Biodiesel tractors
Owners of Agco tractors are fueling up on B5 biodiesel, which contains five percent plant or animal based methyl esters, not simply pressed oils, but Agco is looking beyond B5.
The SisuDiesel and Cummins engine powered tractors are fully approved for B5 blends, but the company is reviewing the use of higher blends, such as B10, B15 or B20.
Trials designed to push the limits of current Tier III engine technology are even running B50 and B100 biodiesel fuels. Most older engines are approved for levels as high as B100.
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SisuDiesel Tier II engines with Bosch P Type in-line injection pumps and older SisuDiesel and Valmet engines are approved for B100 biodiesel. Other engines and their fueling systems are undergoing testing and review for use with biodiesel at levels above B5.
Agco researchers are exploring the effects of B10, B15 and higher biodiesel formulations on engines, fuel injection systems and fuel lines.
Trials at Agco facilities in South America are evaluating SisuDiesel engines running at a B50 blend, while in Europe a trial is running on B100 fuels.
Agco engineers are also evaluating a number of engine system longevity and productivity issues at levels of B10, B15 and B20.
Issues being reviewed include viscosity, lubrication and density, as well as effects of biodiesel not only on cylinder sleeves and pistons, but also on the fuel delivery system, from fuel lines to injectors.
Lubrication of engine parts during combustion has been shown to be higher than with straight petroleum diesel fuels.
Biodiesel fuels normally have a higher density and viscosity, but a lower heat of combustion than fossil fuels. Increasing the fuel input compensates for the lower heat of combustion. Engines are being evaluated under load to find the correct combination to promote maximum power output.
For more information, visit www.agcotractors.agcocorp.com.
Agco yield sensor
The GTA Yield Sensor II for combine yield monitoring systems from Agco Global Technologies has been recognized by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers for its single-point calibration and 400 percent improvement in accuracy over previously introduced sensors.
The Yield Sensor II design earned the AE50 award due to innovations and improvements that include the positioning of its horizontally mounted load bar with full-width stainless steel grain target that contributes to its accuracy, even on slopes.
“The unique operating position of the sensor reduces slope induced errors by 88 percent or more, improving accuracy in rolling terrain,” said Wade Stewart, GTA marketing operations manager, North America.
Another feature earning recognition was the temperature-compensation capability with a “linear response characteristic,” allowing for single-point calibration and accuracy across a wide range of harvest rates and crop conditions.
The new sensor is available factory installed on Gleaner, Massey Ferguson and Challenger combines with retrofit and upgrade available on most recent Agco combine models.
For more information on the Fieldstar yield sensor, visit www.agcocorp.com.
Steering guide
CSI Wireless of Calgary has announced that its Outback S2 with Crescent technology enables it to achieve a 50 percent increase in accuracy and performance over previous models.
The new S2, which will be available in January, also features faster start-up and signal
acquisition times, improved update rates of
10 Hz, lower power consumption and radar-simulated ground speed output. It uses a10 Hz differential GPS WAAS receiver and steering guide.
For more information, visit www.csi-wireless.com.
Cattle breeding software
Most cattle breeder herd management software on the market is aimed at large scale operators who want a high level of data access and manipulation. Few programs are available for the small operator or the producer who wants to get a start at improving genetic selection through better data management.
As well, many cattle breeders have a good system, but it’s all on pen and paper and demands a lot of time.
Basic Cattle Management is a software program designed to be simple and easy to use. The developer, Centric Software, said its program is for the serious cattle breeder who wants to enter the minimum amount of data but still be able to make management and genetic selection decisions.
The company said it is intended to improve profitability with the least amount of data, yet is easy to use and powerful.
The system can be used chute-side on a laptop computer or in the office. It allows a producer to perform a dozen main functions that are necessary for efficient herd management:
- Track herd productivity.
- Track pedigree data.
- Track performance data.
- Track total cost for each animal.
- Track accurate breeding data.
- Track sales by customers.
- Track rotational grazing.
- Track unlimited number of animals.
- Track bull test data.
- Create user-defined reports that allow producers to create custom reports.
- Export user-defined reports.
- Calculate adjusted birth weights, wean weights, yearling weights, adjusted hip heights, frame scores and projected calving dates.
For more information, call 763-479-2116 or visit www.centricsoftware
inc.com.
New guidance system
Raven Industries has announced the release of the Envizio, Raven’s new Precision Guidance System.
The Envizio can be used as a standalone guidance system or as the interface to existing Raven lightbars and SmarTrax.
Envizio’s guidance features include the new LastPass Guidance pattern. LastPass allows operators to come back to a job and guide off the same line as the previous job.
LastPass shows where operators have been and reduces spot skips and overlaps.
The Envizio offers a variety of views such as down-field view, birds-eye view, global positioning system status screen with the AutoDetect feature, field boundaries to total acres, and field map review with zoom and vehicle lock.
In addition, Envizio eliminates the common A-B button presses in guidance, and allows farmers to save their AB line, making job startup easier.
The Envizio also features state-of-the-art hardware design, with a RAM mount system, boom sense wire or tap screen for coverage, and multiple area counts with one job.
The Envizio’s 3-D colour touch screen and LED lightbar allow for easy guidance status. Offering two USB ports, the Envizio allows operators to copy jobs and update software without special hardware and cables.
For more information contact Raven Industries, Box 5107, Sioux Falls, S.D. 57117, phone 800-243-5435, fax 605-331-0426, e-mail fcdinfo@ravenind.com, or visit www.ravenprecision.com.
Hand cream for farmers
Farmers are among a large number of workers whose hands are subjected to more abuse than they were ever intended to tolerate.
A new skin protection called Shielding Lotion Skin MD Natural is for those who often have no choice but to put their hands in harm’s way in the daily course of their work.
According to the supplier, 21st Century Formulations, the lotion helps prevent damage caused when working on equipment and working with fertilizers, pesticides, common cleaning products, paints and solvents.
It is designed to create a protective barrier that helps keep harmful chemicals out and natural moisture in.
For more information, call 800-540-4790 or visit SkinMDNatural.com.
