Getting accurate seed spacing is particularly important for corn crops, according to agronomists. But several components in a planter’s mechanical drive system, such as worn or rusty drive chains, can potentially cause problems with spacing accuracy. The trend today among many manufacturers is to offer electric drive systems as an option to eliminate that problem. […] Read more
Kinze adds meter electric-drive to its 3660 planters
12- and 16-row model 3660 planters coming soon with electric meter drives
On the road to autonomy
Last week Daimler Trucks North America officially unveiled its new autonomous class 8 highway truck, the Freightliner Inspiration at a glitzy media event on the Hoover Dam in Nevada. This is the first truck of its kind actually licensed to operate on highways in autonomous mode. That means the truck can make its own way […] Read more
Rocky Mountain Equipment strikes partnership
The mega dealer strikes up a working relationship with a precision ag firm to make VRT easier for its customers
In early November the largest Canadian ag equipment dealership chain, CNH retailer Rocky Mountain Equipment (RME), announced it had struck up a partnership the Alberta-based precision agriculture firm Decisive Farming (DF). The purpose of that agreement is to make RME a one-stop retailer for farmers who want to pursue precision ag practices like variable rate […] Read more
John Deere adds large square balers to its hay and forage product line
The brand introduces two models with all-new, in-house engineering
When it introduced its new 2015 product line at an event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in August, John Deere significantly beefed up its hay and forage implement offerings. Arguably the most notable additions to that segment were the two L Series balers that will be market ready for the upcoming season. “This is one we’ve been […] Read more
PHOTOS: John Deere square balers
Buyers have a choice of a standard feeder system or one that pre-cuts the crop feeding
John Deere significantly beefed up its hay and forage implement offerings when it introduced its new 2015 product line. The most notable additions were the two L Series balers that will be market ready for the upcoming season.
New 6 Series tractors from John Deere
New and updated models in the brand’s utility and mid-range tractor categories
At its dealer convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, last August, John Deere unveiled three new models in its 6R Series tractor line. It beefed up the previous 6170R, 6190R and 6210R models and re-released them as the 6175R, 6195R and 6215R, each with five more rated horsepower. But they actually get 10 more maximum horsepower through […] Read more
Yours, mine and Deere’s
One topic has dominated the online blogs of ag machinery editors in the past couple of weeks. It’s the sudden debate over what machinery ownership really means in the age of digital technology. The resulting controversy has generated pages of online reader comments. It seems questioning what ownership means has touched a nerve. I think […] Read more
JCB Fastrac updates meant to appeal to North American farmers
Grainews test drove the 4000 Series Fastrac tractor at JCB’s Georgia facility
It’s been about 24 years since U.K-based JCB introduced the ag industry’s first high-speed tractor, the Fastrac. That was back in 1991. This past January, the company debuted a reengineered version of that tractor, the new 4000 Series, at an event in Quebec. The new tractor also made an appearance at the National Farm Machinery […] Read more
PHOTOS: Taking a close look at the 4000 Series JCB Fastrac
The 4000 Series addresses criticisms of previous generations
In early March, members of the farm media were invited to JCB’s Savannah, Georgia, facility to see all the brand’s new equipment, including the 4000 Series Fastrac.
Loader tractor or telehandler?
JCB executives believe once North American farmers get used to telescopic handlers, they’ll never go back to a conventional ag tractor and loader
European farmers have been buying telehandlers in pretty large numbers for decades, but here in North America, on-farm materials handling has been pretty much the domain of the ag tractor equipped with a front-end loader. Telehandler sales numbers here have been relatively small — so far. Executives at JCB think a large number of farmers […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
