Farm Tractors and Machinery » Farm Implements

10 Biggest Causes of Machinery Breakdowns (and How to Prevent Them)

admin — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:33:40 +0000

Jodie Wehrspann, Farm Industry News

Machinery breakdowns are always costly. But they are especially costly during planting and harvest, when getting seed in the ground and grain out of the field in a timely fashion are critical to maximizing yield.
According to Dr. Mark Hanna, Extension ag engineer at Iowa State University, a day of downtime during planting this spring can cost around $1,400, assuming 12-row equipment and an eight-hour day. A day of downtime at harvest might cost around $500. "Both figures depend on the penalty of the weather during the individual season — that is, how much yield is reduced by planting or harvesting on the last day of the season versus the day in which the equipment was down," Hanna explains.
Luke Gierach, salesman for AC McCartney Equipment in Wataga, IL, answers operating-related questions on more than 200 early-model tractors, combines and related equipment each year. We asked him to name the most common problems he sees on machinery that can lead to breakdowns in the field. Here's his Top 10 list along with tips on how you can prevent these problems from happening in the first place.
1. Not reading the operator's manual
"I don't know how many times I say, ‘It's in the operator's manual,’" Gierach says. Reading the operator's manual is important, he says, because it tells you how to set the machine and what parts to check before you take it to the field. However, it is one step that many owners fail to do thoroughly.
"For example, the owner's manual will tell them how to calibrate and set seed depth on a corn planter or air pressure if it is an air planter for proper seed placement," Gierach explains. "Once farmers start planting they might see skips or doubles in the seeds planted. So they call and wait for us to give them an answer when it was right in the operator's manual."
The operator's manual also describes how to fix certain problems once they happen so that owners can troubleshoot the problem themselves without having to take more time to wait for a technician. However, many farmers may forget to check the troubleshooting section, which can cost them even more time out of the field.
2. Improper maintenance
Gierach says it is important to grease a machine properly and on a timely basis. "Sometimes farmers or their employees will miss some grease or lube locations on a new machine because they didn't go through all the lube locations the first time with the owner's manual out," he explains. "Then, when there's a breakdown due to no lubrication, they say, ‘I thought we got that one.’ So that is part of improper maintenance."
Other maintenance mistakes are failing to oil chains, check gearboxes regularly, and replace belts when they start to show excessive wear instead of waiting for them to break. "Another big one under proper maintenance is to do a general inspection of the machine at the beginning of the day, like checking engine and transmission levels daily or making sure the wheels are straight and tight on a gravity wagon," Gierach adds. Taking shortcuts can lead to downtime in the field.
3. Poor electrical connections
"This is a big cause of breakdowns with today's newer machinery and is a hard one for owners to try to prevent," Gierach says. "But there are some small things they can do." For example, you can clean away dust and dirt in areas where connectors are located. When cleaning, use compressed air instead of water to keep moisture away from the wires.
4. Overrunning machine's capability
Gierach says a lot of farmers run machines to maximum performance or at the top of the engineering curve for which the machine was designed. "They just really run it hard to about where it is ready to snort or puke out," he says.
He says overrunning the machine puts a strain on all the drives and makes breakdowns much more likely to occur. Gierach says that, to prevent this problem, you should find where a machine's maximum performance level is and then "pull it back a hair" so that you are not running it at maximum constantly.
5. Not replacing worn parts when needed
Gierach says many times when a part on a machine breaks, farmers replace just the part that broke or failed, but fail to check or replace other parts that may have caused the initial failure. Examples include replacing a drive chain when the sprocket was shot or replacing a belt when maybe the pulley was bad.
By replacing only the broken part, you will temporarily fix the problem but will likely have another breakdown soon because you did not fix all the worn parts.
Gierach admits that many times these additional parts are more expensive to fix. However, he says you will save money by spending a little more on parts up front because it will cut down on the number of breakdowns later on.
6. Tightener misalignment
Tighteners that are misaligned or at an angle and not tracking straight to the belt or chain in relation to the main drives are another problem. This puts tension on the belt or chain and can cause it to break or wear excessively. Gierach says you need to watch for misalignment and fix it, which may mean replacing worn bushings in the tightener pivot that may be pushing the belt or chain sideways.
7. Improper storage
This problem applies especially to combines and planters. For example, often a farmer will park the combine in the shed immediately after harvest and leave it there until the following harvest. "The combine will have corn, dirt and chaff built up alongside a lot of the electrical connections, or dust and debris sitting on chains," Gierach explains. "It is not the best way to be storing them."
The problem is that debris will attract rodents, which will often nest inside or gnaw at wires. The dust itself can interfere with electrical connections. He suggests cleaning around all electrical connections and other places where debris is built up before storing the machine. Using compressed air is usually the best way to do this.
8. Improper weather-related use
Sometimes Gierach sees farmers running machines in wet, muddy weather. That can put a strain on the machines, especially combines, because they are not designed for it.
"Running real wet, tough material through the combine could break shafts or plug up the machine," he explains. "And that puts a strain on everything from feeder house chains to shafts to bearings and pulleys."
Running tractors in poor weather conditions also can result in problems. "For example, we find mud packed in between dual wheels, which can result in premature wear on the tire sidewalls if you do not clean that out between the wheels before it hardens," Gierach says.
9. Ignoring warning signals
"Sometimes operators ignore signals alerting them to such things as low hydraulic pressure or if a shaft isn't turning on a combine," Gierach says. "The operator may get out of the cab to check if the shaft is turning. And if it is, he will get back in and run the machine without checking it again, assuming the monitor must not be working." But often there is a problem, he says, and by ignoring it the machine will break down.
Some farmers not only ignore the signals but disconnect them completely to stop the signal from beeping or flashing. This too can result in breakdowns. Signals commonly disconnected include those for engine temperature, hydraulic oil, shaft speeds, or other parts that might not be turning at the correct speed.
10. Asking untrained personnel to operate equipment
"This is probably one of the biggest ones," Gierach says. As farms get larger, he says, more farm owners are hiring outside help to operate the equipment without training them. As a result, those who end up driving the machine lack the full understanding of how it works and what it is capable of doing.
"They just know how to make it go," he says. "And you get breakdowns from that. For example, some of these hired men will shift the tractor into park before it comes to a complete stop. So we'll find a lot of broken or sheared off park pins on tractors that are so equipped."
Gierach says these 10 problems account for close to 50% of the breakdowns he sees in his dealership. However, all are avoidable if you take these simple precautions. "Sometimes a machine just breaks down without anyone being able to predict it," Gierach says. "But with a lot of these breakdowns, clearly there are things you can do to try and help yourself out."
Don't forget preseason checks
Randy Budke, service manager at Carrico Implement in Beloit, KS, says the number-one cause of breakdowns he sees is failure to bring in a tractor, combine or related equipment for a preseason maintenance check at the dealership. "There are a lot of breakdowns that no one can predict," Budke says. "But if you get a technician to go from front to back of a machine and check it over, that is the best we can do to prevent breakdowns. If you don't do that much, anything can go."
During the inspection, technicians follow a detailed checklist and visually inspect all parts of the machine. They also run tests, flow-rate hydraulics, pressure-check clutches, check for leaks and hook up laptops to the engine to look for recurring codes that may indicate a problem.
The cost of the inspections varies by the type of machine. Tractor inspections typically run $325, and combine inspections, which can take up to a day and a half, cost around $750. However, Budke says that cost gets absorbed once you agree to make the repairs because the machine has already been taken apart as part of the inspection process, which saves on labor.
Budke says any machine with moving parts should be checked, including planters and balers. "Balers are the number-one machine overlooked," he says. "The baling season is probably as important as the wheat harvest to some customers."
The best time for farmers to bring in their machine is in the off-season. "We try to work this through between October and the first of April," Budke says.

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Implement Tires Should Not to be Neglected

admin — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:26:04 +0000

Proper implement tire selection and care is key to productivity
There's no question that proper tractor tire selection and care can greatly impact performance. Without the right tire at the right level of inflation, the operator will surely notice performance issues such as increased soil compaction, slippage and even loss in fuel efficiency. As such, a diligent tractor owner makes a concerted effort to choose the right tractor tire and take good care of it. What many operators don't realize, however, is the importance of selecting the right implement tires and the impact they can make on the operator's bottom line.
Ask a group of farmers when was the last time they checked the inflation of their implement tires, and the majority of the responses will likely be, "When I had them installed." Similarly, ask the group how they choose an implement tire replacement, and the answer will be a resounding, "Whatever is the cheapest."
These days, farmers are traveling longer distances between fields, and any one of those farmers who has had a blown implement tire with 10 miles to go will certainly agree that proper implement tire selection and care is essential.
Because implement tires are used only for a couple of weeks out of the year, their care and selection may seem trivial to many farmers, but in farming, timing is everything, and if a farmer is experiencing downtime during those couple of weeks out of the year, the yield can be catastrophically affected. That's why it is important for farmers to take a close look at what type of tire they put on their implements.
"One size does not fit all when it comes to implement tires," says Bill Campbell, president of Titan Tire Corporation. "In order to increase one area of tire performance, you might have to sacrifice another. So, selecting the right tire comes down to how you plan on using it."
Speed rating
The vast majority of implement tires are rated for 25 to 30 miles per hour. Yet, it's becoming more common for larger implements such as balers to be towed behind a pickup truck or even a semi-tractor trailer. In this case, it's crucial to select a highway-rated implement tire.
"If you take a 25-mile-per-hour tire out on the highway, you might not notice any immediate problems," explains Campbell, "but by doing so, the tire can be damaged internally, increasing its chances of a premature failure down the line."
Traveling at high speeds causes high temperatures to develop under the tread bars, which will weaken the rubber material and cord fabric. While there may be no visible evidence of damage at the time, the strength of the tire can become severely compromised, potentially leading to a blowout.
Though a highway implement tire may allow farmers to arrive at their destination more quickly, they have to realize what they're giving up in terms of performance in other areas. Because the compounding and construction of highway tires are significantly different than non-highway tires, they may not have the durability in the field that many farmers look for in a tire.
"Highway implement tire treads are very flexible and soft," says Campbell. "Soft and flexible isn't necessarily good for running through corn stubble in late October. It's really a give and take. If you plan on traveling over 30 miles per hour, you should go with a highway tire, but be aware that you may be giving something up in terms of stubble resistance."
Load capacity
Choosing an implement tire at the appropriate load capacity isn't just as simple as comparing it to the weight of the implement. Many people fail to take into account the effect of road use on load capacity.
"As speed increases, the load capacity of a tire decreases." says Scott Sloan, product engineering manager for Titan Tire Corporation. "So, you want to consider that; looking at what you'll be carrying and at what speeds. Anything over the rated speed, and the tire's ability to carry its stated load decreases. Although a stationary implement may be well within the tire's capacity, the dynamic loading of the tires during transportation at higher speeds puts the tires into a vulnerable situation."
If being used for higher speeds or particularly rough gravel roads, Sloan recommends using a tire with a higher ply rating. Doing so will not only ensure the tires aren't loaded beyond their limit, but can also help decrease susceptibility to puncture damage in the field.
Size and shape
In addition to being concerned about the field damaging their tires, farmers are concerned about their tires damaging the field. Sloan stresses that even minor subtleties in the shape of tires can have a significant impact on the field. Specifically, he warns against choosing tires with a square-shoulder design.
"If you are cultivating after the crop is up, the edges of a square-shoulder implement tire can cut the roots off," Sloan explains. "A rounded shoulder ensures minimal crop and field damage."
Tread design
Implement tires have traditionally been ribbed, but as tractors are becoming more powerful, many farmers are becoming more concerned about the traction of their implement tires, especially when working in wet soils. As such, lugged implement tires are becoming more common.
"A ribbed tire tends to plow through deep mud, rather than rolling, which can be hard on both the field and the fuel efficiency of the tractor," says Sloan. "So, if you work in extremely muddy conditions and see very little road travel, a lugged tire may be a good option. If you see much road time, a ribbed tire will last longer than a lugged. Again, it's really a give and take."
A lugged tire design also has better resistance to puncture damage from stubble, which is a major concern for many farmers.
Radial versus bias
Bias tires are generally less expensive than radials, and because price is the deciding factor for many farmers, bias tires are chosen more often than not. There are, however, many benefits to using radial tires on an implement.
"With radials, you won't have to sacrifice as much performance in one area to get performance in another," says Campbell. "They have a much stronger carcass and are less susceptible to wear and damage. So, they'll have a longer lifespan."
Radials are also able to carry the same weight at lower inflation pressures than a bias. This means better flotation in the field and less soil compaction. Their strong carcass makes for better resistance to puncture damage and better roadability with less tread wear.
Choosing a replacement tire
In choosing a replacement tire, it's important to match the size to the exact overall diameter (OD) of the existing tires, and because sizes can differ slightly between brands, it's important to use the same brand of tire.
"An inch makes a big difference from one side to the other," says Campbell. "Tire manufacturers have a range to work within by the Tire and Rim Association, so one company's 9-5 L15 may be slightly smaller than another's. For that reason, I'd recommend sticking with the same brand on any replacements."
Implement tire care
Regularly checking the air pressure of implement tires is the best way to ensure their longevity. The deflection caused by underinflation can cause the tire to wear rapidly and unevenly, particularly in the shoulder area, eventually leading to cracks in the carcass. Overinflation, on the other hand, creates an under-deflected tire, leading to increased wear on the center of the tire. Moreover, the tightly stretched carcass becomes more susceptible to impact breaks.
A properly inflated implement tire, however, can live a very long life. Because these tires are generally only used for a portion of the season, the rest of the time is spent in storage. Sloan recommends a couple of simple steps to keep them safe during that time.
"I'd recommend putting the implement on blocks during the off-season," says Sloan. "If a tire goes flat, you don't want the weight of the implement on the rim, because that rim can cut into the sidewall, and when spring rolls around, you might have to replace it rather than just inflating it."
Bottom line
When it comes to implement tires, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Although choosing a brand or type of tire may seem like a trivial decision based on price, choosing the wrong implement tire can lead to shortened lifespan and unplanned downtime during a crucial time of year. A farmer must base his or her decision on how the tire will be used, with special attention given to speed rating, load rating, tread design, size and shape, and construction type. Proper selection and care will ensure an implement will be running when the farmer needs it most.

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No-till planter tips

admin — Sat, 14 May 2011 00:16:07 +0000

Jeff Caldwell, Successful Farming magazine.

Cut through the residue, get the seed to the right depth and close up the seed-vee. These are all important to an effective no-till planter system.

So, when you're getting your rig ready to plant, make sure you pay extra attention to the parts of your planter integral to these parts of the process, says University of Nebraska Extension ag engineer Paul Jasa.

"Keeping these four items in mind, producers can evaluate the strengths or weaknesses of their planter and make any adjustments or changes necessary to make no-till successful," Jasa says in a university report. These adjustments include:

• Maintain Sharp Openers
Double-disk openers, if sharp and working properly, can cut through residue without coulters or residue movers. Adjust the disk openers so that they are working together as a single cutting edge with about 2 inches of blade contact. When replacing the disk openers, also replace the seed tube protector as it holds the disks apart to reduce blade flexing and acts as a scraper to help keep the disks clean. If hair pinning residue is a problem, increase the planting depth to improve the residue cutting angle of the disks.

• Don’t Seed Between the Old Rows
Avoid planting in the heart of the wheel track as that is the most compacted area in the field. Also, when seeding between the old rows, some of the new rows will be in soft, untrafficked row middles with different soil conditions than the wheel tracks. Planting about 4 inches to the side of the old row works well for corn on corn. This also reduces tire wear compared to driving on the root stumps to plant between the old rows.

• Monitor Planting Speed
Keep the speed around 4 to 5 miles per hour to reduce planter unit bounce and deliver seeds uniformly. Be wary of ads that say a planter can "meter seed" at 7 to 8 mph. That doesn't mean it can deliver the seeds to the soil uniformly at higher speeds. Often the resulting non-uniformity from operating at higher speeds reduces yields enough to justify a larger planter (or a second planter) to complete planting in a timely manner.

• Increase the Down Pressure
No-till residue requires down pressure springs and extra weight (as necessary) on the planter to cut through and penetrate the soil to achieve desired seeding depth. This is especially true when working in hard, dry soil. Row units should have enough down pressure to ensure that the depth gauging wheels are actually gauging planting depth. Check the down pressure on the row units as conditions change to avoid over compacting wet soils, creating sidewall compaction.

• Place Seeds at a Uniform Depth
Make sure all the seeds are at the bottom of the seed-vee, placed into good soil moisture, for uniform emergence. Keeton Seed Firmers or Schaffert Rebounders can provide a more uniform planting depth for more uniform emergence. These units also provide convenient in-furrow fertilizer application options. Keeton Seed Firmers also improve seed-to-soil contact, as the name implies.

• Keep Residue Uniform
Consider residue movers on the planter to "even up" and create a uniform residue layer, especially if the residue was not uniformly spread during harvest. However, if the residue cover is already uniform, such as in long-term no-till, residue movers can do more harm than good. In these cases, the movers break residue loose from the soil. Some of this residue can then blow back over the row, creating non-uniform conditions. In addition, some emerging corn may leaf out under the residue and may have difficulty surviving.

• Close the Seed-vee
The seed-vee should be properly closed for good seed-to-soil contact and to reduce drying out of the seed zone. Spoked closing wheels are often added to planters to help close the seed-vee. They serve three purposes: drying the soil with tillage closing the seed-vee while fracturing the sidewall, and providing loose soil above the seed.

The loose soil created by the spoked wheels reduces the chances of the seed-vee opening back up as the soil dries. However, depending on your moisture situation, the tillage of the closing wheels might dry out the soil too much. In some cases, growers get better results using one spoked wheel and one regular closing wheel. Also, some brands of closing wheel brands have less aggressive spokes than others.

• Consider Planting Deeper
Planting the seeds deeper puts them into a more buffered soil environment with a more uniform soil temperature and soil moisture. This improves uniformity of emergence which increases yields. Also, by planting deeper, the root system is better established, improving standability and allowing the plant to better handle stresses. Corn should be planted at least 2 inches deep as most corn planters were designed for planting depths of 2 to 3 inches. Consider the 3-inch planting depth in dry years and low residue conditions to reduce the chances of the seed zone drying out.

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This Year’s Planters are Smarter Than Ever

admin — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:12:49 +0000

This year's planters are smarter than ever. All major manufacturers offer sophisticated controllers that can change seeding rates on the go, monitor populations, and a lot more. Increasingly, these controllers use ISOBUS-compliant communications protocols. This allows them to be hooked directly to tractor monitors, avoiding the clutter and expense of an additional display.
In 2009, with their latest controllers, Great Plains and John Deere join AGCO and Case IH in the ISOBUS revolution.

Larger frame
Major manufacturers haven't broken the 90-ft. barrier — yet. Industry rumors suggest that a 120-footer could be just around the corner. As manufacturers add new or upgraded 24-row and wider planters, the net effect is that the base of planters in the field continues to get wider.

“As producers take on more and more acres, we are seeing more demand for large-frame planters [24 rows and up],” says Adam Sipes of Kinze Manufacturing. In response to this trend, Kinze is beefing up its large-frame planter line by updating its model 3800 24-row planter with its new Air Seed Delivery central fill system, hydraulic drive and row shutoff clutches.
Another new entry in the wide-planter arena is from Case IH. Its new 32- and 36-row models offer a unique steerable rear axle and dual-purpose wing wheels that improve stability during transit.

More efficient
Nobody has figured out how to get around the need to plant at relatively slow speeds. But planters are getting more efficient, and that means covering more acres per hour. Central fill systems have been a major contributor to this efficiency boost.
“The trend definitely has gone to central fill,” says AGCO's Gary Hamilton, a White planter senior marketing specialist. “A very high percentage, 90 to 95%, of our new 8800 series 16- and 24-row planters are central fill.”

More precise
By some estimates, at least 75% of new planters are being ordered with hydraulic drives. That percentage is likely to increase, in part because many large planters are no longer available with ground drives.
When coupled with sophisticated controllers, these planters are able to change planting populations on the go using map-based prescriptions.

The convenience of changing plant populations from the cab is probably the biggest factor driving hydraulic-drive planter sales, not map-based seeding, at least for now, says Rob Rippchen of John Deere's seeding group. “I think a lot of growers see long term that they want the capability to use map-based seeding,” he says.
Tom Evans of Great Plains expects that growers will adopt variable-rate seeding at the same rapid pace as they are adopting tractor guidance systems. “I would have thought, in 10 years, every tractor would have steering capabilities,” he says. “Now I am thinking that is going to be two to five years. If growers have precision steering on the tractor, they will demand having precision capabilities on the planter in the same time period.”

“It's amazing how far we have come in a few years,” adds Alan Forbes of Case IH. “Not so long ago the thought of automatically changing seed populations on the go based on GPS coordinates was a far-fetched notion. Now it is a reality.”
Here's a look at the latest smarter, wider, faster, more precise planters from major planter manufacturers.

Case IH
Case IH is offering feature upgrades on several planter lines, as well as new 32- and 36-row front-fold planters with an innovative steerable rear axle. The 32-row machines are offered with 30-in. spacing only, but the 36-row versions will be available in 20-, 22- and 30-in. spacings. The 32- and 36-row planters complement new front-fold 12-, 16- and 24-row 1250 series planters that will be more widely available this year.

Several features are new across all 12-row and larger planters for 2009. Pneumatic down-pressure control is now an option.
AFS AccuRow row control also is a new option for 2009. This is Case IH's branded Tru Count clutch, which is paired with built-in control for up to 12 two-row sections with the AFS Pro 600 monitor. List prices range from $465 to $600 per row, depending on planter width.

A mounted 20-ft. KSI seed conveyor is another new option. The conveyor pivots from a horizontal transport position to the ground to allow seed to be dumped and conveyed directly from the truck box instead of a tender.
The new 1260 series 32- and 36-row planters take on two issues that customers identified as challenges for ultrawide planters: stability and maneuverability. Solutions to both are built into this Case IH-engineered bar.

“The big concern growers have with these large-frame toolbars is transport stability,” Forbes says. “The more tongue weight, the less stable when transporting.” To cope with high tongue weight, 90-ft. planters typically have 3-pt. hitches. But Case IH engineers came up with a solution that allows their new toolbar to use a drawbar hitch.
Case IH addressed stability by engineering wing-support wheels to do double duty. When in transport mode, four castering wing axles (with eight wheels total) take weight off the hitch. Wings are designed to flex vertically in transit, which helps the folded bar adjust with the terrain.

“You need wing wheels anyway for flotation when planting,” Forbes says. “Why not use them for transport, too?”
The list price for a 1260 36-row, 30-in. planter base model is $240,000. A 32-row, 30-in. model lists at $214,000. Contact Case IH, Dept. FIN, 700 State St., Racine, WI 53404, 877/422-7344, visit www.caseih.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 101.

Great Plains
Beginning this year, all Great Plains planters will be outfitted with Dickey-john's IntelliAg controller. The ISOBUS-compliant computer resides on the planter and communicates with existing ISOBUS-compliant displays in the tractor cab. An IntelliAg monitor is available for tractors without ISOBUS-compliant displays.

“When you plug it in [to the tractor display], the planter says to the tractor, ‘I am YP2425 [a Great Plains 60-ft. planter] with 48 twin-row units.’ It tells the tractor what it needs to do,” says Evans, Great Plains vice president for sales and marketing. “Instead of having to buy a separate $2,000 screen for the tractor, the smarts are on the planter.”
Contact Great Plains Mfg., Dept. FIN, 1525 E. North St., Salina, KS 67401, 785/823-3276, visit www.greatplainsmfg.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 102.

John Deere
For 2009, John Deere is introducing a new seed monitor system, an electric row shutoff solution and a 60-ft. split-row planter that's the widest on the market.

The new seed monitor system is called SeedStar 2, which includes an ISOBUS-compliant controller mounted on the planter, and new software that enables the GreenStar 2600 display to monitor and control planting functions. “Customers want to get down to one monitor in the cab,” says Ripp-chen, marketing manager for the Deere Seeding Division.
SeedStar 2 is available on new planters, but the company expects it to be a popular upgrade. That is likely, in part, because SeedStar 2 includes the hardware and software needed to run Deere's RowCommand row shutoff system. RowCommand can be added to existing 12-row and larger Deere SeedStar planters and is available from the factory on new models.
RowCommand, a CANbus-controlled electric clutch system, is integrated into row-unit ProShaft cable drives, which it disengages when signaled by the controller. SeedStar 2 controls up to 16 sections and eliminates the need for a separate section-control device.
The list price to upgrade a Deere planter to SeedStar 2 is $1,300 for 24 rows and under, and $2,600 for wider planters. RowCommand upgrades list at $450/row.

The new front-fold Deere DB60 60-ft. split-row planter places alternating rows on long parallel arms. This places split-row units 7 in. behind the lead units to enhance residue flow. The DB60 has Central Commodity System seed handling and 47 Pro series XP row units in a 30-in./15-in. configuration. A base DB60 lists for $246,465.
Contact your local John Deere dealer, visit www.deere.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 103.

Kinze
Kinze's model 3660 Twin-Line hydraulic-drive, variable-rate planter, introduced in 2008, is available with a 16-row, 30-in. spacing. It comes standard with a Kinze Vision display and air-driven row shutoff clutches.

The planter is available with individual row units or with a central fill model using Kinze's new Air Seed Delivery system. Row-unit models can be outfitted to carry up to 600 gal. of liquid fertilizer with two 300-gal. tanks.
A 3660 model with the liquid fertilizer option has a list price of $153,798, which includes the 3660 Premier Package with the EdgeVac vacuum seed-metering system, the Kinze Vision display package, and the Interplant Air Clutch package.

Kinze's updated model 3800 24-row, 30-in. planter comes standard with hydraulic drive and row shutoff clutches that can be set up in sections as small as two rows.
Contact Kinze Mfg., Dept. FIN, Box 806, Williamsburg, IA 52361, 319/668-1300, visit www.kinze.com or www.free productinfo.net/fin, or circle 104.

White
White's 16- and 24-row 8800 series front-fold narrow-transport planters will be more widely available in 2009. The new frame design slimmed down the planters' transport widths to fit within the 12-ft. span of tractor duals. Planters are available with ground or hydraulic drives and with individual seed hoppers or a 90-bu. central fill option.
As with other 12-row and larger White planters, these planters feature ISOBUS controllers that allow the tractor monitor to operate planter functions. The exception is controlling row shutoffs. An ISOBUS standard for controlling sections has not been set at this point, so a separate section-control device is required for this feature, says Ben Craker of AGCO's Advanced Technology Solutions group.
Contact AGCO, Dept. FIN, 4205 River Green Pkwy., Duluth, GA 30096, 800/767-3221, visit www.whiteplanter.agcocorp.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 105.

PLANTER CONVERSIONS
AS THE percentage of hydraulic drives on new planters continues to grow, Trimble Navigation is targeting the large number of existing ground-driven planters for conversion to variable-rate hydraulic drives.

Trimble calls its conversion package the Tru Application Control system. It uses technology from Trimble and Dickey-john. The package also often includes installation of row shutoff clutches from TruCount, which Trimble purchased in 2008. Eventually, Trimble plans to integrate the Rawson Accu-Rate variable-rate controller. Trimble acquired the assets of Rawson Control Systems in late 2008.

The cost of converting from ground to hydraulic variable-rate drive typically ranges from $375 to $550/row, says Randy Wulf, a regional sales manager for Trimble. Those prices assume the grower already owns a Trimble Field Manager display, which handles planter monitoring and control functions, Wulf says. All major planter brands are targets for conversion.

A typical conversion includes replacing the ground drive with one or more constant-flow hydraulic motors as required by the planter configuration, a four-channel control harness and an on-planter computer/controller that can control up to four products.
This allows the Field Manager display to control and monitor applications of up to four combinations of seed, fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides and row shutoff clutches.

With well over half of planters ground-driven, the potential for conversion is substantial, says Micah Eidem, a Trimble field sales engineer. “When seed corn cost $100 a bag, there was less need to be accurate.”

Wulf notes that variable-rate hydraulic drives, when coupled with sophisticated controllers and GPS, offer the potential to prescription plant based on productivity maps. For growers not ready to take that step, variable-rate planters make changing populations more practical between fields and in areas within fields with historic high or low productivity.
For more information, contact Trimble Navigation Ltd., Agriculture Business Area, Dept. FIN, 9290 Bond St., Suite 102, Overland Park, KS 66214, 800/865-7438, visit www.trimble.com/agriculture or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 106.

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Keep corn heads calibrated to prevent yield loss, disease

admin — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 00:42:54 +0000

by Jeff Caldwell
Multimedia Editor for Agriculture.com and Successful Farming magazine.

If your combine's leaving corn on the ground in your fields this fall, you're doing more than just losing yield. You may be creating ideal conditions for a disease that's run rampant through fields around the Midwest this year.

In this year's corn fields that will become next year's soybean fields, corn kernels left on the ground this year could help sudden death syndrome (SDS) get a head-start next year, says one ag engineer.

"Leaving corn in the field during harvest always results in a yield penalty. A recent soybean SDS article shows data that suggest corn kernels may be one of the most likely sites for survival of SDS pathogens with potential to harm subsequent soybean crop," says Iowa State University (ISU) ag engineer Mark Hanna.

Minimize that possibility by keeping your corn head calibrated for the field conditions you're encountering, Hanna says. That means in-field checks for both ears and kernels.

"Be particularly aware of dropped ears as hundreds of kernels are lost in a single ear drop. Finding just one ear by kicking through residue in a 20 x 22 foot area behind an 8-row cornhead equals one bushel per acre loss," Hanna says. "Ear-saver tabs or shields commonly found at the lower end of stalk rolls should be maintained and excessive harvest speeds avoided to keep ear losses down."
Check the deck or snapping plates that shield the stalk rolls and adjust them according to the ear size in the field you're running, Hanna adds. Kernels can typically be left in the field when you're shelling corn "when the butt end of the ear is allowed to contact stalk roll.

"A good starting point for today's corn hybrids is about 1 1/4-inch gap between plates to allow stalks to move through between deck plates, but ears to be snapped before contacting stalk rolls," he says. "It may be advantageous to allow a slightly wider gap at the top/rear of plates so that stalks don't wedge."

On newer machines, that gap between deck plates can be hydraulically adjusted from the cab, eliminating the need to manually adjust between fields. That being the case, Hanna says the best way to check is by stepping into the field every now and then.

"Take a few minutes periodically to check and measure losses on the ground. Perhaps disease pathogen survival offers another reason to limit corn loss in the field this fall," he says.

Matching your Implement to your Tractor: Horsepower Requirements

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:03:14 +0000

Matching your implement to your tractor insures optimal productivity.
Properly matching your implement to your tractor will ensure that both pieces of equipment deliver the years of service that they were designed to give. An implement that is over powered will fail early in its life, requiring more frequent repair and maintenance. An implement that is under powered will fail to perform at its optimal level. Under powering an implement also places the tractor under undue stress.

There are four categories of farm implements, each based upon the horsepower required to properly operate it.

Category 0
Category 0 implements are designed for tractors up to 20 horsepower. These are small tractors, typically used for yard work. These implements use a top pin with a diameter of 5/8 inch.

Category 1
Category 1 implements are designed for tractors from 20 horsepower, up to about 50 to 60 horsepower. This is the most common category of implements. Most compact diesel tractors are rated as Category 1 compatible. These implements use a top pin with a diameter of 3/4 inch.

Category 2
Category 2 implements are designed for tractors from 50 to 60 horsepower up to about 90 to 100 horsepower. These tractors are typically found on small to medium-sized farms. These implements use a top pin with a diameter of 1 inch.

Category 3
Category 3 implements are designed for tractors from 90 to 100 horsepower and up. This is the largest category and is found on tractors which are designed for extremely heavy applications. These tractors are typically found on large farms. These implements use a top pin with a diameter of 1 1/4 inches.

AGCO Unveils New Products For 2011

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:32:05 +0000

Industry-leading technologies in AGCO application, row-crop and tillage equipment add up to significant advantages in machine performance and operational efficiencies

Source: AGCO News Release

DULUTH, Ga. (August 5, 2010) — AGCO has introduced a variety of new products for tech-savvy professional producers and agricultural retailers.

The new products offer innovative features created through AGCO’s customer-driven research and development efforts. Each piece of equipment is proof of AGCO’s commitment to bringing agriculture customers advanced technology and innovative products that will help each of them be efficient, productive and profitable.

These new products will be on display at industry events and farm shows this fall.

AGCO Introduces Sunflower 1550 Series Five Section Disc Harrows

The all-new Sunflower 1550 Series five section disc harrows are built with ground-breaking technology not found on any other piece of tillage equipment. The patent-pending duplex wing hinges and walking triple tandems are two of the innovative features on the Sunflower 1550 Series that help growers cover more acres and break through the toughest soil environments in the corn and wheat belts. News Release

AGCO Application Equipment Unveils New TerraGator 6303 and 8303 Models
The new TerraGator models 6303 and 8303 from AGCO Application Equipment have been designed to make the industry’s hardest-working flotation applicator even more productive with key features such as the innovative AGCO Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), AGCO SISU POWER™ 8.4 liter diesel engine, and cab improvements. News Release

New Drive System Strengthens Industry-Leading RoGator Lineup
The experts at AGCO Application Equipment are rolling out five new RoGator high-clearance applicators for 2011. The critical new feature is a proven drive system that AGCO has engineered to deliver even higher levels of performance and reliability in the field.

Rising Diesel Fuel Costs, Tougher EPA Regulations Create Challenges for Farmers
With the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tier IV interim (Tier IVi) emissions standards for off-road vehicles rapidly approaching, many farmers are concerned about environmental compliance. At the same time, they’re keeping a watchful eye on rising diesel fuel prices and wondering how the engines of these new “environmentally friendly” row-crop tractors will fare in terms of performance and fuel efficiency.

An increasing number of growers have found that new engine technologies can keep emissions in check while also delivering outstanding performance and fuel efficiency. A perfect example is the AGCO SISU POWER 8.4 L engine with e3™ selective catalytic reduction (SCR) clean-air technology that is found in Challenger® and Massey Ferguson® high-horsepower row crop tractors.

Now is a good time to buy new machinery

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:40:09 +0000

Jeff Caldwell
Agriculture Online Multimedia Editor

For the last 3 years, the trend lines for tractor sales all followed the same basic pattern. So far, for 2009, that's been true, with one major exception: The line looks the same, only it's a ways lower on the chart.

Tractor sales have dropped this year, a sign, some say, of the tough economic times. According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), year-to-date sales for 2009 are around a quarter lower than they were a year ago. For the month of May, a total of 17,782 tractors have been sold, AEM data shows, compared to 24,068 at the same time a year ago. That's a 26.1% sales decline. Those numbers contribute to a 66,676 figure for total tractor sales for the year so far, down 22.6% from last year's 86,091 figure at this point.

But, a look at combine sales paints a totally different picture. In May, farmers bought 739 combines nationwide, compared to 513 for the same month a year ago. That's an almost 44% increase. And, year-to-date, 2,928 combines have sold compared to 2,206 by this time a year ago.

The economic downturn has clearly reached into the farm machinery market, but that doesn't mean it's standing between you and new iron, farmers say. While it may seem too heavy a lift to bring new equipment onto your farm, it all depends on how you do it, says Agriculture Online Machinery Talk member rrustydawg.

"I think the key is to not trade up in one giant step," he says. "$100K to $150K will buy some excellent used iron, and you can use it for 3 or 4 years and probably only drop the resale/trade-in value by 25%. Then, if you want to get some newer paint, you just bump up again.

"Personally, I love low-hour used iron. Great value as long as you are willing to do the extra maintenance."
Others say the economic downturn that's thought to be the culprit of lower sales actually could entice more sales. It's all about how you write off equipment depreciation, says Machinery Talk member Pupdaddy.

"In this economic environment, we have what may be possibly the best time to buy new farm equipment that we've ever experienced. If you buy something, you can depreciate virtually all of it against your income in the first year," he says. "On top of the Section 179 deduction that you can take this year on either new or used is another 50% reduction against your income if the machinery is new.
"I'd run a pencil over those figures this year, and I'm thinking I might be buying a few necessary long-term usage items even if I have to finance them."
And, if that latter point becomes a reality for you, talk to your dealer, adds another Machinery Talk member. They may be just as hungry to sell the machinery as you are to buy it right now.

Survey Reveals Online Trends for Buying and Selling Farm Machinery

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:39:48 +0000

How farmers buy and sell used farm machinery and equipment (FME) is changing due to internet transactions of used FME or farmer opinions of key players in used FME markets such as dealers or auctioneers. Brian Roe, Marvin Batte and Florian Diekmann of Ohio State University led an effort to learn more about U.S. farmers' attitudes and opinions about sales via auction, dealer, classified ad and the internet.

The researchers asked more than 5,200 U.S. farmers about used FME markets during early 2010. More than 2,500 (48%) responded and gave information about recent used FME transactions, ratings of different ways to buy and sell used FME and attitudes and opinions regarding local FME dealers and used FME auction venues.

They found that U.S. farmers were active in used FME markets with 69% purchasing and 40% selling (not including trade-ins) used FME within the past 5 years. Most buyers of used FME bought from dealerships (55%), while other popular purchasing venues included auctions (16%) and classified ads (10%). Less than 5% bought from auctions or ads over the internet. Most buyers felt they paid fair market value (83%) and felt certain about the quality of the item before they took possession (94%). Internet buyers were less likely to say they got a fair deal but were similarly certain of the quality of items.

Most sellers of used FME relied upon personal contacts or simple for-sale signs to sell their equipment (43%), with auctions (22%) and classified ads (22%) being the next most popular mode of sale. Less than 5% of these non-traded used FME items were sold via internet. Most sellers (87%) also felt they received fair market value for their items, including those who sold via internet. When asked about the degree of satisfaction they had with all components of the selling process, those who had sold via internet classified ads reported the greatest satisfaction.

All respondents then rated five different ways of buying or selling used FME: dealership, auction, internet auction, classified ad and internet classified ad. Prospective buyers had the most favorable impressions of dealers and the least favorable impressions of internet auctions, while prospective sellers had the most favorable impressions of classified ads and the least favorable impressions of internet auctions. Despite these unfavorable impressions of internet venues, 55% of prospective buyers and 71% of sellers might consider using internet classified ads in the future.

The study also asked about the number of local FME dealerships that farmers had done business with during the past 5 years and the quality of the relationship the farmer had with the dealership that was most integral to current farming operations. More than 80% had done business with at least two dealerships while 26% had done business with four or more dealers. However, there were regional differences, with farmers in the South and West listing fewer dealer relationships than farmers in the East or Midwest. Most farmers were pleased with the repair and parts service provided by the local dealer (88%) and with how they were treated during sales and trade-ins (77%). However, nearly one in four farmers felt that the business relationship they have with their closest dealership could be in jeopardy if they ‘shopped around' to other dealers to get a better price.

Respondents were asked why they attend auctions and how much trust they would place in the quality of items sold in various auction formats. U.S. farmers were most attracted to auctions for reasons of gauging local market conditions and networking with other farmers and community members rather than as a means of getting better prices or a fairer deal. Farmers also said they were more likely to trust the quality of items being sold at local auctions more than those sold at regional auctions or internet auctions.

The researchers concluded the results paint a first picture of U.S. farmers' engagement in used FME markets and suggest that the internet currently plays a minor role in actual transactions within this key asset market. While few buyers and sellers of used FME currently use the internet, those who reported selling via internet feel they received fair market value and feel a high level of satisfaction with the selling process and many buyers and sellers report they would consider internet venues for future used FME transaction. In order for the internet to grow into a viable venue in this market, buyers will have to be convinced that they are receiving fair market value and more potential sellers must become aware of the low commissions charged by internet auction sites.

For more information, including the full report and copies of the surveys go to: http://aede.osu.edu/people/ roe.30/FME.htm

The 50th annual Wisconsin Public Service Farm Show Opens March 30

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:12:19 +0000

The 50th annual Wisconsin Public Service Farm Show returns to the grounds of the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh on Tuesday, March 30, and continues through Thursday, April 1. This year’s show features over 430 exhibitors and is expected to draw thousands of visitors from the Midwest and Canada.

“As always, exhibitors will be showing a variety of products and services of interest to farm owners and operators,” says Rob Juneau, WPS Farm Show manager. “This includes tractors and field machinery and parts; feed, livestock and manure-handling equipment; ventilation systems; lighting; milking and barn equipment and supplies; financial, insurance and real estate services; and seed, feed and fertilizer.”

Juneau adds that the show is “going green” this year by purchasing its electricity through WPS’s NatureWise program. NatureWise offers renewable energy from wind and biomass resources in northeast Wisconsin.
Admission to the farm show is free, and parking is $3 per vehicle. Gates are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday.

“The show comes at the time of year when farmers are anticipating the upcoming planting and haying seasons,” Juneau notes. “That’s why this event has become known as a ‘buying’ show because they’re ready to invest in new equipment and try new methods.”
Among the highlights of this year’s show are the following:
• over 430 vendors throughout the EAA grounds
• more than 800 indoor and outdoor booths covering the 10-acre site
• free motorized scooters for attendees who need mobility assistance
• seminars on energy efficiency, sand separation, ventilation, building integrated photovaltaics
• silent auctions to benefit the Wisconsin FFA Foundation each day
• routine medical screenings provided by University of Wisconsin-
• Oshkosh Health on Tuesday and Thursday only: blood pressure screenings are free, blood sugar screenings cost $5, cholesterol tests cost $10
• centrally located food tent offering a wide selection of food from nonprofit commodity groups
• on-site agricultural consultants from Wisconsin Public Service to answer energy management questions.

How to get to the show
Directions from north of Oshkosh: Take Hwy. 41 south to Ripon Road/Hwy. 44 East (Exit 116). Turn left onto Ripon Road/Hwy. 44 East. Turn right onto Knapp Street. Bear right onto Poberezny Road. Turn left onto Waukau Avenue.
Directions from south of Oshkosh: Take Hwy. 41 north to Ripon Road/Hwy. 44 East (Exit 116). Turn right onto Ripon Road/Hwy. 44 East. Turn right onto Knapp Street. Bear right onto Poberezny Road. Turn left onto Waukau Avenue.
Alternate directions from south of Oshkosh: Take Hwy. 41 north to Hwy. 26/County Road N East (Exit 113). Turn right onto Hwy. 26. Turn left onto Poberezny Road. Turn right onto Waukau Avenue.