Equipment

Archbold Equipment has rebranded and is now Redline Equipment. The company has a new name, new logo and tagline: any season, any reason, any time.

“We’re the same people, at the same locations, with the same ownership, but with a new vision,” Zach Hetterick Redline Equipment CEO said. “We have been working since the beginning of the year to define who we are, so we stay relevant to our customer base and to ensure our team is working in the same direction.”

For more than 20 years the board of the directors have discussed changing the name, but could not agree upon one. Having the name of the company with several locations being the same as the name of a town created difficulty and confusion.

“The rebrand is part of our long term strategic plan,” Hetterick said. “We enlisted the help of a third party who worked to capture the voice of the customer.”… Continue reading

Ohio Ag Equipment announced the acquisition of Columbiana County AGCO dealer, Witmer’s, Inc., effective June 19, 2017. The acquisition of Witmer’s, Inc., Equipment Division demonstrates Ohio Ag Equipment’s serious and long-term commitment to the ag industry. The combined strengths of both organizations will provide customers in eastern Ohio with an exceptional line of equipment and product support.

“In our early discussions, it was clear the Witmer family had two concerns. They wanted to be sure their customers and employees would be supported through this process and in the future,” said Mike Mampieri, General Manager of Ohio Ag Equipment. “We, at Ohio Ag Equipment, can appreciate these concerns and will work to build on the Witmer legacy by providing outstanding customer support and by welcoming our new team of employees into the extended Ohio CAT family.”

Going forward, ag sales and service will continue out of the Salem, Ohio location and with the current staff.… Continue reading

The new John Deere 4640 Universal Display raises the bar for performance, uptime and cost of operation as part of the latest John Deere Generation 4 Operating System. For customers, this translates into better data collection, increased application functionality, and greater choice for monitoring and managing many tractor-driven field operations.

The new 4640 Universal Display enables customers to use the most common and popular John Deere applications, including AutoTrac, documentation, and Section Control, in a portable display that has the latest internal components, design and user interface.

“The new 4640 Universal Display provides a transportable, easy-to-operate solution for customers with the John Deere Generation 4 operating system,” said John Mishler, production and precision ag marketing manager for John Deere. “Some enhancements built into the display include more on-screen help and diagnostic information to keep operators running and informed of their display capabilities; simplified Work Setup app with page-by-page navigation; and greater user customization of run pages.”… Continue reading

Ag Info Tech, LLC. is moving to a new facility July 3. Ag Info Tech’s newest partner, Central Ohio Farmers Co-op of Marion, purchased the facility formally owned by the Movers & Shuckers at 19325 Zolman Rd. in Fredericktown. Central Ohio Farmers Co-op will operate the grain elevator and will be renting the office building and shop to Ag Info Tech, LLC. The new location is right where St. Rt.13 transitions from a four-lane to a two-lane highway just north of Fredericktown.

“We are excited about this move because it will give us the shop space to rebuild and modify customers’ planters up to 24 rows or 60 feet inside our shop,” said Tim Norris, CEO of Ag Info Tech. “With the addition of this 10,000-square foot shop, our technicians will be more efficient and have everything that they need for any retrofit.” Ag Info Tech has an open house tentatively scheduled for Aug.… Continue reading

Many farmers who have experienced large grain harvests in recent seasons now realize they need more grain storage capacity as they look ahead to anticipated production for 2017.

Installing a completely new grain storage system is a good long-term solution for expanding capacity and improving efficiency. However, for farmers who may be facing budget or time constraints this season, another option is an interim expansion strategy to help meet 2017 grain storage needs, according to GSI (Grain Systems, Inc.).

Gary Woodruff, GSI conditioning applications manager, said there are cost-effective strategies to add more capacity for this season in a way that also enables new grain handling/storage equipment to be incorporated into a future new system on adjacent land.

“A short-term, interim expansion this year can meet anticipated grain storage needs for 2017 more quickly and at a significantly lower cost than planning and installing a completely new grain storage system, yet still provide the components of a future new system,” Woodruff said.… Continue reading

Deere & Company announced it was informed by Monsanto Company that it has chosen to terminate a 2015 agreement for Deere to acquire the Precision Planting LLC business.

“We are deeply disappointed in this outcome as we remain confident the acquisition would have benefited customers,” said John May, President, Agricultural Solutions and Chief Information Officer.

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice brought legal action in an attempt to block the transaction. Deere and Monsanto were prepared to present their case for approval of the acquisition later this year. May said, “With an opportunity to see this to conclusion, we believe it would have been clear the challenge to the transaction was based on flawed assessments of the marketplace.”

Two agreements related to Deere’s purchase of Precision Planting will also be terminated, including the digital collaboration agreement between Deere and The Climate Corporation, a division of Monsanto. Also ending is an agreement that would have allowed Ag Leader to expand access to and distribution of certain Precision Planting products and technologies.… Continue reading

The Propane Education & Research Council partnered with three different agricultural companies to develop new fuel-efficient grain drying technologies that will help agricultural operations save money.

PERC invested in the research and development of GSI’s heat reclamation system, Mathews Company’s redesigned Legacy Series grain dryers, and Sukup Manufacturing Co.’s new burner design. PERC provided industry expertise and financial support through the research, development, and testing process for the new technologies.

“PERC prioritizes the development of new technology that advances energy efficiency,” said Cinch Munson, director of agriculture business development at the Propane Education & Research Council. “By working with leading agricultural manufacturers to advance efficient grain drying technologies, we can help ensure that farmers operate as cost-effectively as possible.”

Energy savings were the driving force behind PERC and GSI’s development of a new heat reclamation system for tower dryers. The reclaimer was engineered to capture air from the lower part of the drying portion, above the cooling section.… Continue reading

Over the last few years we bought a lot of trinkets. Some paid for themselves and some did not. I had a recent question from a group of farmers about the value of precision ag and I didn’t have a ready answer. Since then I did some checking on what was of value from the precision ag offerings.

First, here a results from Nebraska in a 2015 survey with 125 respondents on: what are they willing to pay for?

• GIS based soil sampling.
• Yield monitor and yield mapping.
• Guidance based steering, mostly autosteer.

Next was from a grower survey by USDA/ERS in 2010 and 2012.

• Who uses precision ag? Corn and soybean growers, mostly.
• For what purpose? Yield mapping and guidance systems.

Next I found a survey of farmers in the EU in 2014. They asked some interesting questions and from my experience farmers think alike, so I’ll include it.

• Why use?

The planting operation is arguably the most important field operation since it establishes maximum yield potential of a seed when placed in the soil. In terms of planting performance, four factors of focus to maximize yield potential and are at the control of the planter operator are 1) population, 2) uniform spacing, 3) uniform emergence, and 4) planting timing and field capacity. Three of these four important factors, population, seed spacing uniformity, and field capacity (ac/ar) can be directly monitored during the planting operation from the in-cab display.

This and other information is provided by new in-cab displays providing the operator real-time feedback. Precision planter technology can help monitor and ensure population and spacing expectations are being met during field operations. This real-time feedback also provides opportunity to the operator to make timely adjustments or most importantly make sure seed is being placed properly to maximize yield potential. Many planter displays today provide additional meter, planter and tractor parameters that can be valuable feedback to the operator along with data (e.g.… Continue reading

This is the time of the year you must complete shopping for nozzles because the spraying season is just around the corner. Although nozzles are some of the least expensive components of a sprayer, they hold a high value in their ability to influence sprayer performance. First, nozzles meter the desired amount of liquid sprayed per acre. Second, nozzles help us spray the liquid uniformly over the width of the sprayer boom. Third, nozzles influence droplet size, affecting both target coverage and spray drift risk. For these key reasons, you need to make sure your sprayer is equipped with the right kind and size of nozzles, and they are still performing within the acceptable range of performance they delivered when they were new.

If you were happy with your nozzles last year, and if you are not switching to a new pesticide, all you need to do this spring before the spraying season is to check the flow rate of each nozzle to make sure the nozzles are not worn out.… Continue reading

JD Equipment will have an Open House and Drive Green Event April 7, 2017 and April 8, 2017 at all eight of their Ohio locations.

The Open House and Drive Green Event is open to the public and will run from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Friday April 7 and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday April 8. JD Equipment will offer special “Open House Only” promotions on popular riding lawn mower brands like John Deere, Hustler Turf Equipment, SCAG and Grasshopper.

Other “Open House Only” promotions include 17% Off lawn and garden parts, attachments, accessories, apparel and toys as well as 7% Off handheld equipment, generators and push mowers. Lunch will be provided and there will be demo courses set up at each JD Equipment location so Open House attendees can test drive riding lawn equipment and compact tractors.

All attendees that register for the Open House and Drive Green Event on April 7 and April 8 will be automatically entered into a drawing for a John Deere 3E Series Tractor Package and will also receive instant coupons for $250 Off compact and utility tractors (1-6 Family) and $150 Off select lawn tractors when you take a test drive.… Continue reading

The last several months we have talked about whether or not precision ag pays, how to get started with precision ag and precision ag for your planter. This month we are going to move beyond the planter and talk about precision ag technology for your sprayer.

Are you struggling with your weed control? Are weeds becoming resistant to your herbicides? The key to good weed control is a systematic approach. Not only do you have to choose the right herbicides for the weed populations you have, but you also have to apply them properly. When you think about the challenge we take on when we spray a herbicide, it is amazing in my mind that we do as good a job as we do. Look at four ounces of product and think about spreading it evenly over an acre of ground. It blows my mind when I think of it that way.… Continue reading

JD Equipment is proud to announce their 2017 Spring Expo
events happening Feb. 27 through March 3 at the John Deere
Training Facility in Plain City and a one-day event at JD
Equipment’s Washington Court House location on March 7.

JD Equipment will offer four Spring Expo classes that will focus on
improving singulation, depth control, narrow planting windows, residue
management, seeding rates and nutrient management.

Register at any JD Equipment location for any of the sessions we have
available at either location. Lunch will be provided every day and it
is free to attend! Classes are limited so RSVP soon!

For more information, please contact JD Equipment via email
(info@jdequipment.com) or call any of our locations. Please visit
www.jdequipment.com/locations.htm for location information.… Continue reading

John Deere introduces its new 5R Series Tractors that leverage existing technologies normally found in large tractors, to provide customers with unrivaled maneuverability, an easy-to-use transmission, increased visibility, loader integration, and operator comfort.

A 7.4-foot wheelbase paired with a 60-degree steering angle, provides a tight turning radius of 12.1 feet. Customers working in confined areas such as barns, will be able to easily maneuver in tight areas increasing their productivity.

Shifting is virtually effortless with two fully electronic transmission options, CommandQuad Manual and Command8. Using a multi-range selection, the operator can toggle from B range through D range without stopping. “Base equipment also includes AutoClutch, leveraged from our larger row-crop tractors. That means no clutching is necessary, ever. Step on the brake and the clutch automatically disengages,” says Chris Lammie, global product line planner for John Deere.

Upward visibility has been improved 80 percent through the Premium Panorama cab roof, compared to a John Deere 5M Tractor with the Premium Cab.… Continue reading

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