A planter on tracks? That’s a new idea from White Planters that may take a little getting used to. But when AGCO executives explain the concept, it mostly makes perfect sense.

The 8936-30 is a 36-row planter with 30-inch row spacing and is equipped with 30-inch-by-67-inch rubber transport tracks plus four large gauge wheels on each wing to significantly reduce soil compaction compared to similar planters equipped with wheels.

The 8936-30 planter’s heavy-duty, durable frame is built with exceptional wing flex to ensure consistent seed depth regardless of the terrain, and it easily folds to a width of 15 feet for convenient transport, according to AGCO executives.

At the core of the White Planters 8936-30 is a durable, heavy-duty, five-section frame that folds to a transport width of just 15 feet, so moving from one field to the next is easier and more convenient.

Each wing of the planter has two sections, and each section flexes up to 21 degrees up and 21 degrees down in relation to the center section of the planter for a total of 42 degrees of flex for each half of the planter, allowing the planter to match field contours.

The rubber track transport system on the White Planters 8936-30 features 30-inch-by-67-inch rubber transport tracks positioned on the frame between the row units. This track system provides superior flotation to allow the machine to “walk” across the field.

In combination with large gauge wheels that support the wings, the track system keeps the frame and planter row units at a consistent height across the entire width of the planter for superior depth control and uniform seed placement.

The center section of the White Planters 8936-30 carries six row units, while the wings each accommodate 15 row units. In the planting position, each wing is supported by four gauge wheels equipped with 33 x 15.5-16.5, 12-ply tires. These large-footprint gauge wheels are also positioned between the row units and help minimize compaction. When the planter is folded for transport, the wings lock onto the wing support arms and the wing gauge wheels are lifted off the ground.

To keep the planter in the field and doing its job, the White Planters 8936-30 can carry 150 bushels of seed in its central fill system (CFS), which has two 75-bushel bulk-seed hoppers.

A 12-cc piston-style orbit motor on the CFS fan provides the consistent airflow necessary to distribute seed efficiently to all 36 rows. Three-section variable-rate hydraulic seed drives are controlled by a micro-processor, and the planter offers pneumatic row unit down pressure and GPS-compatible automatic row-shutoff system as standard equipment.

Finally, the machine was designed specifically to ensure the row units would accept row unit–mounted tillage coulters and residue-management attachments and granular-chemical attachments. Two optional 750-gallon liquid fertilizer tanks also can be mounted on the planter for the application of liquid fertilizer.

For more information on the White Planters Model 8936-30, see http://www.agcocorp.com/products/white_planters.aspx.