Kubota Dominates Rankings as Equipment Dealers Rate Kubota Highest Among Major Manufacturers

The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) released its 2012 Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey and Kubota Tractor Corporation tops the charts across several key categories. In ten of the 12 categories measured in the survey, Kubota received the highest scores – compared to other major manufacturers – including the top rating in the highly coveted overall satisfaction category.

Additional top-ranking categories for Kubota include:

• Product Quality
• Parts Quality
• Product Availability
• Product Technical Support
• Communications with Management
• Warranty Procedures
• Warranty Payments
• Marketing & Advertising Support
• Manufacturer Response to Dealer Needs/Concerns

“At Kubota, our dealers are the heart of our business, and maintaining relationships with our 1,100-strong dealer network is top priority,” said Greg Embury, vice president of sales and marketing for Kubota. “We are very pleased with the results of the NAEDA dealer relations survey, and we are committed to delivering the quality, service and support that our dealers have clearly come to rely on from Kubota.”… Continue reading

In line with its vision of delivering yield to farmers sustainably, Monsanto Company today announced it reached an agreement to purchase planting technology developer Precision Planting, Inc., a proven leader in improving yields through on-farm planting performance.

The Precision Planting team will become part of Monsanto’s Integrated Farming Systems unit, which utilizes advanced agronomic practices, seed genetics and innovative on-farm technology to deliver optimal yield to farmers while using fewer resources.  Precision Planting has a long history of innovations that optimize planter performance and increase yield potential, including the new FieldView™ technology, which offers an application designed to monitor all critical aspects of planter performance and crop data analysis. That will complement Monsanto’s planned Integrated Farming Systems offering of science-based agronomic seed prescriptions combined with next-generation precision equipment to help farmers boost yields and reduce risk.

“This underscores our commitment to maximizing yield for farmers while optimizing crop inputs, which is central to our vision of sustainable agriculture,” said Robb Fraley, Monsanto’s chief technology officer. … Continue reading

No field is perfectly uniform throughout, and taking time during spring planting to stop and make adjustments for changing field conditions, while necessary, means fewer acres per day. The Air Adjust Residue Manager from Yetter is the first in the 2940 Air Adjust series of products. With the Air Adjust system, row cleaner adjustments can be made from the tractor cab by making adjustments to the controller.

The Air Adjust uses up and down air bag pressure to allow farmers to make adjustments more quickly and accurately during planting. The residue manager height and down pressure can be adjusted independently from each other by increasing or decreasing air bag pressure. The residue managers are designed with parallel linkage allowing the manager to ride with ground contour, just like the row unit.

In no-till residue, down pressure can be increased on the floating residue manager for your field conditions. In tilled soil and lighter residue, down pressure can be decreased and air up pressure increased to allow the cleaners to float easily.… Continue reading

Tractor Giant Teams Up With Dealers To Create A Unique Customer Experience

Mahindra USA, the number one selling tractor in the world based on volume, is working with Mahindra dealers nationwide to offer customers the opportunity to experience the power of Mahindra tractors in a unique sales event. In response to customer requests, Mahindra is inviting customers to visit their local Mahindra dealerships during the Dealer Days Sales Event and learn all about Mahindra tractors, meet members of their community and get great deals in this first-ever program.

“We listen to our customers and take their feedback seriously. Our customers want to have a full buying experience in an atmosphere to learn and test drive our innovative tractor line, but more importantly, develop a long-term relationship with our dealers,” said Cleo Franklin, Mahindra USA’s Vice-President, Marketing and Strategic Planning. “Mahindra Dealer Days Sales Events are designed to bring our customers and dealers together in a relaxed and casual environment that extends beyond the tractor purchase and introduces them to the Mahindra Rise culture.”… Continue reading

Two new models available for 2013 planting season

Kinze^® Manufacturing announces a new mounted planter line available for the spring 2013 planting season. The line will include two models, the 3110 Rigid and the 3140 Stack Fold, with a variety of size and spacing options, giving farmers several offerings from which to choose. The available models will include:

• 3110 Rigid
  • 6 row, 30-inch, 36-inch, 38-inch and 40-inch spacing
  • 8 row, 30-inch, 36-inch, 38-inch and 40-inch spacing

• 3140 Stack Fold
  • 12 row, 30-inch, 36-inch, 38-inch and 40-inch spacing
  • 16 row, 30-inch spacing

Kinze offers the only rigid integral planter with spring-loaded contact drive systems and self-contained seed rate transmissions with its 3110 Rigid. The 3140 Stack Fold model is based on an exclusive three-point, stack-folding design, and is the only planter in its class with spring-loaded contact drive tires, adjustable height wheel modules, self-contained seed rate transmissions and point row clutch option capability.… Continue reading

Promising a “new era in field cultivators”, Landoll recently introduced its new 9600 Series Field Cultivator line that takes seedbed preparation to a new level of size and productivity. Available in eight working widths from 20 to 50 feet, the 9600 Series is designed to help producers meet the short timeline that occurs each spring and fall prior to planting seasons.

“Not only are the new 9600 Series models designed to cover large-acreage fields quickly and smoothly, but they’re engineered for unmatched residue clearance, both under the frame and between shanks,” says Jamie Meier, Landoll Ag Sales Manager. “Our “split-the-middle” shank arrangement splits the center of each sweep path for excellent and consistent mixing of soil, chemicals and residue throughout the soil profile. Despite the ultimate 6” spacing between shanks, each frame features 135” fore-to-aft depth and 30” between ranks for maximum residue clearing capabilities.”

The 9600 Series Field Cultivators are also designed to save time when switching from one field to another, Meier relates.… Continue reading

Three innovative new products from Sukup Manufacturing Co. have won AE50 Awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).

The award-winning products are the Sukup Single Phase Centrifugal Dryer, the Grain Buster™, and the Safe T Home™. The Single Phase Centrifugal Dryer has a power converter that helps increase drying speeds at sites with only single-phase power. The Grain Buster™ safely breaks up clogs of grain inside of bins; and the Safe T Home™ is a low-cost shelter that can be used for emergency housing following disasters.

The awards were announced in February during the Agricultural Equipment and Technology Conference in Louisville, Ky.

“We’re delighted these products were chosen for AE50 Awards,” said Charles Sukup, president of Sukup Manufacturing Co. The variety of award-winning products “is indicative of the broad scope of our engineers and other employees, who are always looking for ways to improve safety, efficiency and profitability in agriculture.”… Continue reading

The benefits of vertical tillage and the need for large-acreage productivity have seamlessly come together in three new 7400 Series 5-Section Vertical Tillage Plus machines from Landoll. Available in working widths from 39’ 9” to 49’ 9”, the 5-Section VTplus, can cover up to an impressive 42 acres per hour, while sizing and anchoring residue and mixing a shallow layer of soil — all at speeds up to 8 ½ miles per hour. When coupled with the previous VTplus models, the Landoll 7400 Series line of vertical tillage machines becomes the largest in the industry.

“The enormous number of satisfied and loyal customers Landoll has gained since the first VTplus machines were introduced in 2008 is testament to the overall design of the 7400 Series,” says  Jamie Meier, Landoll Ag Sales Manager. “Our engineers invested a great deal of research into determining the most proficient gang angle, disc blade type and spacing; and it shows.”… Continue reading

The UniPilot assisted steering system from TeeJet Technologies offers growers a great, new option to boost in-field productivity and efficiency. Utilizing a rugged electric steering motor and universal mounting bracket, this system can be installed and operational very quickly on a wide range of vehicles. Additionally, the portability of the system allows growers to operate UniPilot across multiple vehicles and field operations to maximize utilization.

“UniPilot offers fast, simple installation and a flexible design which allows producers to achieve a rapid return on their investment,” notes Rich Gould, Business Manager with TeeJet Technologies. “Additionally, operators are sure to be impressed by the aggressive line acquisition and stable online performance UniPilot offers.”

UniPilot is used in conjunction with the TeeJet Matrix Pro guidance system which offers an intuitive touch screen interface, field mapping/job planning capability, and video monitoring. A full range of guidance modes is supported, including exclusive NextRow guidance for easy headland turns in row crops.… Continue reading

New Holland’s T9 Series 4WD tractors meet the power and productivity needs of row crop and broad acres producers with a standard or wide frame, industry-leading hydraulics, the largest cab in the industry and the industry’s first cab suspension system. With the availability of the new SmartTrax™ tracks option, producers also have benefit of a larger footprint and less soil compaction provided by tracks.

“SmartTrax tracks boost the productivity and pulling efficiency of our T9 Series tractors,” says Sean Dorosz, New Holland High Horsepower Tractor Marketing Manager. “Producers using this track option will increase traction and reduce soil compaction and slippage, which translates into less surface damage and a smoother ride.”

SmartTrax, available for New Holland’s wide frame T9.615 and T9.670 tractor models, are premium-quality tracks with the toughest belts in the industry for longer belt life as well as uniform load to the ground.  They are available in standard and high idler modules.… Continue reading

By Ty Higgins, Ohio Ag Net – Follow Ty on Twitter

“One of a kind” is becoming an overused phrase, but for Ohio farmer John Wilson it is a phrase that rings true when it comes to the planter he is using this year. The German-engineered Horsch planter rolling behind Wilson’s tractor is the only one east of the

Mississippi River and one of only a handful being used in the United States, so far.

“It something a bit different,” Wilson said while planting soybeans in a Madison County field . “Horsch seems to be more precision-minded in their technology. They are very adamant about spacing and not getting doubles and it looks to be doing the job. We’ll see when it comes up.”

Curiosity from other farmers has prompted many phone calls and questions about the Horsch planter and Wilson’s is happy to answer them.

“Horsch is not new to the industry,” Wilson said.… Continue reading

ATV Utility Trailer’s “Little Brother” Ideal for Lighter Hauling Tasks

 DR® Power Equipment today introduced the DR Versa-Trailer ½-Ton, a smaller, more economical version of the company’s popular commercial utility dump trailer designed for light duty hauling on properties of all sizes.

In the short time since its introduction, the original DR Versa-Trailer has changed the way people think about utility trailers, garnering remarkable praise and excitement from consumers. But some who want a rugged ATV dump trailer do not need the commercial carrying capacity and lifting ability of the large Versa-Trailer. For these property owners, DR Power Equipment now offers the simplified Versa-Trailer ½-Ton utility trailer.

“You could call this new trailer the Versa-Trailer’s little brother, but it certainly holds its own,” said Michael Johnston, DR Power Product Manager. “Like the larger trailer, the ½-Ton model is fully galvanized. And it can handle loads to up to one thousand pounds.”… Continue reading

During the recent “Skid Steer Revolution” small platform skid steer launch event held March 6 – 8, 2012 in Savannah, JCB recognized several North American dealerships as “Dealers of Excellence.”  In addition, JCB recognized three dealerships for their outstanding achievements during 2011.

JCB determines the recipients of its North American Dealer of Excellence awards based on the following criteria: market share; retail performance vs. goal; parts SOE; parts sales improvement; sales and service training; and dealer development and re-branding.  Each of the six top-performing dealerships was named a “Dealer of Excellence.”

Recipients of JCB’s 2011 “Dealer of Excellence” Awards include:
Liftech JCB (Syracuse, NY; Lancaster, NY; Rochester, NY; Vestal, NY; Schenectady, NY; Burlington, VT and Bloomfield, CT)
YES JCB (Milwaukee, WI and Madison, WI)
Walsh JCB (Prospect, PA and Ebensburg, PA)
JCB of Georgia (Pooler, GA; Kennesaw, GA and Augusta, GA)
Harvey and Company (St. John’s, NL, Canada and Corner Brook, NL, Canada)
Earthborne (Warrington, PA)
In addition to presenting the Dealer of Excellence awards, JCB also recognized the following dealerships for their outstanding achievements:
AES JCB, Best Agricultural Dealer (Sabina, OH and Shreve, OH)
Dougherty JCB, Most Improved Dealer (Greenville, SC; Charleston, SC; Columbia; SC; Raleigh, NC; Greenville, NC  and Greensboro, NC)
Northland JCB, Best New Dealer (Wilmington, MA; Shrewsbury, MA; Stoughton, MA; Lewiston, ME and Concord, NH)
Van Clarkson, vice president of sales for JCB North America says these awards demonstrate how vital the company’s dealers are to its overall success.… Continue reading

The new AI3070 spray tip from TeeJet Technologies provides thorough plant coverage with minimal spray drift. This spray tip utilizes a patent-pending design that provides two spray patterns at angles of 30º forward and 70º rearward. The leading pattern provides good penetration into the foliage while the trailing pattern provides thorough coverage of the upper crop canopy and grain head. The AI3070 incorporates air induction technology to minimize spray drift, while producing a large percentage of droplets in the medium to coarse category to maximize surface coverage.

The AI3070 was designed specifically for fungicide application in cereal crops making it ideal for controlling fungal diseases. “The prevalence of fusarium in wheat and other cereal crops makes this an ideal nozzle for small grain producers” states Tim Stuenkel Marketing Manager at TeeJet Technologies. “The AI3070 is designed to maximize the efficacy of a grower’s fungicide application which contributes to higher yields and a higher quality grain sample.”… Continue reading

Consistent Planter Performance Depends on Proper Adjustment

The folks at Kinze^® Manufacturing, Inc. understand time is money during planting as farmers rush to get their seed in the ground. Many Kinze employees also are farmers and understand the critical nature of proper planter maintenance to ensure planters are ready to place the seed into the ground when the planting window opens.

Do the basics first, recommends Phil Jennings, Kinze Manufacturing service manager.  “Consistent planter performance starts with a planter that is in good mechanical condition,” he explains. “Make a close inspection of the soil engaging components on the row units. Badly worn parts must be replaced or planter efficiency will be impaired.”

Checking disc opener blades is an important step. Farmers should check the wear on disc blades and replace 15-inch blades when they are worn to 14.5 inches in diameter. Inspect the disc blade contact too. “Optimal disc blade contact is 1-1.5 inches to form the seed trench,” Jennings says.… Continue reading

Principals of three leading Central Ohio Case IH dealerships announced their plans to merge their dealerships into a new company. The corporation will be called Evolution Ag, Inc. and will bring together the assets and marketing areas of Agri-Trac Equipment of Utica, Hill Implement Company of Circleville and J R Equipment, Inc. of Upper Sandusky and Delaware.

Jim Henkel, President of J R Equipment and Chairman of Evolution Ag said, “Farmers have continued to grow their operations and are demanding more and better services from their suppliers. This merger will allow these dealerships to better serve their customers now and in the future.”

Tom Hill, President of Hill Implement and President of Evolution Ag said, “Our plan is to maintain the existing presence in each of the four communities that our dealerships currently serve. This merger will also allow us to make critical investments in facilities and people, better meeting the needs of a growing agriculture.”… Continue reading

“You can’t have a conversation about hay production and not mention the weather,” says Dr. Kevin Shinners, Professor of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As with any agricultural crop, that’s the No. 1 challenge every producer faces. But with hay and haylage, weather problems can be even more acute, because of the extended field drying time often required.

There are important steps producers can take to dry hay faster. “One of the most important steps is to utilize the sun’s energy to the maximum extent possible,” Shinners adds. “At cutting, lay that crop down as wide as you possibly can so that almost every square foot is occupied by drying crop. Anything you can do to get that crop to dry quicker so you can get it out of the field and miss a rainstorm, that’s money well spent.”

Shinners says a mower conditioner is a good tool to speed dry down.… Continue reading

At more than $200 per ton, hay is a precious commodity, which is why getting the most high-quality product from each acre has never been more important.

“We’re seeing a reduction in hay acreage across North America,” says Dr. Kevin Shinners, Professor of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Because of high commodity prices in grain, we’ve seen a lot of hay ground plowed under and put into row crops. With acreage dwindling, hay and forage producers have to do everything possible to get all we can out of every acre.

“That means drying the crop as quickly as possible by conditioning it well, getting it off the field and into storage, and keeping it protected so we can maintain its value,” he adds. “Especially when hay prices are $200 to $300 per ton, baling when the moisture content is too high or storing hay poorly has real negative economic impacts.”… Continue reading

J D Equipment, of London, Ohio, has announced they will be expanding to their eighth John Deere store in Zanesville, Ohio. J D Equipment has worked with Finton Equipment to purchase their existing store in Zanesville, and became the new owners effective March 19, 2012. Due to John Deere’s dealership realignment, Finton Equipment will close their John Deere store in Coshocton, Ohio on the same date.

The new J D Equipment store sells agricultural, commercial and consumer equipment, offering products and services for farmers, commercial mowers, construction customers and homeowners. They sell and service multiple product lines including John Deere, Honda, Stihl, Generac and many more.

Finton Equipment has had had its doors open for over 45 years, with their home and base in Coshocton. Their decision to sell to J D Equipment was based upon J D’s ability and commitment to continue to serve the entire Finton customer base in Zanesville and Coshocton while only have facilities in Zanesville.… Continue reading

Kubota introduces the new gas-powered RTV400Ci utility vehicle that features the agility and reliability of a mid-sized utility vehicle, but is compact enough to fit in the bed of a full-size, long-bed pickup truck. At 54.7 inches wide and 72 inches tall, the new four-wheel drive RTV400Ci gets the job done with its fuel-injected 6 horsepower, air-cooled, single-cylinder gas engine.

“Kubota has built its reputation on meeting and exceeding customer expectations; the RTV400Ci makes for the fifth RTV in the Kubota family, and is another example of how Kubota continually delivers everything our customers value,” says Dan Muramoto, Utility Vehicle product manager. “Compact, gas-powered and well-equipped, the RTV400Ci provides exceptional ease of transportation, making the vehicle ideal for moving to and from worksites, caring for livestock or hunting in the woods.”

CVT Plus: Continuously Variable Transmission

This RTV has a newly-designed Continuously Variable Transmission with inertial clutch (CVT Plus) for excellent response and reliability, while providing dynamic braking to help maintain control during descents with engine-assisted deceleration.… Continue reading