It seems with each new model year, equipment manufacturers continue to one-up themselves on technology. That means adding an increasing number of digital features designed to increase production and reduce input costs.
But with the rising cost of new machinery, many producers may be inclined to take a second look at ways to upgrade features on their existing machines, rather than buy new — particularly when their existing equipment is still in very good condition.
For air drills, there’s often no real need for a larger, more expensive cart, but getting newer digital features would be a benefit. There are now a few options on that front.
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Variable rate
For owners of older air drills, adding variable rate (VR) technology has become possible on many air carts, except those with ground-driven metering systems. Raven’s RCM (Rate Control Module) can replace older, often outdated cart controllers and make VR possible.
In many cases, just adding the newer digital system to a drill can make maintenance simpler, aside from adding new features. And it could add value to a cart when sold or traded in on something newer.
The Raven system is ISOBUS-compatible and can be used with Raven’s Slingshot connectivity system, really ramping up the technology level from older, less sophisticated systems.
Installing it may not be all that easy for someone who isn’t all that tech-savvy, though. So contacting a firm such as MY Precision Ag Ltd. at Rocanville, Sask. or another installer might be a good choice.
Section control
When it comes to adding sectional control, that will almost certainly involve replacing the metering system on most older carts, which may not be possible. However, for those running a 1900 or 1910 John Deere, Romafra Metal Works near Arborg, Man. offers a replacement meter which includes that capability.
“We’ve seen quite a bit of interest (in the section control meter replacement),” Alonso Sawatzky, who works in Romafra’s sales and tech support, said at the company’s exhibit during the Manitoba Ag Days show in Brandon. “This is our first year we’re actually releasing it.”
The new meter can bolt on in place of the carts’ original part and run with Deere’s digital system.
“If you’re going to run it off a John Deere system for a three (compartment) tank 1910 or 1900, you’re looking at around $31,000,” said Sawatzky. “If you want to run it with our system, it will be around $36,000. Our system is Precision Technology or AgGuide.”
For those who just want to replace an original meter with a stainless steel product, Romafra builds new parts for Flexi-Coil, Morris and Bourgault as well.
“We are supplying the product, dealers will be doing the installations,” Sawatzky adds. “We have dealers all across Western Canada and the U.S. as well as Australia.”
More information on the Romafra meters is available online.
