Google maps

In reviewing the article by David Hest titled “Google Maps for the Farm” in the January 2008 issue, pages 64 to 66, I am interested in knowing if it is possible to measure acres in highlighted fields when making personalized maps.

Thank you for your attention to this question. I enjoy your magazine.
Dave Birney
Washington, IA

Unfortunately, Google Maps doesn't have the ability to measure acreage. It would be a creative addition. — David Hest

Rear-mount tractor blade

I have purchased a 10-ft. rear-mount tractor blade, and I need to purchase new cutting edges for this blade. The serial number tag says it was manufactured by Allied Farm Equipment by ARPS, a division of Chromalloy in New Holstein, WI.
Daniel Henebry
Buffalo, IL

ARPS Corporation was sold and became AmerEquip Corporation, locating its manufacturing plant in Kiel, WI. However, AmerEquip sold the portion of the business in which you are interested to SMC Corporation, which was subsequently purchased by Alamo Corporation in 2001.

Contact Alamo (SMC) Group Inc., 300 E. 60th St. N., Sioux Falls, SD 57104, 605/336-3628, www.alamo-smc.com.

Bulldozer blade

I have a Caterpillar D4 tractor that has an add-on Dakota bulldozer blade. I am wondering where I can get parts for this piece of equipment. As near as I can figure out, the blade was added on about 1969 by a local equipment dealer.
Herbert Wright
Vickery, OH

According to Aaron Honeywell at Ohio CAT, Perrysburg, OH, Dakota was an aftermarket manufacturer of blades. The company went out of business in the 1970s. Ohio CAT has a used parts department. “A lot of these bulldozer blades had similar configurations, so a lot of times we can find what a customer needs,” Honeywell says.

Contact Ohio CAT at 888/339-4658. Visit the Caterpillar Web site at www.cat.com.