Väderstad AB announced the acquisition of 100% of the AGCO-AMITY JV LLC (AAJV). Based out of Wahpeton, North Dakota, AAJV, also known under the name Wil-Rich, will be fully integrated into the Väderstad global group of companies under the company name Vaderstad Inc.

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Based in Spiritwood, ND, the approximately $350 million crush and refining complex will feature state-of-the-art automation technology and have the capacity to process 150,000 bushels of soybeans per day. Strategically located in a major soybean producing area, ADM’s global logistics network will enable the facility to access both domestic and global markets for soybean oil and meal. The facility is expected to be complete prior to the 2023 harvest.

“ADM’s commitment to preserving and protecting our planet’s resources stretches from the farm gate to the food on our tables and the renewable fuel we put in our vehicles,”

said Greg Morris, president of ADM’s Ag Services & Oilseeds business.

“This exciting new project allows us to partner with North Dakota farmers to further advance the role of agriculture in addressing climate change through the production of low carbon feedstocks for products such as renewable diesel.”

“This soybean processing plant is a gamechanger for North Dakota farmers, adding value and expanding the market for this important crop closer to home while also supporting the production of products such as renewable green diesel right here in North Dakota,”

said North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

“Now, with innovative leader ADM and collaboration with local economic development and multiple state agencies, this exciting value-added project has come to fruition. We’re deeply grateful for ADM’s investment in our state and our highly productive farmers as well as the tireless efforts of so many who helped make this happen, including the Office of State Tax Commissioner, the Jamestown/Stutsman County Development Corp., North Dakota Department of Commerce, North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford, the state Legislature, and our entire congressional delegation.”

“We’ve been working to bring this new soybean crushing facility to North Dakota and met with key leaders from ADM over two years ago to develop this plan,”

said Senator John Hoeven.

“We’re pleased that this new plant will be open in 2023, as it will provide a significant new market for North Dakota soybean growers, while creating good jobs and economic growth. We appreciate the work of ADM, as well as the governor, the other members of the delegation and the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation for their efforts on this exciting new opportunity.”

ADM also plans to invest approximately $25 million to expand refining and storage capacity at its crush and refining facility in Quincy, Illinois. This project will fully align the location’s refining capabilities with its crush capacity and allow for greater flexibility in meeting the needs of ADM’s food, biofuel and industrial customers. The expanded capacity is expected to be online by Q1 2022.

“ADM has an unparalleled opportunity to lead our industry in this area, and thanks to our extensive operational and commercial expertise, we are well-positioned to add these shovel-ready projects to our network and meet the fast-growing needs of customers worldwide for lower carbon, plant-based solutions,”

Morris added.

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The first R-Series loaders to launch will include the Bobcat T76 compact track loader and the S76 skid-steer loader.

Designed to tackle both everyday work and the toughest challenges, the new R-Series loaders have been redesigned inside and outside to be the most powerful, durable loaders built by Bobcat. With a total focus on quality, the R-Series loaders offer uncompromising reliability and durability, enhanced performance, and an unmatched operator experience.

Increased lift capabilities

R-Series loaders not only look tougher, they are tougher. R-Series loaders are equipped with redesigned lift arms for increased lifting capability. New lift arms feature cast steel sections that provide greater strength while enabling a slimmer-profile arm that also enhances visibility. 

Redesigned cooling system

As operators trust compact equipment to run longer and do bigger, more difficult jobs, better cooling is essential. R-Series loaders have a redesigned cooling system for optimal operation and maximum uptime. These improvements have significantly reduced operating temperatures of key components, providing increased reliability and durability. In addition, the fan size has been increased by approximately 50 percent, which achieves more cooling at a slower rotation.

Optional clear-side enclosure

With their leading all-around visibility, comfortable controls, numerous options and roomy environment, R-Series loaders bring more comfort to challenging jobs. The optional clear-side enclosure and mesh-free windows allows operators to easily see the sides of the machine and maneuver more confidently. Plus, R-Series loaders come standard with LED lights for far-reaching visibility in low-light situations. Operators can also upgrade to optional premium LED lights which wrap around the cab’s upper corners to illuminate more of the jobsite. An optional back-up camera also gives an optimal view of the jobsite.

One-piece sealed and pressurized cab

The new cab design is a one-piece, sealed and pressurized design for a new level of comfort and improved service access. The design repels dust and dirt in the cab, helps isolate engine and hydraulic noise, and enhances the efficiency of optional heating and air conditioning. When it’s time for maintenance or repairs, the entire R-series cab rotates out of the way to provide improved service access – with hardware on the cab exterior for easy removal.

Inline engine design and durable direct-drive system

The new loaders feature an inline engine design and a durable direct-drive system that offer high performance in a compact machine profile. The new engine and system deliver the durability and characteristics necessary to accommodate new levels of performance required on today’s jobsites.

5-Link torsion suspension undercarriage

The 5-Link torsion suspension undercarriage dramatically reduces stress and vibration from the undercarriage, making operation more comfortable.

Cast-steel attachment mounting system

A new cast-steel Bob-Tach attachment mounting system provides a stronger connection point with more metal where it’s really needed. It has fewer welds overall, plus openings that allow dirt and debris to pass through. Altogether, it provides solid, reliable attachment connections, plus less debris buildup.

Other R-Series features include:

• Camera-ready displays (standard 5-inch display or optional 7-inch display with Bluetooth)
• Dual-direction bucket positioning
• Eye-level push-button controls
• On-demand, automatic rearview camera (standard with touch display, optional with standard display)
• Optional automatic heat and air conditioning
• Protected battery with remote jumpstart
• Standard 5-inch LED display with keyless start and theft protection

Quick Look: Bobcat R-Series T76 compact track loader

Horsepower: 74-hp Bobcat turbo-charged diesel engine
Rated operating capacity: 2,900 lb.
Operating weight: 10,250 lb.
Lift height to hinge pin: 128.3 in.
Auxiliary hydraulic flow: 23.3 gpm
High-flow option: 30.3 gpm

Quick Look: Bobcat R-Series S76 skid-steer loader

Horsepower: 74-hp Bobcat turbo-charged diesel engine
Rated operating capacity: 2,900 lb.
Operating weight: 8,615 lb.
Lift height to hinge pin: 128.3 in.
Auxiliary hydraulic flow: 23.3 gpm
High-flow option: 30.3 gpm

Source: Bobcat

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These UV34 and UV34XL gas models have an all-new chassis for increased durability and ride quality, an enhanced suspension system, increased towing capacity, a new gas engine and more integrated accessories.

High performance and power

Operators can stay equipped for any situation with the new UV34 and UV34XL gas utility vehicles – they can carry more equipment, bring more help along for the job and save hours of manual labor. A newly designed 39.9 hp two-cylinder SOHC engine delivers generous horsepower and hard-working performance. Operators will experience more power than ever before; the large, 900-watt stator offers increased output for electric-powered attachments.

Improved ride quality and comfort

The new UV34 and UV34XL gas utility vehicles are designed with an all-new chassis that gives operators additional comfort, strength and performance for the job. The chassis design improves ground clearance and off-road capability while allowing more range of motion in the suspension for superior ride quality – a feature further enhanced with added seat contours that are designed for maximum comfort and support during operation. Bobcat UV34 utility vehicles offer seating for an operator and two passengers, while the extended UV34XL has room for an operator and five passengers.

With more material added to the frame, suspension components, wheel hubs and sealed wheel bearings, Bobcat UV34 and UV34XL utility vehicles offer heightened durability. An independent rear suspension with sway bar provides improved ride quality and handling. All-new shocks and springs, plus stronger drive components push through challenging jobs, boosting operator productivity without sacrificing ride quality.

Improved ride quality is also a focus of the new cab design featuring a low, wide cab opening that allows for easy entry and exit. Updated instrumentation throughout the cab makes operation more intuitive, while larger controls and gauges improve visibility and ease of use. Improved sealing on the optional enclosed cab keeps operators and interior alike shielded from dust and debris, and it ensures optimal heating performance. More in-dash storage was added to the new cab design along with a flip-up seat for stowaway convenience of larger items.

Work-focused hauling and towing

The UV34 and UV34XL utility vehicles are designed with a rugged cargo box that leads the industry in size and payload capacity. The greater payload capacity allows operators to haul more, and in turn, maximize time on a jobsite, farm, acreage or grounds maintenance project. The large cargo box can be emptied manually or with an optional powered cargo box lift.

Bobcat UV34 utility vehicles can carry up to 1,250 pounds. The 2-inch receiver hitch on Bobcat utility vehicles can easily tow up to 2,500 pounds of trailered equipment and materials.

Accessories

The new Bobcat utility vehicles can be customized with a variety of kits and accessories, including LED working lights, radio, brush guard and in-cab heater, cargo box divider and a lockable tool box. 

Source: Bobcat

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This additional investment is further indication of Raven’s confidence in its position to bring these innovations to market and expand its market share in precision ag technology.

DOT is the developer of the “Dot Power Platform,” an autonomous power unit that has the ability to pair with a wide range of implements which are critical to agricultural production and will offer a variety of labor saving solutions to farmers and Ag Retailers alike. Fusing DOT, and the recently acquired Smart Ag autonomous perception and path planning technology, with core technology platforms in guidance, steering, and machine control enables Raven to deliver revolutionary autonomous solutions and greatly accelerate our long-term growth in Applied Technology. The company is currently moving forward with commercialization of Raven Autonomy and will be expanding its portfolio with new offerings, which will increase the value of autonomy to end-users at a rapid pace.

“We see tremendous synergies between our current business and in the investimenti we have made in DOT and Smart Ag, an Iowa-based autonomy company which we acquired last November”

said Wade Robey, Executive Director of Raven Autonomy.

For decades, Raven has been committed to maximizing operational efficiencies through our core offering of application and machine control platforms. The company’s initiative into autonomous solutions is an extension of that core. As the demand of the overall farming operation and compliance requirements become more complex, the need for more efficient utilization of resources is critical. Raven is best positioned to solve this great challenge. The company’s autonomous solutions will become an essential part of agricultural equipment technology for ag retailers and growers and enable them to drive significant productivity improvements in the future.

Source: Raven

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Take what’s old and make it new again. That was the mindset at RDO Equipment Co.’s Chandler location during a recently completed rebuild of a 644J loader.

It was the first such project undertaken in Chandler, and for Service Technicians Josh Masterson and Scott Robertson, a chance to learn and put their name on their work in a unique way.

A rebuild is an in-depth process of taking an entire machine apart, replacing key components, and putting it all back together, essentially making it new again. Depending on a number of factors, including a machine’s age and level of use, a rebuild can be a comparable option to a trade-in for a customer looking to make an upgrade.

The 15-year-old loader pushing 15,000 operating hours was the third rebuild opted for by the customer, who’d had two other machines rebuilt by the Phoenix team. Breathing new life into such a well-used machine is a tall task, and it takes the right people to get it done.

“I felt valued as a Service Technician to be part the team given this opportunity. It’s also great for the entire store. We get to demonstrate our growth and show the customer what we’re capable of.”

Scott, approaching five years with RDO,  saw the loader as a chance to develop his skills and show off the abilities of the Chandler.

 

“It’s pretty exciting being able to see how it is when it comes in and how different it looks when it leaves.”

At his side was Josh. He’d worked on several dozer rebuilds in his time as a technician with a previous employer but was no less enthusiastic to get the loader assignment.

The four-week project began with the removal of all the loader’s major components. By the end of the first day, Josh and Scott had removed the cab, engine, transmission, and cooling package—essentially everything but the axles, which were left so the machine remained mobile. The following days were spent marking hose routing and locations and removing and washing the frame before beginning the process of transferring new parts into the machine, one by one. With all components replaced, including every hydraulic line and harness, the cab was reinstalled, the machine was fired up, and initial adjustments were made. Then, like the proverbial icing on the cake, the whole machine received a new paint job, along with new seat cushions, floorboards, and fenders.

Next, the rebuilt machine underwent a thorough inspection, conducted by multiple team members. The inspection is a chance to get fresh eyes on the machine to catch any further adjustments and ensure it meets manufacturer standards.

In an ongoing effort to develop a more formalized rebuild program, Terry Tolbert, Vice President of Internal Aftermarket, has participated in rebuild assessments at multiple RDO locations, learning from the process and outcomes. The goal, making rebuilds a more common option for customers, would also mean more frequent opportunities for Service Technicians to gain a wholistic understanding of equipment beyond what’s offered by routine diagnostic and repair jobs.

Fully completed, the loader was hardly recognizable as a 15-year-old machine. Lead Technician Jordan Dale captured before and after images of the transformation, praising the work done by his teammates.

According to him:

“This is by far one of the coolest jobs I’ve seen done. Josh and Scott did an awesome job, and this is the outcome of being proud of what you do.”

Source: RDO equipment Co.

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North Dakota

According to the NASS Crop Progress Report:

• Spring wheat was 5% planted compared to the 21% five-year average at this time.
• Durum wheat was 4% planted compared to 1% last year and the 7% five-year average.
• Corn planted was 1% planted compared to the 7% five-year average.
• Canola planted was 2% percent planted, equal to last year and near the five-year average.
• Sugarbeet was 7% planted, compared to 9% last year and well behind the 39% five-year average.
• Oat was 1% planted, equal to last year and behind 19% five-year average.
• Barley planted was 1% planted, equal to last year and behind the 16% five-year average.
• Dry edible pea was 6% planted, compared to the 2% planted last year but behind 15% five-year average.
• Flaxseed planted was 1% planted compared to the 3% five-year average.
• Potato was 1% planted compared to the 6% five-year average.
• Dry bean was 1% planted.

South Dakota

NASS reports that in South Dakota for the week ending April 28 spring wheat was 8% planted compared to 11% last year and the 60% five-year average at this time. Oats were 7% planted compared to 6% last year and the 62% five-year average.

Source: farmprogress.com

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