Features Agronomy Corn
Farm Equipment Review: February 2008 WTC

Over the last year, dozens of new models and designs of farm machinery have been introduced by manufacturers. Many of you will have seen these introductions at farm shows and in various industry announcements – but, can you remember the details? This feature provides a reference for you.
Peter Darbishire, Editor

While Top Crop Manager editors make every effort to be objective when reporting on new products, they cannot be held responsible for claims made by companies. Readers are encouraged to contact the companies for more details.

Air tanks have capacity • Photo 1
Seed Hawk’s new model 400 air tank is available in either a tow-between cart, a tow-behind cart or on-board format.
The model 400 air tank features a 146 bushel capacity in the first tank and 254 bushels in the second tank. Seed Hawk’s optional third tank, the Plus, can also be mounted with either the 400 air tank or the 400 on-board model, providing a third tank with meter capacity of 100 bushels. A 10 inch fill auger is standard with all model 400 tanks.
Seed Hawk also offers three compartment tanks in 600 bushel and 800 bushel capacities. The model 800 is available as tow-behind cart only, while the 600 can be ordered as tow-between or tow-behind and both models include a 10 inch fill auger and dual REM fans. The model 600 cart consists of three compartments: 300 bushel, 200 bushel and 100 bushel capacities. The newly released model 800 cart is a new version of the model 777 cart. This new model consists of three compartments: 420 bushel, 240 bushel and 140 bushel capacities.
Seed Hawk has also developed a metering gearbox. It is a new roller and gearbox combination and will come standard on all new Seed Hawk air tank models. The new gearbox eliminates the need for farmers to change seed rollers, as the new roller and gearbox combination allows farmers to dial up an almost infinite amount of seeding rate settings without changing rollers or sprockets. The gearbox provides farmers with an extremely accurate, user friendly technology that ensures accurate, fail-safe rate settings for almost any seed size. n (Jun. 2007)
Seed Hawk
Circle 70 on reader reply card

Seeder has mammoth tank • Photo 2
Bourgault says it has a limited number of its new 700 bushel 6000 series air-seeder for spring 2008. This model has many of the features from previous 6000 series product carts plus a new mammoth tank. The tank has four internal tanks with sizes of – from front to rear – 370, 95, 30 and 205 bushels, for a total of 700 bushels. The tank has three hoppers versus two on all other 6000 series. The 30 bushel third tank can be diverted into either tank two or tank four.
The unit is configured with 30.5L x 32 R1 tires on the front and 650/75R34 R1W duals on the back. The running gear is designed so that the required pressure is only 16psi for the front and 18psi for the rear with a fully loaded tank.
The front hitch uses the same EZ-Hitch style as found on the other 6000 series air-seeders, except the 6700ST will use a 11⁄2 inch pin. The 6700ST has a wagon style front axle steering system. Despite its size, it tracks well in the headlands as well as in transport.
A load/unload conveyor mounted on the air-seeder offers load rates in excess of 110 bushels per minute (tested with dry barley). It will take about the same amount of time to load the 6700ST as the 6550ST. The conveyor is hydraulically actuated for lift and swing, controlled by the operator with a wireless remote control. Backup controls for the conveyor, in the form of mounted control valves, are provided on the tank frame. The catwalk system also differs from the remaining 6000 series in that the first stage platform is located at the rear of the seeder.
The PDM Plus product metering system is the same as other 6000 seeders. Three tank metering will be standard on the new 6700ST. n (Feb. 2008)
Bourgault
Circle 71 on reader reply card

Soil packing sensor provides data • Photo 3
Straw Track Manufacturing has designed a packing force sensor specifically for its Seed Master air-drills. The sensor features a load cell, similar to the type used on cattle and truck weigh scales. It mounts above the packer wheel on one of the openers, measures any changes in packing force and instantly displays those readings on a digital monitor in the tractor cab.
The Seed Master design has always allowed producers to quickly adjust the hydraulic force from their tractor seat.
Now they will have precise data to make informed decisions, making it easy to maintain uniform packing despite varying field conditions. The sensor alerts farmers when hard soil is pushing against their knives and packer wheels, reducing packing pressure, or when softer soil is causing the openers and packer wheels to sink too easily, which can lead to over-packing.
John Nowatzki, extension agriculture machines systems specialist at North Dakota State University in Fargo, thinks the packing force sensor ‘will be a big help’ to producers who understand the importance of consistent packing. Over-packing can create a hard crust that the seedling has trouble pushing through, especially in wet conditions and clay soil. Under-packing in lighter textured soils can cause the seed to dry out quickly. Both reduce emergence, Nowatzki explains.
The next step is to automate the sensor so the Seed Master self-adjusts the hydraulic packing without the farmer’s help. “It will automatically maintain a desired force across the field. We will have that kit available within two years,” says Norbert Beaujot of Straw Track. n (Aug. 2007)
Straw Track Manufacturing
Circle 72 on reader reply card

ISO compliant electronics • Photo 4
Two new air-cart models have features designed to simplify operations, expand capacity and increase productivity. The Case IH Precision Air 2280 and Precision Air 2330 will come equipped with two large polyethylene rotational molded tanks and new ISO 11783 compliant electronic controls.
A two-tank model similar to the Case IH ADX3380 three-tank air-cart, the Precision Air 2280 will have a total capacity of 280 bushels. The Precision Air 2330 has a total capacity of 330 bushels and is similar to the current three-tank ADX3430. These are increases of 50 bushels and 100 bushels, respectively, over the previous models.
The ISO 11783 compliant electronics on the carts enable the operator to easily and cost efficiently use an existing Case IH display, like the AFS Pro 600 touch display currently in a tractor for air seeder operation. Using the AFS monitor also allows an interface with Case IH AFS AccuGuide and Precision Air System function using one in-cab display.
The Precision Air seeders’ premium display option, the AFS Pro 600, includes a graphic display with a menu driven setup and air-cart calibration. AFS Pro 600 display features ‘on the go’ bin level indicators; low bin level audible alarm; fan speed; ground speed; shaft revolutions per minute; application rate; air velocity; product/acres remaining; and accrued area, which includes individual tank, field, season and life time calculations. Any ISO 11783 compliant virtual terminal can be used to display the implement interface.
If an operator prefers traditional on/off toggle switch control, an optional Auxiliary Switch Unit can be
mounted beneath the AFS 200 or AFS Pro 600 display. Mechanical or variable rate hydraulic meter drive systems also are available.
Both models also come equipped with a high capacity load/unload auger and a fill rate of 55 bushels per minute. The frame is identical to the existing Case IH three-tank chassis, only shorter, with a twin-plenum design and two airflow control valves per meter box, one on the left and one on the right inboard side of the chassis. The frame doubles as a duct to carry airflow from the fan to meter boxes. n (Aug. 2007)
Case IH
Circle 73 on reader reply card

Fold and unfold large equipment
Rite Way Manufacturing has introduced the Forward, an innovative new folding and unfolding system for its large equipment. The new system is for equipment such as the heavy land rollers, jumbo harrows, rotary harrows and harrow packer drawbars, which fold to a narrow transport width. Up until now, farmers had to back up with this equipment in order to unfold it when they got to the field where it would be used.
The system eliminates the problem of backing up with an air-drill and a 50 foot land roller. It allows farmers to activate the transport pivot wheel from the comfort of the tractor cab and keep on driving forward. All the rest of the unfolding process takes place on its own. n (Jun. 2007)
Rite Way Manufacturing
Circle 74 on reader reply card

Constant opener depth • Photo 6
The new Morris Contour Drill features an independent contour opener with a parallel linkage for precise seed and fertilizer placement. Each opener moves independently of the frame and of each other to closely follow every contour of the land. The true parallelogram linkage maintains a constant opener angle relative to the soil and constant opener depth in relation to the packer wheel throughout its range of travel. This, combined with the compact opener ensures unsurpassed seed placement and durability.
The single shank design of the Contour Drill has lower draft requirements than most air hoe drills and disc
drills resulting in lower horsepower requirements and fuel savings. This design also provides superior trash clearance as compared to other air hoe drills on the market, says the company.
The new Morris double-shoot opener is used to place fertilizer and seed in a paired row configuration. Seed is placed first, 3.8 centimeters (11⁄2 inches) to each side and the fertilizer is placed 2.0 centimeters (3⁄4 inch) below and down the middle. This unique design does not disturb or compromise the seedbed. To suit various field conditions, trip out force can be adjusted from 45.3 kilograms (100 pounds) to 226.8 kilograms (500 pounds), the packing force increases proportionally from 31.7 kilograms (70 pounds) to a maximum of 77.1 kilograms (170 pounds).
A double acting hydraulic cylinder raises and lowers the opener from working to transport position. Pressure is maintained on the opener cylinders through a passive hydraulic system that uses a unique hydraulic accumulator system. By adding or subtracting oil from the accumulator circuit through a tractor remote, pressure in the accumulator system can be raised or lowered, which provides a corresponding increase or decrease in trip out force and packing pressure. This unique hydraulic accumulator system acts as a hydraulic spring for the trips and being a passive system, it reduces the demand on the tractor hydraulics. Once set, pressure can be adjusted from the tractor cab. For example, a user may want to reduce pressure when going through a rocky area of a field and then increase it back to the desired pressure. A convenient easy-to-read digital display is provided in the cab.
The Morris Contour Drill leaves an excellent field finish due to the combination of the single shank and the narrow double-shoot opener design. It is available in three frame configurations from 12.2 to 14.3 metres (40 to 47 feet) and a five frame configuration from 18 to 21.3 metres (59 to 70 feet). Opener spacing options are 25.4 centimeters (10 inches) or 30.5 centimeters (12 inches). n (Mar. 2007)
Morris Industries
Circle 75 on reader reply card

Ground driven
The Rem Delta rotary harrow cultivates and harrows with one pass and is useful for fast levelling during barrel races and rodeo events, eliminating puddles and ruts. It breaks up tough soil and can be used to pull back the soil built up along the side of a fence or useful for nursery weed control and landscape work. It is available in sizes from 5.0 to 8.0 foot diameters. Its rotary action is ground driven. n (Aug. 2007)
Rem Enterprises
Circle 76 on reader reply card

Multiple purpose
Rem’s Delta flexible harrow is useful for small acreages, turf, ranches and large agricultural applications. The harrow options range in sizes from 4.0 foot drags to 42 foot carts. It is a tool that meets the varied needs of the turf, agricultural, equine and cattle industries.
Tines are available in 7⁄16 inch, 1⁄2 inch and 5⁄8 inch diameters and 5.0 inches of workable tine length. Harrows can be combined with either a drawbar or three-point attachment up to 14 feet in width. Harrows can be used for pasture management, residue management, surface smoothing and turf maintenance. n (Aug. 2007)
Rem Enterprises
Circle 77 on reader reply card

Large hoppers mean fewer fill-ups
Great Plains says capacity is only the beginning of its newest air-carts, the ADC2350 and ADC2350B models. Available in a pull-between (ADC2350) or pull-behind (ADC2350B) configuration, the 350 bushel carts can be used on the Great Plains CTA4000 min-till implement, CTA400HD conservation-till implement and NTA3010/3510 no-till implements and feature a semi-mounted cart-to-implement design. This allows the implement to float behind the air-cart and shortens the overall length of the air-drill by up to 15 feet for better manoeuverability. On the other hand, the pull-behind version, which rides on 30.5 x 32 and 21.5 x 16.1 lugged flotation tires, is used with the 4010HDA implement. This configuration offers unmatched flotation and excellent implement versatility.
The ADC2350 models are equipped with two 175 bushel poly hoppers that allow customers to fill both hoppers with seed for fewer stops when time is critical; or one hoper can be loaded with seed, while the other is filled with fertilizer to reduce field passes. Like the company’s 220 bushel air-cart, the ADC2350 also features Great Plains’ pressurized and compartmentalized meters which eliminate cross-feeding and increase planting consistency by pressurizing the seed tanks. This ensures equal amounts of seed to all
towers and even seeding across the entire drill width, regardless of terrain.
Both models have an 8.0 inch fill auger that will both load and unload the hoppers. All functions are monitored by a Dickey-John IntelliAg system that features control of all variable rate and seed monitoring functions from the same screen. Since this is a CANbus system that meets ISO 11783 standards, customers can also use any compatible virtual terminal that is already in the tractor. n (Nov. 2007)
Great Plains
Circle 78 on reader reply card