, particularly the equipment industry. Though he has not been in the farm equipment business all that long, Evolution Ag’s Dave Shipley has seen some dramatic changes.

“I came into the business in ‘02. I farmed before that. We had a time of low commodity prices in ‘01, ‘02. And then by ‘07, ‘08, it got pretty strong. We all knew it was coming, it was just a matter of when,” he said. “You can get a pretty good gauge of how farmers are feeling through the seasons. Right now, farmers aren’t feeling too bad. We’ve had a good crop. Good or bad, it’s better than they were thinking.”

As far as what farmers are buying, there isn’t a hefty amount of money to be throwing at equipment at the moment.… Continue reading

Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc. announces a limited-time promotion for a free scale package, valued at $3,175, with the purchase of in-stock models 2750, 3750 and 3750XL Seed Runner tenders.

The dual-compartment Unverferth Seed Runner tender for bulk seed not only delivers seed directly to your planter or drill, its innovative, patented design allows it to fill itself! The models 3750 and 3750XL feature a capacity of 375 seed units and model 2750 holds up to 275 seed units. All models feature cupped and cleated conveyor belt for gentle unloading, rollover tarp for protecting contents and heavy-duty undercarriage with lighting, reflective striping and all-wheel brakes for enhanced transport safety.

Adding a scale to the Seed Runner tender allows growers to have the ability to verify the amount of seed purchased as well as delivered to the field.  A Seed Runner tender with scale also provides a convenient way to verify field trial yields at harvest.… Continue reading

Archbold Equipment, a full line CASE IH dealer announces it has entered into an agreement to acquire Gibbs Equipment in Bellevue, Ohio. The purchase will bring the total number of Archbold Equipment locations to seven in the tri-state area. The deal will close in January, though a name change will not take effect until later in 2017.

“Gibbs Equipment is an ideal location to add to our company,” said Zach Hetterick, Archbold Equipment CEO. “They have a similar product mix, carry most of the same manufactures, it expands our footprint east into a contiguous area and they are built upon the same principals of product support as Archbold Equipment.”

Gordon Gibbs acquired the Bellevue dealership in 1970 after working at International Harvester dealers in Bowling Green and then Sherwood. These locations are now also part of Archbold Equipment.

“This transaction is positive both for our customers and company. Our customers will have access to expanded equipment and parts inventory, but they can still expect the outstanding service the Bellevue location is known for,” said Mike Gibbs, Gibbs Equipment co-owner and sales manager.… Continue reading

Invariably when I talk about manure spreader calibration there are a few chuckles. The image of a manure spreader doesn’t call to mind a piece of equipment that needs calibration; it is the equivalent of a hammer in a carpenter’s toolbox. No calibration or explanation needed — you just use it. However, as nutrient management and its corresponding linkage to water quality continue to grow in importance, all livestock owners and anyone who hauls and applies manure needs to become more aware of managing manure as a source of nutrients. When nutrients are purchased as commercial or synthetic fertilizer, we talk about an application rate in pounds of a particular nutrient that should be applied per acre. The desired application rate is achieved by using a calibrated fertilizer spreader. We can do the same with our manure spreaders.

The application rate for manure spreaders is generally expressed as tons per acre or gallons per acre.… Continue reading