A California startup is building three models of autonomous tractors fit with electric drive trains, with the smallest already in production and deliveries to American farmers expected this year. “The Bearcub-24 model has a 24 kilowatt-hour battery, and it’s the equivalent to let’s say around 30 horsepower,” said Bakur Kvezereli, founder of Ztractor. Each model […] Read more
Machinery — page 55
Big Spyder set to crawl across the fields and tuck into tight web
K-Hart has taken a big step forward when it comes to its toolbar offerings with the launch of its Spyder frame. The Spyder is a complete redesign that offers features unavailable in competitor toolbars. It uses folding technology that makes the frame take the shape of a spider where the internal wings initiate the fold-up […] Read more
Drone spraying research promising
Autonomous agricultural spraying with unmanned flying vehicles is being refined for practical prairie applications
CAMROSE, Alta. — Spot spraying weeds in a field, killing a tough patch of tansy in a pasture, beating back brush along oil and gas well sites are all potential locations that would be ideal for drone spraying. But there is plenty of research required before spraying with drones gets beyond a good idea. In […] Read more
Prairie planting precisely takes tools
Canola seed is susceptible to being chewed up by a poorly set air seeder. It isn’t surprising multiple equipment manufacturers have developed seeding systems that can both singulate canola seeds and still keep up to the logistical demands of broad-acre oilseed production. Some air seeders used to seed canola are lucky to reach a 70 […] Read more
Round crown gets belted build
Chains and slats were standard in round balers decades ago, but most manufacturers shifted to continuous belts. Germany’s Krone held out against that move, citing the reliability of chain systems to form a bale under nearly any forage harvesting conditions and the reliability of the all-metal design. The company will continue to offer its chain […] Read more
Consider power demands when system expands
Cost to acquire three-phase power on the farm can range from $200,000 to $1 million. However, those with the do-it-yourself instinct can take matters into their own hands. “There are deals to be had if you need three-phase on the farm,” said Jayde Klassen with Wentworth Ag in Winkler, noting the slowdown in the oil […] Read more
Farmers are buying equipment, used and new
Double digit sales growth in farm machinery is beating 2008 numbers as pent up demand and incomes rise
The agricultural equipment market continues to show strength coming off a very strong 2020. “The March sales numbers, this is year-to-date, we’re seeing substantial double-digit percentage growth in all categories,” said John Schmeiser, chief executive officer of the Western Equipment Dealers Association. “These numbers are unprecedented and surpass the largest numbers that we’ve ever had […] Read more
Keep ducks and row crops in line
The first implement pass affixes guidance lines for the rest of the season despite changes in machine width
High-value row crops demand a high degree of accuracy during in-crop spraying or tillage operations. High-value can become mid-value if weeds are missed or plants are accidentally sliced or sprayed. John Deere presented row-croppers with a solution last winter when it introduced its new AutoPath system, which provides identical row-to-row guidance data throughout the season, […] Read more
Deere launches chore tractor lineup
John Deere has put a new larger small tractor into its 5 series lineup and some large tractor features into the little machines. A factory installed guidance system for Autotrac, when paired with the PowrQuad push-button transmission, is now available on the 5M machines. The lineup used to stop at 115 horsepower, but an new […] Read more
New solutions wrapped up
Massey Ferguson’s new RB 4160 P baler offers producers the option of poly or net wrapping on the go in under a minute. The system, besides creating individual baleage can bale dry hay and straw or materials as coarse as corn stover. The machine shares the chassis with the 4160 silage baler model, producing up […] Read more
