Farm Progress

Here is a peek at some new technology available for spring work.

Tom J Bechman 1, Editor, Indiana Prairie Farmer

March 25, 2017

3 Min Read
SPLIT APPLICATION: Place fertilizer on both sides of the row so roots coming out either direction can find it with this new attachment from Trail-Jet.

Where is planting technology headed? There is only one answer: toward more innovation, and at a rapid pace. Even if a new planter isn’t in your future, it doesn’t mean you can’t reap the benefits of new technology that engineers and ag specialists have developed.

One farmer reports he has a Kinze planter that came out of the factory as a finger-pickup planter. But it isn’t a finger-pickup planter anymore. A few years ago, he converted it to a vacuum planter using Precision Planting technology. This spring the planter is equipped with electric drive units, eliminating sprockets, chains and gears.

Here are four products for planting that stood out at recent farm shows. This isn’t an all-inclusive rundown. There are many other innovative products offered by other companies, as well.

Dual-application Trail-Jet fertilizer opener. One of the practices Randy Dowdy highlighted when speaking about his winning entry in the National Corn Growers Association yield contest in 2016 was placing fertilizer on both sides of the row. The Valdosta, Ga., farmer harvested 520 bushels per acre.

If you want to try a similar practice, S.I. Distributing has a product to check out. The company added a dual-application version to its Trail-Jet fertilizer delivery system (pictured above). It allows you to apply liquid fertilizer on both sides of the row, behind the row. Fertilizer is split evenly on both sides. You can apply higher total rates without burning seedlings because it is placed on both sides, not just one. Price varies from $415 to $419 per row, depending upon planter make and model. If you already have a Trail-Jet unit, add a second opener for $180 per row. Learn more at sidist.com or 800-368-7733.

Mudsmith Gauge Wheel. The name says it all. MudSmith USA introduces a gauge wheel that can be retrofitted on many existing planters that improves planting efficiency when soil conditions are wetter than you like. Ideally, the planter might still be in the barn. But in those situations when you need to run — and everybody runs into them — here is a wheel that resists plugging. A single-piece cast hub keeps wheels stable and extends bearing life. List price is $130 per wheel. Visit sidist.com, or call 800-368-7733.

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TOUGH CONDITIONS: Tired of plugging up planter units when you get into soils that are heavier than you'd like? Check out the new MudSmith Gauge Wheel.

IntelliRow complete row unit. Want to put together your own planter so you get the features you want? Shoup offers the IntelliRow R5550 row unit designed to fit directly on a toolbar. This unit can use an electric or pro planter drive. Each cast unit shank includes one-piece seed scrapers, parallel linkage with bushings and walking gauge wheels. List price is $1,459 per row. Seed and fertilizer hoppers are sold separately. Contact Shoup at shoupparts.com, or call 800-627-6137.

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CUSTOMIZE YOUR PLANTER: Build your planter from scratch with the features you want, starting with a toolbar and IntelliRow planter units.

SureDrive electric drives. You’re convinced you would love to have the convenience and efficiency of electric-drive planter units, but you can’t afford to trade your old planer. Ag Leader offers SureDrive electric drives, now in the first full year of commercial release. You can even retrofit most planters with finger-pickup mechanisms to electric drive with SureDrive, representatives say. It also provides "true compensation on turns," meaning each row plants the same rate even around turns or curves. Learn more at agleader.com.

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CONVERT TO ELECTRIC DRIVES: New technology is now within reach even for older planters. Switching to electric drives eliminates lots of chains and sprockets.
 

About the Author(s)

Tom J Bechman 1

Editor, Indiana Prairie Farmer

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