Implement & Tractor articles from March 2003

Implement & Tractor archives from March 2003

Editor's Words.(editor's comment on agreement to transfer ownership of assets from dealer (Pape Bros.) to a manufacturer (Caterpillar))(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... Change or Coincidence? A couple news items lately set me to thinking. Wondering whether each was a harbinger of change or nothing more than curious happenstance. On Feb. 5, the first item crossed my desk and caught my attention more...

The forecast is fair to partly cloudy. (Outlook 2003).
March 1, 2003... Predictions are a dangerous business. When they're correct, popular wisdom says that, "any fool could have seen it coming." When they're wrong, everyone says that, "only an idiot" could have come up with such a conclusion. As such, those...

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). (Association News).(has set its schedule of educational seminars for 2003)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has set its entire schedule of educational seminars for 2003. This year's schedule includes seminars on customer service and marketing services, plus a "mini" ag conference. The international...

The American Society of Agronomy. (Association News).(announced memorandum of understanding between association's Certified Crop Adviser Program ande USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * The American Society of Agronomy announced a memorandum of understanding between the association's Certified Crop Adviser Program and the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service that allows all certified crop advisors to be eligible to...

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). (Association News).(Harold Stratton, chairman of Consumer Product Safety Commission, to address association during annual meeting)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced that Harold Stratton, chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will address the association during their annual meeting, June 19-22, 2003 in Colorado Springs, Colo. ...

The Farm Equipment Wholesalers Association. (People).(new board of directors elected)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * The Farm Equipment Wholesalers Association has elected a new board of directors: Ed Liles, Farm Equipment Distributing, director; Bradley W. Stout, ACI Distributors, second vice president; Erik Skjaveland, Norcan Farm Equipment, first vice...

Association of Equipment Manufacturers. (People).(co-president Emmett Barker announces his departure)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Emmett Barker, co-president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and president of the Equipment Manufacturers Institute for 29 years, has announced his departure. The AEM established a college scholarship fund in the name of Emmett...

AEM. (People).(announced its new officers for 2003)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * AEM has announced its new officers for 2003: Ronald DeFeo, Terex, first vice president; Charles Stamp, Deere & Company, second vice president; Emil Kucera, MinnPar, treasurer; and Dennis Slater, AEM, secretary. Allen Rider, New Holland...

Tonutti. (People).(Chad White is vice president, sales for the US, and Joe Strain is president of S&T Distributing)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Tonutti announced that Chad White has been appointed vice president, sales for the U.S., and Joe Strain has been named president of S&T Distributing.

Maschio. (People).(Richey Equipment and its president, David Richey, awarded Maschio 2002 Best Performance Award)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Italian manufacturer Maschio announced that Richey Equipment, of White Pine, Tenn., and its president, David Richey, have been awarded the Maschio 2002 Best Performance Award.

Sparks Companies. (People).(several promotions announced)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Sparks Companies, a research, information, analysis and consulting firm specializing in agriculture, food industry, agribusiness and commodities, announced the following promotions: Ron Gietz, vice president; Juan Sacato, vice president; Mark...

AGCO. (People).(Ron Hess is president, sales and marketing, North America, and Alistair McLelland is vice president & general manager)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * AGCO announced that Ron Hess has assumed the position of president, sales and marketing, North America, and Alistair McLelland has been appointed as vice president & general manager, Ag Chem Division. Both will report to James M. Seaver,...

The Krause Corporation. (People).(Richard A. Brown promoted to president and COO and member of the board of directors, and Steven L. Krause is chairman of the board)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * The Krause Corporation announced that Richard A. Brown has been promoted to president and COO and a member of the board of directors. Steven L. Krause, former president, has taken the position of chairman of the board.

New Holland North America. (Company News).(joins with National Biodiesel Board on new recruitment campaign for businesses to join the Biodiesel Alliance)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * New Holland North America has joined with the National Biodiesel Board on a new recruitment campaign for businesses to join the Biodiesel Alliance. New Holland is sponsoring a top prize of a one-year use of a New Holland compact tractor for...

AGCO. (Company News).(to close the DeKalb, Ill, plant that currently produces Challenger tractors)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * AGCO has announced plans to close the DeKalb, Ill, plant that currently produces Challenger tractors. Production is slated to cease by late May 2003 and production will be moved to Jackson, Miss, or Hesston, Kan. sites. Production is...

Caterpillar. (Company News).(signs asset purchase agreement with its dealer in Oregon, Pape Bros.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Caterpillar has signed an asset purchase agreement with its dealer in Oregon, Pape Bros., that will transfer the assets of the dealership to the company. For more information, contact Benjamin Cordani of Caterpillar at 309-675-5786.

CNH. (Company News).(announced tentative plans to close Racine foundry operations in May 2004)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * CNH announced tentative plans to close its Racine foundry operations in May 2004. The foundry has been on the sales block since 2000. In other news, CNH recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the first Case IH MX Magnum...

Buhler Industries. (Company News).(announces marketing agreement with Landini of Italy)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Buhler Industries announced a marketing agreement between the company and Landini of Italy. Under the terms of this agreement, Buhler will build Genesis tractors for Landini, who will sell these tractors under the Landini badge throughout...

Wilson Doors. (Company News).(acquired by Scott Blue, firm's new president)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Wilson Doors, a manufacturer of vertical bi-fold and large sliding doors for aviation, marine and commercial applications has been acquired by Scott Blue, the company's new president. The company will continue their existing product lines and...

Weasler Engineering. (Company News).(Industrial Growth Partners, equity firm, and its executive management team buy the company)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Weasler Engineering has announced that Industrial Growth Partners, an equity firm, and its executive management team have bought the company. They will continue as an independent entity, manufacturing power transmission products for the...

Hayward Distributing. (Company News).(launchess e-commerce solution for its dealers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Hayward Distributing, carrying major outdoor power equipment lines, has announced the rollout of its e-commerce solution for its dealers. Dealers now have three methods to electronically process purchase orders and realtime inventory...

CNH. (Company News).(launches global used equipment locator system)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * CNH has launched a global used equipment locator system. Initially available in North America, plans include full rollout of the system by EO2003 for Case IH, New Holland and Steyr dealers around the world, with complete functionality in nine...

Reinke. (Company News).(Reinke Companies Inc. adds Columbus Irrigation, Tri-State Pump and Controls, Killebrew Irrigation to its dealership network)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Reinke, an irrigation system manufacturer, announced the addition of three new dealerships to their network. Columbus Irrigation, of Columbus, Neb., Tri-State Pump and Controls, of Pickens, S.C. and Killebrew Irrigation, of Lander, Wyo. will...

Hydrogenics Corporation. (Company News).(teams with Deere and Co. to develop commercial work vehicle)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * John Deere announced that it is working with Hydrogenics Corporation, a Canadian fuel cell manufacturer, to develop a technology demonstrator fuel cell-powered commercial work vehicle (CWV). The demonstrator will be a modified Pro-Gator...

John Deere and Bombardier. (Company News).(companies form alliance to develop utility vehicles)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * John Deere and Bombardier announced a strategic alliance to develop new wheeled utility vehicles and technologies. The first product to result from this alliance will be a line of new John Deere-branded utility vehicles derived from a...

Iron Solutions. (Company News).(reports over 2 million hits on its website)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Iron Solutions announced that during the week of January 5, 2003, their website had over two million hits and over 55,000 unique visitors, beating all previous records. To learn more, visit www.ironsolutions.com.

e-dn.com. (Company News).(e-dn.com's e-Hub technology used to send Kawasaki Motors Corp.'s power product orders)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * e-dn.com announced that 40% of Kawasaki Motors power product orders are sent electronically using edn's e-Hub technology. This growth has been achieved since the August 1, 2002 nationwide launch of Kawasaki's dealer direct program. For...

HammerBlow Towing Systems. (Company News).(acquired by TriMas Corp. )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * HammerBlow Towing Systems has been acquired by TriMas Corporation and becomes a part of the Cequent operating group. For details, visit www.hammerblow.com.

Caterpillar. (Company News).(Caterpillar Inc. will equipment engines with Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction Technology)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Caterpillar announced the recent EPA certification for the company's first engine equipped with Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction Technology (ACERT). The model certified is the C9. The company also announced that by E02003 all...

Irrigation Technology Center needed. (Irrigation News).(study finds Irrigation Technology Center is not only needed to conserve water in Texas, but to generate income to the state )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... An Irrigation Technology Center is not only needed to conserve water in Texas, but it will also generate income to the state through its activities, according to a recent study conducted by Beach Ramirez Inc. of Houston and commissioned by the...

Book on sprinkler irrigation available from University of Minnesota. (Irrigation News).('Sprinkler Irrigation Systems')(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... "Sprinkler Irrigation Systems," a book with detailed information on irrigation technology, is now available through the University of Minnesota. It was developed by MidWest Plan Service, a cooperative organization representing 12 Midwest land...

Founder of Reinke manufacturing passes away. (Irrigation News).(Richard F. Reinke, founder of Reinke Companies Inc.)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
March 1, 2003... Richard F. Reinke, founder of Reinke, a leading manufacturer of mechanized irrigation systems, passed away at age 80, Feb. 27, 2003, after a lengthy illness announced Ron Schardt, Reinke chief executive officer and chairman of the board. ...

ARS helps grape growers. (Irrigation News).(Agricultural Research Service Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... When growing grapes for premium wines, growers need to make sure that the grapes receive the optimum amount of water. Premium wine grapes are deliberately water-stressed to improve the quality of the fruit and of the wine. Agricultural...

Auction action.(auction sale data for agricultural equipment)(Illustration)
March 1, 2003... If it's two years older, how much less is it worth? The beauty of all this auction sale data I compile is that it allows you to zero in and answer questions like this with precision. So whether you are trying to establish a trade in value,...

Maintenance & repair: modern starter for older diesels.(diesel engine repair)(Column)
March 1, 2003... Do your customers ever come in with an older diesel engine that cranks hard and slow? Does it have a huge starter that you can hardly lift? Typical farm applications like this are the 6-354 Perkins engines in combines and tractors, and the Ford...

Politics in perspective: risk management made simple.(crop insurance)(Column)
March 1, 2003... I got involved in crop insurance in the 1980s. It was one of the most frustrating projects I ever tackled professionally. I became convinced that as long as the Congress kept writing disaster checks to growers, no one would buy it. In 1994...

Canada: Hockey, Fishing and Ag Manufacturing: A sizeable portion of agricultural implements comes from the "Great White North".
March 1, 2003... "Gretzky takes the puck at center ice. He slips by a defender and breaks free, feints right... AND SCORES! A beautiful back-handed flip into the net..." "I'm going to cast out... right there at the edge of those water lilies. Yes. That's a...

Kiwis present special irrigation problems to be solved.
March 1, 2003... Graeme White grows export Kiwi fruit in a picturesque valley at the foothills of the Victorian ski fields in Australia. Bud burst starts in September, when you can still see snow on Mt Buffalo some seasons, and frost is a real concern. Graeme...

Seat shock: electronically controlled tractor seat flotation.(Column)
March 1, 2003... Every farmer who ever rode a tractor seat on a rough field will appreciate this latest design in electronically controlled shock absorbers for tractor seats. The little made-up device shown here demonstrates how an electro-magnet can...

XXXIII EIMA--Bene. Molto bene: Bologna show offers much to be seen, and learned.(International Agricultural and Gardening Machinery Association meetin)
March 1, 2003... November 16-19, 2002 marked the dates for the 33rd EIMA show in Bologna, Italy, and according to Apronario Tassinari, president of UNACOMA (the national agricultural machinery manufacturers association, and sponsor of the show) this edition of...

New Case IH split-row planter; single disk drill; chisel plow. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Case IH has extended its 1200 Series Advanced Seed Meter (ASM) planter line up with new 12/23- and 16/3 1split-row configurations. The hopper size has been increased on the 1200 Series split-row with twin 40-bushel tanks now providing a...

Donahue releases Weigh-N-Haul stock trailer. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... The Donohue Corporation is now offering a new innovation in stock trailers, the Weigh-N-Haul, which offers a built-in 20,000 lb. platform scale equipped with six weight bars, electronic indicator, printer and a cable to download information to...

Torvec announces new differential, IVT. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... At its annual meeting of stockholders, Torvec, Inc. announced that they have developed a next generation differential, called Iso-Torque, that is lighter, stronger and less expensive to produce than comparable limited-slip or other...

Krause adds PpathFind'r shank. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Krause Corporation announced the introduction of the PathFind'r shank for deep tillage application with their 4830 Series in-line ripper. The PathFind'r features an exclusive pivoting design that allows the shank to deflect up to 6 degrees each...

Fuel stabilizer improves mileage, solves problems. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Dieselcraft Fluid Engineering has developed a non-additive fuel technology, the fuel stabilizer to address diesel fuel quality problems. The company says that by passing the fuel through a magnetic field, that the growth of bacteria is stopped...

Buhler introduces new commercial snow blower. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Buhler Manufacturing has introduced a new commercial snow blower for use with wheel loaders and skid steers. Available in 60-inch, 74-inch and 84-inch cutting widths, each features a load-sensing manifold that coordinates the chewing auger and...

Hydrastar actuator offers better braking. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Carlisle Industrial Brake and Friction has introduced the new Gen 5 Hydrastar electric/hydraulic trailer brake actuator that offers more control and faster stopping power than competitive and earlier Hydrastar products. There are three...

Worksaver debuts bale handler. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... The new RBH-4000 bale handler from Worksaver, Inc. handles and stacks two 4-foot by 4-foot by 8-foot large rectangular bales or three three-foot by three-foot by 8-foot bales. The unit is designed for use with tractor loaders and features five...

Yetter adds T.O.W. opener; double arm coulter. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... The Yetter T.O.W. opener is designed as a trail-behind solution for planters with limited front mounting space and for dual application set-ups. It is suitable for most types of tillage practice and can place nutrients in the root zone for...

HammerBlow adds jacks. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... HammerBlow announced the addition of three new products recently. The new Bulldog 5,000 lb. square jack offers improved side load strength and is available in topwind, sidewind, long travel and short travel options. The new Bulldog 12,000 lb....

Micro-Trak blockage monitor. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Micro-Trak Systems has introduced the new Whirlwind Blockage Monitor that monitors up to 256 seed or fertilizer tubes and notifies the user of any plugged runs or manifolds. The design allows the sensor to mount over the tube without cutting or...

Kennco introduces Micro-Combo. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... The Micro-Combo bedder and plastic mulch layer is Kennco Manufacturing's first combination implement designed for use with small tractors. The Micro-Combo can form raised beds, lay drip irrigation tape and cover the beds with plastic mulch in a...

Caterpillar unveils compact turbo. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Caterpillar Inc. has announced a turbocharged addition to the 3000 family of engines, the 3024CT. The four-cylinder Cat 3024CT offers 60 hp @ 2800 rpm and has been developed primarily for use by small construction equipment and light duty...

AGCO releases new 900 series Hesston round baler. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... The new 900 Series Round Balers from Hesston includes seven models and offer several new features to improve performance. Windguard and pickup flares are designed to reduce the effect of wind and improve material teed. A rear pivoting windguard...

Kubota adds to product line. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Kubota Tractor Corporation has introduced a new sub-compact tractor, a new B series compact tractor, a wholly new compact tractor line and new mower deck for the ZD mowers. The BX1500 sub-compact features a 15 hp 2-cylinder diesel, four...

GreenSeeker variable top dressing system debuts. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Ntech Industries has introduced a new computerized variable rate fertilizer system for wheat farmers, and the technology is being readied for use in cotton, corn, barley and soybeans as well. Developed in concert with Oklahoma State...

Durakon adds high capacity truck bed tray. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... A new 1250 lb. capacity CargoPro truck bed tray has been introduced by Durakon Industries. The new model features a 66 percent increase in capacity and is available for full-size pickups with both standard six-foot and long beds. A...

Kuhn Knight introduces new box spreader. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Kuhn Knight has introduced the model 1150 box spreader, with a 500 heaped cubic foot capacity and featuring a hydraulic drive, dual apron, and two 20-inch diameter, heavy-duty rooster-comb beaters with replaceable paddles. With this new model,...

Wilson adds steel bi-folds. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Wilson Doors, known for aluminum bi-fold and large sliding doors, has announced the addition of the Valu-Tec line of steel bi-fold doors. According to the company, Valu-Tec is the only line of steel bi-fold doors to offer an auto-lock...

F.K. Bearings offers line of studded rod ends. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... F.K. Bearings has announced the availability of an extensive line of studded rod ends. In addition to mild steel right-hand threaded studs, the company has added left-hand threads and alloy steel 4130 chromemoly studs as well. For a copy...

Telescopic forklift from sellick. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... The Tetetruk, manufactured by JCB, is the newest item in the line of Sellick Equipment Limited rough terrain and truck mounted forklifts. It features a 6000 lb. capacity and utilizes telescopic boom technology instead of a vertical mast design....

Hillco releases LT-100 lateral header tilt system. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... The LT-100 Lateral Header Tilt System from Hillco, Inc., is designed for use on John Deere combines that were not factory-equpped with Contour Master, Deere's own system. It is available to retrofit John Deere 9000, Ten and Fifty series...

Raven adds True Line Steering Assist. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Raven Industries has introduced TRUE LINE Steering Assist as the newest to the Raven Precision Solutions line up. Utilizing BEELINE steering technology and the Raven VIPER system as a user interface, the TRUE LINE combines advanced...

Torqer re-designs RollaBench. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Torqer (formerly Techno Truck) has recently redesigned, improved and expanded its line of mobile maintenance and repair benches. The RollaBench is constructed of welded steel and available with from five to 17 lockable drawers and a...

New Soil Compaction Meter. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Spectrum Technologies has introduced the SC-900 Soil Compaction Meter, a portable unit incorporating an ultrasonic depth sensor, integrated data logger with GPS compatibility and a user-friendly interface to provide instantaneous,...

Loup releases yield monitor. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Loup Electronics has announced a new combine yield monitor that will fit all makes and models of combines and features a field-proven non-contact yield sensor. The monitor features a backlit LCD with direct readouts for Bushels per Acre (both...

Lindsay debuts Hydra Inject IV. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... The GrowSmart Hydra Inject IV, a new chemical injection unit from Lindsay Manufacturing, features an innovative design that offers a wide range of application rates and scheduling for both fertigation and pH control. The Hydra Inject IV...

Tructor adds bi-directional PTO. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Tructor Vehicles LLC has announced that the Tructor T-series has incorporated a new bi-directional PTO to the units' three point hitch and PTO. Full power (40 to 50 hp) is available to both CW (clockwise) and CCW (counter clockwise) rotation,...

Swisher adds T-60 Trailmower; ZT mowers. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... Swisher's T-60 Trailmower easily attaches to an ATV or lawn tractor for the highest quality and finish. The T60 features: a triple blade for a finished cut; easy to operate blade engage/disengage controls; easy left to right offset hitch for...

Goodyear adds ag products. (Product Review).
March 1, 2003... The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced several new agricultural items at the recent dealer conference. The Goodyear SFT 105 is intended for turf applications where small utility tractors are used. It is offered in four sizes, with the...

US/Canadian tractor & combine sales.
March 1, 2003... US/Canadian Tractor & Combine Sales US UNIT RETAIL SALES-JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2003 Farm Wheel Tractors 2WD 2WD 2WD 0-40 HP ...

Events.
March 1, 2003... April 2003 8-12 Aunga Foodtec 2000 www.anugafoodtec.de 10-12 Oklahoma Farm Show www.farmprogressshow.com 15-17 National Agri-Marketing Assn. www.nama.org 24-26 3i Show www.3ishow.com June 2003 ...

European scene: tractor news dominates French SIMA show.
March 1, 2003... The French tractor market remains one of the largest in Europe. Last year, some 38,192 new tractors were sold, an increase of 7.7% over 2001's total of 35,641. With this in mind, it will come as no surprise to learn that tractors featured...