Machinery & Production Tips

How engineers invented the rubber-belted ag tractor

Part two: We finish the story by revealing how two research engineers at Caterpillar teamed up to merge ag crawlers with rubber belts

By Scott Garvey November 7, 2014

In the late 1970s, Caterpillar had been selling a limited number of SA (Special Application) crawlers to farmers. But the high-horsepower, articulated, four-wheel drive ag tractors that were pouring onto the market were eating into demand for those machines. For that and other reasons Caterpillar executives eventually decided to develop and market their own four-wheel […] Read more

Vermeer announced it is currently developing a round baler that will start forming a new bale while ejecting a completed one, allowing for non-stop field operations.

Hay, Machinery

Non-stop round baling

Working in conjunction with partner Lely, Vermeer has built a baler that won’t require stops to eject a full bale

By Scott Garvey November 5, 2014

How much time would it save in a day if you didn’t have to stop to eject a full bale when round baling? Engineers at Vermeer think it would save a lot, so they’ve been working on developing a model that will start forming a new bale while simultaneously ejecting a completed one. Working in […] Read more

Forages, Hay, Machinery

New Holland updates the Speedrower for 2015

Uprated Tier 4B engines  offer improved fuel economy and more horsepower

By Scott Garvey October 31, 2014

In July of 2013 New Holland introduced the Speedrower line of self-propelled windrowers, which offered one of the fastest road travel speeds in the industry, even without reversing the direction of travel for high-speed stability. For the 2015 model year, Speedrowers get a few updates, most notably new Tier 4B engines offering more power. There […] Read more

John Deere baler attachment for a combine

Machinery

Combining and baling in one pass

Joining forces with Hillco Technologies, Deere introduces a single  pass round bale system designed to mate to a green combine

By Scott Garvey October 28, 2014

At the launch of its 2015 product line in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in August, John Deere announced it had partnered with a few other, smaller manufacturers to offer farmers some unique specialty equipment. One of the most notable of those joint efforts was the Single Pass Round Bale System (SPRB), created in conjunction with Hillco Technologies […] Read more

Crops, Machinery, Reuters

Agco posts lower profit on falling crop prices

By Reuters, GFM Network News October 28, 2014

Reuters — Agco Corp. posted a lower quarterly profit Tuesday as growers around the globe, faced with falling prices for farm commodities, purchased fewer tractors and harvesters. The company, which makes equipment sold under the Challenger, Fendt, Massey Ferguson and Valtra brand names, reported a third-quarter net profit of $65 million, down from $125.2 million […] Read more

Crops, Machinery, Reuters

Smoother grain flow points to Ottawa lifting rail regulations

By Rod Nickel, GFM Network News October 28, 2014

Winnipeg | Reuters — Barring a sudden pile-up of grain across Western Canada in the next five weeks, Ottawa will lift requirements that railways move minimum volumes of crops, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said in an interview. While Ritz says he is not ruling out any options before the rules expire Nov. 29, government data […] Read more

Machinery

Prototype John Deere 9RX four track hits the limelight

Management still mum on tractor's release date to dealers

By Scott Garvey October 22, 2014

Up until now, John Deere’s prototype, four-track, articulated tractor designated the 9RX (at least for the time being) has had a lot in common with the infamous bigfoot. A lot of people believe it exists. A few even swear they’ve seen one. And the Internet is full of grainy pictures showing what might be it […] Read more

Crops, Machinery, Reuters

PotashCorp fined for mine worker’s death

By GFM Network News October 22, 2014

Reuters — A Saskatchewan court has fined PotashCorp $280,000 following a mine worker’s death in 2012 when a machine used to move ore to conveyor belts backed over him. A Provincial Court judge in Saskatoon fined PotashCorp on Tuesday after the world’s biggest fertilizer company pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to comply with […] Read more

Crops, Machinery, Reuters

CP CEO says unlikely to pursue hostile bid for CSX

By GFM Network News October 21, 2014

Toronto | Reuters — Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) is still open to a merger with one of the two bigger eastern U.S. carriers even after talks with CSX Corp. failed, though a hostile bid is unlikely, CEO Hunter Harrison said Thursday. CP, Canada’s No. 2 railway with extensive operations in the U.S., said on Monday […] Read more

Machinery

Introducing the T8 “halftrack” tractor

NH now offers rear tracks on its modified T8s as an option straight from the factory

By Scott Garvey October 21, 2014

One of the biggest trends in ag equipment in recent years has been the rise in interest in tracked equipment. All the major brands have introduced high-horsepower tractors equipped with tracks over the past years, but now New Holland has pulled the wraps off an all new T8 “halftrack.” Combining rear tracks with larger diameter […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle hit contract highs on tight supply

U.S. grains: Soybeans tumble on doubts over U.S.-China trade progress

Alberta harvest wrapping up: report

Machinery

How engineers invented the rubber-belted ag tractor

Non-stop round baling

New Holland updates the Speedrower for 2015

Combining and baling in one pass

Agco posts lower profit on falling crop prices

Smoother grain flow points to Ottawa lifting rail regulations

Prototype John Deere 9RX four track hits the limelight

PotashCorp fined for mine worker’s death

CP CEO says unlikely to pursue hostile bid for CSX

Introducing the T8 “halftrack” tractor

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