In 1966 Versatile began producing tractors with the G100 and D100 models. That was 50 years ago, so 2016 is the year this brand gets to celebrate a golden anniversary. And it isn’t going to let that milestone pass unnoticed. As part of the celebrations, Versatile has arranged to bring home the most recognizable tractor […] Read more
Rebuilding Big Roy
When restored, the prototype tractor will help Versatile celebrate its golden anniversary
PHOTOS: Getting “Big Roy” ready for restoration
As you’d expect, completely restoring a tractor on the scale of “Big Roy” is no small job. Versatile’s crew working on it will expend a few thousand man hours of work to get the job done.
A Ford F150 sync’d to your UAV?
Ford issues a new “Drone-to-vehicle developer challenge” to software engineers
James Bond has his special Aston Martin car complete with ejection seat and all kinds of high-tech gizmos. If Ford has its way, farmers may soon have an F150 pickup at their disposal that would make Q, Bond’s car creator, proud. Ford has been working with drone developer DJI and the two companies have launched […] Read more
New 15W-30 oil may offer benefits in ag applications
Chevron introduces a “severe duty” oil for diesel engines
Most of the farm machines at work this summer likely have 15W-40 oil sloshing around in their engine crankcases. That’s been the standard summer oil for some time. But in April Chevron introduced a new lighter-weight, conventional oil that can replace 15W-40 in many applications. And according to Harry Hazen, North American marketing manager for […] Read more
Is synthetic engine oil worth the extra cost?
Most Prairie retailers say they see a surge in demand for synthetic engine oils in the fall, at a time when producers are preparing tractors and equipment for cold weather operation through the winter. “That is a very smart thing to do in a cold environment,” says Harry Hazen, North American marketing manager for Chevron. […] Read more
New headers from Deere and AGCO
New swather and combine headers for small grains producers
Purchasers of a John Deere W235 or W260 self-propelled windrower can now choose to mate their machine with a new line of Draper headers for small grains crops. The green brand just introduced the 500D Series header line, which includes three sizes: 25, 30 and 36 feet. The 500D headers use a quick-change system that […] Read more
Horsch offers 2nd Maestro toolbar
The brand adds a smaller 40-foot version along with software updates for 2016
Horsch has been selling its 60-foot Maestro planter for a while now. However, the company says it noticed there was significant demand from producers for a smaller version. So, this fall it introduced a second Maestro with a 40-foot working width. “When we introduced the planter, we introduced it with a 60-foot toolbar, a 24-row, […] Read more
A new choice
When AGCO’s Fendt brand introduced its newest tractor line, the 1000 Series, to North America at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky, in February, it gave us another entirely new and very different choice in high-horsepower tractors. Until recently in our market front-wheel assist tractors topped out at about 380 horsepower. But that […] Read more
Utility tractor comparison shopping
We compare some buying choices for late-model,100-plus horsepower tractors
In our market review this time we’re focusing on late-model tractors just above the 100 horsepower mark, something ideal for livestock producers. We picked models that mate well with a front-end loader, are nimble enough to manoeuvre around livestock pens and still powerful enough to handle haying operations in the field. As usual we’re relying […] Read more
Remote monitoring your grain bins
Multiple uses for automated xProxy
Have you ever found yourself making frequent trips to grain bins to check if aeration fans are still working properly? If you have electrical systems — like bin fans — that need to stay running, Net Irrigate’s new xProxy system can help monitor them and notify you of a problem, avoiding the need for frequent […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
