from USA Archives - North America FarmQuip Magazine

Farm Bureau proposes a resolution on China trade

NAFEM Newsroom — Wed, 15 May 2019 07:38:06 +0000

America’s farmers need a swift resolution to the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said in a letter to President Trump.

The six-year downturn in farm prices that has produced “near-unprecedented economic uncertainty and hardship” is worsening as a result of Chinese tariffs, he wrote. “U.S. farmers and ranchers now face a third wave of tariff increases by China in retaliation against the latest increase in U.S. tariffs that went into effect last Friday, May 10. The mere threat sent prices further downward for certain commodities last week.”

Bad weather this spring has only added to difficulties posed by trade challenges, as some farmers may opt not to plant a crop at all this year, Duvall told the President. An aid package would help some continue to farm, he added, but the real solution is open markets.

“We ask that your trade negotiators make a deal as soon as possible to end the tariffs that are slashing our exports, destroying a once-promising market for agriculture, worsening the farm economy, and contributing to high levels of stress and uncertainty for many farm and ranch families and other Americans whose jobs are connected to agricultural production.”

Duvall also called for progress on trade agreements with Mexico, Canada, Japan and the European Union. “Our agricultural trade surplus previously has been a tremendous success story for the U.S.,” Duvall told the President. “We hope to return to that success for agriculture and our country.”

Source: American Farm Bureau Federation

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NFU, Broad Coalition Urge Full Funding for Farm Stress Assistance Network

NAFEM Newsroom — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 10:06:27 +0000

In an effort to improve mental health support for farmers, ranchers and farmworkers, National Farmers Union (NFU) and a broad coalition of leading farm and rural advocacy groups are urging Congress to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) in fiscal year 2020.

FRSAN provides grants for extension services, state departments of agriculture, nonprofit organizations and other entities to provide stress assistance programs to farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and other agriculture-related occupations. Eligible programs include farm helplines and websites, training programs and workshops, outreach services, and home delivery of assistance.

“As you know, farming is a high-stress occupation,” said the groups in a letter to leadership of the Senate and House agriculture appropriations subcommittees. “Financial risk, volatile markets, unpredictable weather, and heavy workloads can all place a significant strain on farmers’, ranchers’ and farmworkers’ mental and emotional well-being. This is exacerbated by the fact that 60 percent of rural residents live in areas that suffer from mental health professional shortages.”

The groups noted the current prolonged farm economy downturn is causing even greater stress for farmers and ranchers. “Net farm income in 2018 was nearly 50 percent less than it was in 2013,” they said. “While current projections suggest slight improvements in 2019, a significant rebound could be years away.”

Congress provided $2 million in the fiscal year 2019 appropriations bill for a pilot of the program. The groups hope the pilot program will create an on-ramp to full program implementation.

“As the Subcommittee develops the FY 2020 agriculture appropriations bill, we urge you to fully fund the FRSAN at $10 million,” said the groups. “This funding will be critically important in meeting the needs of farmers and ranchers as they endure increasing financial and mental stress.”

Source: NFU news

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Electric tractor powered by cable

NAFEM Newsroom — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 10:31:49 +0000

John Deere has developed an electric cable powered tractor developing up to 400hp. The GridCON research project and tractor are part of the company’s continued efforts in the electrification of agricultural machinery, offering new opportunities for farms to supply and use their own energy.

John Deere presented the first fully electric tractor, known as the SESAM (Sustainable Energy Supply for Agricultural Machinery), in 2016. The GridCON tractor looks very different to its predecessor, as it features no cab and no rows of batteries underneath the bonnet. It is the first vehicle to be fully electric, permanently cable powered and capable of fully autonomous operation in the field.

Based on a John Deere 6210R tractor, GridCON utilises a cable connection from the field border to the machine, which transfers power continuously at over 300kW. A 100kW electric motor powers the IVT transmission, and there is an additional outlet for implements powered by a 200kW electric motor.

A drum fixed to the tractor carries up to 1000m of cable, although the length can be extended if required. In the field, the cable is fed out and reeled in while guided by a robot arm to keep the operation friction free and at low load. An intelligent guidance system is also used to prevent the tractor running into or over the cable.

At work, the tractor follows preset rows fully autonomously at operating speeds of up to just over 12mph (20kph). The vehicle can also be guided manually using a remote control, which is particularly useful when manoeuvring the tractor to start work on field borders for example.

A power supply of 2.5kV AC is required, and the GridCON tractor uses a 700V DC bus for electric power distribution both onboard and for implements. The machine employs a cooling infrastructure for off-board electrical use, while total efficiency of the drivetrain is in the region of 85 per cent.

Total empty weight of the working prototype GridCON tractor including cable drum and robot arm is about 8.5 tonnes, so it is about the same weight as a conventional John Deere 6195R tractor but with twice as much power. Research engineers are aiming to reduce the weight further by at least one tonne.

Besides this favourable power to weight ratio, the concept offers the twin benefits of noiseless and emission-free operation. Compared to battery-powered tractors, the GridCON tractor also delivers around 50 per cent lower machine and operating costs.

Source: John Deere news

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Kobelco USA Expands Dealer Network in Canada

NAFEM Newsroom — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 09:41:44 +0000

KOBELCO Construction Machinery USA continues to expand representation in the North America market by adding Abi-Quip, Conaker Equipment, and Les Equipments Pinso Ltee to its growing dealer network.
“We’re dedicated to providing customers with the value of industry-leading KOBELCO excavators through our nationwide dealer network,” says Jack Fendrick, Chief Operating Officer/Vice President at KOBELCO USA. “Abi-Quip, Conaker, and Pinso are top-notch Canadian dealerships that maintain strong commitments to delivering outstanding customer service. We’re certain they will each be a positive addition to the KOBELCO North American network, and we look forward to lasting partnerships.”
The staff of each dealership will be working closely with KOBELCO to gain the required sales and product support training to deliver on the KOBELCO promise of customer satisfaction.

Source: Kobelco news

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Massey Ferguson debuts 1700M Series compact tractor

NAFEM Newsroom — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 09:35:31 +0000

AGCO Corporation, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, introduced its Massey Ferguson 1700M Series compact tractor during the 2018 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. Upgrades in the engine, emissions system and cab make the 1700M Series the company’s most premium compact tractor to date. These features, along with advanced engineering, mean the 1700M Series tractors are ideal for general farm and property maintenance tasks, landscaping, small-scale road and land grading, and light construction.

The 1700M Series feature clean-burning Tier 4-compliant turbocharged diesel engines, with five models ranging from 36 to 60 hp. The MF1735M and MF1740M are equipped with a Shibaura 3-cylinder diesel. The MF1750M, MF1755M and MF1760M are equipped with Shibaura 4-cylinder diesel engines. All models meet Tier 4 emissions without using an expensive diesel particulate filter (DPF). Emission standards are met using an exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR) and a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), resulting in maintenance free systems.

“Meeting the Tier 4 emissions standards without a DPF is a significant advantage of the 1700M Series compared to many other compact tractors,” says Jeffrey Ratliff, tactical marketing manager for AGCO. “No DPF means no excessive heat buildup, no downtime related to emissions, lower maintenance costs and the engine can be shut down at any time without fear of bypassing necessary regeneration. Massey Ferguson has seen great success with the Shibaura engines in our economy compact lineup so placing them in our latest premium compact tractors made a lot of sense.”

New deluxe cab option available

Each model comes with the option of an open station platform or factory-installed cab. The open station features a wide, flat rubber floor for easy entering and exiting, an upgraded seat with armrests for greater comfort and suspended foot pedals. The rollover protection structure (ROPS) easily folds for storage in low-height barns or garages.

A game changer for the 1700M Series is the new Deluxe Cab option for the MF1740M, MF1750M and MF1760M HST (hydrostatic transmission) models. The Deluxe Cab was developed with municipalities and hard-working acreage owners in mind, with features that improve operator comfort and expand the machines’ capabilities.

The Deluxe Cab package includes a new, air-ride seat for greater operator comfort and less fatigue during long hours of work with these convenient features:

radio/CD/Bluetooth® for a better, more comfortable operating experience;
LED work lamps to increase visibility at night and early morning;
rear-windshield defroster for greater visibility in adverse conditions;
an improved sun visor with scissor bracket;
and a new mesh storage pocket on the cab headliner for easy storing of manuals and paperwork.

Both the standard cab and deluxe cab options provide a climate-controlled environment, so operators can get their work done comfortably in all weather
conditions. Plus, both are designed for excellent visibility in all directions and are ROPS-certified for safety. Additional features deliver greater performance

All 1700M Series compact tractors deliver greater performance with 540 RPM independent rear PTO. An optional 2,000-rpm mid-mount PTO that engages electro-hydraulically with a simple twist of a knob is available. Depending on the model, operators also can select the transmission that best fits their needs. The 12×12 power shuttle transmission with a forward/reverse wet clutch has a wide range of working and road speeds. Clutching is never needed when starting from a standstill or changing directions. The electronically controlled, 3-range hydrostatic transmission is easy to operate, allowing the operator to reach the speed needed for the job within each range, without shifting gears.

The rear 3-point hitch features a lift capacity of 2,535 lbs. (1,150 kg) and, for the MF1750M and MF1760M, a lift capacity of 3,086 lbs. (1,400 kg). The tractors have a limited, five-year powertrain warranty. Full details are available from Massey Ferguson dealers.

Source: Massey Ferguson news

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