All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or “quads” as they have come to be called seem as common as tractors on farms today. That’s because they are so handy and can save hundreds of footsteps every workday. But although most ATVs offer front and rear cargo racks, they are pretty limited when it comes to carrying anything bigger […] Read more
Diesel UTVs: Handy Mini-Trucks
John Sibbald’s three Kubota UTVs have replaced trucks for most of the work he does out on the ranch, including winter feeding and fence repair
What does John Sibbald, who runs the Compass Ranch near Cochrane, Alta., think of a UTV for use on a cattle operation? “As far as I’m concerned, they’re twice the machine a quad is,” he says without hesitation. And he should know, the Compass Ranch has three UTVs. And there are no longer any quads […] Read more
Schuitemaker of the Netherlands developed a robotic feed wagon, and John Deere’s ITEC Pro is one step away from working the fields without you in the cab
If a robot tractor can work 24/7, you can get by with much smaller seeders. Smaller machines also mean less soil compaction. “It could text message you on your Blackberry when it needs to be refilled,” says Guy Lafond. The use of robots in industry is now accepted as normal. Factories use them pretty extensively, […] Read more
The bolt-on open-centre upgrade kit provides up to 26 GPM at 2,000 PSI
The $6,000-kit is available for older Versatile, Massey Ferguson, Case IH and Steiger tractors
As farm equipment technology advances, newer implements make greater demands on tractors, particularly on their hydraulic systems. The larger tractors built as far back as the mid-to late ’70s may still have the drawbar horsepower to handle a good percentage of today’s air seeders, grain carts or the like, but their hydraulic systems just aren’t […] Read more
Combines can last for decades, but they go through a lot of internal stress over those years. If you’re in the market for a used model, follow these steps before buying.
Repair costs can climb pretty quickly on a worn-out combine. So if you’re shopping for a used machine, here’s how to give your potential new harvest mate a thorough inspection before signing the cheque. As with any vehicle, a combine’s overall appearance can be a good indicator of its mechanical condition. Neat and tidy combines […] Read more
Read the manual. Keep the tractor clean. Check and change all oils and filters regularly. Be prepared to fix clutches and other wear items
These days, large-scale farmers tend to turn their equipment inventory over at regular intervals, which are much shorter than farmers of a few decades ago would have considered. But even they are likely to have one or two older tractors around to power grain augers or for other jobs that add only a few hours […] Read more
Step one is to figure out the unit you want. Then when you find one, give it a close inspection.
Check right into the corners of the frame near the pull points of the hitch. Sometimes stress fractures may be found in these locations. ROB FAGNOU, BOURGAULT Finding new equipment these days to fill a gap in your farm fleet is like trying to snap a picture of a sasquatch. A lot of guys are […] Read more