Farm Futures logo

Equipment makers roll out bigger machines, improved tenders and other tools to make planting more efficient.

October 13, 2007

5 Min Read

With rising interest in corn acres, new planters got their share of attention at the farm shows. We've rounded up several planting-related products to put to work on your farm.

Cover the territory


The newest Great Plains Yield-Pro planter will cover the territory. The center-fill model YP-2425 is available in 15-, 20-, 30-inch and twin-row spacing and features the Great Plains row units. You can choose between two 82-bushel bulk poly hoppers or two seed company bulk seed boxes for the fill system. With its 164-bushel capacity, the machine can plant up to 160 acres of soybeans or 250 acres of corn in a single fill. An optional 2,000-gallon fertilizer cart is available. For more information, contact Great Plains Manufacturing, Salina, Kan., (785) 823-3276 or visit www.greatplainsmfg.com.

Boost seeding precision


Dropping the seed from hopper into the soil is an important part of getting a quality, even crop stand. And seed companies are learning that even little changes in the trip that seed makes down the chute into the soil can cause trouble. Great Plains has developed this new smooth seed-tube design that allows meters to read seed transit without the need to cut a slot for the sensor. This new drop tube has been tested and every color but carbon black allows sensors to read through the material. Cost is $9 per row unit. . For more information, contact Great Plains Manufacturing, Salina, Kan., (785) 823-3276 or visit www.greatplainsmfg.com.

Control that seeding rate


Controlling your seeding rate is easier with the new ProPlant automatic seed rate controller from Micro-Trak Systems. the unit allows free three user-programmable pre-set seed rates, you can adjust the rate on-the-go and a controller can run up to three drives at a time. There's less than 3 gallons of hydraulic flow required per planter section and the machine works with as-applied maps. There's even a wireless remote control for easier one-person calibration. For more information, contact Micro-Trak Systems, Eagle Lake, Minn., (800) 328-9613, or visit www.micro-trak.com.

Hands-free speed adjustment


The ADS Bulk Seed Buggy is a popular machine for filling planter hoppers from bulk seed systems. A challenge has always been adjusting the flow speed of the machine during operation. Now thanks to a wireless control, a simple car-like remote button fob allows you to change the machines operation. The system is now standard on the Bulk Seed Buggy. For more information, contact Ag Dryer Services, Elm Creek, Neb., (800) 657-2184, or visit www.agdryer.com.

Move seed to the planter faster


Unverferth's new Seed Runner is designed to make handling bulk seed simple, in fact, it even fills itself. The model 3750 has a 375 seed unit capacity (300 bushels), the 2750 will hold 275 units (275 bushels). Steep sloping sides help assure that material flows out quickly too. The machine has several standard features including an easy-to-move auger that makes filling faster. Suggested list price is $17,775 with on-board scales and $14,775 without the scale. For more information, contact Unverferth Mfg., Kalida, Ohio, (800) 322-6301, or visit www.unverferth.com.

Smaller seed machine available


Clarks Ag Supply, maker of the EasiLoad seed loading system is now offering a two-box machine smaller operators can use for their farms. The machine has a low-profile design for better stability. It features an 18-foot auger height for central fill planters. A plastic Lundell cup auger helps reduce seed damage during transport. And power comes from a 5.5 horsepower Honda engine. For more information, contact Clarks Ag Supply, Clarks, Neb., (866) 246-2588, or visit www.clarksagsupply.com.

Tackle crop residues


As planters get a bigger roll in seedbed preparation, companies are stepping up with new tools for the job. The new Crumbler from Martin is a spading/closing wheel with more teeth than the company's round-point SCW75B4D. The Crumbler has 21 teeth and features a more aggressive profile. Cost is $76.50 per row. For more information, contact Martin Industries LLC, Elkton, Ky., (80) 366-5817, or visit www.martinandcompany.com.

High-productivity planter


Case IH launches a new 24-row unit aimed at boosting acres covered per day, while offering transporting ease. The new Early Riser 1250 planter folds to just 11 feet, 11 inches for transport. The machine uses the company's popular Early Riser planter units with the Advanced Seed Meter, which the company claims offers improved germination and an improve growth environment. The center-fill design, long a popular feature of Case IH planters, has 120-bushel total capacity. For more information, contact your local Case IH dealer, or visit www.caseih.com.

New fertilizer system


Krause Corporation is adding a new feature to the 5200 Series Grain Drills. A new fertilizer option provides a stainless steel tank floor and a standard 60% grain/40% fertilizer split. An optional reversible tank divider is available to adjust the split from 65/35 to 50/50, providing users increased flexibility. A range of transmission speed combinations are also available to fine-tune fertilizer application rates. Cost of the option for 10-, 13-, 15-, and 20-foot drills is $3,000 to $4,000. For more information, contact Krause Corporation, Hutchinson, Kan., (800) 957-2873, or visit www.krauseco.com.

Compact seed meters


Precision Planting now offers meters its Pro style meter for Deere CCS planters. The compact hoppers are located in a different position, which the company says improves seed precision. Combined with the Precision Planter vac disks the planter system is said to improve placement accuracy - a key issue for many corn planters. The system even helps with planting accuracy on slopes. Price is $120 per row unit and includes the new hopper, but uses the original row housing. For more information, contact Precision Planting, Tremont, Ill., (309) 925-9050, or visit www.precisionplanting.com.

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like