Skid Steer Mulching Attachment features full rotation mulching head

As part of its VMLogix(TM) line of products, Loftness introduces the Carbide Cutter G3 high-performance mulching head attachment for skid steers. This new generation product incorporates the latest cutting-tooth technologies and power drive systems, while maintaining the rugged reliability expected of Loftness equipment.

The Carbide Cutter G3 is available with 51-, 61- and 71-inch cutting widths. All models are offered with a variety of carbide-tipped and heat-treated steel teeth to match any job application. The precisely engineered spiral tooth pattern on the rotor ensures continuous tooth contact with the material being cut.

For maximum cutting performance, the Carbide Cutter G3 features a two-stage cutting chamber with staggered counter teeth and a shear bar. This combination of features results in small particle sizes, while eliminating the jamming and wrapping issues associated with competitive products. An optional primary-stage shear bar is also available for ultra-fine mulching.

The mulching heads operate at 1,700 to 2,150 RPM and feature a four-groove banded belt drive with spring-loaded tensioner. They come standard with a fixed-displacement, piston-style motor that delivers hydraulic power at 97-percent efficiency, which is much higher than traditional gear-type motors offer. The fixed-displacement motor can be upgraded to the innovative V-Drive system that includes a variable-displacement motor with load-sensing technology. Under light loads, the V-Drive system operates at maximum RPM, and as the load increases, it automatically lowers the rotor RPM to maximize torque.

The mulching head offers full rotation, thanks to specially designed hose routing. This feature also allows the unit to easily position trees with the adjustable push bar and welded claw hooks. The push bar can be used to push falling brush and trees away from the power unit, and the claw hooks can pull material into position for proper feeding. Hydraulic push bar adjustment is optional.

The Carbide Cutter G3 is also designed for maximum durability. For instance, high-strength Hardox steel is used in areas exposed to high wear. Furthermore, the Carbide Cutter G3 is equipped with a custom hydraulic control valve that protects the unit from pressure spikes, and it also stops the rotor quickly on shut-down without damaging the components.

Other standard features include an on-board pressure gauge, steel deflector chains and adjustable skid shoes. Tooth options include Standard Carbide teeth, Planer Carbide teeth and Quadco Planer Blades.

Multi-Varietal Seeder is offered in 10 ft wide model

Kasco Manufacturing recently introduced a new 10’ wide Vari-Slice seeder.  The Vari-Slice seeder is suitable for applications including new construction for worked or no-till conditions and where tight germination of grass seed is needed.  The disc angle can be adjusted quickly to move more aggressively over the ground with rugged cutting coulters to cut through roots, limbs and debris.  Other widths of 3’, 4’, 5’, 6’ and 8’ are also available. These seeders feature a unique metering system for planting a variety of a seeds such as Bermuda, alfalfa, timothy, rye and oats.  A patented, optional positive feed agitator system is also in a second box to plant native or warm season grasses.  Vari-Slice units with a standard seedbox and warm season grass box are able to plant virtually any seed variety.

New app tracks insect populations

MyTraps.com, the Web-based pest management program produced by Spensa Technologies Inc. of West Lafayette, Indiana, could help farmers and consultants track insect populations to better control crop damage caused by pests and reduce the amount of insecticides released into the environment.The tool enables growers and consultants to manage insect trap data and pesticide records on a secure website by entering data through a Web browser or smartphone app, and is available as an online subscription service through MyTraps.com. The program has been tested in the field, receiving praise from growers and advisors alike. Allan Fetters, director of technology for Simplot Grower Solutions, a full-service agricultural retail organization based in Boise, Idaho, tested MyTraps.com last year.

Pioneer Inoculant Value Calculator

Livestock producers will now be able to calculate the overall value of forage inoculants through a new, easy-to-use online tool from DuPont Pioneer. The Pioneer Inoculant Value Calculator is a calculator/product selection tool that helps producers gain a “hands-on” look at how inoculants can make a difference in their operations.  The calculator asks participants to provide ten answers to questions on the crop, storage system, feeding rates, market prices of corn and soybeans, etc., to show the economic returns of various inoculants options. In return, it provides three main “values” of an inoculant choice: 1) value from reduced shrink (dry matter recovery or preservation on the front end), 2) value of improved bunklife (aerobic stability on the back end) and 3) value of reduced feed input (feed cost savings). The program is a web-based platform accessible by computer, iPad or smartphone.

Hyper precision

Precision agriculture technologies are becoming more robust and more precise, ushering in an era of hyper precision.

The widespread adoption of RTK navigation systems is driving the hyper precision era. This has occurred as the cost of RTK navigation systems continues to fall and radio- and/or cellular-based correction networks have come online practically everywhere in the Corn Belt.
With RTK navigation in hand, precise seeding and fertilizer applications have become a reality. Manufacturers are introducing controllers, drives and shutoff systems with ever-finer resolution and the ability to apply multiple products at variable rates.

High-flex tires

Farm equipment is getting larger so farmers can cover more acres faster. But this means more weight on the vehicles, which leads to soil compaction. Soil compaction robs makes it harder for crops to grow.

To tackle this problem, tire makers are developing new tire technologies to transfer the weight across a larger area. As a result, tires today are up to 7.5 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide and have more flexible sidewalls that can withstand heavier weights than standard radials. The bigger the footprint, the tighter the pressure applied to the ground. To get a better understanding of the concept it would be like a 100-lb. woman in high-heeled shoes exerts more weight per square inch than a 200-lb. man in work boots

New Holland Hydrogen Powered Tractor

New Holland has invented an all new type of tractor. One run on hydrogen instead of the typical gas, or even more common diesel tractors. these tractors are as powerful as mid sized tractors which the only ones on display are. the first tractor is to go into service on a farm in Italy sometime in mid 2013.