Kinze Manufacturing, Inc., introduced a new Kinze 4900 planter series during a launch at their world headquarters in Williamsburg, Iowa. The new planter features a narrow transport front-fold frame design, 30-in. row spacing, and a choice of 12, 16 or 24 rows.

"We conducted extensive research with farmers and engineered a new design, which provides superior agronomic performance. We designed a new, front-folding toolbar, engineered a state-of-the-art vacuum meter with optional electric drive and created a cast iron row unit with more vertical travel," says Rhett Schildroth, product manager for Kinze. 

The new seed meter offers 99% accuracy at speeds from 2 to 8 mph. The meter is available with contact drive, hydraulic drive, and — new with the 4900 planter — electric drive. Rugged, high torque 24V motors allow for precise seed rate control by row. This means farmers will get consistent seed spacing from the inside row to the outside row — even on tight radius turns and contours. Electric drive means there are no chains, clutches, gearboxes or shafts to maintain.

Learn more: View a video with an explanation of Kinze's electric seed meter.

The new planter frame has 42 degrees of wing flex (21 degrees up, 21 degrees down) to offer superior ground contact on rolling terrain and terraces. With the new bulk fill tank design, the 16- and 24-row planters offer 120-bu. capacity while the 12-row offers 90-bu. capacity. In addition, the planter frame incorporates hydraulic weight transfer, a Kinze-exclusive feature, to minimize potential compaction and ensure that the row units provide a consistent seed depth. With up to 120 bu. of seed and 500 gal. of liquid fertilizer capacity, the 4900 planter allows farmers to continue planting for long periods of time without having to stop and refill.

Maneuverability is critical, so Kinze engineers incorporated an industry exclusive flip-axle option for the 24-row planter to reduce hitch weight and make it easy to move in and out of fields. The flip axle hydraulically swings forward for transport, reducing the hitch-to-axle distance by nearly 5 ft. for a tighter turning radius and reduced hitch weight. The toolbar has been raised to provide higher in-field clearance and to improve residue flow.

The brand-new row unit has a rugged cast iron design, providing the necessary stiffness for perfect seed placement, even in today’s toughest no-till fields. In addition, row unit vertical travel has been increased to 12 in. keeping all row units in the ground on steep slopes and terraces.

The Kinze 4900 series planters will be available for orders in May 2013 for use during the 2014 planting season. The 4900 series planter can be used for corn, soybeans, sugar beets, sunflowers and milo when planted on 30-in. rows.  Farmers can select from a variety of technology and accessory options to fit their needs. Additionally, all 4900 models feature ISOBUS compatible electronics.

For more information farmers can contact their Kinze dealer or visit Kinze.com.