Equipment

Every year after the harvest season, farmers are faced with the tough, but common topic of harvest loss. Experts say producers should lose no more than one bushel of corn per acre each harvest. However, some producers have reported seeing losses of three to four bushels per acre, which can have significant impacts.

“That might not sound like much, but at the price of corn today that can add up fast,” said Mark Hanna, Iowa State University Extension Agricultural Engineer. “The cost of the grain that is left in the field often rivals the cost of the whole harvest operation.”

Equipment plays a big role in overcoming harvesting challenges.… Continue reading

Combines work hard at their job, which generates heat and some sparks. When paired with the dry, highly flammable conditions in a crop field at harvest time, there is ample potential for a fire.

“Most fires I see are usually electrical,” said Jason Damron, a Delaware County farm mechanic. “Most combines have a screen or dust sock over the alternator to keep the dust out. I blow that out every morning. You don’t want to do it when it is hot at the end of the night because you blow that hot dust around and then leave it on that hot motor. I do it in the morning when it’s cool.”

There have been a number of combine fires around Ohio this year, maybe more than usual.

“It seems like it has been overly dusty this year and there hasn’t been a lot of wind. The combine is driving around in a giant dust cloud all of the time.… Continue reading

Prestigious industry award for Case IH / New Quadtrac series wins  the XXL tractor category / Leading agricultural journalists recognise the unique Quadtrac concept

The winner has been found: The Case IH Quadtrac 620 is “Machine of the Year 2014” in the XXL tractor category. On the third evening of this year’s Agritechnica exhibition in Hannover, the industry accolade „Machine of the Year 2014“ was awarded to Case IH in the presence of well over 600 participating guests. The highly coveted trophy, which has become an important recognition of achievements in the industry, was awarded because of the innovative concept of the new Case IH Quadtrac series.

In his laudation Agricultural editor Bernd Feuerborn not only acknowledged the nearly 700hp maximum and a torque of up to 3,000 Nm but also highlighted the excellent driving comfort of the most powerful series tractor produced worldwide . The Quadtrac tractors feature the largest cab in the industry and an unsurpassed surround vision.… Continue reading

Agricultural industry software companies will leverage MyJohnDeere to assist customers in managing machine and agronomic data.

In order to provide more value to agricultural producers, John Deere is collaborating with other businesses to deliver new applications and services that help customers more quickly turn data into management decisions. This collaboration supports improved productivity, efficiency and yield. Companies will provide software and applications to interface with MyJohnDeere, JDLink™, and Wireless Data Transfer – three important elements of Deere’s overall technology strategy for the agricultural industry.

In 2012, John Deere introduced MyJohnDeere, a comprehensive information platform to help agricultural producers consolidate the management of equipment information, production data and farm operations. This centralized, online platform allows producers to access, view, archive, manage and share a wide variety of business information.

“Our goal is to provide a preferred, safe and secure environment for these applications, while building valuable features to connect customers with trusted advisors,” said Cory Reed, Senior Vice President, Intelligent Solutions Group, Deere & Company. … Continue reading

New tool helps producers monitor crop yield, management and weather trends by field.

Landmark Services Cooperative introduces the YieldEDGE Viewer, a new management tool for crop growers to monitor trends by field.

YieldEDGE Viewer is a web-based program that allows crop growers who are Landmark members access to the cooperative’s data on the owner’s fields in real-time, at any time. The program is free to all Landmark members.

After logging into the system with a username and password, YieldEDGE Viewer shows the grower all of the data that Landmark has compiled about their operation, based on each field’s set boundary. This information can include: yield maps, fertilizer rates applied each year, soil test data, multi-year yield analysis, seed varieties planted, historical prescriptions by field and historical weather trends on the farm’s acreage.

Gary Myers, YieldEDGE Precision Ag Manager for Landmark, says growers are already benefiting from the recently launched program as they’re noticing trends and then making changes based on real-time information.… Continue reading

Kinze autonomous harvest system was leased to farmers this fall

Kinze® Manufacturing, Inc. continued its progress on Kinze Autonomy this season by leasing its autonomous harvest system to three farmers. While each of the farmers was a participant in the release preview held in fall 2012, this year Kinze representatives were not in the field overseeing operation of the system, which allowed the farmers to use the technology independently.

“Because the technology was brand new last year, we took every precaution to make sure it ran properly,” said Rhett Schildroth, senior product manager at Kinze. “We made several minor improvements, and this year the farmers ran the technology by themselves. We’re now getting very positive feedback. The system just works – the farmers keep asking when they can buy it.”

The minor adjustments made to the system for this year’s harvest include:

• The range of wireless communication between vehicles has been increased.… Continue reading

Device accurately checks moisture levels and test weights of 20 different grains

To help producers more accurately monitor the condition of their grain during harvest and in storage, John Deere introduces the GT-30300 Grain Moisture Tester. This new hand-held device provides direct readout of moisture and test weight for 20 different grains in seconds, without pre-weighing the samples, at the touch of a button.

According to Barry Deiters, product manager with John Deere Merchandise, the new GT-30300 Grain Moisture Tester is the most accurate and advanced hand-held tester available. “The tester measures the moisture of harvested or stored grain from 5 percent to 45 percent with repeatable accuracy to plus or minus 0.2 percent and test weights with repeatable accuracy of 0.5 lb. per bushel, without having to pre-weigh the samples.”

The tester also measures the temperature of stored grains from 40 to 120 degrees F with repeatable accuracy to within 1.0 degree.… Continue reading

Case IH introduces the availability of two new air drills in 50- and 60-foot working widths. These larger-sized Precision Disk 500 air drills help growers cover more acres in short planting windows.

“Case IH engineers have taken the best-in-class Precision Disk 500 design and made it even more productive with larger working widths and a five-section design,” said Dale Simpson, Case IH Seeding Marketing Manager. “Known for its accurate seed placement and ability to seed in diverse conditions – from no-till to reduced till to conventional till – the new Precision Disk 500 air drills are designed based on customer requests for wider operating widths to give them greater productivity.”

Seed more acres in a day

Growers can take advantage of faster fill times by pairing these larger drills with Precision Air carts. These carts are available in sizes from 280 to 430 bushels in a tow-between or tow-behind configuration or 580 bushels in a tow-behind configuration.… Continue reading

Over the past several months, Vermeer Corporation has made numerous strategic moves to be well positioned for the future of the global forage market. These moves include Vermeer family succession and leadership planning along with an expanded biomass and dairy market focus.  In addition, Vermeer has restructured the Forage Solutions sales territories and developed a new training department to further support these opportunities moving forward.

Vermeer Family Succession
As part of its ongoing family succession planning and leadership development, third generation Vermeer family member Jason Andringa has transitioned to the role of President, which took effect on January 1, 2013. In his new role as President, Andringa has responsibility over the Forage and Environmental Solutions groups, reporting to Mary Andringa in her continuing role as CEO. He is working to sustain the growth and drive future investment for the company.  Another priority is to accelerate Vermeer’s momentum in the developing global biomass industry.… Continue reading

In today’s agricultural world, John Deere is being pushed by an ever tech-savvy group of farmers to design more than horsepower, fuel efficiency, ease of use and in-cab technology. As more and more producers become comfortable with their mobile devices, the need for up-to-date apps is becoming a necessity.

That is where Julian Sanchez and his team that form the John Deere User eXperience come into play. This group creates, tests and publishes some of the latest mobile technologies that John Deere has to offer, like the brand new GoHarvest app. As much as it sounds like a very techie, behind the computer kind of job, it all starts in the cab for this crew.… Continue reading

First Phase in Introduction to Include Disc Mowers, Rotary Rakes and Tedders, and Pendulum Spreaders

Kubota Tractor Corporation announced today that it will enter the U.S. hay market in 2014 with an all-new line of Kubota Hay Tools. The new machinery further expands Kubota’s strength in the agricultural market, and will allow its dealers to serve as a convenient, one-stop destination for Kubota tractors, hay implements and spreaders.

The new implements will be produced by Kverneland Group, a leading international company that develops, produces and distributes agriculture machinery. Kubota Corporation completed a full-ownership acquisition of Kverneland Group in May 2012, including its factories located in Norway, Demark, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Italy, Russia and China. The Kverneland Group brings to Kubota 134 years of experience in successfully developing and producing implements.

“Kubota’s acquisition of Kverneland strengthens our global product portfolio while providing an opportunity for our U.S. dealers to expand their offerings to serve the needs of our haymaking customers,” said Todd Stucke, Vice President, Kubota Agriculture & Turf Division.… Continue reading

Make adjustments from the cab with the 2940 system
For today’s growers, the ability to make on-the-go adjustments to planting equipment leads to more acres planted per day. It can also help growers make adjustments that may not have been made otherwise. The 2940 Air Adjust series of products from Yetter, including the 2940 Residue Manager, Coulter/Residue Manager Combo, Firming Wheel, Rolling Basket, and the Floating Residue Manager Basket Combo, allow farmers to do just that.

Integral to the Air Adjust system is the Yetter-exclusive Pneumatic Hydraulic Control Kit, which hooks into an existing or new hydraulic compressor to control air to the 2940 Series product line. This allows growers to adjust up and down pressure without leaving the cab. The Control Kit’s small dimensions, only 12” by 12” by 6”, make installation easy.

With the 2940 Air Adjust cab controller, the easy-to-read digital screen and buttons allow for precise adjustments, making it convenient to change settings between different conditions.… Continue reading

MAKES MAJOR INVESTMENTS

Case IH has announced new draper headers and corn headers that are results of a recent $60 million investment in manufacturing improvements, research and development. In addition to the new products, the venture has produced the new Combine Header Center of Excellence in Burlington, Iowa.

“We’ve invested $30 million in manufacturing improvements to create a world-class production facility, and another $30 million in research and development dedicated to header design,” says Kelly Kravig, Case IH Marketing Manager, Combines & Headers. “These new state-of-the-art headers are based on in-depth customer input and extensive competitive benchmark testing, and engineered with the latest advancements in harvesting technology.”

Kravig says the new products are backed by intense testing in the lab and on customers’ farms. “These headers have been put through the paces in all kinds of harsh, real-world harvest conditions on today’s toughest crop genetics,” Kravig adds. “They’re designed to operate at higher speeds, cover more acres in a day, produce maximum yields, minimize grain loss and provide the best grain quality.… Continue reading

Case IH officially launched the new Early Riser® 5 series planters, designed to help farmers maximize their yield potential and consistently produce in varying conditions with an expanding range of genetics and seed treatments.

“Every farmer knows how critical it is to plant within the optimum window to achieve maximum yields,” says Bill Hoeg, Case IH Planter Marketing Manager in North America. “Our new Early Riser 5 series planters are engineered based upon Case IH Agronomic DesignSM principles and use multiple patented features to provide accurate and consistent seed placement, moving farmers beyond picket fence stands to photocopy plants so that they can realize higher yields.

“We’ve updated the Early Riser design, including the bulk fill system, meter drives and seed monitoring, to help farmers make the most of modern genetics and seed treatments and get more done,” he adds.

Farmers will get the earlier, more uniform stands they have come to expect from Case IH Early Riser planters, but new features on the 5 series lineup will result in improved seed handling capabilities while delivering more uptime, reliability and agronomic benefit than ever before.… Continue reading

Vermeer is excited to introduce a new mower conditioner line that combines exceptional productivity, flexibility and convenience into one powerful package.  With three models available – the MC2800, MC3300 and MC3700 Mower Conditioners – operators can get the machine that is right for their operation with the features they need to complete their job in their way.

“At the heart of these mower conditioners is the new Q3™ Cutter Bar, and we’re excited about the capabilities this cutter bar offers to operators – including lower horsepower requirements, shear protection and more,” says Phil Egging, Vermeer Product Manager. “This line also offers the unique Vermeer-designed suspension system, giving operators the opportunity to experience this proven technology from our trailed mower line with a conditioner option.”

The modular, shaft-driven Q3 Cutter Bar helps make this line more fuel-efficient with minimal gear-to-gear interface, requiring less horsepower than gear bed style cutter bars. Practical innovations, including the Quick-Clip® Blade Retention System and Quick-Change™ Shear Ring, make the tasks of changing blades and repairing a sheared device quick and simple.… Continue reading

The next generation of aggressive disk rippers on the market – the Case IH Ecolo-Tiger® 875 – now offers even more durability, enhanced agronomics and more ease of use. All-new high-density Tiger points, standard Earth Metal blades and a hydraulically controlled double-edged reel help the new disk ripper handle the heaviest residue, the toughest soils and the widest range of field and weather conditions.

“Case IH engineers have taken the proven Ecolo-Tiger 870 design and given it even more cutting power with longer-life components,” says Dr. Rob Zemenchik, Case IH Sales and Marketing Manager for Tillage Products. “Well-known for the ability to fracture compaction, size and mix heavy residue, and level soil, our next-generation combination deep-tillage tool is built based on our customers’ needs and Case IH
Agronomic DesignSM principles.”

Added Durability Built In
Redesigned high-density Tiger points run just under hardpan compaction and deliver the proven Case IH lift-twist-roll soil action to eliminate soil compaction, but with less draft, creating smoother fields and extending point life.… Continue reading

Robert Hendricks represented New Holland at the 2013 Farm Science Review showing off the new 560 Roll Belt Round Baler with active sweep pick up.… Continue reading

Gary Fennig of Fennig Equipment goes over the ins and outs of the Yetter Stalk Devastator at the 2013 Farm Science Review.… Continue reading