Just as grain elevators once dominated the landscape of prairie towns, large farm workshops now dominate the landscape of prairie farmyards. Not having one seems to be unthinkable for most farmers. And I agree. A state-of-the-art shop may be one of the most valuable investments producers can make, these days. Back when I was a […] Read more
It never ends
Belarus tractors are back
A new North American distributor officially announces the reintroduction of the Minsk-built line of tractors
The Minsk-built line of tractors offering low purchase prices and simple mechanical technology, formerly marketed in Canada as Belarus, is officially back. Their distributor claims the tractors still offer what it calls simple, durable and easy-to-repair designs. But this time the machines wear the MTZ brand name, not Belarus. “It’s the same manufacturer, for sure,” […] Read more
ISOBUS compatibility sees improvement under AEF system
Machines using the new communications standard are designed to 'play nice'
In 2008 engineers at the major manufacturers and a few other brands decided to work together to create a standard for tractor-implement digital compatibility. That led to the creation of the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF), which now has over 170 member companies and groups. The ultimate goal of that organization was to create a […] Read more
CJ3A Jeep project wraps up
The old Willys Jeep finally roared out of the workshop under its own power
It’s finished. On a weekend morning, my neighbour Corey and I jumped into Project CJ3A after spending some time tinkering with a cantankerous fuel pump and drove the Jeep out of the Grainews garage. Our test drive through a hay field that day was the first time the Jeep moved under its own power since […] Read more
PHOTOS: Jeep CJ3A project: A quick timeline
If you’ve been following along in previous issues, you’ll know Project CJ3A has been the focus of our ongoing restoration of a civilian model, 1952 Willys Jeep. In previous issues we’ve shown you how we tackled a variety of the necessary repairs, while turning what was was a non-running vehicle into one that is now […] Read more
Proper fuel handling keeps diesel clean, and farm machinery running
Dirty farm diesel fuel can cause serious trouble
Many farmers regularly update their equipment fleets to get their job done. But the farm fuel storage tanks where those new machines stop to refuel tend to stick around the farm for years. And old, outdated fuel storage systems can allow contaminants into the fuel that gets pumped into all that new equipment. With the […] Read more
Spring auctions for trucks, farm equipment start strong
What’s hot and what’s not in the first half of the spring auction season
After several years of robust sales of new equipment, the used equipment inventory across North America has grown a lot, because of all the trade ins and lease returns flowing back to dealers. Combine that fact with the current slowdown in demand for new machines, and many people in the equipment industry had been wondering […] Read more
New Yamaha utility vehicle hits the market
The sporty Wolverine R-Spec side-by-side will be ready for the 2016 model year
If you like to add a little adventure to any trip out into the pasture to check cows, Yamaha may have the ideal side-by-side utility vehicle (UTV) for you. The company’s new Wolverine R-Spec joins their product lineup for the 2016 model year. “The all-new Wolverine will extend Yamaha’s side-by-side line into the recreation segment, […] Read more
Kinze’s Multi-Hybrid planter switches between two hybrid seed types
Farmers can now order a model 4990 Multi-Hybrid planter
This spring the first commercially produced Kinze model 4900 Multi-Hybrid planters will hit North American farm fields. The company announced last August that a limited number of planters with the ability to switch back and forth between two hybrid seed types would be available for the 2015 season. And a company rep says the firm […] Read more
John Deere 5M Series tractors get updates
John Deere utility tractors step up to meet new Tier 4 Final emissions requirements and get other updates
John Deere’s 5M Series tractors, 75 to 115 horsepower, offer the best of available features in the brand’s utility segment. And this year Deere upgraded their engines to make them Tier 4 Final emissions compliant. Like other manufacturers, Deere has used a couple of different engines emissions solutions in its tractors, based on engine size […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
