“John Deere is enabling the productivity gains farmers have seen while using AutoTrac technology on their tractors and integrating it into a smaller, more nimble machine – a Gator Utility Vehicle”

said Maureen McCormack, Go-to-Market manager, Gator Utility Vehicles for John Deere.

AutoTrac Ready Gator Utility Vehicles are now available from the factory and come equipped with the necessary wiring harness and brackets for John Deere technology hardware. Customers can order a 4640 Display and StarFire 7000 Receiver to be added to their Gator, or they can repurpose units they already own. After activating their subscription, farmers can use hands-free steering to reduce overlap, improve operator and input efficiency, and decrease operator fatigue.

The AutoTrac assisted steering system increases operator productivity by maintaining consistent, repeatable accuracy and efficiency as the vehicle moves across the field. With AutoTrac engaged, operators can remain alert and focused on controlling machine settings and the varying field conditions.

“Farmers and ranchers can use their AutoTrac equipped Gator Utility Vehicle for precise grid sampling, spraying and field boundary creation. AutoTrac equipped Gator UVs feature a combination of functionality and versatility that helps drive efficiency and productivity in everyday jobs.”

said McCormack.

The AutoTrac Ready option can be ordered on model-year 2023 John Deere 835/865 cab units including the XUV835M HVAC, XUV835R, XUV835R Signature Edition, XUV865M HVAC, XUV865R and the XUV865R Signature Edition.

Also notable for MY23, the following features are included in the base price for full size Gator Utility Vehicles:

• Factory-installed side mirrors to improve visibility on cab vehicles
• Spray-in liner in the cargo box for added durability on M- and R-trim vehicles
• Cargo box power lift for easy dumping on all R-trim models
• Brake and taillights for added visibility on M- and R-trim vehicles
• Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 extreme-terrain radial tires on steel wheels on M-trim vehicles
• Predator Heavy-Duty all-terrain radial tires on alloy wheels on R-trim vehicles

All E- and M-trim vehicles come from the factory with black vinyl bench seats. R-trim units feature stone cloth bench and black vinyl bench options. All Signature Edition models come equipped with a genuine leather bench seat. Previously used yellow and bucket seat options have been discontinued on full size vehicles.

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Sustainability and recycling are key to success going forward, the agriculture industry and farming are changing. Composting and waste recycling is an industry by itself.

Materials that are leftover from the agriculture process must be sorted in some way, even if the material – inert – is being directly sent to landfill as most landfill sites will not accept some types of material, and often require sorting into categories prior to disposal. Traditionally this has meant that the material is sent to recycling centers resulting in haulage costs, charges to the recycling centers, and then landfill costs themselves for materials that cannot be recycled or reused. Allu is once again one step ahead to help you remove such an issue and change a cost into a profit margin.

The Allu Transformer DL series screening attachments are for compact base machines and suitable for excavators max. 12Tn, loaders 8Tn, tractors, and backhoe loaders.

These compact-sized screening buckets make the perfect attachments for landscaping and agricultural applications. From composting to aerating, topsoil screening to waste and debris processing, all can be carried out on-site. They are truly mobile, offering you the versatility and flexibility to work more efficiently in the most challenging environments.

The Allu technology quite literally transforms the material making operations more productive, more environmentally friendly, and more profitable. With versatility at its very core, the Transformer will process just about anything it encounters. This includes materials including animals’ mortality residuals, topsoil, excavated soil, and contaminated soil. In effect, virtually any material can be crushed, screened, sized, and sorted.

This results in material processing being revolutionized as it will be accomplished with the Transformer converting the base machine (such as a tractor) into a mobile processing plant. By using the machine in this new way, companies will benefit from reduced investment and operating costs, have a smaller carbon footprint, and lower transportation costs, with the material being transformed into a valuable product, thereby producing a profit stream, rather than a cost.

Quality recycled Products

Despite the equipment as a tractor, skid steer, wheel loader, or excavator being available to recycle organic waste, many agricultural businesses do not handle the material processing themselves. They waste the valuable material, or it is simply hauled away to a recycling plant before most of the material is sent to a landfill. This is a serious cost for agricultural business companies and a waste of highly valuable materials.

One such solution to dealing with waste at source is the Allu DL-Series or all other Allu products that can crush soft and brittle material, separate hard unwanted impurities while loading a dump truck or stockpiling system. This makes them ideal for processing organic and even inorganic waste.

Transforming your business

What ensures that the Allu products really stand out from the rest is the way their use helps customers transform their entire operation. The profitability of a business is transformed as materials can be processed already at the site, rather than transported for further processing. This will also reduce outside waste deposits and bring environmental benefits, as waste is separated before transportation.

Business efficiency is further transformed as the loading and processing of materials is now accomplished in one stage resulting in faster, more efficient processing. Essentially the tractor, skid steer, loader, or excavator now becomes a multi-machine that can load and process whilst simultaneously replacing ‘overlapping’ steps at the farm. This eliminates material double handling needs and helps with cost reduction.

The same concept applies to the workforce, as improved utilization and fewer pieces of machinery require fewer people to operate the equipment. The base machine will be effectively transformed into a multi-functional tool that will compost, aerate, screen, crush, and load, in a one-step operation. As part of the digital solution, all Allu units are equipped with a tracking Bluetooth system that connects to the Allu app that can be installed on any mobile device, such as a mobile phone or a tablet.

Source: Allu

The post Allu Transforms Your Recycling and Sustainability Credentials appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

According to John Doyle, partnered products marketing manager for John Deere, these new products offer ideal solutions for large property owners who need to quickly move tree limbs, rocks, or brush, or who need to efficiently remove grass clippings, leaves, or pine needles from their property.

“The MC20210 is the ultimate material collection system for customers who use mid-mount mowers. It’s iMatch quick-hitch compatible and easy to install and remove. Its on-board blower system, and integrated storage stands, provide the power and ease customers are looking for with these systems. The hopper can be easily dumped from the seat of the tractor with the flip of a switch, helping operators be more productive and experience less fatigue while working,”

Doyle said.

The MC2014 and MC2120 come factory equipped with a hopper-fill sight glass so operators can keep a watchful eye on the fill level of the hopper while working. An optional audible fill sensor also can be ordered and provides increased productivity by sounding an audible alarm once the hopper is full, allowing the operator to focus on what’s happening in front of the machine, while they mow.

The other addition to the Frontier lineup is the MG20F, a loader-attached mechanical grapple. With a dump height of 53 inches or higher (depending on the model) from the ground, the grapple features dump angles and ultra-wide grapple openings for maximum material removal and easy material release.

The MG20F does not require third-function loader hydraulics to work and saves customers hundreds of dollars on extra parts and several hours of installation time. Once attached, the grapple utilizes the loader’s bucket cylinders to open and close its jaws and to keep loads intact while moving. Teeth on the upper and lower jaw tines are designed to prevent material rollout and help grab, remove or keep material in place once clamped.

“Similar to a standard loader bucket, the MG20F can be quickly attached to the tractor’s loader and utilizes the same quick-attach system common to the John Deere 120R, 220R, and the 300E Loaders that greatly reduces installation time when changing loader attachments. The minimal difference between the clamping pressure of a traditional third-function loader grapple and the clamping pressure of the bucket cylinders ensures operators can clamp material and move it to where it’s needed to be,”

Doyle said.

The post Deere Adds New Material Collection Systems and Mechanical Grapple for Compact Utility Tractors to Frontier Lineup appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Companies operating in emerging markets, low volume producers, and pilot plants need such a system, which offers a compact and flexible low rate packing process to meet their special needs. Likewise, with their diverse portfolios, raw material producers need to be able to adapt their packaging solutions in a versatile way.

The modular system offers maximum flexibility

With more than 100 possible variants, the GEA SmartFil M1 can be configured to suit almost any application from dry, fine powders to coarse granular products. The new machine offers a nominal filling capacity of 120 bags per hour or three tons per hour at 25 kg product size. Depending on the product being packaged, the packaging system features configurable product metering options, including vertical auger and horizontal vibratory feeder. An optional deaeration probe may be added for improved consolidation of the product if required.

Customers can choose to pack into open-mouth bags, boxes, or drums of varying sizes. Closing is configurable depending on the packaging type. Continuous heat sealing with glue reactivation or with sewing is available for open-mouth bags, whilst impulse sealing is offered for hermetic sealing of plastic packaging. The built-in height-adjustable conveyor system makes packaging changes fast and simple, whilst allowing the operator to work at an ergonomic height. The integrated control panel makes it easy to reconfigure the process to activate the new functions as needed.

Food ingredients

Powdered food ingredients that require a carefully controlled auger metering system will benefit from this option on the GEA SmartFil M1. The vertical auger design with integrated shutoff is well-proven technology that is adapted from other filling systems in the GEA range. With an optional integrated deaeration probe, this filling system will enable food ingredients manufacturers to safely and reliably fill powdered products into bags, boxes, or drums. With a continuous heat-sealing configuration, the SmartFil M1 can consistently produce finished products into 25kg open-mouth bags with either glued closure or sewn closure if required. Alternatively, the impulse sealing option is ideally matched with plastic bags that are commonly used with boxes or cartons.

Coffee and freeze-dried products

Coffee and freeze-dried products tend to be fragile or friable and therefore demand a gentler approach to filling. For these applications, a vibratory feeding solution can be employed to finely meter the product for high accuracy filling. This type of feeding solution eliminates rotating or close contact parts from the product stream, thereby reducing the risk of product breakdown.

To ensure the integrity of the finished product, these types of products are typically filled into flexible plastic bags inserted into cardboard boxes. For this application, a dust-free bag clamping system was chosen. Once filled, the neck of the plastic box liner can be easily inserted into an impulse-type sealer for hermetic sealing. The integrated height-adjustable conveyor enables simple and quick adjustment to suit the selected box/drum size, allowing the operator to work at an ergonomic height. A pivoting conveyor can be added to compensate for height adjustment when the GEA SmartFil M1 is connected to an optional integrated downline.

Dairy ingredients

Small scale dairy plants requiring a hygienic powder filling solution in a compact form can select the GEA SmartFil M1 with auger feed, deaeration (option), and continuous heat sealer with integrated fold-over. This is a cost-effective, high-quality solution for their powder packing operation. When integrated with a downline bag handling system, this cost-effective semiautomatic solution provides high-quality, accurate filling and closing of open-mouth, multi-wall bags. For aluminum foil bags, the sealing system can be changed to an impulse-type sealer as required.

Pet food

The GEA SmartFil M1 can be configured to pack granular products, such as dried pet food, into laminated paper/polypropylene sacks that require a sewn closure. The vibratory feeder provides a gentle metering option, which can be coupled with the sealer/sewing system for effective closure.

Safety first

Product safety is important to all food/pet food processing companies. The GEA SmartFil M1 is certified according to current hygiene standards. GEA integrated technology elements, which secure product safety focused on special areas of the process.

Being a semi-automatic operation, it is important that the filling system is easily accessible for cleaning. This was part of the design concept. Low height, accessible components make maintenance and cleaning operations easier, thereby minimizing potential machine downtime and lost production.

The post GEA Presents the New SmartFil M1 Powder Packaging System for Dairies, Food and Pet Food Producers appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

In March 2021, Tigercat partnered with CM Labs Simulations to develop a series of simulators that will replicate the functionality and behavior of and wheel harvesters. The wheel harvester simulator is the first to be completed.

There are many benefits in using a simulator, not only for training but also for employers to screen potential employees. Companies are able to gauge how an operator will perform and use that information when assigning tasks.

Operators can be trained on a simulator without the fear of damaging equipment, so experimenting with different techniques or trying new methods can be done safely and risk-free. Also, by training on a simulator, other equipment is not being tied up and slowing production. When operators have hands-on training using the simulator, it allows them to transition to actual machines at higher initial productivity levels, thereby lowering start-up costs.

Tigercat simulators have three screens, a motions platform, as well as all the associated Tigercat machine control software and hardware. The simulator’s software communicates directly with the Tigercat machine control software so the controls are identical to the actual machine. Any adjustments that can be made on the machine, can also be made on the simulator which helps teach operators not only motor skills but the effects of the many machine adjustments available to operators.

Tigercat simulators are equipped with an actual operator’s seat, including all control pods, the machine’s computer control system, as well as the harvesting head control system on the harvester simulator. The transition for new operators from virtual to actual is almost seamless.

Tigercat VP, cut-to-length systems, Jon Cooper explains,

“The introduction of the Tigercat simulator provides dealers with a valuable training tool that can save machine owners significant start-up costs. Using the simulator to teach operational skills in realistic environments allows the new operator to enter into a real machine with much higher productivity levels from the start. This can produce extra production income and avoid expensive machine damage.”

Source: Tigercat

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Sustainable and efficient

There are good reasons to promote the establishment of additional crops or to apply extra nutrients whilst seeding. An additional crop will suppress weed growth but not compete with the leading crop. The extra crop catches the mineral nitrogen in the soil, as well as air nitrogen when mixing with leguminous plants, transforming it into organic nitrogen. Thus, nitrogen will still be available for the next crops. Fertilizers are applied with precision to support plant growth, specifically during youth development avoiding its wash-out into groundwater

All this will be a major contribution to sustainable farming by encouraging root development, reducing the risk of erosion, and increasing biodiversity and humus content. Sustainability will protect farmers’ most valuable asset: the soil. Utmost efficiency and cost-saving are achieved by the combined application of various types of seeds and/or fertilizer all in one pass.

Wide scope of application

There is a wide scope of application and numerous possible variations for this integrated seed drill:

Already the e-drill maxi plus, as the combined grain and fertilizer model of the power harrow mounted seed drill, is equipped with a divided hopper with an adjustable ratio of 60:40, 70:30, or 100:0 and two independently working metering devices.

By integrating the a-drill, an additional extra seeder comes into play and offers a multiple choice of combinations: Two types of material are precisely deposited by the CX-II double-entry colter (2 distribution heads) on the e-drill maxi plus; whereas the third type of material is applied via the baffle plate from the integrated a-drill into the soil flow of the following harrow:

1. 3 types of material in one pass: 1 type of seed (e.g. wheat/barley) plus fertilizer in the sowing rows plus slug pellets via the following harrow
2. 3 types of material in one pass: 1 type of seed (e.g. wheat/barley) plus fertilizer in the sowing row plus 1 type of seed (e.g. clover) via the following harrow
3. 3 types of material in one pass: 2 types of seed in different sowing rows (e.g. beans & rapeseed) plus slug pellets via the following harrow
4. 3 types of material in one pass: 2 types of seed in the sowing row (e.g. beans & rye) plus 1 sort of seed (e.g. clover) via the following harrow

Flexible adjustments

The a-drill has 8 outputs which will spread the flow of seeds or fertilizer by the baffle plate uniformly into the soil flow of the following harrow over the entire working width.

The a-drill is delivered with different types of rotors: for small seeds (rape, mustard, cabbage, clover, etc.), medium rotors for seeds like vetch, grass, or sunflowers, and for large seeds (peas, horse beans, etc.) or fertilizer. The agitator placed above the rotor ensures a steady stream of seeds. A brush, located at the base of the rotor, will regulate the flow and improve the setting accuracy. Up to 8 different rotors are available for fine, medium, and large-sized seeds.

Source: Kverneland

The post Kverneland Integrates E-Drill Maxi Plus with Integrated A-Drill appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

1. The ability to swap out tooling quickly with two knock-out dowel pins
2. The capability of reaming directly from the transmitter housing
3. The elimination of starter rods and adapters in certain applications

Since the Vermeer Ultra X3 uses a robust spline connection system, tooling doesn’t have to be threaded on, eliminating the need for breakout tongs to make and break torqued tooling connections. Operators just need to align the spline on the tooling with the spline on the housing, then secure tooling by tapping in dowel pins. The system is capable of handling the torque of reaming diameters up to 10 inches (25 cm) in most conditions from the transmitter housing. Also, it’s set up to use a full offering of plate bits and rock toolings like the Vermeer Gauntlet, Lance, and single roller cone bits.

The Ultra X3 housing uses a standard API rear connection and also works with quick-connect systems like the Vermeer QuickFire HD connection system. However, Jason Zylstra, product manager for Vermeer Lifecycle products, said contractors who seldomly remove their housing may find value in skipping the expense of starter rods and collars because there is a quick connect on the bit side of the housing.

“With the Ultra X3, contractors can sub out conventional quick-connect components for a transition adapter rod, increasing operational efficiency.”

Zylstra also said that using the Ultra X3 system can help reduce the size of the exit pit in some applications.

“Since the Ultra X3 doesn’t require the housing be removed for most pullbacks, HDD crews can changeover from pilot to pullback in a smaller space. Smaller pit requirements can also help reduce restoration work,”

he explained.

The Vermeer Ultra X3 is available in three different sizes covering all HDD models rated up to the 40,000-pound (177.9-kN) drill range.

• Ultra X3 375 for HDDs in the 40,000-pound (177.9-kN) drill range — Vermeer D40x55 S3 HDD or Ditch Witch JT40 HDD
• Ultra X3 325 for HDDs in the 24,000-pound (106.8-kN) drill range — Vermeer D23x30 S3 HDD, D24x40 S3 HDD, or Ditch Witch JT30 HDD
• Ultra X3 275 for HDDs in the 10,000-pound (44.5-kN) drill range — Vermeer D10x15 S3 HDD or Ditch Witch JT10 HDD

Source: Vermeer

The post Vermeer Presents the Ultra X3 appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

“A mud pump is a crucial piece of equipment for ensuring mud rotary drilling efficiency. The feedback we’ve received from trials with this new setup has been outstanding. Crews were drilling noticeably faster than before because the system is providing a better flow of mud into the borehole, so we’ve made the new pump and engine a permanent fixture in our drill lineup,”

said Joe Haynes, president of Little Beaver.

The new pump and engine come standard on the LS200H and LS200H+ hydraulic water well drills and are an optional upgrade for the LS100 and LS200 mechanical water well drills. A 10-horsepower Yanmar L100N diesel option is also available to power the Flomax on the LS200H and LS200H+.

The new Flomax 10 pump paired with the 8-horsepower engine provides 61 psi and 200 gallons of mud flow per minute, an upgrade of nearly 20 psi, and an additional 50 gallons of flow per minute. The Flomax features a 2-by-2-inch inlet and outlet and incorporates tighter tolerances to handle the increased pressure from the larger engine. 

Haynes said the increased pressure allows the new pump setup to not only quickly fill the borehole with a column of mud to remove cuttings more efficiently during drilling but also handles thicker mud than the previous pump system. This provides crews with increased borehole stability as it replaces the dirt removed during drilling.

Lone Star Drills’ LS200H and LS200H+ water well drills are capable of drilling depths of 200 feet, borehole diameters of six inches and pull/push-back forces up to 5,000 pounds. The first drills in the Lone Star hydraulic lineup, the LS200H and LS200H+ feature 2,500- and 3,000-psi hydraulic systems respectively. Both drills can be upgraded with a down-the-hole hammer kit, anchor kit, wheel kit and more. 

The post Lone Star Drills Upgrades Two Drill Models with New Mud Pump System appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Graco announce the launch of the Pulse Level Tank Monitoring system. Choose from multiple tank-level monitoring technologies, including the first system running entirely on Wi-Fi. The Pulse Level system allows you to track tank levels, capture and apply data, and allocate inventory quickly, accurately, and confidently from the industry’s leading fluid management expert.

“Tank monitoring is not a new technology, but Graco now offers the most cost-effective long-term solution on the market. With the addition of the Pulse Level system, Graco uniquely offers marketers and end-users an end-to-end fluid management solution with components working seamlessly with each other,”

said Tyler Salminen, Product Marketing Manager for Graco’s Lubrication Equipment Division.

A tank-level monitoring (TLM) system measures the amount of fluid in a tank, giving service centers, fleet garages, mining and construction operations, and industrial manufacturing companies more visibility over inventory levels and dispensed fluids. Managers and owners can use the data to simplify procurement, improve profitability and assess the overall performance of crews and technicians. Petroleum marketers can use TLM software to gain insight into their entire operation, and whether they oversee 20 tanks or 2,000+ tanks, tank fluid levels are tracked and monitored at every location.

Compatible with LTE networks, available in Wi-Fi configurations, and incredibly easy to use, the Pulse Level system is the latest in Graco’s storied lineup of fluid management solutions. Designed with the same commitment to quality as our pumps, meters, hose reels, and other solutions, the Pulse Level system helps petroleum marketers, service centers, construction crews, and in-plant users manage fluids strategically – and reduce costs significantly – with increased visibility of their tank fluid levels.

The post Graco Introduces Pulse Level Tank Monitoring System appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

“Demand for laser marking systems is rising sharply. While packaging has to provide growing volumes of product information for end customers, it also has to ensure that products are fully traceable at all times. Applying a QR code with a laser is a solution with plenty of advantages,”

says Volker Sassmannshausen, Senior Product Manager Thermoforming at GEA in Wallau, Germany.

The GEA technology experts take an end-to-end approach to designing individual solutions. That includes overseeing everything from selecting the laser supplier and initial film test to optimally positioning the laser in the packaging line.

Lasers – the swift, sustainable solution

The complex codes can encode large amounts of data on a very small area. They can be applied to the packaging by laser at high printing speeds. The bundled light creates long-lasting markings on the top film that are impervious to external influences, including heat, abrasion, and water. As lasers don’t require consumables such as labels and ink, they have impressive sustainability credentials. Lasers are ideal as marking systems in the food and beverage packaging industry since they work just as well in dusty and moist operating environments.

Flexible laser placement

Different packaging processes require different approaches. Depending on production batch sizes, it’s possible to either mark the top film feed in advance or once it has passed through the thermoformer’s sealing station, but before the finished packaging units are cut apart.

For instance, a food industry customer opted for a laser marking system from Videojet to accompany its GEA thermoforming packaging machine. The chosen CO₂ laser solution was integrated at the GEA PowerPak system’s sealing station to print the top film before it is joined to the bottom tray. Despite the additional processing step, there is no increase in production time because labeling is accommodated within the integrated production process cycle.

Increased efficiency thanks to fewer film changes

When packaging similar products, using a laser can significantly boost machine efficiency since the only changes necessary are the ingredient lists, which can be accessed in the database. This means there is no need to switch to previously marked films in each case. Thanks to the reduced number of film changes, setup times are cut down. And that’s not all. The cost of consumables also decreases because they can be ordered in large quantities.

“Seamless interaction between components is the source of packaging machine efficiency. Given that the laser marking system and our thermoformer are engineered to be a perfect fit, they meet high throughput, quality, and product safety requirements,”

says Volker Sassmannshausen in conclusion.

The post GEA Integrates Laser Marking Systems into its Thermoforming Packaging Machines appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.