AGCO Spring 2010 : Page 4

getting started AE50 awards WinningDesigns The engineering Team that designed the new AGCO Generation B DT Series high-horsepower tractors knew they had a winner when the company introduced the new 200- to 275-PTO horsepower models in 2009. Te American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) apparently agrees, since judges selected the DT Series for a 2010 AE50 award during a recent presentation at the ASABE Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference in Orlando. Sponsored by the ASABE’s Resource magazine, the awards recognize the top 50 new products produced in 2009. Te annual program is the only awards event of its kind to reward companies for developments in specific areas of agricultural, food and biological systems. Winning products are selected on their ability to save producers time, cost and labor, while solving problems and improving user safety. Among the DT Series’ features cited by the judges was the new e3 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system that converts the nitrogen oxide (NOx) gases that normally exit the exhaust into nitrogen and water, making these the cleanest tractors in the industry. Te DT Series tractors also feature a state-of-the-art Dynamic Tractor Management System coupled with a standard-equipment CVT (continuously variable transmission) to provide simple and efficient operation and maximum fuel efficiency. However, the DT Series wasn’t the only AGCO product recognized. Te judges also selected the new DynaFlex™ flexible cutterbar draper header. Te DynaFlex header is the first flexible cutterbar draper header of its kind to use independent dampened tilt arms, linked with hydraulic 4 ADVANTAGE / SPRING 2010 cylinders to an accumulator system, to provide 8 inches of cutterbar flexibility. Te DynaFlex also features a patented, balanced and timed dual-shaft sickle drive that provides as much as 400 percent more torque over belt or hydraulic drives. “At AGCO, we have a tradition of simplicity and practicality in our engineering; and we’ve blended all we’ve learned from more than three-quarters of a century of innovative crop-flow management to design, build and deliver unrivaled reliability with easy maintenance under the toughest crop conditions,” says Kevin Bien, AGCO marketing manager for combines. “Te DynaFlex header is just the latest example of this long-standing tradition of harvesting innovation; and we’re pleased that the AE50 judges, as well as our customers, recognize our accomplishments.” —Tarran E. Gaines

Getting Started

Winning Designs The engineering Team that designed the new AGCO Generation B DT Series high-horsepower tractors knew they had a winner when the company introduced the new 200- to 275-PTO horsepower models in 2009. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) apparently agrees, since judges selected the DT Series for a 2010 AE50 award during a recent presentation at the ASABE Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference in Orlando. Sponsored by the ASABE’s Resource magazine, the awards recognize the top 50 new products produced in 2009. The annual program is the only awards event of its kind to reward companies for developments in specific areas of agricultural, food and biological systems. Winning products are selected on their ability to save producers time, cost and labor, while solving problems and improving user safety. Among the DT Series’ features cited by the judges was the new e3 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system that converts the nitrogen oxide (NOx) gases that normally exit the exhaust into nitrogen and water, making these the cleanest tractors in the industry. Te DT Series tractors also feature a state-of-the-art Dynamic Tractor Management System coupled with a standard-equipment CVT (continuously variable transmission) to provide simple and efficient operation and maximum fuel efficiency. However, the DT Series wasn’t the only AGCO product recognized. The judges also selected the new DynaFlex™ flexible cutterbar draper header. The DynaFlex header is the first flexible cutterbar draper header of its kind to use independent dampened tilt arms, linked with hydraulic cylinders to an accumulator system, to provide 8 inches of cutterbar flexibility. Te DynaFlex also features a patented, balanced and timed dual-shaft sickle drive that provides as much as 400 percent more torque over belt or hydraulic drives. “At AGCO, we have a tradition of simplicity and practicality in our engineering; and we’ve blended all we’ve learned from more than three-quarters of a century of innovative crop-flow management to design, build and deliver unrivaled reliability with easy maintenance under the toughest crop conditions,” says Kevin Bien, AGCO marketing manager for combines. “Te DynaFlex header is just the latest example of this long-standing tradition of harvesting innovation; and we’re pleased that the AE50 judges, as well as our customers, recognize our accomplishments.” —Tarran E. Gaines It’s official. Row-crop tractors from AGCO and its sister lines, Massey Ferguson and Challenger, are the world’s most fuel-efficient in their class. Analysis at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory proved it. The lab—considered the gold standard in independent tractor testing organizations – showed that tractors from the AGCO DT series beat their competitors in the allimportant category of horsepower hour/gallon. Tat’s the measure used to show how much horsepower a tractor will make while using one gallon of fuel doing one hour of work. While John Deere was publicly proclaiming their leadership in the fuel economy category in ads for their Model 8430, a comparably sized AGCO DT250B model was blowing past them by a margin of at least 4% to establish a new Nebraska Tractor Test Lab record. In several categories, we topped the competition by more than 15%, meaning AGCO tractors were creating more horsepower, while both saving fuel and reducing emissions. According to Jason Hoult, AGCO marketing manager for high-horsepower tractors, one of the keys to the tractor’s economy is its new e3—Energy/Economy/ Ecology—clean-air technology. Based on a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, it is currently the most farmer-friendly approach available for meeting current Tier III and future EPA emissions standards. “Because the e3 system uses a post-combustion, after-treatment process to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions in the exhaust system, it never interferes with the performance of the engine itself,” Hoult insists. “Consequently, it stays out of the way of what the engine was built to do—provide power.” “We’ve said from the beginning that the new e3 technology not only provides the cleanest emissions, but it delivers up to 15% better fuel efficiency over the competition,” Hoult concludes. “Today, we’re proud to say that our customers and certified testing programs are proving it.” Makes Dollars and Sense It’s often said that the planter—not the combine or tractor—is the most important piece of machinery in a farmer’s inventory. And statistics seem to bear that out. While a poorly adjusted combine can be blamed for a certain amount of grain loss, harvest losses are nothing compared to the shortfall caused by a poorly adjusted planter. Research shows that 1,000 ears, or around 1,000 plants, represents about 6 to 8 bushels per acre. At $3.00 per bushel, that’s at least $18 per acre for every thousand plants lost. While some losses are attributed to poor spacing, missed plants, doubles, etc., worn or poorly adjusted groundengaging components can also play a detrimental role. Bob Nielson, production practices and precision ag specialist at Purdue University, insists farmers will see a decrease of approximately 3.4 bushels per acre for every inch increase in standard deviation of plant spacing. However, evenly-spaced plants can still be at a disadvantage if they suffer delayed emergence because of improperly maintained equipment. “At best, delayed emergers will contribute very little to yield, which means that farmers will often see an eight to 20 percent loss if 25 percent or more of the stand is two or more leaf stages behind the surrounding plants,” Nielson says. “Consequently, it’s important that producers take the time to inspect and service the planter before the start of the season, or have it serviced and adjusted by their planter dealer,” says Keith Dvorak, AGCO product performance manager for planters and pull-type mower conditioners. “One of the best things about the White Planter positive-air metering system is simplicity,” says Russ Kriha, Field Parts Manager for AGCO Parts Division. “There are no wearing parts. The only thing that makes contact is a translucent disc that runs against a set of nylon brushes. There are no cams, fingers or springs that have to be checked. If it’s clean and the brushes are in good shape and touching the seed disc, the meter is pretty much ready to go.” —Tharran E. Gaines the checklist •Look for wear on double disk openers and seed tubes. •Make sure sprocket. settings on the planter transmission are correct. •Assure the controller and monitor are calibrated on hydraulic prime.models. •Make sure the meters have all been cleaned from the previousseason. •Check for worn chains, stiff chain links and tire pressure on ground-drive units. •Lubricate all chains and grease fittings. •Check the bearings/ bushings on the parallel linkage to ensure that all row units are tracking correctly. •Make sure seed drop tubes are clean and clear of any obstructions. •Clean seed tube sensors and make sure the wiring hasn't been damaged if you are using a planter monitor. •Ensure coulters and disk openers are aligned properly. •Check the planter's depthcontrol settings to make sure they are accurate. •Make sure the closing wheels are correctly aligned. •Make sure the hitch is correctly adjusted so the row units are level. •Check metering units on fertilizer and insecticide applicators. •Make sure transport lighting is working properly and reflectors are in place. •Inspect air tubes for cracks and check the condition of hopper lid seals. •Make sure the drive and transport tires are inflated to specifications.

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