Implement & Tractor articles from July 2008

Implement & Tractor archives from July 2008

Old tractors never really die.(From the Editor)
July 1, 2008... During a recent visit to my hometown, Knox City, Texas, for a family reunion, it was fun to venture onto the graveled country roads looking for childhood memories. I was visually reminded that even the most well-kept farms likely still had...

David Bradley: agricultural forerunner to the Sears lawn and garden line.(Industry Founders Series, #108)
July 1, 2008... Sears[R] has a long history of selling lawn and garden equipment, and much of that success evolved from a line of agriculture equipment developed by David Bradley Manufacturing Works., which Sears owned from 1910 to 1966. David Bradley...

Deere enters the wind power industry.
July 1, 2008... Deere enters the wind power industry--Even without the urging of T. Boone Pickens, the U.S. is looking more seriously at wind power to reduce U.S. foreign oil dependence. The 13,000-plus registrants and 776 exhibitors at the recent 2008...

High commodity prices fuel demand for ag equipment.
July 1, 2008... High commodity prices fuel demand for ag equipment--Vahan Janjigian, Chief Investment Strategist at Forbes, says sky high commodity prices will fuel demand for agricultural equipment over the near term, as farmers are using some of their...

Tractors lead AGCO sales.
July 1, 2008... Tractors lead AGCO sales--AGCO's 2007 financial report shows tractors accounted for 68.1 percent of the annual sales. Combines generated 4.7 percent of 2007 sales, and fertilizer and chemical application equipment generated 4.3 percent. About...

Suppliers help flooded farmers.
July 1, 2008... Suppliers help flooded farmers--The recent severe weather disasters--tornadoes, floods, hail, strong winds--in the Midwest have caused millions of dollars in damages to farmsteads, livestock operations and crops in the fields. Farmers in...

Higher freight bills.
July 1, 2008... Higher freight bills--Both FedEx and UPS had recent lower-than-expected earnings, blaming high fuel prices and a sluggish U.S. economy. UPS reported a lower package volume, particularly in the higher-priced air delivery services. Reuters also...

Deere forecast lower earnings for FY2008.
July 1, 2008... Deere forecast lower earnings for FY2008--In May, Deere & Co. forecast a disappointing full-year earnings, blaming global steel prices. The company's chief financial officer said the steel prices were "racing ahead" of expectations.

CNH Global tacks on surcharge.
July 1, 2008... CNH Global tacks on surcharge--CNH Global has added a five percent surcharge to its farm equipment in an attempt to offset production and shipping prices. The company's statement said the surcharge was "in response to sharp and sustained...

Agromek moves to November, field machinery every other year.
July 1, 2008... Agromek moves to November, field machinery every other year--The Agromek exhibition of machinery and equipment for fieldwork will be held November 25-29, 2008, in Herning, Denmark. Formerly held each January, the exhibition will henceforth be...

ASABE issues new proposals.
July 1, 2008... ASABE issues new proposals--The following item has been proposed for adoption by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers: ISO 6489-3:2004, Agricultural vehicles--Mechanical connections between towed and towing...

Booming Asian business for Kubota.
July 1, 2008... Booming Asian business for Kubota--Increases in prices for agricultural products have enabled Thai farmers to buy new equipment that increased their productivity. Kubota, the market leader in Thailand, showed a 42 percent increase in tractor...

ACRE calculators help farmers evaluate new Farm Bill.
July 1, 2008... ACRE calculators help farmers evaluate new Farm Bill--Analysis by researchers at the Center for Agricultural and Rural development (CARD) at Iowa State University suggests that most U.S. farmers will find Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE)...

Unionized labor will likely continue for Deere's U.S. operations.
July 1, 2008... Unionized labor will likely continue for Deere's U.S. operations--In a recent interview with Geoff Colvin, senior editor at large for Fortune Magazine, Deere CEO Robert W. Lane was asked if manufacturing heavy equipment with a unionized labor...

Old combines become demolition derby stars.
July 1, 2008... Old combines become demolition derby stars--The new king-of-the-hill in demolition derby competitions this summer is the combine. These behemoth machines are slammed and rammed into each other until only one combine remains mobile and is...

Older workers are delaying retirement.
July 1, 2008... Older workers are delaying retirement--Older American employees used to take early retirement during previous economic turndowns, making way for younger workers to enter the labor force at a time when jobs were scarce. However, this was not the...

Engineers, machinists and skilled trade workers in demand.
July 1, 2008... Engineers, machinists and skilled trade workers in demand--The annual talent shortage survey done by Manpower, Inc., shows the 10 most difficult jobs to fill. The survey showed that engineers, machinists and skilled trade workers are the three...

Dealers can be leaders in farm safety awareness: Ag equipment dealerships are ideal venues to help promote farm safety to customers and communities.
July 1, 2008... The headlines are heartbreaking: "Boy killed after being accidentally run over by tractor" and "Man dies when tractor rolls down embankment." Both of those tragic accidents happened on two consecutive days in June 2008, less than 25 miles...

Mr. Funnel Fuel Filter.(Retail Shelves)
July 1, 2008... Harbor Freight's Mr. Funnel Fuel Filter filters out water, dirt and debris from fuel, protecting against corrosion, rust and bacteria growth. Constructed of lightweight, industrial-grade polypropylene, the filter separates out water and...

Arnco UltraLite flatproofing fill.(Retail Shelves)
July 1, 2008... Arnco's new UltraLite fill can prevent flat tires on small tractors, utility carts, and other slow-speed light-duty equipment. Designed for equipment that does not exceed intermittent speeds of 15 mph, UltraLite is a liquid polymer that is...

Innovative lighting Sidemarker lights.(Retail Shelves)
July 1, 2008... Innovative Lighting's new 209 Series 2: Round LED PCP2 Sidemarker is designed for corner mounting on trailers for high, 180-degree visibility. The light incorporates two LEDs and is rated for 50,000 hours. The sealed polycarbonate lens and...

Auction action.
July 1, 2008... Wow. That's about all I can say concerning the used farm equipment market since mid-November 2007. Like that old Buster Poindexter song from the late 1980's, "Hot, hot, hot." I haven't seen anything like it in my 19 years of tracking used...

Iron salespersons transition into Ag Equipment consultants: 2008 IAU graduates prove themselves by putting what they learn into practice during the three-year program.(Part 1 of 2)
July 1, 2008... During spring and summer of 2008, nearly 100 new Ag Equipment Consultants are being unleashed into the U.S. and Canadian marketplace, says Frank Lee, founder of International Ag University and its principal instructor. "These professionals...

Platte Valley Equipment.(About Dealers)
July 1, 2008... * Platte Valley Equipment, a John Deere dealer with stores in Freemont and Wahoo, Neb., helped sponsor the 2008 Nebraska Tractor Operators' Contest for FFA and 4-H members. The contest, held April 7 at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory,...

Purcher International.(About Dealers)
July 1, 2008... * Purcher International, a Case IH dealer in Geraldton, Western Australia, is one of two major sponsors of the Country Shire Council Annual Conference held annually in March. The dealership is recognized as an active supporter of local and...

Hogan Walker LLC.(About Dealers)
July 1, 2008... * Hogan Walker LLC, has purchased Ehlers Lawn & Recreation, the John Deere dealership in Elburn, Ill., joining the company's other Illinois stores in Somonauk, Morris, Dwight, Manteno and Watseka. The Elburn store's 17-person staff will remain,...

Vanderloop Equipment.(About Dealers)
July 1, 2008... * Vanderloop Equipment, Brillion, Wis., delivered this one-of-a-kind, commemorative edition CLAAS JAGUAR to Eugene and Curt Stoll (Stoll Brothers Farm) in Oconto Falls, Wis. The 25,000th JAGUAR 980 forage harvester, which will be used by the...

Birkey's Farm Store Inc.(About Dealers)
July 1, 2008... * Birkey's Farm Store Inc., a full-line Case IH dealer based in Rantoul, Ilk, expects to close acquisition of Hatzer & Nordstrom Equipment Inc., Annaway, Ill., on August 4. Birkey's other locations include Galesburg, Macomb, Gibson City,...

Titan Machinery Inc.(About Dealers)
July 1, 2008... * Titan Machinery Inc., the multi-store agricultural and construction equipment company that went public last year under the symbol TITN, reported a four-fold rise in first-quarter 2008 profit to $3.4 million, or 24 cents a share, up from...

Rocky Mountain Dealerships Inc.(About Dealers)
July 1, 2008... * Rocky Mountain Dealerships Inc. has acquired Roydale International Ltd., the last Case IH dealer south of Calgary not owned and operated by Rocky Mountain. Rocky Mountain's plan to purchase Miller Farm Equipment Inc., which operates a Case IH...

Taylor Equipment.(About Dealers)
July 1, 2008... * Taylor Equipment, of Taylor, Texas, was recently named a No. 1 Kubota Dealer in the U.S. Owned by Raymond and Suzanne Lenz, the dealership has been owned by the Lenz family since 1985 and carries a full line of Kubota agricultural,...

Sunshine Equipment.(About Dealers)
July 1, 2008... * Sunshine Equipment, Donaldsonville, La., has opened a new John Deere Place in Covington which was designed to appeal to customers from all sectors, not just agricultural customers. The new store--the first in Louisiana built to company...

Service Motor Company.(About Dealers)
July 1, 2008... * Service Motor Company, Green Bay, Wis., has a new endorsement agreement with Green Bay head coach, Mike McCarthy, to promote its Case IH and Kubota line. Coach McCarthy owns a Case IH Farmall 31 with an L340 loader, a Kubota RTV 900 and a...

Bahls Motor and Implement, Hastings, Minn. is now a member of the Minnesota Ag Group, a full-line Case IH dealer with other locations in Kasson, Northfield and Plainview.(About Dealers)
July 1, 2008... * Bahls Motor and Implement, Hastings, Minn. is now a member of the Minnesota Ag Group, a full-line Case IH dealer with other locations in Kasson, Northfield and Plainview. Owner/manager John Bahls says the corporation provides buying and...

Interstate Inc., John Deere dealer in Fergus Falls, Minn., plans to sell its equipment business to RDO Equipment Co. of Fargo, N.D., effective September 2008.(About Dealers)
July 1, 2008... * Interstate Inc., John Deere dealer in Fergus Falls, Minn., plans to sell its equipment business to RDO Equipment Co. of Fargo, N.D., effective September 2008. The business will continue to sell John Deere agricultural equipment and retain all...

CLAAS launches XERION 3800: the "big brother" to the XERION 3300 has up to 382 hp and a lot more versatility.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] More power, more flexibility and more intelligence is the way CLAAS describes the new XERION 3800. It can "out-haul, out-maneuver and out-match conventional tractors, according to Bob Armstrong, North American...

KIOTI CK27 Series compact tractors.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... KIOTI Tractor's CK27 Series of compact tractors comes in two models: the CK27 with a manual-synchro shuttle transmission and eight forward and eight reverse speeds, and the CK27 HST with hydrostatic transmission. The series has a powerful yet...

Land Pride Grading Scraper.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... The GS1572 Grading Scraper from Land Pride is ideal for renovating gravel driveways and roads, leveling construction and turf sites, and cleaning barns and chicken coops. The scraper comes in three widths--48", 60" and 72"--and is compatible...

Lechler IDK-T twin flat spray nozzle.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... The Lechler, Inc. IDK-T ceramic air induction twin flat spray nozzle is designed to be used alone for contact spraying and excellent coverage in dense foliage. A 120[degrees] pattern nozzle, it features two angled spray fans positioned to spray...

FarmPro GPS enhancements.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... Phase two of the FarmPRO[TM] GPS System combines sub-inch accurate RTK AutoSteer[TM] from AutoFarm with the Viper PRO display and control system from Raven Industries. The feature-rich steering and application control system is right at the...

Case IH Puma tractors autoguidance factory-ready.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... New Case IH Puma[TM] 165-210 models can now be ordered autoguidance-ready, capable of supporting all Case IH AFS AccuGuide[TM] guidance and precision farming components, in addition to Trimble and AgLeader precision farming technology. The...

CLAAS COUGAR enhancements.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... Enhanced features have been added to the CLAAS COUGAR lineup to improve drying time, mow more acres per day and increase consistency in the feed quality. The COUGAR 1400RC is equipped with a front mower conditioner, laying a wide, loose and...

Worksaver integrated-frame bale spears.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... Worksaver's integrated-frame bale spears for John Deere loader models feature an all welded frame that incorporates interfacing quick-attach brackets for the 300 through 700 series John Deere loaders. All models are equipped with durable...

Ditch Witch FX20 vacuum excavator.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... The Ditch Witch FX20 portable vacuum excavation system is ideal for cleaning out municipal valve boxes, commercial and residential debris cleanup and landscaping, exposing utility lines, posthole digging, and many other relatively small,...

Sauer-Danfoss H1 hydrostatic pump.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... The compact H1 115/130cc pump joins the lineup of H1 pumps from Sauer-Danfoss. The axial piston pumps utilize an integral electro-hydraulic servo piston assembly that controls rate and direction of hydraulic flow. The H1 family is designed for...

Pequea manure spreader.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... Pequea's Model 125 PTO and 175 PTO spreaders feature eight or 10 aggressive beaters designed for maximum application to produce a faster manure output and wide spread pattern. The spreaders are constructed with solid poly flooring that prevents...

Kuhn rotary tedders.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... This large rotary tedder, produced in Brodhead, Wis., was designed for large acreage hay producers and contractors. It comes in two models: GF 13002 and GF 17002--with working widths of 42'8" and 56'5" respectively, which allows tedding rates...

Kverneland taarup bale wrappers.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... Kverneland's 7124 tractor-mounted wrapper and the 7524 trailed model wrapper handle bales from 32" (80cm) wide and from 24-40" (60-100cm) high, and up to a maximum length of 71" (180 cm). They come with either manual (M) or computer (C)...

Bush Hog RZ160.(Product Review)
July 1, 2008... These Razorback models have Bush Hog reliability and durability at an economical price, according to the company. Their tough features include rugged three point mounted tail wheel, Bush Hog oval blade pan, fabricated re-enforced deck. quick...

The difference between farm and rural.(Op-Ed)(Reprint)
July 1, 2008... There is a new buzzword across the countryside; it is "rural lifestyle". Simply put, this refers to people who live in the country but aren't farmers. Farm folks call them "city slickers," "outsiders," or just "those people who moved here from...

Used-oil Recycling Center.(Dealer's Shop)
July 1, 2008... This Clean Burn Recycling Center is a self-contained, on-site recycling and heating system that stores and bums used oil conveniently and efficiently. The Recycling Center, shown at the bottom, works in tandem with a range of used-oil furnaces,...

Parker 836 push-lok plus hose.(Dealer's Shop)
July 1, 2008... This is a multipurpose, heat-resistant, high temperature hose with increased working pressures. It is temperature rated up to 212[degrees]F for air and 185F[degrees]F for water applications, and it carries the highest possible rating for diesel...

Stertil-Koni Skylift.(Dealer's Shop)
July 1, 2008... This new hydraulic vehicle lift was developed with a new technology, the half-scissor vehicle lift. The unit is fully certified, meeting all industry standards for security, safety and weight, and it is ALI/ETL compliant. The Skylift's...

Kansas State wins 1/4-scale tractor competition: Universite Laval, Iowa State, Kentucky, Saskatchewan round out top five in 2008 collegiate event.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kansas State University's "Powercat Pullers once again took home the top trophy in the ASABE Annual International 1/4-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition, held May 29-June 1, in Peoria, Illinois. This is...

Miller-St. Nazianz.(PEOPLE)
July 1, 2008... John W. Miller has been appointed President and CEO of Miller-St. Nazianz, St. Nazianz, Wis., replacing his father, John C. Miller, who steps into the position of Chairman of the Board. John W. Miller is the fifth generation Miller to head the...

Kristin Tilus, Marketing Communications Coordinator, and Chris Diedrich, Marketing Research Coordinator, have joined Raven Industries, Sioux Falls, S.D.(PEOPLE)
July 1, 2008... Kristin Tilus, Marketing Communications Coordinator, and Chris Diedrich, Marketing Research Coordinator, have joined Raven Industries, Sioux Falls, S.D. Tilus has responsibilities that include media relations and marketing campaigns. Diedrich's...

Textron Financial Corporation.(PEOPLE)
July 1, 2008... Jon Fliss has been named Executive Vice President, Human Resources for Textron Financial Corporation. He has most recently directed the compensation and benefits program at Textron Inc. and was previously in strategic human resources roles for...

Dana Holding Corporation.(PEOPLE)
July 1, 2008... James A. Yost has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Dana Holding Corporation, Toledo, Ohio. He most recently held the same title at Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. Previously, he spent 27 years at Ford...

Textron Financial Corporation.
July 1, 2008... Angelo Butera, recently named Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Textron Financial Corporation, will oversee ongoing portfolio quality management. He succeeds Rod Weaver, who is retiring after 31 years with the company. Troy...

Iron Planet.(PEOPLE)
July 1, 2008... Mike Groves has been promoted to senior vice president of North American sales for IronPlanet[R] online auction company for used agricultural and construction equipment. He will be responsible for the company's continued growth in the U.S.,...

Doosan Infracore International (DII).(PEOPLE)
July 1, 2008... Scott R. Nelson has been named chief executive officer of Doosan Infracore International (DII), the U.S.-based subsidiary of Doosan Infracore, global manufacturer of construction equipment. As CEO of DII, he will be responsible for all aspects...

Art's Way Manufacturing Inc.(MANUFACTURERS/SUPPLIERS)
July 1, 2008... Art's Way Manufacturing Inc., Armstrong, Iowa, was recently named one of the fastest-growing small companies in the U.S. Ranked 57th on the Fortune magazine's "Small Business 100 in 2008" list, Art's Way's first quarter 2008 showed a 12 percent...

Ag Leader Technology, Ames, Iowa, has established the Ag Leader Technology Precision Agriculture Scholarship within the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) at Iowa State University.(MANUFACTURERS/SUPPLIERS)
July 1, 2008... Ag Leader Technology, Ames, Iowa, has established the Ag Leader Technology Precision Agriculture Scholarship within the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) at Iowa State University. Five Ag Leader scholarships will be...

ZF Passau has received a Quality Award from AGCO Corp. in Brazil for quality, delivery reliability and cost management.(MANUFACTURERS/SUPPLIERS)
July 1, 2008... ZF Passau has received a Quality Award from AGCO Corp. in Brazil for quality, delivery reliability and cost management. ZF's unit in Sorocaba, Brazil, has supplied more than 16,000 driven steering axles for the AGCO's Massey Ferguson and Valtra...

Glacier Ventures International, Vancouver-based owners of several Canadian major farm publications and the Farm Business Communications website, has bought an equity state in Iron Solutions.(MANUFACTURERS/SUPPLIERS)
July 1, 2008... Glacier Ventures International, Vancouver-based owners of several Canadian major farm publications and the Farm Business Communications website, has bought an equity state in Iron Solutions, the online equipment marketing company with...

Parker Hannifin Corp.(MANUFACTURERS/SUPPLIERS)
July 1, 2008... Parker Hannifin Corp. says the market for its technology for wind turbine hydraulics is growing at 20 percent a year. The company has received a $1 million grant from the Ohio Third Frontier Advanced Energy Program to develop hydraulics for...

Titan Tire Corp.(MANUFACTURERS/SUPPLIERS)
July 1, 2008... Titan Tire Corp. is adding 10 new cure presses for radial farm tires to its tire plants to meet the growing demand for farm equipment. Titan is a subsidiary of Quincy-based Titan International Inc., which had $837.1 million in revenues in 2007....

AGCO and IronPlanet, online auction company for construction and agricultural equipment, have formed a partnership to provide AGCO's 1,200 North American dealers with a faster and more profitable channel to market and sell used equipment.(MANUFACTURERS/SUPPLIERS)
July 1, 2008... AGCO and IronPlanet, online auction company for construction and agricultural equipment, have formed a partnership to provide AGCO's 1,200 North American dealers with a faster and more profitable channel to market and sell used equipment. AGCO...

South Western Association.(MANUFACTURERS/SUPPLIERS)
July 1, 2008... The South Western Association welcomes Nicole Bloemendaal as Director of Education. Prior to this new appointment, she was Assistant Director of Admissions at Northwest Missouri State University, from which she holds a BS degree in Agriculture...

CA-40 Fuel Additive.(Retail Shelves)
July 1, 2008... CA-40 is available to dealers from A&I Products. The CA-40 Fuel Additive was developed to increase power and decrease harmful emissions, while increasing fuel efficiency. The product's unique blend of organic ingredients includes calcium, which...