Equipment

By Matt Reese

Tractors guided by satellite can place a seed within an inch of accuracy. That seed can be treated to resist disease problems and genetically engineered to thwart insects, tolerate herbicides or provide nutritional value to consumers. Agriculture is in the midst of countless technological advances to improve efficiency and production, yet many farms still rely on grain handling systems that served their forefathers.

Mark Drewes, who farms in four counties in northwest Ohio, wanted to start from scratch to add a new storage facility with the most modern technology.

“I wanted to streamline my operation to make things as easy as possible. I started from the ground up,” Drewes said. “My goal was to have about a quarter million bushels of storage with a dryer. It had to be high volume, fast and efficient. I wanted it to be as technologically advanced as possible with a completely automated setup.”… Continue reading

Preliminary Nebraska Tractor Test Lab results indicate that new Tier 4A Case IH tractors with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology have set new industry records for fuel-efficient power.

In all, the tests confirmed several advantages for the new Case IH tractors, including:

· Record-breaking fuel efficiency of up to 12% advantage over competitors’

Tier 3 performance

· Up to 495 drawbar horsepower – a new record for handling today’s larger

implements

· Lower operating cost through enhanced fluid efficiency

“These preliminary Nebraska Test results provide compelling answers to questions producers have asked about new Tier 4A emissions regulations,” said Tom Dean, high horsepower tractor marketing manager, Case IH North America. “Producers should be

reassured to know these answers translate to Case IH helping them reduce operating

costs – and increase power and productivity.”

While many competitors plan to merely match their existing Tier 3 efficiency performance, the Case IH Tier 4A tractors substantially exceed previous Tier 3 benchmarks.… Continue reading

PAUL FORTKAMP OF FORT RECOVERY RECEIVES WORLD’S FIRST TRACTOR MEETING NEW EPA EMISSIONS STANDARDS

Case IH shipped the world’s first tractor that meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tier 4A emissions requirements for agricultural equipment. The engine in the new Magnum Series tractor uses Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to reduce particulate matter and nitrogen oxides in emissions while actually boosting power, and improving fuel efficiency and durability.

The EPA’s Tier 4A emissions standards, which take effect in 2011, mandate cleaner and more efficient engines. These measures will reduce nitrogen oxides and particulate matter produced by 90 percent over previous generation engines utilized by agricultural manufacturers.

Case IH believes the SCR technology in the new Magnum Series tractors is superior to the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology being used by John Deere. EGR recirculates exhaust back into the engine air intake. In high-horsepower applications, this approach uses more fuel, leads to hotter engine temperatures and requires more maintenance.… Continue reading

In the just-released agriculture equipment “business outlook” survey of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM):

• Agricultural machinery manufacturers predict overall business in the United States to close out 2010 with 2.4% growth, then gain 3.7% in 2011 and 2.4% in 2012, followed by 2013 growth of 3.0%.

• Canadian business overall is expected to be 4.1% higher in 2010 than the previous year, but then flatten out, down 0.5% in 2011, up 1.0% in 2012 and up 1.5% in 2013.

• Industry business to the rest of the world is expected to increase the most through 2013 — up 2.8% in 2010, followed by 7.6% growth in 2011 and gains of 6.9% in 2012 and 5.9% in 2013.

For 2-wheel-drive tractors, the most growth through 2013 is predicted for machines with 40 to 100 horsepower (hp), in both the United States and Canada. For 4-wheel-drive tractors, strongest growth is seen for 2010 with double-digit sales increases — up 18.8% in the United States and up 14.8% for Canada.… Continue reading

By Kent McGuire, Ohio AgrAbiltiy program

Most Ohio farmers multi-task to increase productivity. Loading seed while re-fueling and planning the next day’s activities while waiting for the livestock water trough to fill are typical examples.

We tend to see this as a way to make more efficient use of our time. However, there is one place where trying to do two (or more!) things at the same time can have disastrous consequences, and that is behind the wheel of a car, truck or equipment. Any time a person drives a motor vehicle or equipment and engages in any activity that takes attention away from the job of driving, it is considered distracted

driving.

There are three main types of distraction recognized by the U.S. Department of

Transportation:

1) Visual Distraction — taking your eyes off the road

2) Manual — taking you hands off the steering wheel

3) Cognitive — taking your mind and attention away from driving

These classifications are not mutually exclusive, and any one activity (say, reaching for something or speaking to a passenger) can involve all three.… Continue reading

By Jason the Mechanic

Now that harvest is over and we all have time to stop and catch our breath a little, it’s time to start the long task of cleaning everything to be put away for the winter. The first question is what to clean first. Taking advantage of this warm weather is nice to clean combines, carts and the grain dryer.

First, we begin with the combines. I always start out by giving them a good dusting with a large leaf blower. After the leaf blower, I use an air compressor and a long wand. We always try to blow out all the nooks and crannies and the air filters.

Once it is clean as it can be, then comes a good wash with the pressure washer. When washing any type of newer equipment always try to avoid directly spraying any electrical connections. Sometimes it can’t be helped, but try your best.… Continue reading

Leo Bose of Case IH shares what farmers can expect from the new tier four tractors and maintance involved at the farm level.… Continue reading

AGCO’s Combine Marketing Manager, Kevin Cobb shares details on the new Gleaner Combine… Continue reading

AGCO’s Combine Marketing Manager, Kevin Cobb shares details on the new Gleaner Combine… Continue reading

The Ohio CAT Agri Business Division has agreed to lease a facility in Washington Court House, Ohio. The seven (7) acre site on Route #22 just east of Washington Court House will serve as a sales, parts, and service facility. Ohio CAT plans to open for business on February 14, 2011. Facility preparation for the operation will begin immediately.

Products sold and serviced by the Agri Business Division of Ohio CAT include Ag-Chem application equipment, Challenger wheel, track, and articulated tractors and combines, Lexion combines, White planters, Massey Ferguson tractors for governmental applications, and Sunflower tillage tools. In addition, Caterpillar® products typically utilized in agriculture are available at each of the Agri Business Division’s dedicated  locations.

Kelly Love, V.P. of Ohio CAT’s Agri Business Division, shares, “We are excited about our expansion into Fayette County. This critical location will position us to provide a superior level of support for customers.” Love further comments, “Our focus is on the professional producer, and Washington Court House is a major hub of Ohio agricultural production.”… Continue reading

Sunco has been building planter attachments for over 25 years. The goal at Sunco is and always has been

producing equipment to make farming more efficient, cost effective and profitable.

Over the years we have seen many changes and improvements to farming practices and farm implements.

Sunco planter attachments have been part of these improvements. This is evident with the introduction of the

Nutri Mate 3.

Like the NutriMate II, the NutriMate 3 unit is designed to be mounted to the row unit of the planter. The

parallel links of the planter let the NutriMate 3 float and the row unit gauge wheels provide depth control so

nutrients are precisely placed in relation to the seed.

The unique frame design allows the discs to be pulled through the field instead of being pushed, and the discs

are allowed to pivot slightly to the left or right to keep the fertilizer opener discs trailing properly on curves and

contours.… Continue reading

Kubota Tractor Corporation and Vermeer Corporation announce a strategic marketing alliance for the sale of performance-matched, allied-approved, Vermeer forage equipment. The combination Kubota and Vermeer Dealers now have the opportunity to sell Vermeer forage equipment, such as balers, rakes and related forage equipment financed by Kubota Credit Corporation.

“The marketing alliance between Kubota and Vermeer allows those Kubota Dealers who are also Vermeer Dealers to offer a full line of Vermeer forage equipment and Kubota tractors to their agricultural customers with easy financing and strong aftermarket support available from one dealer location,” explains Greg Embury, vice president sales and marketing, Kubota Tractor Corporation.

“We believe the combination of our high quality Vermeer forage solutions equipment along with Kubota’s well-respected tractor lineup, offers customers an excellent choice for purchasing high-performance, long-lasting, productive ag equipment. The alliance between Vermeer and Kubota offers an easy way to purchase a tractor and baler, rake or other related forage equipment and have the service and financing end of ownership at one convenient dealership location,” adds Mark Core, Vice President, Forage Solutions, Vermeer Corporation.… Continue reading

Bob Kennedy of Pioneer says consumers benefit  from Plenish… Continue reading

Exclusive look at the all new Case IH 2011 high horsepower tractors just unveiled.… Continue reading

Ag Leader’s SMS™ Basic or SMS™ Advanced desktop software helps achieve this process by facilitating variety map integration from an array of collection devices. This new feature allows more growers to see variety maps on the INTEGRA display while harvesting, seeing hybrid/variety yield results in real time.
“For a long time growers have used our yield monitor to compare varieties at harvest. However, the field had to be harvested with the same display that planted the field to see the variety map in real time,” says New Business Development Manager, Roger Zielke. “I’m happy to say this added feature gives our customers a solution, regardless of their planting display. SMS-compatible data can be read into the software to create a reference file. That file is then loaded on to the INTEGRA display to show the variety map at harvest.”
Using SMS software to generate variety maps helps farming operations with multiple precision ag displays or mixed fleets of precision ag equipment in the operation.… Continue reading

Case IH Will Go with SCR on Medium and Heavy-Duty Engines to Meet Tier 4

To provide producers with superior operating cost efficiency and performance, Case IH will use a two-fold solution to meet the 2011 Tier 4A emission standards for off-road equipment. This approach includes:

1. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system for medium- and heavy-duty engines (greater than 100 horsepower)

2. Cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (CEGR) for light-duty engines (less than 100 horsepower)

Tier 4 regulations require a minimum 90-percent reduction in particulate matter and up to 50-percent reduction in nitrogen oxides over Tier 3 requirements. Both CEGR and SCR systems lower emissions of nitrogen oxide and particulate matter for cleaner engine output. However, SCR in high-horsepower engines may offer the advantages of longer service intervals, lower fuel consumption and wider fuel compatibility when compared to CEGR systems.

“SCR technology represents the best approach for high-horsepower agricultural equipment, especially when you consider how important fuel efficiency and maintenance costs are to large producers,” says Duane Nelson, Case IH director, global brand management.… Continue reading

Kalida, Ohio, (AgPR ), Feb. 16, 2010 – Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc. introduces the Rolling Reel Leveler model 75, an ideal soil-finishing partner to pull behind a primary tillage tool for more receptive spring tillage.

The Rolling Reel Leveler’s 16-inch diameter chopping reels feature five spiraled, 3/8” x 3” beveled-edge blades for breaking up clods, knocking dirt off rootballs and leveling residue and ridges for a smoother secondary tillage operation. The blades’ spiral design keeps them in continuous contact with the soil surface for optimum leveling, minimal vibration and improved cleanout in heavier soils or wetter conditions.

The Rolling Reel Leveler is built with a rugged 4-inch by 6-inch main frame and wing construction for added life. The reels feature heavy-duty, 4-bolt flange bearings with a 1¾-inch-diameter shaft for long-term dependability.

The height-adjustable, reversible single-tang, double-clevis hitch and 4-inch by 4-inch telescoping tongue make it easy to attach to the lead tool.… Continue reading

Building on the success of last year’s Drive Green Utility Tractor program, John Deere announces it is holding Drive Green Tractor Experience events at more than 50 locations across the southern and eastern United States for 2010. The dealer-sponsored events, which kick off in Texas, are designed to give rural property owners, agricultural producers and other interested consumers a chance to operate and ask questions about the latest models of utility tractors and other equipment available from John Deere.

Like last year, a uniquely detailed semi-tractor and trailer will transport several utility tractors and other equipment to each of the major Drive Green Tractor Experience events. In addition, the legendary designer Chip Foose has customized a 1970 John Deere 4020 Tractor, which also will be featured at many of the events scheduled after early March.

In conjunction with the nationally scheduled Experience events, many John Deere dealers are hosting smaller Drive Green Experience activities at their local dealerships across the country.… Continue reading

According to Greg Brenneman, marketing manager, “It features twin 82-bushel hoppers that can be used for both seed and fertilizer. This represents an extremely high on-board capacity for a 20-foot air drill, because we were able to combine the capacity of larger air drills with a 10-foot transport width. It is a very high producing drill in a very small package.”

Down pressure is channeled through its hydraulic down pressure system to the 17-inch individual spring-loaded coulters and 15-inch double disc openers to properly create the seed groove.

“The HD opener system is the only one on the market to incorporate a planter seed tube and blade separator in its design, a fact that Great Plains is extremely proud of,” Brenneman said. “We take proper seed placement very seriously and we go to great lengths to preserve our reputation in this area.”

Opener depth is controlled by the T-handle at the rear of the opener and is adjusted in 18, ¼-inch increments.… Continue reading