For growers who demand more flexibility and maneuverability during planting, Case IH is expanding its lineup of Early Riser 1250 planters.

New offerings include 12- and 16-row, front fold Early Riser planters available in a wide variety of configurations. Producers can spec their planter with the latest high-end precision farming features or as a basic value version or somewhere in between.

“These new models are the hard-working little brothers of the Case IH Early Riser 1250 24-row front-fold planter we introduced in 2007,” says Alan Forbes, Case IH marketing manager for planters. And just like the 24-row 1250, the new 12- and 16-row units have an exceptionally narrow transport width of only 11 feet, 11 inches. “That width allows outstanding maneuverability during transport, even on the narrowest country roads,” says Forbes.

“These new planters also offer great flexibility, with a wing flex of 21 degrees up and 21 degrees down, for excellent performance on hilly grounds and heavily terraced areas,” Forbes adds. “In addition, they come equipped with our industry-exclusive Early Riser row units, which provide superior seed-to-soil contact, for earlier, more even emergence.”

Another industry exclusive on all Early Riser planters: the Case IH Advanced Seed Metering system.

This highly advanced vacuum metering system features a larger diameter seed disk, providing unmatched accuracy over a wider range of seed sizes, regardless of seed type — large, small, flat or round — even at faster than normal speeds.

“This set-up is the best of both worlds,” Forbes says. “Growers get the best row unit, which gets the crop out of the ground early and even.

“And the best metering system for consistent seed placement, spacing and superior depth control — all of which leads to higher yield potential.”

On the new 12-row and 16-row Early Riser planters, growers can choose either on-row or bulk-fill seed hoppers. The large-capacity bulk fill option — a Case IH innovation that has become an industry standard — features two 50-bushel hoppers for hours of in-field operation between refills.

An optional 600-gallon liquid fertilizer tank is available on the 16-row model, while the 12-row planter has an optional 400-gallon capacity tank when equipped with 1.9 bushel on-row seed hoppers.

Growers also can choose from a mechanical or hydraulic transmission, with an advanced AFS Pro 600 touch screen display or a basic Early Riser IV monitor.

“Whether you want advanced technological features for prescription farming or a planter with just the essentials, the new 1250 Early Riser planters fit the bill,” Forbes says.

For more information, call 1-877-4CASEIH or visit the World Wide Web at http://www.caseih.com.