Equipment

To ensure the safest, most efficient planting season possible, tuning up farm machinery can be as important as scouting for weeds, tilling the soil or other spring field operations, a Purdue Extension specialist says.

Robert Stwalley, assistant clinical professor of agricultural and biological engineering, urged producers to get a jump start on vehicle maintenance.

“Early preparation for spring planting is time well-invested,” he said. “Instead of wishing for sunnier days and warmer weather, the wise farmer uses the gray and cold times to be ready to hit the fields running when the seasons change.”

Well maintained equipment is also much safer than equipment in disrepair. Stwalley offered these tips for keeping farm machinery in good working order:

• Clean the equipment: Wash machinery thoroughly with soap and water to remove dirt, chemical build-up, excess grease and plant material. Stwalley noted that some experts even recommend washing machinery between operations in different fields to reduce the chance of chemical or biological contamination from one field to the next.… Continue reading

Deere & Company has entered a joint venture with Hagie Manufacturing, the U.S. market leader in high-clearance sprayers. In the agreement, Deere acquires majority ownership of Hagie Manufacturing, which will continue producing sprayers in its current Clarion, Iowa location.

Equipment made by the joint venture will continue to carry the Hagie brand while sales and service for Hagie equipment will be integrated into Deere’s global distribution channel over the next 15 months.

“Hagie Manufacturing is known for innovation and its strong customer understanding in high-clearance spraying equipment,” said John May, president, Agricultural Solutions and Chief Information Officer at Deere. “High-clearance spraying equipment is a new market for Deere. The expertise at Hagie allows John Deere to immediately serve customers who need precision solutions that extend their window for applying nutrients.”

Alan Hagie, chief executive officer at Hagie Manufacturing, said, “We have great products at Hagie that help producers be more profitable but we need a business model that helps us reach more customers.… Continue reading

Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc. announces the addition of a 60’ boom for its Top Air ATV sprayer for greater crop-spraying productivity.

The new self-leveling 60’ boom features three-dimensional steel construction for maximum durability and front-folding design for compact transport.  The tool-free height-adjustable boom allows ground spraying clearance from 12” to 30”.  Outer wing sections feature a breakaway design for added protection and touchdown wheels to assist in boom clearance in uneven field conditions.

The Top Air ATV sprayer features 200-gallon tank capacity, width-and length-adjustable axle design, cushioned tongue for operator comfort and durable powder-coat finish to resist corrosion. It’s also available with a 45-foot boom.

The Top Air ATV sprayer also features a nine-gallon clean-water tank with storage container for added operator safety.  Its centrifugal spray pump is powered by a 5.5 HP Honda gas engine for reliable operation.

It performs like a full-size sprayer with features including tank agitation for proper chemical suspension, highly visible tank volume indicator, three-section boom with electronic ball valves,15” or 20” tip spacings and electronic rate controller.… Continue reading

Michelin Agricultural Tires recently introduced the new Michelin VF520/85R42 CFO 177A8 CerexBibT tire. Michelin’s Very High Flexion (VF) tires include a class of agricultural tires designed to handle bigger and heavier farm equipment that has a greater ability to flex under increased loads than standard radials. Designed expressly for large combines and grain carts, the new CerexBib is one of the first true VF tires for today’s heaviest harvesting equipment.

CerexBib, now available at Michelin Ag tire dealers in the Unites States and Canada, offers a more comfortable ride because it:
.       functions at a lower pressure,
.       provides improved traction in all conditions because of the larger tread footprint,
.       delivers excellent service life (even at low pressure) because of a casing with reinforced sidewalls and
.       is better for on-road travel because it enables farmers to use a narrower tire to carry the load.

“This new CerexBib offers a massive load capacity, up to21,960 pounds, and has a giant footprint of approximately 486 square inches,” said James Crouch, Michelin farm segment marketing manager.… Continue reading

Producers can aggressively manage heavy crop residue and soils with the new True-Tandem 335 Barracuda vertical tillage tool from Case IH. Built on proven Agronomic Design principles, this rugged addition to the industry-leading Case IH vertical tillage lineup quickly cuts, incorporates and evenly distributes the most stubborn crop residue up to 4 inches deep. This creates the potential for a blacker surface finish and an increase in nutrient cycling for the next crop.

“We developed the new True-Tandem 335 Barracuda to help producers more productively manage the record-breaking amounts of residue associated with new, high-yielding crop genetics — especially hybrids developed for standability with tougher stalks,” said Chris Lursen, Case IH tillage marketing manager. “Thanks to the industry-exclusive serrated blades engineered with Earth Metal and greater concavity than most other vertical tillage blades on the market, the Barracuda easily slices through tough residue, uproots root balls and levels out the soil to create the ideal environment for residue breakdown and seedling development.”… Continue reading

The 2016 growing season will be upon us 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. No-till coulters should be adjusted to operate at the same depth or slightly shallower than disk openers.… Continue reading

2016 Hay Tools Product Introductions Include Disc Mowers, Disc Mower Conditioners, Rakes and New Variances in Round Balers

Kubota Tractor Corporation continues to expand its hay offerings for a third consecutive year, solidifying the manufacturer’s position as a full-line hay and forage equipment provider. The expanded hay tools line brings to market new disc mowers, disc mower conditioners, rakes and new variances in its popular round baler line.

The introduction of the new hay tools illustrates Kubota’s commitment to the agricultural market and positions the company as a full-line hay product supplier. “Our entrance into the hay market two years ago was deliberate with an all-in commitment from Kubota. The response we’ve received from our dealers, as well as customers, has been overwhelmingly positive as we continue to engineer equipment that provides agricultural market solutions,” said Dave Palmer, senior product manager of Kubota hay tools. “Kubota has built its business on its reputation for high-quality equipment, and our hay tool offerings are no exception.… Continue reading

AGCO Corporation, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, recently unveiled the new White Planters 9800VE Series planter.

The 9800VE Series planters are the result of AGCO’s latest investment in planting technology available from Precision Planting. The planters feature a new seed meter, electronic drive, automated downforce plus monitoring and data management technologies which take industry-leading White Planters to an unprecedented level of seed placement performance.

“Researchers continue to learn and quantify the yield benefits of accurate seed placement. With that understanding, our customers are demanding technology that will allow them to capture the full yield potential of every seed planted,” says Conor Bergin, tactical marketing manager, Application, Seeding and Tillage. “The 9800VE Series planters are equipped to do just that, in addition to providing the long-lasting durability and simple maintenance and operation White Planters has provided for more than 40 years.”

The 9800VE Series row-crop planters are available with a full range of options and attachments and may be configured to fit any production system.… Continue reading

Salford BBI, based in Cornelia, Georgia is releasing one of North America’s first spinner applicators equipped with section control that is engineered for commercial agriculture.

“Section control is not new to BBI equipment,” says Richard Hagler, President of the BBI division of Salford Group. “We’ve been building models that can spread a full swath or manually turn on and off left and right side for the turf and orchard/vineyard markets for over 15 years. What makes this new section control option such an advance over other machines on the market today is the ability to dynamically stop in an already applied area, to turn on or turn off the left and/or right side of the spreader, rather than a mechanical switch the user must operate; they are built with the capacity required for large scale product agriculture.”

Hagler went on to explain there were serious advantages for the farmer with this type of precision spreader control. … Continue reading

One hot summer of dealing with the task of connecting his old 330 John Deere hay baler’s driveshaft to the PTO of his John Deere 6230 was quite enough for 80-year-old Roy Noel.

As Noel was working on his rolling-hill farm in Pike County, he came up with a solution for this painstaking chore.

“The first year I had that tractor, I could hardly turn the power take off shaft and the driveshaft on that baler is really heavy. It was all I could do to hold it up when I was connecting it,” Noel said. “By the time I tried to hold that driveshaft up, in line, and turn the tractor’s shaft to put it together, 20 minutes would go by.”

The second year in the hay fields with those same green and yellow implements, Noel knew that there had to be a better, more productive way to get the job done.… Continue reading

Producers can customize their planter with the right amount of technology for their operation

Case IH recently revealed the all-new 2000 Series Early Riser planter.

“From all-new cast iron components to an electrically driven low maintenance metering system to the entire toolbar, we redesigned every inch of the new Early Riser planter,” explained Tony McClelland, Case IH planter marketing manager. “It was all based on direct customer feedback and field-testing. We made sure that this new planter is not only extremely accurate, it’s also robust enough to deliver precise placement across all terrains, crop types and speeds for faster, more uniform emergence.”

Announced in November 2015, the new 2000 series Early Riser planter is the first to factory-integrate industry-leading seed placement technologies from Precision Planting into a completely new system featuring a best-in-class, all-new, rugged row unit.

Designed for modern seed types, treatments, populations and conditions, the new planter can be easily customized to a range of soil types, terrain, fertilizer/chemical application needs and varying crop residue management practices.… Continue reading

Three 110 – 130 hp Tier 4 Final models offer new levels of technology, comfort and performance ideal for loader work and general use

Massey Ferguson, a global brand of AGCO Corporation, recently introduced the 5700SL Series mid-range tractors. These tractors build upon the Massey Ferguson 5600 Series reputation for versatility and reliability. Each of the three new models is equipped to work in compact spaces and offers the power, maneuverability, comfort and performance needed for efficient loader work, hay production and general on-the-farm use.

“We are proud to introduce these tractors to the North American market,” says Shaun Allred, tactical marketing manager, Mid-Range and High Horsepower tractors. “Livestock producers will especially appreciate these tractors, and after operating one, they’ll understand why the MF5713SL model was named Tractor of the Year 2016 in the Best of Utility Category at Agritechnica this fall.”

Technology and options raise the bar for operator efficiency and convenience

The new Series will include three models ranging from 110 to 130 engine horsepower.… Continue reading

Dale Minyo stopped by Apple Farm Service, Inc. in Covington this week for the first of four open houses to help them celebrate 60 years of service. To commemorate the occasion, the dealership has opened a new store in Mechanicsburg, revamped the website and is having a Customer Appreciation Days sale on parts at their four locations through Feb. 27.

“Because it is our 60^th anniversary and we added another store location on 29 outside of Mechanicsburg, we decided to clean out the shop and have our factory reps on hand just to commemorate our 60^th year in business. Stop by, we are serving cheesy potatoes and chicken,” said Bill Apple. “We have open houses going in all four of our stores.”

The Mechanicsburg location open house is on Feb. 22 and the Botkins location open house is on Feb. 25. Apple Farm Service is also busy with winter service work this time of year, particularly for planters.… Continue reading

Fendt, a worldwide brand of AGCO Corporation, recently unveiled the new Fendt 1000 Vario tractors bringing North American producers an entirely new power segment in wheeled row crop tractors. The new 1000 Vario offers four models: 1038 (380 HP), 1042 (420 HP), 1046 (460 HP) and 1050 (500 HP). Designed for the heaviest draft work, these powerful, fuel-efficient tractors are also compact, agile and versatile to handle jobs requiring optimum performance on the road.

In true Fendt engineering tradition, the 1000 Vario introduces innovations that deliver unprecedented power and efficiency. The revolutionary Fendt iD high-torque, low-engine-speed concept combines a new 12.4L six-cylinder engine with the next generation Fendt Vario transmission. Advancements in design create a comprehensive approach to an entirely new drivetrain, the VarioDrive drivetrain that allows intelligent four-wheel management. Superior operator comfort and convenience along with intelligent connectivity ensure the Fendt 1000 Vario meets the needs of the best-run operations in agriculture today.… Continue reading

Hesston by Massey Ferguson, the industry’s leading hay equipment brand of AGCO Corporation who introduced the self-propelled windrower to the agricultural harvesting world more than 60 years ago — will complete the production of its 100,000th windrower in March 2016 in Hesston, Kan. The 70-year-old Hesston by Massey Ferguson brand is a leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery, most famous for its high quality haymaking equipment since 1947. The landmark achievement will be celebrated in Hesston on Tuesday, March 29, 2016.

“When Hesston’s founder, Lyle Yost, introduced the first self-propelled windrower back in 1955, he not only shared this unique invention but he would ultimately be a leader in the revolution of the hay business,” explained Kyle Kitt, marketing manager for hay cutting, preparation and forage at AGCO. “Over the course of the last 60 years, our skilled engineers have worked to innovate and improve upon this harvesting machine, such as with the recent addition of rear-wheel steering, known as RearSteer.… Continue reading

New AFS product features also increase accuracy, accessibility and integrated-data sharing capabilities

Case IH is pleased to introduce three new Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) products: AFS RTK⁺, ElectriSteer and AFS Connect Data Sharing. Led by AFS RTK⁺, the first proprietary cellular-RTK network offered by an original equipment manufacturer, these new products help make the benefits of precision agriculture technology more attainable to producers of all sizes. From managing inputs during field preparation through harvest, these new capabilities add to the company’s full suite of AFS offerings across its entire product lineup.

AFS RTK⁺ provides cellular-based correction guidance
Available for purchase through participating Case IH dealers, an AFS RTK⁺ subscription allows producers to achieve sub-inch, repeatable accuracy through a network of dealer-supported base stations throughout the United States and Canada. Cellular guidance correction signals alleviate line-of-sight issues, including hills, valleys, trees, buildings or other structures — offering consistent accuracy at any distance within the network.… Continue reading

Utility-class standout designed with weight, power and lift capacity to handle heavier, larger implements and tough conditions.

Massey Ferguson, a global brand of AGCO Corporation will introduce North American producers to the highly anticipated and all-new 4700 Series heavy-duty utility tractors during the 2016 National Farm Machinery Show. The 4700 Series tractors stand out within the utility tractor market because they are designed with the weight, power, durability, and lift capacity to manage heavier, larger implements, draft work and other tough, demanding jobs.

“Producers have been waiting for a real tractor of this size, with this kind of performance, for a long time,” says Warren Morris, tactical marketing manager, Under 140 HP Tractors. “Many are looking for a new tractor in this horsepower range to use for more traditional field work and one that offers the pulling power and lift capacity they need for a reasonable price. The 4700 Series fills that need and delivers on Massey Ferguson’s world-wide reputation for power, endurance, value and ease of use.”… Continue reading

New tools allow easy access to farm information to gain insights and profits

The John Deere Operations Center is a set of online tools that enables growers to easily access farm information for better management of their operations. Users are able to see performance over time and collaborate with partners to gain insights, increase profits, and direct their plans with more precision in the field.

The new software release for the Operations Center allows growers to reduce their reliance on desktop software (such as Apex) and to eventually adopt one system for their farm data management needs. This update will also more seamlessly connect in-cab monitoring technology such as SeedStar Mobile with Job Monitor and the 4600 CommandCenter Display.

“The latest release of the John Deere Operations Center is a big step forward for our customers,” says Tyler Hogrefe, senior product manager, John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group. “We’re making machine and agronomic information available to users where they want it and when they need it.… Continue reading

Evolution Ag announced that Greg Neuenfeldt of Donaldson Filters will be at Evolution Ag on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Neuenfeldt will be meeting with agricultural producers to discuss recent advancements in filter technology along with troubleshooting and maintenance tips. Doug Loudenslager of Evolution Ag said.

“Engine oil, fuel and hydraulic system filtration is a critical issue for the efficient operation of today’s agricultural equipment. Greg will provide good information for our producers and I hope farmers in the area will take advantage of the opportunity,” he said.

Neuenfeldt’s presentation will be part of the Evolution Ag Open House and Customer Appreciation event scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 10 at their new facility 8 miles south of Delaware on US 42. Questions can be directed to Evolution Ag at 740-363-1341.… Continue reading

Evolution Ag, the Case IH dealership that recently opened its new location south of Delaware on US 42 announced its’ annual Open House and Customer Appreciation event for Wednesday, February 10^th. The dealership is located 8 miles south of Delaware on US 42 near the Conklin Dairy Farm north of the US 33 interchange.

Doug Loudenslager, Principal and General Manager said that current and future customers are invited to the dealership on February 10 to enjoy lunch as well discounts on parts, filters fluids and specials on products throughout the store.

Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. and features “World Renowned” Stiverson pork tenderloin sandwiches and homemade pies from  Carlyle’s in Richwood. Loudenslager also said that Dr. Chris Winslow will be speaking at 1:30 on the Lake Erie Watershed and the research being conducted for management of toxic algae blooms in the basin.

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