Tractors, drills and carts used during spring seeding all offer options to get through saturated soils. Big decisions will need to be made to address pest control mid-season, in regards to rate, chemical and application method. Heavy precipitation in the fall also has its own impacts on equipment.

Traction

For the seeding tractor, there’s the great debate: tracks versus tires. Tracks offer less soil compaction, to which wet soils are more prone than dry soils, largely due to the fact that their pounds per square inch (p.s.i.) to the ground is always constant, whereas with tires, the p.s.i. can fluctuate depending on how the tire is inflated.

There are also tradeoffs to each option. Tracks come at a higher upfront cost, will require more maintenance down the road and require more horsepower to operate, but do offer better traction and less slippage, extremely important in wet conditions. Tires are cheaper upfront but also can become very costly if a large tire finds an antler shed in the wrong spot. A tractor with tires will also have an easier time getting out of a very sticky situation. The operator has the option to articulate the machine back and forth to get out of a deeper wet spot. Tires also have an advantage in that you can put on more than one. Duals, triples or super singles significantly help flotation and traction compared to standard singles.

Digging in

The air drill has many options to help deal with a wet spring. High-flotation tires on newer models help keep the whole machine from digging into soft spots; mudscrapers help shed built-up soil from the packer tire to ensure proper seed and fertilizer placement, while also protecting against mud from pushing into the tube when the row units lift out of the ground; and aftermarket mud-special openers will further help keep the system plug-free.

One interesting newer aftermarket option is the blockage prevention system from AirGuard, based out of Abbotsford, B.C. The system removes humidity — always prevalent with a high-moisture environment — from the product delivery system on the drill. This helps prevent fertilizer buildup inside the primary and secondary hoses to keep them clean and clear.

Sectional control will get a workout but proves its worth during years with an above-normal amount of turning. The great debate of tracks versus tires can also apply to the non-drive tires on an air cart, liquid caddy or anhydrous ammonia tank.

Driving hacks

How you operate the equipment in wet conditions differs as well. More moisture means more potholes to drive around, meaning the operator will have to take over from the autosteer. Although it can be painful to give up acres, it can save a lot of headache and potential trips out of the cab to leave a little extra room around these low spots. Making a wider turn is easier than crawling on the ground unplugging openers with a screwdriver. If it is on the extreme end of moisture conditions, it may even make sense to plan to seed the field in a certain pattern to avoid high-moisture areas immediately after filling the air cart when the weight is at its highest.

All of these aftermarket additions and management practices help combat the tough conditions one is up against during a spring where it just won’t stop raining.

Pesticide under precipitation

Areas of higher precipitation in the mid-growing season also call for different choices in sprayers. The biggest decision, if rain continually persists, is whether to use the more common self-propelled sprayer or call in an aerial applicator. Never mind the drawback of trampling of the self-propelled sprayer; leaving ruts and compaction behind will further impact yield for the current year, and potentially in years to follow. Such potential yield loss may be enough to pay the extra cost of an aerial applicator. The downside is that typically everybody in the affected region is in the same situation, and the custom applicator can become booked up — not ideal when spray timing is crucial for many chemicals.

During these high-moisture years, one can expect to spend less on herbicide as the crop canopy tends to out-compete the weeds, especially with an effective first-pass herbicide. The same can be said for insecticides, as pest insects tend to be less of a concern with more precipitation. On the flipside, fungicides tend to be applied more often than typically expected. More moisture deep in the crop canopy makes for an ideal micro-environment for disease to flourish. Diseases such as aphanomyces root rot can claim up to 70 per cent of potential yield in wet years with little to no management practices to counteract the infection. Toward the end of the growing season, the use of a desiccant can be expected, as the plant stand will have trouble drying down to an acceptable harvest moisture level.

Humid harvests

Excessive moisture during the harvest season presents its own set of problems. The tracks versus tires debate can also extend to the combine. All the same theories apply to this machine but as it serves a different purpose, some attributes may be more important than others.

Flotation may be the most important factor for the combine. With the header and a loaded hopper, there can be a significant amount of weight on the front axle of the machine. Better flotation on the front axle means it will dig less into a low spot. That said, the combine is the least used of the large machinery on a farm, compared to the working hours of a tractor or self-propelled sprayer. That makes the higher upfront cost of tracks less attractive than duals or super-single tires.

The same can be said for the grain cart. Although more common to see with tracks, mainly due to the perception of even weight distribution, the decision to go with tracks, duals or super-singles on the grain cart depends on the mindset of the individual farm. Once the crop has been harvested, moisture can play a big factor on how that crop is handled and stored. The hours put on a grain bagger can vary year-to-year, especially if grain is coming off tough. It’s a risky gamble to put wet grain in a bag for any amount of time.

To help with higher-moisture grain, a grain dryer would help bring that moisture down to an acceptable level. Many farms in northern areas have had grain dryers for a generation — but in recent years farmers in more southern regions have started to see the benefit. A year with substantial moisture in the fall will quickly make a producer realize the value of a grain dryer — not only having the ability to take off tough grain but also being able to start harvest earlier, simply to be able to cover more acres in the season, make a grain dryer an essential part of the farm operation. There is also the ever-looming risk of frost when a crop takes longer to mature due to a higher-moisture environment. Although it has happened many times, it is also less common to get an extremely wet fall compared to the rest of the growing season.

In years when the rain tap just won’t shut off, it’s not just the big equipment that’s affected. Having top-quality, appropriately sized and fully-intact tow straps on hand will usually help get a piece of equipment out of a sticky situation more than a time or two. It’s important to inspect tow straps after each use for wear and any signs of fatigue. And as always, never use chains.

Also, washing equipment has never been more important with the risk and spread of clubroot. Ideally, washing down each piece of equipment between each field will be the best way to prevent spread of the disease, but at the very minimum, washing the tires with a bleach solution can also lower the risk. If tough conditions do persist throughout the year and ruts are left behind, they will need to be repaired before next seeding season. Depending on the severity, a smaller disc or vertical tillage implement will be the best solution, even if it does mean an extra pass.

Ultimately, an abundance of precipitation during the growing season can change the equipment and how it’s used on a farm to help deal with the hand Mother Nature has dealt.

This situation always brings up another hot topic: which is worse, too dry or too wet? A small farmer outside Saskatoon once shared this knowledge: “I’d rather have it be too dry — even if there’s no crop out there. At least I can still get in the field to harvest what is there. Being too wet means I can’t even get in the field, and if I can, I might break something when I get stuck, and that costs money.”

I tend to find if a producer has dealt with more drought, they’d rather have a flood, and vice versa — but how you adjust your equipment to deal with the conditions is in your hands.

The post How non-stop rain affects your farm equipment appeared first on Grainews.

Meet some of the biggest brands in agriculture in the Ride & Drives area at Ag in Motion and discover what it’s like to get in the cab and take equipment for a spin. Hop on, move some bales and dirt, and try before you buy with sprayers, tractors, skid steers and compact loaders.

Try a sprayer

Choose from state-of-the-art sprayers and start rolling over 1,500 feet of field to get a feel for how they accelerate and turn. Company representatives will be on hand to answer your questions and help you find the right fit for your operation. Drive sprayers from AGCO, Apache, John Deere Canada, Horsch Canada and Reesink Canada Wholesale.

AGCO – Fendt Rogator 937

Available with tank sizes: 900 gal., 1,100 gal., 1,300 gal., and 1,580 gal. Integrated and intuitive Fendt Varioterminal provides full machine control with Raven technology. AWD SmartDrive continuously and independently powers each wheel for superior traction. Featuring LiquidLogic that lets you spray smarter, not harder. Proven Flex Frame provides continual tire contact on the ground to maintain better traction and keep the machine moving through the field and rough terrain.

Horsch 6300

The Horsch 6300 has a boom width of 133.33 ft. and a 1,700-gallon tank. It has excellent manoeuvrability and can flex and contour through the field while maintaining a very low boom height to reduce spray drift. Sub-20 inch boom heights are made possible by a 10-inch nozzle spacing. Other industry-leading features include speed cleanout and four-wheel steering.

John Deere 616R

See this John Deere model in action, equipped with See & Spray Select by John Deere, a precision targeted spraying system that delivers an average herbicide savings of 77%. Using advanced camera and nozzle-control technology, it targets weeds in fallow fields day or night, reducing herbicide use and input costs.

Reesink Canada Wholesale Agrifac Endurance II

Extreme endurance, the ability to work longer with more capacity. This is how Condor Endurance gets its name. A reliable, superior quality, self-propelled crop sprayer with a lot of endurance thanks to the unique StabiloPlus undercarriage, a 2,100-gallon tank (US), and a boom that extends to 180 feet.

Try a skid steer and compact loader

It’s your childhood dream come true: moving dirt, rocks and more, except now you can justify it as a business necessity. And with so many attachments available, you’ll have the machinery equivalent of a multi-purpose jackknife to take on almost any job on the farm. Drive skid steers and compact loaders from Brandt Tractor Ltd., New Holland, Tingley’s Harvest Centre (featuring the JCB 300T/270T skid steer with bucket) and Weidemann.

New Holland C362 & L328

The C362, New Holland’s largest CTL, has 114 gross horsepower and a 16,100 lb. operating weight. With a rated operating capacity of 6,200 lbs. at 50% tip, the C362 is optimized for lift- and-carry operations, allowing operators to load material with confidence. The L328, one of New Holland’s best-selling skid steer models, has 74 gross horsepower, 7,895 lbs. operating weight and has a rated operating capacity of 2,800 lbs. at 50% tip. Three different auxiliary hydraulics packages give maximum versatility. Offering class-leading space, comfort and ergonomics, the cab also provides excellent all-round visibility and reduced blind spots.

Brandt Tractor Ltd. – John Deere 334P & 335P

The new John Deere 334P skid steer pushes performance with innovation in precision and power capabilities. Engineered to exceed expectations, this powerhouse redefines efficiency on the job site. The new John Deere 335P compact track loader is the ultimate compact solution for operating in tight spaces and challenging terrain. Designed for maximum traction and versatility, this machine sets new standards in performance and adaptability.

Try a tractor

If one piece of farm equipment is the meat and potatoes of your operation, it’s arguably the tractor. If you’re shopping for an upgrade, it can be overwhelming to choose from the many available options, sizes and technology. The Tractor Ride & Drives lets you test different models from CLAAS, John Deere, Kubota and Versatile.

John Deere Canada 6R185 Tractor and 660R Loader

The John Deere 6R tractors offer premium performance with a high power-to-weight ratio and a power boost for enhanced productivity. The tractors boast connected John Deere precision ag technologies for streamlined task management and precision guidance. The premium comfort of the cab provides improved visibility, ergonomic controls, and reduced noise, ensuring a stylish and comfortable ride. See it combined with the John Deere R Series Loader for enhanced efficiency.

Kubota M7-4 & M8

Introducing a new generation of the M7 series: the simple and reliable Kubota M7-4. The M7 series brings a variety of new features for greater productivity and operator comfort. Expect Kubota power and the capability needed for big jobs with major performance from 128 to 168 horsepower. The Kubota M8 Series is your 200 HP year-round workhorse. It offers high-level performance for mowing, raking and baling hay, row crop tasks such as planting and tillage, material handling and more. Engineered for adaptability, performance and comfort to get the job done.

Find out more about the details on what’s showing at Ag in Motion on the AgDealer site!

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This year Kubota chose that event to unveil its New Agri Concept fully autonomous tractor. Autonomous machines and data utilization are key elements in the brand’s “Smart Agriculture” long-term vision.

“It’s our first time at CES,” said Brett McMickell, senior technologist for Kubota North America, “so we wanted to get into the dialogue of technology and try to focus technology on the problems we’re really passionate about, and that’s solving problems in food, water and the environment. So we came to CES to introduce ourselves.

“We showed our vision of technology and how it can be used. In the booth we focused on a small vineyard owner, and what the solutions could look like for that owner.”

The robotic tractor sat right next to Google’s booth at the show.

The New Agri Concept tractor was built on a platform without an operator’s station, but McMickell says that could be just one version of what an autonomous production tractor from Kubota would look like.

“There are certain operations where just having an autonomous robot out in the field is going to be sufficient. However, growers use tractors for a wide variety of tasks, so I don’t see us moving away from having a cab on at least some of them,” he says.

“Like an M5, I can envision having a cab and some autonomous features on it. But I can also envision 100-horsepower vehicles without a cab. So we wanted to lean forward and show what that future looks like without an operator.”

When it’s eventually released, the autonomous tractor would be tailored to meet the specific needs of growers where it’s marketed. So it could see several design changes and possibly more than one production version.

For example, Kubota already has autonomous equipment on the commercial market in Asia, and those models do have operators’ stations.

“We’re releasing autonomous vehicles in the market that are suited for that market,” McMickell explains. “In Asia right now, for instance, there is an Agri Robo line. The first of those vehicles is the MR1000A. If you look at the MR1000A, which is out in customers’ hands now, it actually has a cab, where the New Agri Concept doesn’t. That’s because we heard from the (Asian) growers they wanted a utility vehicle that they can still drive around and use for other tasks. We automated the tasks they found less desirable. For those we can go fully autonomous or even remote control.”

Kubota, he says, is modifying its units to handle the problem they’re meant to solve, adjusting their sensor setup accordingly. “We’re not just putting technology out there; we want the technology to provide real value to customers. So we’re going to modify this depending on the specific customers we target and what their needs are.”

The New Agri Concept model displayed at CES is a fully battery-electric EV that uses six independent-drive motors to deliver power where it’s needed. It is comparable to a 100-horsepower model. And with a targeted four-hour run time and very fast recharge, it addresses the concerns many people have about EVs.

“One of its more striking features is its rapid charge ability,” McMickell adds. “It can be charged in under six minutes from roughly 20 per cent to 80 per cent. We don’t typically charge over 80 per cent. It can damage the batteries. That’s trying to alleviate some of the issues that growers have about downtime on electric vehicles.

“It has a standard three-point hitch. Another design choice was we didn’t want to affect which implements a grower could use. We want this to be adopted. We want growers to use our technology. And a lot of growers have a large array of implements already, so we consciously made the decision not to electrify the back end or do anything too clever with the three-point hitch.

“Right now we feel we want to support those growers as we go into this crossover economy.”

There is no hard and fast timeline for releasing the New Agri Concept tractor to North America. McMickell says there is some regulatory uncertainty holding the company back from introducing autonomous machines.

“Right now in the North American market, there’s some policy uncertainty,” he said. “We’re watching what’s going on in California. We want to be ready when that policy becomes much clearer. Once we have better clarity, we’ll bring this to market.

“We think we’re at the tipping point where we’re bringing together data, AI (artificial intelligence) and autonomy. You’ll see more from Kubota coming out, showing this cycle.”

The post Kubota debuts a concept robotic tractor appeared first on Grainews.

“Our customers told us they wanted a tractor with more power without the downside of bigger frames and more weight, and they didn’t want to sacrifice manoeuverability,” said Oscar Baroncelli, head of tractors at New Holland, in a press release.

“We took up their challenge and developed the new T7.300 Long Wheelbase. It delivers greater engine power with larger tires, with no increase at all in overall dimension. It’s a design feature we call Ultimate Performance Density.”

The wheelbase on the T7.300 LWB and the other previously introduced models in the line comes in at 113.5 inches (2,884 centimetres), which puts them in the middle of the existing T7 range, and slightly shorter than the T7.290 and 315, which stretch to 117.9 inches (299.5 centimetres). So, the Long Wheelbase moniker for the line seems a bit confusing.

Five models

The T7.300 LWB with PLM Intelligence line now includes five models with engine horsepower ratings from 200 to 280. Maximum horsepower boost specs push the range ratings up to 225 to 300.

With these models, particularly the new T7.300, New Holland engineers aimed to cram as much horsepower into as small a package as they could. Therefore, the new T7.300 keeps all of the manoeuverability of the other T7 LWB models but adds a bit more muscle.

Putting that much power in a relatively compact chassis means these tractors are ideally suited for PTO work, such as when mated to a large baler.

In fact, the new T7s come with integrated large square baler control as part of the TIM (Tractor Implement Management) system. It allows the tractor and baler to work together more seamlessly, reducing cab movement by 15 per cent. And it helps keep engine rpm and PTO shaft speed more consistent.

The tractors get other smart features as well, such as the enhanced data transfer capability of MyPLM Connect. There is also the IntelliSteer system that includes end-of-row automated turns. To simplify things for the operator, the customizable joystick can control up to six hydraulic remotes, making for improved ergonomics.

Across the T7 LWB line two hydraulic flow rates are available, 40 gallons per minute (150 litres per minute) or 45 gallons per minute (170 litres per minute). There is an optional front PTO and front linkage rated for 13,062 pounds (5,925 kilograms).

Comfort ride suspension

The tractors come fitted with NH’s Horizon Ultra cab package. To keep the ride smooth, the cab gets the new Comfort Ride suspension. It uses an active electro-hydraulics system that isolates some chassis movement from the cab. The Horizon Ultras offer a quiet 66-decibel interior noise level.

To further help smoothen the ride and improve traction, tractors can be upgraded from the standard or high-capacity front axle to the TerraGlide suspended version.

A 55-degree turn angle gives the tractors a tight 20-foot (6.1-metre) turning radius. Large rear tires with a height of 6.7 feet (2.05 metres) help improve traction and reduce soil compaction.

Power for all LWB models comes from an FPT 6.7-litre diesel that is compatible with biodiesel blends. And it gets mated to the brand’s AutoCommand CVT transmission, which is available in a 40- or 50-kilometre-per-hour-capable version.

If the tractor is going to be put to heavy towing jobs, such as pulling a grain cart or manure tanker, the T7 LWB tractors can be ordered with hydraulic or air trailer brakes and the intelligent trailer braking system.

The post New T7 tractor from New Holland appeared first on Grainews.

However, in mid-March, Kubota turned its attention back to what has long been familiar territory for the company, the compact utility tractor segment. The company announced it has added two new models to its legacy Standard L series tractor line — the L3302 and L3902.

And, of course, most farms need a small tractor to keep things tidy around large yards as much as they need a good field machine. More than a few L series models will continue to find homes on working farms, and not just on hobby acreages.

Strategic upgrades

The L series can trace its beginnings back more than 55 years, so it has seen several updates and design changes over the generations. Kubota claims the L series has been the No. 1-selling compact tractor in North America for more than a decade. And the addition of these two new L02 models are intended for what the brand calls the “do-it-yourself lifestyle of Canadians.”

“The upgrades on our new L02 compact tractors were strategic and universal to introducing the next generation of our popular Standard L series line,” says Chris Isaac, product manager, compact tractors. “With the new L3302 and L3902, we added enhanced operator comfort features and modern styling as well as key operational features, such as the new, independent PTO on the HST models, while keeping affordability top of mind.”

With the usual Kubota diesel engines under their hoods, the L3302 and L3902 offer two power ratings, 33 and 37.5 gross horsepower, respectively. These diesels use a common-rail system with electronically controlled fuel injection, and the brand claims the engines were designed to reduce noise and vibration for a smooth operator experience, combining that with fuel efficiency and good performance.

Both new L02 four-wheel-drive models are available with either gear drive or HST (hydrostatic) transmissions. The HST provides speed and forward-reverse control by pressing down on a foot pedal. The gear drive transmission has eight forward and eight reverse speeds.

New features

A feature new to the L02 line this year is an independent PTO on the HST models, allowing for quick engagement of the PTO with just the flip of a switch while operating the tractor.

Operators familiar with earlier L series models will notice the new tractors offer a more spacious operator station than previous versions, which includes standard rubber floor mats and improved suspension seat with optional arm rests. Other improvements that help make things more comfortable for the operator include ergonomically designed lever grips and steering wheel, while the new LED lights and side work lights make working after dark a little easier and safer.

The new L02 models get a bit of a facelift, too, with a new curve to the hood and updated grill. That, according to the brand, gives the L3302 and L3902 an improved look, along with a better feel for operators, making it a “premium compact tractor.”

Designed specifically for the L3302 and L3902, the LA526 front-end loader is deeper and has a maximum lift capacity of 1,144 pounds (520 kilograms) at the pin and a reasonable maximum lift height of 94 inches (2.38 metres) at the pin. To make work go a little faster and more efficiently, the loader valve is designed for simultaneous boom and bucket operation with a regenerative circuit that increases speed and dump times. When not needed, the loader can easily be removed without tools or purchasing additional “parking” kits.

The L3302 and L3902 will be available from Kubota dealers this spring.

The post Kubota adds to its legacy L series appeared first on Grainews.

The 6R 140 becomes the fourth and most powerful model to be offered in the small-frame 6R group. The 6R 165 adds a third model to the mid-sized frame lineup, which now includes 145- to 165-engine-horsepower tractors.

With Deere’s power bulge and Intelligent Power Management, the 6R 140 and 6R 165 tractors can put out up to 166 and 212 maximum horsepower, respectively, when power demands increase. Both tractors come standard with Deere’s 40-kilometre-per-hour-capable IVT, continuously variable transmission. A 50-kilometre-per-hour-capable version is available as an option. The 6R 145 can also be ordered with a 40- or 50-kilometre-per-hour 24-speed transmission.

Among the new optional features Deere is introducing on the 6Rs is the Loader Technology Package, which the company says adds features that make them ideal for feeding livestock or using pallet forks. The package includes a reconfigurable loader control handle with an integrated reverser, so operators can set their preferences and more easily manage the direction of the tractor with the touch of a button. When equipped with the optional 155-litre-per-minute, high-capacity hydraulic pump (41 gallons per minute), loader cycle times are improved compared with previous models.

Also included in the Loader Technology Package is a Dynamic Weighing System, along with Level to Horizon and Return to Position features. The Dynamic Weigh System can weigh bucket loads on the go, which can speed up jobs like mixing precise feed rations into a mixer wagon. The Level to Horizon setting allows operators to easily keep an attachment parallel to the ground to avoid spilling material while travelling across uneven ground. Return to Position automatically returns the loader to a predefined boom and bucket position, simplifying and speeding up repetitive loader tasks.

Deere has also given the 6R tractors a bit of a facelift, tweaking their overall styling, visibility and operator comfort.

“The 6R tractor cab provides operators with outstanding visibility and a quiet work environment,” Dennis Ogle, marketing manager for John Deere said in a press release. “These new tractors continue to deliver premium levels of comfort, convenience and technology that John Deere customers are accustomed to.”

The machine information screen was moved from the steering column to a digital display on the tractor cab A pillar. Deere says the cab updates and new control handle should let operators enjoy more comfort and convenience to make the workday inside a 6R a little more pleasant.

When it comes to technology, the 6R tractors come standard with a 4G JDLink connection (modem). Once activated in the John Deere Operations Center, the tractor will stream machine and field data to the owner’s Operations Center account, free of charge. The owner can use the Work Planner tool in the Operations Center to set up field prescriptions and other field tasks from anywhere; and it can send the instructions to the tractor’s in-cab display, saving the operator time in the field by not having to manually enter the information.

The post Deere updates its 6R tractor line appeared first on Grainews.

Several media outlets on Monday quoted organizers of the blockade at the Canada-U.S. border crossing at Coutts, Alta. as saying they would leave the area Tuesday morning.

Protestors in vehicles including commercial trucks, pickups and farm tractors formed a blockade halting traffic through the Coutts crossing, southeast of Lethbridge, and its sister crossing at Sweetgrass, Mont. starting Jan. 29. Single lanes of traffic later reopened but were blocked again Friday.

That blockade was formed in tandem with a demonstration still underway in Ottawa concerning current COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border truckers, among a number of grievances related to pandemic-related public health policy and federal politics generally.

The Ottawa protest and Coutts blockade — along with several other blockades formed at major Canada-U.S. crossings across the country, including at Windsor, Ont. and Emerson, Man. — on Monday became the subject of the federal government’s declaration of a “public order emergency” under the Emergencies Act.

According to the government’s release Monday, the declaration allows it to regulate and prohibit “public assemblies, including blockades, other than lawful advocacy, protest or dissent” and to designate and secure places where “blockades are to be prohibited” such as at international borders or approaches to same. It also blocks foreign nationals from entering Canada with “intent to participate in or facilitate a prohibited assembly.”

The declaration is effective for up to 30 days and subject to confirmation from both houses of Parliament.

The protestors’ stated plan to leave Coutts also comes amid damaging reports of violence at the blockade, plus 13 arrests Monday among those attending.

Specifically, Alberta RCMP said Monday, “a large farm tractor and a semi truck, both involved in the blockade, attempted to ram a police vehicle” on Sunday evening.

The RCMP member involved “was able to reposition and avoid the collision” and both the tractor and semi truck alleged to be involved in that incident have since been seized.

On Monday afternoon, RCMP said, a northbound semi approached the Mounties’ checkstop north of nearby Milk River when “the driver accelerated and drove towards our members.” The driver of that vehicle “swerved at the last moment” and was later arrested nearby “for Criminal Code offences.”

Also on Monday, RCMP said they “became aware of a small organized group within the larger Coutts protest” and had received information “that this group had access to a cache of firearms with a large quantity of ammunition… (and) a willingness to use force against the police if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade.”

RCMP on Monday morning carried out a search warrant on “three trailers associated to this criminal organization” and seized handguns, 13 long guns, a “large quantity of ammunition,” high-capacity magazines, “multiple sets” of body armour and a machete.

Eleven people were arrested at that time, RCMP said; another person was arrested later Monday after being stopped by police on the highway en route to the protest site, at which time “two weapons were seized.”

RCMP said Monday they would “resume efforts to end the illegal blockade” at Coutts and “encourage all participants who are involved in this illegal action to leave immediately or relocate to the designated site for the legal protest.”

“Our objective was to be here peacefully,” Marco Van Huigenbos, a protest organizer at Coutts, was quoted by CBC as saying later Monday. “To keep that message going, we want to peacefully leave Coutts and return to our families.”

‘Serious risks’

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, writing Monday on Twitter, made note of the arrests of people “believed to be involved in a potentially violent cell at the Coutts blockade” and hailed the “tactical operation that neutralized this potentially violent threat without incident.”

Also, Kenney wrote Monday, in spite of “threats and intimidation directed at tow truck operators and dealers, (the province) has successfully procured and staged the heavy equipment needed to remove commercial vehicles” at the protest site.

Kenney reiterated to remaining protestors that “it’s time to go home” and that their “continued violation of the rights of your fellow Albertans will not be tolerated.”

Separately, federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said in a statement Monday that she met with “meat industry representatives from across Canada” to talk about the blockades’ impact on “the transportation of live animals and beef exports, the movement of feed for livestock and the overall food supply for Canadians.”

The industry reps on the call “told me that the blockade is having a significant impact on the livelihood of Canadian farm families and businesses who cannot sustain any more delays,” she said, and that “shipments of animals are being delayed and cancelled, which is creating serious risks to animal welfare.”

Allowing animals, feed and feed ingredients to again flow across the border “is essential to support producers and protect the welfare of animals travelling between Canada and the U.S.,” she said, noting border transit delays “also heighten the risk of spoilage of perishable goods” such as fruit and vegetables.

With the public order emergency now declared, she said, cabinet officials “are monitoring the situation closely and working with our federal and provincial partners to identify and mitigate disruptions.”

In a joint statement last week, several national- and provincial-level transport, trade, manufacturing and distributing groups warned that “hundreds of millions of dollars in cross-border trade” including perishables and other goods, “are being impacted or lost because of ongoing blockades.”

Farmer and food processor groups including the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, National Cattle Feeders’ Association, Canadian Pork Council, Canadian Meat Council, Canadian Produce Marketing Association and Canadian Horticultural Council made a separate joint statement Friday calling for “immediate action by all parties to fully reopen Canada’s trade corridors.”

Canadian federal rules for cross-border travel by truckers and other essential workers were updated effective Jan. 15. Those rules currently require any Canadian truckers and other essential workers who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 and returning to Canada to follow the same quarantine protocols as other unvaccinated Canadians returning to Canada. Unvaccinated foreign truckers attempting to enter Canada are to be turned away.

The U.S. government has had the same rules in place for foreign unvaccinated truckers since Jan. 22 — with the effect of prohibiting unvaccinated Canadian truckers from bringing freight into the United States. — Glacier FarmMedia Network

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The new program, dubbed ‘Claas Used,’ will offer warranty protection on certified late-model units in Canada and the U.S., along with lower-rate financing through Claas Financial Services.

The Claas Used program replaces the ‘First Claas Used’ program set up in 2018, which in turn was billed as the “next generation” plan following the Lexion Field Ready Reconditioned program set up in 2011.

The new program also scraps the First Claas Used system of gold-, silver- and bronze-level classifications on used Claas equipment in favour of a new certified pre-owned (CPO) standard.

The ‘Claas Used’ plan comes as “supply chain disruptions and financial constraints have affected many growers across North America,” the company said Tuesday.

“By combining the superior power and efficiency of Claas machines at a pre-owned price with a one-year protection plan and excellent low-rate financing, growers who take advantage of the Claas certified pre-owned program can have the best of both worlds,” Allen Miller, the company’s remarketing manager for North America, said in Tuesday’s release.

The company will also offer “flexible” protection plans for CPO combines, forage harvesters and tractors under the Claas Used program.

All certified machines to be sold under the program will have been “inspected, repaired and approved based on rigorous criteria by Claas certified technicians,” the company said.

The one-year plan will also provide repairs, done with Claas parts, plus standard one-year drive-train protection with an option to upgrade to a “comprehensive” protection plan.

The level-up plan, dubbed Maxi Care Comprehensive Extended Protection, will be “an optional layer of coverage” for Claas CPO machines meeting the “strictest inspection standards.”

On eligible combines and forage harvesters, the standard one-year plan will provide protection for either a year or 500 hours of use, whichever comes first, with a $500 deductible.

On tractors, the coverage will be for either a year or 1,000 hours of use, whichever comes first, with a $500 deductible — or $250 under the Maxi Care plan.

Eligible CPO combines and forage harvesters must have fewer than 2,500 hours use and be no older than five years of age by machine model year. Eligible tractors must also be no older than five years, with less than 5,000 hours’ use.

Equipment certified under the Claas Used program will be available through the company’s used equipment website. As of Tuesday afternoon, in the CPO category, just three self-propelled forage harvesters are listed for sale on that site, all in the U.S.

For the Canadian market, the company said it will offer a low financing rate on CPO Lexion combines and Jaguar forage harvesters, at zero per cent for the first 24 months up to a maximum financed amount of $450,000. That offer expires Dec. 31 this year.

Claas bills itself as an early adopter of the CPO system for sales of pre-owned equipment, which has given major manufacturers the opportunity to boost their brands’ sales beyond the showroom floor.

John Deere and Agco rolled out CPO programs for their late-model equipment in North America starting in 2014, followed in 2015 by Case IH and New Holland. — Glacier FarmMedia Network

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The ballast in the photo is for a 55-horsepower Kubota. Mounting is with three-inch angle iron through the barrel and category 2 pins welded on the outside. When set just above the centre of gravity, a top link is not required. A good fit is between the lower arms out of the way.

The estimated weight of 950 pounds is comparable to liquid fill of rear tires. Concrete along with rocks and steel provide the weight. The yellow stripe and the board in front help with alignment to hook up both lower arms at once.

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This year hasn’t really been about farming at all. And that’s the strange part. It’s been about all those other things that go on around us that we may or not be used to thinking about. How many farmers out there spent time before 2020 thinking about society, culture and mental states like they do now?

The very nature of this column has changed since COVID-19, too. I used to enjoy spending time inside my own head, thinking about the mental underpinnings of learning to farm, taking over a farm and living rurally, but that has changed. While I am still naturally drawn to interpreting the world from the perspective of someone writing one long journal entry, this year more than any other, I’ve found the tangible elements of farming to be the most therapeutic. Replacing an oil seal has become as satisfying as crafting a gem of a sentence.

This is a new attitude for me, but it’s what my farming trajectory needed. My dad knows machines in a general sense. He can listen to a motor run and think intelligently about the specific noises he’s hearing. He understands what’s happening inside the block.

I never took the time to care about such things. Machines are machines. They don’t matter, in the long run. And the thought of “caring” for something like a car or truck or tractor seemed like a colossal waste of time. Something as meaningful as providing care should not be attributed to anything but humans and animals.

We have an old Ford tractor on our farm. It was purchased new the year I was born. It’s still in fantastic shape (because it has been cared for), but it’s now only considered for light duty on the farm. Our farm has scaled up since 1980 and what once was a workhorse is now a tractor spending its retirement running our auger and conveyor. Its PTO needs to work. That’s it.

Setting the conveyor up on the Ford isn’t complicated, per se, but it sends me into a bit of a tizzy every year. The jump conveyor leg that swings out from the main part is operated by its own set of hydraulics. So, one line to raise and lower the main conveyor and two to operate the jump. Hooking this up correctly is not rocket science, by any stretch, but it’s a process I never really took the time to understand, apart from knowing that it requires a ton of troubleshooting and frustration before it’ll all finally work as it should.

The main conveyor runs via the PTO. The jump, however, runs off a hydraulic pump. The lever that activates it in the cab has to remain in “lift” position. To get this all to work, console settings have to change and there are tarp straps involved.

This year, I did something I had never before done. I took the time to locate the tractor’s manual and I read about the hydraulic system and what exactly I’d need to do in order to achieve what I needed to achieve. It was enlightening. I was able to walk up to the problem, and instead of being a bull in a china shop, I was able to tackle the job with an understanding of how each piece of the puzzle worked and needed to fit together.

I’d still maintain it isn’t healthy to elevate machines to human status and give them the same level of care. But, before a pandemic forced me to stay at home more than usual, I would have said a machine’s worth is tethered to its utility and that’s it.

The tangible elements of farming — like getting out there and working with your hands — have proved to be something controllable. Changing the oil on a machine puts me in a mental state where things feel sane and that has value beyond the utility of clean oil in a machine.

The post Toban Dyck: Sanity in an oil change appeared first on Grainews.