Central Illinois Ag Live.Work.Grow. Volume 6 Issue 1 by Central Illinois Ag

Live.Work.Grow. Volume 6 Issue 1

In This Issue: ▶ Tracks vs. Tires ▶ Product Reviews ▶ Remembering Dallas Kaufman

BONUS: Words of Advice from Richard E. Schmidt 3rd Generation of Central Illinois Ag

www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

I am excited to release our latest magazine. This issue marks our sixth year for our publication! We are always so excited to share what’s happening within our dealership and the industry. If you’ve ever got topics you’d like to include contact me and we’d be happy to share!

Abby C oMersar ket ing

Gail L. Nunnery

David W. Irwin

Vice President Trust Officer

Vice President Farm Manager

acoers@centralilag.com Abby Coers Dick Schmidt, and Kara Schmidt, January 2019

I greatly appreciate everyone who let me join them in the fields this harvest season. My experience here at CIA has taught me so much and I couldn’t have been involved Cali Mandrell, Fall 2018 in a better company. Enjoy!

C al i Mandrel l

Steve Schmidt Michael Schmidt Brian Reeser Tim Evans Abby Coers

Chief Executive Officer President

Michael Turner Farm Manager Loan Officer

▲ Trust Services ▲ Farm Management ▲ Investment Management ▲ Retirement Accounts ▲ Estate Settlement

▲ Farm Operating Loans ▲ Farm Real Estate Loans ▲ Equipment Loans ▲ Leasing

Vice President Chief Financial Officer Marketing Coordinator

in this issue

A Note from Beginning in 1880 Michael Schmidt, President The History of Geringhoff Richard E. Schmidt History & Wisdom

The Beginning of Co-Ownership // Ag Direct

Blue Vantage Planter Dispay // Kinze

“You Can’t Change Yesterday, but You Can Always Make Tomorrow.” Journey of a Miracle

On the Right Trac Why a Magnum Rowtrac?

AFS Soil Command

Ecolo-Tiger 875 Review

LSW vs. Tracks

Favorite Features // MacDon

m 1 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

An Inside Look at Case IH National Training Helping Families Through Sales

Takeuchi Building Dreams

Maximizing the Life of your Takeuchi Undercarriage

Remembering Dallas Kaufman

Atlanta 200 Sharon St. Atlanta, IL 61723 (800) 762-2325

Steve Schmidt Atlanta, IL (217) 737-7445

Locations

Clinton 1000 State Route 10 E. Clinton, IL 61727 (800) 362-3866

Farmer City 792 U.S. Hwy 150 E. Farmer City, IL 61842 (800) 334-8942

sales team

Mason City 130 Tonica St. Mason City, IL 62664 (217) 482-9760

John Coers New Holland, IL (217) 737-5674

Brad Kovack Heyworth, IL (217) 827-7571

Michael Schmidt Lincoln, IL (217) 737-8669

Austin Coers New Holland, IL (217) 454-1358

Doug Franzen Farmer City, IL (309) 275-8556

Brian Reeser Clinton, IL (217) 519-4341

Matt Barling Danvers, IL (309) 530-3530

Corbin Richardson Champaign, IL (217) 552-5997

Joe Fisher Petersburg, IL (217) 303-1754

Michael Wheet Heyworth, IL (309) 613-0556

www.centralilag.com Âˇ Volume 6 Issue 1

Connect with us for 24/7 Support! Free for farmers Easily connect with our Experts We can see what you see

How to Get Started Download AgriSync for free Available at the App Store or Google Play

Invite your Trusted Advisors Add service, parts, and AFS teams to your network

Connect with our team of experts on your tablet or smartphone so you have the app ready to go before you need service. This technology gets your questions answered quickly at no cost to you 24/7.

m 3 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

For more information about AgriSync, visit agrisync.com/farmers

a note from michael

about the difference in efficiency between a Quadtrac to LSW tires. Since we sell both products it was in our greatest interest to test the two and determine which would be best for different operations and conditions. See more about our LSW vs. Tracks demo on page 15.

Photo: Some of the Central Illinois Ag team members in 2018

At Central Illinois Ag, we pride ourselves in working as a team and treating our customers like family.

We also offer service 24/7 through the AgriSync app. This is extremely helpful during season when you need to reach our team immediately. See page 3 for more information.

It is, and always has been, in our best interest to help your operation become more efficient. We thank you As I grew up working alongside my dad, Steve, and for trusting Central Illinois Ag to stand by your family, grandfather, Richard (Dick), it was second nature to your farm, and your equipment. work hard, do what is promised, and always help others. We are always looking for ways to improve, and with As you walk through any of our locations, we strive to your feedback we, as a team, can make that possible. make every step feel welcome from speaking with our secretaries to asking our service managers questions, Have a safe spring and please let us know how we can and every point of contact in between. The family help! business is just that... a family business where you are part of the family. It’s important for us to work beside you and ensure your operation has the best equipment for your needs. Because of that we take many opportunities to attend events and then bring that knowledge back to your farm.

Michael Schmidt

Michael Schmidt mschmidt@centralilag.com President, Central Illinois Ag

Our sales and service teams attended the National Case IH Training Event in Phoenix, Arizona to learn more @MPSchmidtAg and be able to fully understand the current and newly released products. I’m excited about the new technology Photo: The Schmidt Family in January 2019 David, Collin, Kara, Michael (5th Gen), Dick (3rd Gen), Steve that will become available this year. (4th Gen), Dana Scheller, Front Row: Owen and Alec.

As we increased our promotion of tillage products this year, it was imperative to us that we make sure you were able to see first-hand through product demonstrations how something worked in different conditions before purchasing. You can learn more about a Degelman ProTill demo on page 8. Through feedback and questions we frequently recieve, we also test different concepts to see for ourselves what works better. This year we recieved a lot of questions

www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

“The most important thing is to be honest with everybody.”

m 5 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

HISTORY & WISDOM FROM RICHARD E. SCHMIDT Richard E. Schmidt, third generation of Central Illinois Ag, shares his story and gives advice for the future.

“Do what you want to do and do it good. That’s the main thing.”

plow shears. He learned by watching and practicing. He emphasizes that you must do what you enjoy, what strikes your interest. “I can’t imagine going to a job that I hated,” he said.

enjoyed meeting the milkman and horse so he could ride along for a couple blocks. One day, the horse needed new shoes and was taken to the shop. While Paul was nailing on the shoe, the horse kicked and the nail went straight through his hand. Dick quotes his father saying “this will be the last horse that walks in this shop.” That was the last time Dick saw a horse in the shop.

ince the day Richard (Dick) E. Schmidt was born in 1928 the family business has been his passion. He began his career working long hours at his father Paul A. Schmidt’s blacksmith shop in Atlanta, IL. Since then he has seen many changes within the industry. Dick recalls his favorite memories within the Photo: Richard Schmidt in front of Dick started working full-time at the blacksmith and now ag equipment age of 19 after attending college for a the blacksmith shop. business. year and serving in the military. His father paid him 40 cents an hour Central Illinois Ag (current Paul would also share stories with before he was married and 50 cents name) began in 1898 when Dick’s Dick as they spent time together in an hour after he was married. grandfather, Richard Schmidt, the shop. Something Dick will never opened the blacksmith shop. It forget is when times were tough, The blacksmith shop faded as the continues today with his grandson his dad would share stories about equipment got rubber tires, which Michael P. Schmidt owning and the depression. In the 1930’s when is how the shop evolved into an ag people did not have a lot of money operating the family business. equipment business. He remembers they would take in a cow, horse, expanding when they hired the first Just like any kid, Dick would ride his cottage cheese, or even a bottle of employee in 1946. Dick recalls the bike around town and to the shop. cream on barter. In 1933 Paul only rubber tires as a new invention. He still to this day values his time as earned $1,500 in cash. “This changed the whole industry he knows helping and watching dad because they go faster, better led him to learn how to work hard, Paul was also a farrier (an individual traction. Everything is better with treat customers, and the knowledge who created horseshoes). Each day rubber over steel.” of the business. Specifically he the milk was delivered to the house (continue on next page) would watch as Paul hammered out with a horse and a milk wagon. Dick

www.centralilag.com www.centralilag.com· ·Volume Volume56Issue Issue21

One of the lines the family business sold was New Idea Farm Equipment, which included corn pickers, balers, hay tools, etc. Dick obtained a contract with Pioneer Seed in South Florida where he successfully sold 2-3 train car loads of the bigger units.

Treating your customers correctly through quality service is the name of the game. “Whoever gives the best service will get the good business,” said Dick. “Employees are the business. Not me, employees.” You have to have good employees to allow the family business to continue. The business over time has changed and improved, and it shows each year.

At that time Case began building really great equipment and Dick was asked to be on the Case Dealer Counsel. Here, he got to know the management of the company and began to further expand Schmidt Implement, now When the lawn mower came out, Dick mowed the lawn at the shop by the interestate, burnt the papers, known as Central Illinois Ag. and cleaned the toilets. When you own a little business, “By historical standards it’s amazing a family that a you do it all yourself. Owning your family business is family has stayed together this long in a business,” said something to be proud of. Dick, “usually by the third generation they are gone,” “I’m still interested in the business. Always will be.” Dick took on many jobs whle standing beside the family business: he was a school bus driver, drove a milk route, Dick also studied at the University of Illinois in Urbanadid custom tillage work, and helped farmers. During Champaign for a year before serving our country in the those days he said they didn’t have much money, but United States Army. He served in the Korean War as a they didn’t want much money. “Dad would say he just Combat Engineer and Recon Sergeant in the 7th Division. wanted his house, a car to drive, a family..that’s all I want. You make a living when times are tough, that’s all 1970 - Schmidt Implement Co. was formed by Paul that matters.” A. Schmidt 1988 - 3rd Generation Steve Schmidt came together When times were tough Dick talked to the technicians with Bill Marcotte to become Schmidt-Marcotte Inc. to go to a 5-day week to work out issues. The family 1992 - Schmidt-Marcotte Inc. joined forces with business is all about working with your employees to Evans Implement figure out issues. Being the boss is the best thing and 2001 - Schmidt-Marcotte Inc. and George H. Dunn the worst thing, but in the family business it’s very Inc. merged to create Central Illinois Ag rewarding. Photo: The Schmidt Family in January 2019. Left to Right: David, Collin, Kara, Michael, Dick, Steve, Dana Scheller. Front: Owen and Alec

Richard Schmidt 1st Generation Paul A. Schmidt 2nd Generation Richard E. Schmidt 3rd Generation Steve P. Schmidt 4th Generation Michael P. Schmidt 5th Generation

m 7 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

David, Collin, Alec, Owen 6th Generation

The fastest and most versatile piece of tillage equipment you will ever own, the Degelman Pro-Till® shreds heavy fall residue, opens up spring elds, levels ruts, destroys clods and produces an absolutely perfect seed bed. Pro-Till® is your single tool for tillage.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

Evan Leeper and his father Tom from Decatur, IL are co-owners of Leeper Family Farms, LLC. The farm has been in the family since 1845.

The beginning of co-ownership

s family farms continue and the next generation begins to take on more responsibilities, a lot of families question how it’s all going to work. Leeper Family Farms, LLC in Decatur, IL have planned for years was the next generation will become more involved and eventually be the primary decision maker.

financial responsibility.

“Mom and Dad taught my siblings and I the value of a dollar at a young age - it’s something you can’t teach in school,” said Evan. “While a lot of peers are spending money, I always enjoyed investing for future needs. No one teaches money management in school. My parents taught me Leeper Family Farms, LLC is a to be responsible and make good family farming operation that has purchases.” been passed down for generations so it’s nothing out of the ordinary to At the young age of 22, Evan took involve their children while in the his first loan out on a piece of field or working on equipment. Tom equipment. After doing financial Leeper encouraged his son, Evan, to research, Evan purchased a Case IH begin driving the tractor and wagon Maaxxum 125 with a loader to mow when he was only 12 years old. This and bale. was only the beginning of his future career on the family farm. With the help of his salesman at Central Illinois Ag, Evan chose Being involved in the field as a AgDirect as his lender. He recalls family was, and still is, valuable the paperwork being extremely to the Leeper family. Another easy to setup his account, especially successful business trait that is as a first-time borrower. AgDirect sometimes hard to talk about is continues to make it simple even

m 9 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

after setup and while each payment is due.

“AgDirect gives comfort and security,” said Evan. Along with farming, Evan also proudly serves our country as a Sergeant in the Illinois Army National Guard Infantry.

Evan working ground in October 2018

Celebrating 20 years of simple, fast and flexible financing.

Thank you for making AgDirect® one of the fastest growing equipment lenders in the U.S. Twenty years ago, we saw the need for equipment financing that matched the demands of a changing agriculture – financing that truly understood the growing needs of farmers and ranchers. Today, no matter how you want to buy equipment – at dealers, auctions or private party sales – AgDirect® can finance it. For attractive rates and the most ag-friendly terms in the business, ask for AgDirect. Thank you for 20 years of growth and success.

i l l i n o i s

www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

Blue Vantage

Planter Display

ith every acre that is planted, each seed is personal. The all new Blue Vantage planter display made by Kinze is intuitive and easy to use. With optimized planting precision, the 12â&#x20AC;? touchscreen display allows the operator to plant with just three clicks. By accurately showcasing row-by-row data, the Blue Vantage planting monitor becomes a reliable and personalized tool while planting. The comprehensive diagnostic screen alerts the operator prior to a problem arising. The amount of analytical data that develops each second could possibly be missed and cause excessive DownForce, changes in seed population and spacing. By providing high-speed Ethernet communication, critical planting parameters and controls are quickly customized to the variation in terrain, ground speed, curve compensations, and more. When transferring data in real-time, monitoring planting production becomes an easy and brief task. The quick disconnect tablet dock and USB ports on the Blue Vantage can be easily transferred in and out once planting season has been completed.

Blue DriveTM Electric Drive System For a system that was designed by Kinze for Kinze, having one central high-speed connection that relays information is vital to a cohesive and efficient operation. With the seamless integration between the Blue Vantage display and Blue Drive module, peak operating level will be achieved with a single touch of a button. The Blue Drive system delivers a detailed communication between each component on the planter at all times. Every row unit is displayed with the highest amount of data information so that adjustments can be made promptly. The systems hardware and design will adequately articulate corrections row-by-row.

An intuitive, comprehensive, high-speed, and easy to use planter display made by Kinze personalizes what means so personal to you. Kinze Technology; innovation for the future that can be used today.

m 11 Âˇ Central Illinois Ag Âˇ www.centralilag.com

HYBRID-HORIZONTAL TILLAGE TOOL KINZE.COM

KINZE MACH TILL • Ultra-versatile — use for fall residue management and spring seedbed prep • 8 to 12 mph — cover more acres per hour • Four sizes available: 20', 26', 33' and 40'

Dealership Name Street Address City, ST Zip Code (555) 555-5555 www.dealershipwebsite.com

Dealership Name

PRECISION IS PERSONAL

T H E P L A N T E R T H AT REVOLUTIONIZED PRODUCTIVITY KINZE.COM

Street Address City, ST Zip Code (555) 555-5555 www.dealershipwebsite.com

3600 PLANTER • Industry-first lift-and rotate frame—quick, narrow transport • Split row option for better residue flow • Simple to operate

Dealership Name Street Address City, ST Zip Code 555-5555 www.centralilag.com(555) · Volume 6 Issue 1

www.dealershipwebsite.com

lsw vs. tracks do the work. We maintained a steady speed between 6.2-7.0 mph and power between 100-106% on both machines.

Case IH, Goodyear Farm Tires, and Central Illinois Ag came together to test Tracks vs. LSW Tires in Cisco, IL during Fall 2018.

hat’s better... tracks or tires? We put a Steiger 580 Quadtrac and Steiger 580 with LSW 1400’s to the test! Both Steiger 580s pulled a Case IH Ecolo-Tiger 875 which we, along with experts from Case IH, calibrated for roughly an hour to ensure accuracy in this test. A few things we made sure to monitor were the fuel efficiency between the two machines, our speed using the APM (automatic productivity management), ride comfort, and percent slip. By using the APM, this essentially took the driver out of the test so the tractors

"Both tractors were ballasted around 59K-60K. Operating fuel consumption on both was 23 to 30 gph. Slip on the 1400's were 0 to 8%, tracks 0 to 6% . Power on both most The tractors made several the time 100–106%. At the end of passes through the field, while the day, I would consider it a draw. switching operators and allowing The 1400s won in the cool factor representatives from Case IH and category." says Scott. Goodyear Tires to ride in both machines. Chad Colby of Colby Ag Tech says he believes “LSW tires provided him We quickly realized that the with a good ride and traction during Quadtrac seemed to pull away this demo and they performed slightly from the wheeled machine much like he imagined.” at about the same time during every pass. Off the line, they were head to The tracks have become very well head staying very consistent. known around the country in the last 20-25 years. They are known However, it seemed that the tracks to tie the power to the ground like covered more ground, holding a a set of 800 duals would. However, larger footprint which allowed it to running 800 duals on a tractor, stay roughly a tractor length ahead leaving you roughly 18-20 feet wide of the wheeled machine. on those country roads really just isn't practical. Scott Sloan, Ag Product Manager/ Global LSW Titan/Goodyear Farm We were very happy with the Tires was on site and helped in the results of this demo. It was a unique setup. He expected these results. experience to see both machines go head-to-head.

m 13 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

REDUCED SOIL COMPACTION

up to 40% lower inflation pressures

REDUCED POWER HOP AND ROAD LOPE

STUBBLE-RESISTANT

compounding backed by warranty

IMPROVED TRACTION

with stability that provides more power to the ground

FIELD TECH SUPPORT

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90-DAY GUARANTEE allows for return and refund if not satisfied

AMERICAN-OWNED, ENGINEERED, MANUFACTURED

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG DEALER FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.centralilag.com 1 (800) 872-2327 | www.titan-intl.com TITAN MOVES THE WORLD

· Volume 6 Issue 1

m 15 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

favorite features of a macdon F

or the last six years, Dave Uhlman of Tremont, IL has been using a MacDon draper head. The performance of this draper head continues to impress Dave each day during harvest. “This head has held up very well. We really enjoy the even feeding this heads bring to the table,” Dave said. “The feeding of this head always meets the capacity of our combine and comparing that to what we used before, that is a huge feature for us.” The ability to tip the head forward and back is one of their favorite features. They farm some rolling ground so having the float feature helps to eliminate the operator stress out of it.

Their 42-year-old operation includes me a purchase opportunity that Dave, his brother Robert, and Dave’s would not fit into the size and scope son Nick. of my operation. He goes the extra mile,” said Dave. Throughout the Tremont area, they farm roughly 1600 acres including Dallas Kaufman unexpectedly Corn, soybeans, wheat, and even passed away one week after visiting pumpkins to deliver to Libby’s in the Uhlman farm and interviewing Morton, IL. In addition to their row Dave. Read more about the impact crops, they also raise and finish beef Dallas Kaufman left on each of us on cattle. page 36. For as long as Dave can remember, they have always used Case IH equipment on their farms. “Dallas Kaufman (Central IL Ag) has been my salesman for the past 30 years. He is the type of salesman that gets to know his customers. I Photo: Dallas Kaufman helps Dave Uhlman can’t think of a time Dallas offered put concaves in the combine October 2018.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

beginning in 1880...

eringhoff is well-known for their state-of-the art cornheads, many ‘firsts’ to the industry, and leading harvest with innovations. This all began when Carl Geringhoff developed his first threshing and grain drying machine in 1880.

Headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, this familyowned company is always creating waves as technology and food demand increases. All 30’’ Geringhoff heads are built in the United States. Geringhoff currently produces five heads for use in corn, soybeans, and wheat: Northstar, Rota Disc, Patriot, Horizon, and the Freedom cornhead. While each head is known for their various features, the Horizon is best known for the development in 1964 as the world’s first chopping cornhead. As the Geringhoff website states, this head is the ‘quietest, smoothest running head in the industry.’

Advertisements for the Geringhoff Threshing and Drying Machine After the first combine was built in 1911, many inventions soon arrived in harvesting technology. From 1923-1940 The Sunshine Auto Header, Gleaner Manufacturing Company, and Massey-Harris all were quick to hit the industry with self-propelled wheat harvesters. Blades on a Horizon Chopping Head In 1956, the first single row harvester was introduced by Geringhoff. A couple of years later the single row header Geringhoff cornheads are built up to 18 rows (24 rows was mounted on a utility vehicle with a shelling system. folding), and any row spacing to fit the needs of your operation. In 1962, Geringhoff and Daimler Benz introduced the first self-propelled harvester exclusively for corn. Since As development continues within Geringhoff, helping then, Geringhoff heads have offered chopping blades, your family operation will continue to be a number one lower horsepower demand, faster speeds, overall more priority for the family-owned company. efficiency.

m The first Geringhoff Cornhead

17 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Photos from Geringhoff.com

Welcome to the Dark Side

Midnight Harvest - More than just a cool color Midnight Harvest looks great with all combine colors, and sets your head apart from the rest. • • • •

An accent color for all combine makes Increased resale value Parts commonality Better visibility after dark with included LED lighting package

www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

www.geringhoff.com

“You can’t change yesterday, but you can always make tomorrow.” bob johnson, atlanta, il

Photo: Bob Johnson (father), Robbie Johnson (brother), Pat Johnson (mother), and Tad Johnson.

m 1919 ·· Central Central Illinois Illinois Ag Ag ·· www.centralilag.com www.centralilag.com

ad Johnson, the son of Bob and Pat Johnson has been farming alongside his family from the time he was 10 years old. Always involved in his family’s operation, he found his passion was in the field doing his part. Bob, Tad’s father, worked full-time as an engineer at Caterpillar so the kids always shared the farming duties especially in the summer while off from school.

Using the hydraulic system from the combine, Bob was able to hoist to lift Tad into the combine driver seat. One thing Tad had prayed to do again has finally happened and this brought so much happiness to his life.

The amount of support you will find in the agricultural community is tremendous. Tad has In June 2017, Tad was in an automobile accident near talked about the ways his community has pulled Heyworth. He was rescued by ambulance and taken to together to help him and how thankful he is for that. the nearest hospital where they discovered his spinal cord was severely bruised and his neck was possibly Bob, Tad, and the rest of the family have such a broken. positive outlook. “You can’t fix yesterday, but you can always make tomorrow,” Bob believes. Tad and his family were devastated to find out that he was now paralyzed from the waist down. Tad is a father They have lived by those words and it shows just a to two daughters, a husband, a son, and a friend to so small amount of the positivity and hope his family many. After working at Firestone for many years and truly brings to the table. Tad’s brother Robbie is a always enjoying manual labor, the thought of being in a big part of his support system. He has helped create wheelchair was very difficult for him. ways for him to get around at home, a hydraulic system to lift Tad into his zero-turn lawnmower, and As a farmer, he now was faced with how he would help has simply been there every step of the way. in the field. With the assisstance of his father, Tad was able to get in the seat of their combine in the Fall of Tad has overcome many challenges since his accident 2018. but one that he talked about most was patience. Before, he had none but now it is something he is Tad works daily toward being able to walk one day. He thankful for. Tad wants his story to help other people has a computerized bike that is powered to pedal itself in similar situations. He believes you can make while moving his legs as if he was pedaling it. This bike anything happen if you just set your mind to it. has electrode pads that stick to his legs to stimulate and track the amount of effort Tad’s muscles are putting out. “Put yourself around the right kind of people and His family really enjoys being able to see the progress you’ll have everything you need. Having a good he shows with this machine. Tad talked about how he is support system is the most important,” said Tad. beginning to feel blood flow and circulation in his legs while using the bike. He also has a device to help him stand up. This allows his legs to stay straight while the hydraulic jack puts him in the upright position so his muscles are still being exercised. With this machine, he has regained a lot of core strength again and helps with blood flow. Tad spent his time watching YouTube videos on how other people in his position do certain things for the remaineder of 2017. While doing research, Tad came across a hoist someone created to get a man into his combine. His dad and brother put in a lot of time brainstorming how they could make this happen.

“I don’t necessarily get my hopes up, but everything I do every day is because I will walk again.” -Tad Johnson

www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

Wade’s spin on the on the right trac: Kristy Magnum rowtrac

risty Wade, owner of Wade Farms IN McLean, Illinois, has been active in the farming operation since she was a child helping on her family farm. She was also involved the swine industry, and as well therefore agriculture has always been a solid part of her life.

to slow down to the speed they are running without the harsh jerking of the tractor.

The CVT transmisson in the 380 is her absolute favorite feature, in addition to with how smooth this makes her ride, the amount of horse power through the fields that Her husband’s family owned a fertilizer business that the Magnum offers is something for every farmer to she became a part of shortly after marriage. After having appreciate. their son Jacob, Kristy and her husband began their own grain farming operation together. She has been a huge Last year, Kristy was running a Quadtrac and she really asset to their farm from all angles. She manages their liked the way the tracks helped turn the machine. She finances, drives the auger wagon, and to ensure she can enjoys having both tires and tracks to make the steering tackle any farm task, she even received her CDL to drive much similar to a regular vehicle. the grain semi. Both the Quadtrac and the Rowtrac have fuel efficency Wade Farms is always looking for the latest and greatest which stands out to her in a financial aspect. The main technology. After hopping in the Magnum Rowtrac 380 thing that she notices with the rear track and the front with Kristy, we talked about all of her favorite features tires is that it turns like a traditional tractor but floats and compared it to the previous auger wagon tractors like a Quadtrac. Through difficult spots in some fields she has operated. like waterway crossings, the wide axle spacing gives her the flexibility and control that she needs. “The smooth ride in a field producing such strong healthy crops is unbelievable” says Kristy. “The crew at Central IL Ag is always looking to help us find the latest technology and equipment for a successful She is a huge fan of not having to use the clutch especially operation here at Wade Farms,” said Kristy. when unloading into the semi. As she is approaching the combines to unload on the go, she finds it very easy

m 21 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

HELPING YOU GAIN THE TRACTION YOU NEED. When it’s time to get into your field, you can’t wait for ideal conditions. At Case IH, we know that timing is everything. That’s why the Magnum™ Rowtrac™ series tractor gives you optimum power, traction, and control to tackle the most adverse conditions. The combination of wheels and tracks provides four points of ground contact, reducing compaction and berming while increasing flotation and tractive power. Tire options that fit your row width and soil type and an oscillating five-axle, rear-track design keep power on the ground, even through the tightest turns. Plus, the unique fourrange CVT maximizes available power and increases mechanical efficiency. Experience a machine that handles like a wheeled tractor but floats like a track. To learn more, visit your Case IH dealer or go to caseih.com/magnum-rowtrac. www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1 22

new product: afs soil command T

o maximize yield potential and productivity during When looking for a piece of tillage equipment, one must harvest, creating a level and cohesive seedbed is the think about the overall practicality and cost efficiency most important factor. of all field work. The Tiger-Mate 255 strengthens automobility through a field and provides unimaginable With the new AFS Soil Command made by Case IH, all power while operating. A high-efficiency seedbed is soil conditions and changes are constantly monitored required for efficient planting that is fast and uniform through accurate measurements from the tillage for the plants emergence. equipment. They are then seamlessly integrated and changed by the operator on any ISOBUS-VT system. With AFS Soil Command, growers are able to fix seedbed problems before they become even bigger problems for the planter. All shanks that are mounted to the TigerMate 255 are equipped with distinct sensors that will alert the operator when shanks begin to float or rapidly vary in depth clearance. Without this feature, when the operator goes to plant, the seedbed floor will be even instead of constantly varying. Every time a shank either trips or floats, the sweep pivots will create gouges into the seedbed floor The sensors that have been factory-installed into and thus the planters row units will bounce and become the Tiger-Mate 255 are built with dependable AFS uneven. components, matching the performance and ruggedness of the Tiger-Mate 255. Inaccurate changes beneath the soil surface will allow for inconsistent seed depth placement and a decrease in yield potential. While on the other hand, being able to see real-time quality feedback from the Tiger-Mate 255 will increase the chances of having a higher yield potential for the crop during harvest season.

m 23 Âˇ Central Illinois Ag Âˇ www.centralilag.com

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MANAGE YOUR INPUTS WITH SECTION AND RATE CONTROL. Save on inputs, improve product performance and lower overall costs with Case IH variablerate and section control. You’re putting seed, fertilizer and other inputs where you want them and ONLY where you want them using either manual rate control or prescription maps generated with AFS software. AFS section and rate control is standard equipment on new Early Riser® planters, 5 series Precision Air® carts, Precision Disk™ 500T Disk Drills, Patriot® sprayers and the 610 Liquid System used on Titan floaters. AFS precision farming technology helps you use your management skills to full advantage. Visit an AFS Certified Dealer or go to caseih.com/AFS to learn more.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

What’s the best way to get my equipment clean?

AVAILABLE AT ALL CENTRAL ILLINOIS AG LOCATIONS

T&T CLEANER We think our MS T&T Cleaner is nothing short of the best vehicle and equipment cleaner on the market, so much so we have trouble keeping it on our shelves! This “magical foam”is blowing up on Twitter, with users telling us things like “it makes washing great again”. Why just take our word for it? Follow along our journey of scrub-less cleaning by using the hashtag #DoYouEvenFoamBro. We think the testimonials and pictures speak for themselves! Now available at

m 25 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Case IH Ecolo-Tiger 875 Product Review

ave Sinn started farming in 1974 in the Delevan and Hopefale areas. He raised row crops in a few locations in addition to raising 30,000 turkeys with his father, George. Dave recalls helping his dad on the farm as a child. George got his start on the farm at age 12 and continued through the fall of 2016.

the stalks and the ground well in one pass so I don’t have to make multiple passes. I really like that you set the depth on this machine, and you know it is going to stay there.”

In the time he has been using the Case IH Ecolo-Tiger 875 on his farm, it has never once plugged up - he just After spending that harvest season unloading on the go sets it in the ground and goes. in the chase wagon and celebrating Christmas with his family, he passed away shortly after in January of 2017. David and George, have been Central IL Ag customers for over 20 years. Now, Dave tackles the farm ground and their operation all on his own. “I am over powered when it comes to Dallas Kaufman had been Sinns’ salesman since 1988. my equipment so I can be sure to get it all done on my “If he told me something is right, I know he did his own!” research and I trusted him 100%. I like that if I called him with questions on something, he came out, rolled Today, Dave is running a 2005 Case IH Steiger 375 up his sleeves, and said this is how you fix it.” and pulling his 2014 Case IH Ecolo-Tiger 875 7-shank ripper with 360 chisel points. Dave is very thankful to have had a salesman like Dallas to lend a helping hand in his operation, and he knows “This machine has four times the iron as my previous George was always thankful for that relationship as well. implements,” says Dave. “It’s heavy enough that it works

Photo: Dave & George Sinn

www.centralilag.com · ·Volume 5,4Issue 22 26 www.centralilag.com · Volume 4 Issue 126 26 www.centralilag.com Volume Issue www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

LUNG CANCER SCREENINGS Early detection can save your life.

If you are 55 to 77 years of age, have a significant smoking history, and are a current smoker or former smoker who has quit within the last 15 years, ask your primary care provider for a lung cancer screening referral.

ALMH.org 217–605–5275 27 · Central Lincoln, IL Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

n January 2019, I attended the Case IH National Training Event in Arizona on behalf of Central Illinois Ag. This event was so rewarding to attend. The positive changes in the Case IH equipment were almost breathtaking to view the final product that we “agriculture junkies” couldn’t wait to see. Learning about our competitors and their products as well as comparing them to Case IH equipment led to a feeling that was certain that our product is superior. Training is so important in today’s competitive industry. This event allowed me to strengthen skills and build solid foundations. When I am learning about something new, I always assume that that person I am learning from is in a higher level of understanding and knowledge in that particular field. Training in the agriculture industry seems vital to methe opportunities are endless. When learning about the Axial-Flow Combines, it was great from a parts department standpoint to see the changes on the feeder house. The technology behind this combine will blow you away. I feel that this positive step in harvesting your crops will save you as a customer and farmer, time in the field, while being as efficient as possible. The crop adaptability to be able to handle more crops will be a very eye-catching feature to all farmers. You know what they say, "the more grain in the tank, the more money in the bank.”

Case IH National Training event Written by Ashley Zinser

My all-time favorite experience was the Magnum. The first thing I noticed was the openness of the cab - this cab is so spacious! Central Illinois Ag Sales Representative John Coers and I uncovered so many advantages and opportunities with this tractor as we got to demo the unit. Farmers will be able to manage their operations in a way that is super-efficient as well as convenient. The technology on this tractor is very easy to use - I learned that the more experience with the technology the easier it will come - practice makes perfect! The transmission configuration on this tractor is adaptable for many uses such as planting, seeding, spraying, or even tiling. The overall performance of this tractor is incredible.

My experience with the Case IH National Training Event was very enlightening. I assure you that you will be impressed with this improved line of equipment. The excitement I have from this event is extreme. Farmers are always looking for To be completely honest, the new higher yields and convenience, some of Maxxum tractors really blew my mind. these units have all your answers. Being The opportunities seem endless with competitive and smart on and off the field these new convenient features. This with your equipment is key for success. versatility of this tractor is compared to Ashley Zinser is a Sophomore at Heartland Community College a multi-tool in the Case IH tractor linestudying Ag Business. She began working for Central Illinois Ag in up that beats our competitors. A very our parts and service departments in 2017, working closely with popular feature to this well-rounded warranty claims and also managing our eBay store. Ashley attended tractor with an impressive amount of the Case IH National Sales Training Event and has shared with us engine horsepower is that slowing down a glimpse of her perspective of the event and learning experience. and stopping this tractor is so easy,

www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

more field time.

less downtime.

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29 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

helping families through sales Michael Schmidt presenting a check to Community Action in December 2017.

In December 2017, Central Illinois Ag (CIA) owner Michael Schmidt came up with the idea to give back to local families through Thunder Creek Equipment trailer sale. We were on Day 13 of our 13 Days of Christmas and it was a bonus to include an additional offer. It was later in December when this idea took place, so we like to call this, “One Final Christmas Wish.”

We chose one fuel trailer to highlight and when it sold, Central Illinois Ag donated $500 to a local nonprofit organization to help families in need during the Christmas time. In additional to that donation, Thunder Creek Equipment and the third, fourth, and fifth generations of the Schmidt families also made contributions. The video highlighting the donation inspired other companies and CIA customers, leading to $3,200 in total contributions to help families in Logan County. The donations benefited Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois (CAPCIL), located in Lincoln, IL serving all of Logan County. The One Last Christmas Wish campaign was so successful in helping others last year that we decided during the 2018 Christmas Season to give back to the community. A portion of all sales on fuel trailers we seold through December 31, 2018 went to the salesman’s charity of choice, and Central Illinois Ag matching that amount!

Presenting a check to Community Action in January 2019. Photo: Breann Titus, CAPCIL and Abby Coers, Central Illinois Ag

Corbin Richardson presenting a check to the Monticello FFA Chapter in January 2019.

This year we were able to donate $2,500 to CAPCIL, along with $500 to Faith in Action of Piatt County, and $500 to the Monticallo FFA Chapter. After seeing the impact and services Community Action offers locally, we encourage you to donate financially or contribute your time to help families in your local community. Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois (CAPCIL) provides Head Start early childhood program, Meals on Wheels, Foster Grandparents, Hand Up Project to help gain education and employment, and the food pantry that works in a way where volunteer hours turn into credits to ‘buy’ what is needed. CAPCIL overall is an organziation to help improve the lives of others by providing education and assistance to both individuals and families.

www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

TAKEUCHI BUILDING DREAMS WITH WAGENBACH BUILDERS

ith the help of their Takeuchi equipment, Eric and Heather Wildermuth of Tremont, IL recently built their dream home. This condominium style home holds a large shop, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large eat in kitchen/dining room, and plenty of family living space. Heather learned how to operate their Takeuchi during the building process. She was surprised with how userfriendly the machine was to operate.

for less maintenance. The Takeuchi TL150 is very versatile in the tasks it can handle, especially when utilizing a variety of different attachments. The Wildermuth family is made of up four generations of farmers in the Tremont area. Eric’s father and but is also a part owner of Midwest Equipment in Peoria, IL.

Wagenbach Builders is located out of Tremont, IL and “It was easy to control and maneuver the attachment,” they specialize in post-frame building, excavating, said Heather. and foundation work. They also partner with Butler Manufacturing of Kansas City, MO, to offer preThe compact size of Takeuchi machines allow them enginnered metal buildings to itheir customers. to fit in smaller spaces and allow for more work to be completed. The undercarriage system is also a major advantage over competitors. The rugged design allows

Takeuchi uses while building: 1) Clearing Brush 2) Installing Field Tile 3)Demolishing old buildings

m 31 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Maximizing the life of your takeuchi undercarriage Written by: Michael Shebetka, product manager of Takeuchi-US

Track tension — tighten or loosen as necessary; too tight can fast-track wear on the sprockets and idlers and require more effort to rotate the track, while too loose Undercarriages take a lot of abuse. As the primary can derail the track and cause wear on the components mechanism between the cabin and the terrain, a In addition, when the track rolls off, it will cause the number of factors can contribute to wear-and-tear of track to stretch beyond its normal threshold, making it the undercarriage components. However, with solid hard to keep on operational practices, awareness of the terrain and a preventative maintenance plan, operators can ensure a Track alignment — especially if the track is loose, long and healthy life of the idlers, sprockets, rollers and misalignment can cause major issues with the tracks. undercarriage components Rigid vs. Suspension Undercarriages Debris or material build-up in the undercarriage from There are two types of undercarriages — a rigid and a prior use suspension. The ground conditions can dictate whether additional In a rigid-mount frame, the left and right track frames inspections are needed throughout the day. Despite are bolted or welded to the main frame. A suspension an undercarriage’s all-weather versatility, snow, mud undercarriage uses movable track frames supported by and sand can get into and pack the undercarriage, torsion springs, or in some cases rollers suspended by a which increases track tension. In colder environments, leaf spring. material can also freeze inside the track. Both undercarriages offer unique advantages. A rigid undercarriage is better suited for the harsh environments it will endure over its useful life due to a more simplistic and rugged design. While the ride quality of a suspension undercarriage is generally more forgiving by reducing shock and vibration throughout the machine, take into account the additional components required to provide suspension. These components translate to additional wear points and added cost as the undercarriage ages. It is important to pick the right undercarriage that best suits your daily needs. And remember, no matter how well you maintain your machine, any type of undercarriage with moving parts has expensive wear items that will require maintenance and replacement over time.

Florida is a prime example of how a maintenance schedule can vary. Most of the state consists of sugar sand, which becomes airborne around a working machine. It fills up the bottom of the chassis, plugs filters, and can prematurely wear out an undercarriage if the tracks are not tensioned properly for this type of ground condition. A majority of the time you want the tracks to fit tight, but in the case of sugar sand, the tracks should be loose. (continued on page 34)

Preventative Maintenance Plan To keep your machine in peak operating condition and prolong the undercarriage components, it is essential to keep a daily proactive maintenance schedule. Before utilizing the machine each time, check:

www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

From World First to World Leader

When PERFORMANCE, RELIABILITY and PROFIT matter, you deserve a world leader on your team.

m m , no

compromise!

33 路 Central Illinois Ag 路 www.centralilag.com 33 路 Central Illinois Ag 路 www.centralilag.com

(continued from page 32)

moisture penetrate and cause the cables to weaken and eventually fail >Skid steer tires run right over demolition debris (rebar, concrete, sharp objects, etc.), while the same debris is hard on tracks

Bad Habits and Miscalculations We see veteran and novice operators alike make mistakes with their undercarriages on the jobsite. It is important to learn from those mistakes before they turn into bad habits and cost you. We also advise running up and down slopes instead of across and staying on as flat of a surface as possible so the Of the undercarriage components, the track itself is machine does not lean heavily to one side. Leaning puts the most likely to fail due to operating stress or lack of pressure on the idlers, rollers and sprockets resulting in maintenance. The premature failure of tracks is due to premature wear. a few factors: The Takeuchi Edge >Improper track tension. If you are unsure how much Takeuchi machines use model specific components on to adjust the tracks, refer to the recommendations in the their undercarriages. Larger bearings allow for slower OEM manual or check with Central Illinois Ag shaft speeds, which enhance component life. Metal face seals are standard on the rollers and help keep dirt >Operating on hard, rough terrain causes cuts or and other contaminates out. This increases component chunking of tracks and leads to excessive, premature longevity and durability of the Takeuchi undercarriages. wear; for these applications a skid steer loader is best utilized The undercarriage will be a large portion of operating >Riding over curbs with tracks can also cause cuts and chunking that expose internal steel cables, which can let

and maintenance costs over the life of the machine, so with each use take some time to look it over. It pays off in the long run.

BUILDERS

Family Owned & Operated Since 1974 Residential - Commercial- Agricultural 20237 State Rt 9 Pekin, IL 61554 www.wagenbachbuilders.com

309-925-5205

www.centralilag.comÂˇ ÂˇVolume Volume56Issue Issue21 www.centralilag.com

remembering

Dallas kaufman L

oyal. Mentor. Leader. Strong. Insightful. Genuine. Knowledgeable. Compassionate. Quick-witted. Friend.

“Hey, Kid!”

In November 2018, the agriculture industry lost a great man. We hold on to ihe lasting impression he left with each and every individual who had the opportunity to meet him. Dallas Kaufman taught us life lessons each day through his words and actions. As an employee of Central Illinois Ag for __ years, he played an important role on the team.When asked the value of a piece of machinery in a sales meeting he was always quick to rattle off a number.

m 35 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Dallas was a hard worker and very loyal to whatever needed to get done. Whether it was helping a younger salesman or putting concaves in a combine - if you asked Dallas for help, he was there. “Whatchya doin’ kid” and “ya old goat” were two of Dallas’ favorite sayings, and he somehow could use those with just about anyone. He just had a way of connecting with individuals. Dallas was comforting. He was a father to us all. He would smirk and then look down and shake his head. That told us Dallas cared. His kind heart and willingness to help others is deeply missed. You can’t replace a guy like Dallas. He will forever be in our hearts and minds as we take the lessons he taught us and apply those to each of our daily lives. Oh, if only we could just have a couple more minutes with Dallas. To thank him for his wisdom. For making us each a better person. To just hear him say one more time, “hey, kid!”

allas was one of a kind to say the least. His quiet demeanor definitely fooled you because he was far from quiet. He always had a comment to present and you could tell immediately if he liked you or just tolerated you. He never really talked badly about too many people. He had an opinion about them to say the least. “You onery ole goat” was the one phrase that he frequently said to me and I can still hear it repeated often. By listening to his scout camping trips (which sometimes I questioned his sanity because of the weather conditions he had to endure) you could tell that he loved teaching the ‘youngins’ the quality things of life through respect and how to live off the land. He put his experiences into play for them. Fishing was by far his forte. “The big one that got away” and how that story got told several times. But, he enjoyed the outdoors and he had a wealth of knowledge to share and that is how the scouts fit that part of his life. As a salesman, well, to say the least he had the gift of gab. Sometimes I asked him if there was anyone he didn’t know but he would just shake his head. Translation to me, he basically knew many people and that proved to be true as to this day as I still field phone calls from afar of people he dealt with. To this day, I have the unpleasant response of how he is no longer with us physically. Through being a salesman, he learned to treat people with the respect that he wanted to be treated with. Respect that he earned, not gained, from people. He was a book of knowledge and a book of jokes. I sure do miss some of those forwarded on emails from his friend, David Sinn. They may not

have been appropriate to most, but that was Dallas, aka “Papa Smurf ” aka, “The Old Fossil.” I truly miss those nonverbal communications. You definitely knew what kind of mood he was in on those days. As far as his knowledge went, he was amazing. He could rattle off values like it was nothing on equipment. Of course he lived at farm sales. And how he loved his red equipment! I remember in August (this was the last quality time we spent together as busy season started), it was pouring down rain at Sanerts auction in Greenview but Dallas was right there taking it all in. Finally he bought I believe it was a Farmall Super C and it came with a boat load of attachments. He walked up to me and said, “Well you got room at your house?” “Always for you pal.” He said “Well, the Mrs. is gonna be mad that I bought another tractor but I got it for a steal don’t you think?” (I think he wanted reassurance he did good). I just agreed. Every day I miss my old friend and I miss our meaningless conversations or the wise cracks back and forth. But, I learned from him and gained a lot of knowledge because of him. On a final note - how he became known as “Papa Smurf.” One day I met Dallas and Abby in the truck headed to lunch. Naturally, he saw me and had to say ‘Hi.’ Here comes Dallas in his red hat, white beard and white hair, and it just popped a pic of ole Papa Smurf from the good ole days. Was only lacking the blue skin. Rest in peace my friend, you will never be forgotten. Written by friend and colleague, John Coers

www.centralilag.com · Volume 6 Issue 1

Tomorrow’s Planter, Today vDrive + DeltaForce ®

Down force is a serious issue that too often goes ignored and can make a huge impact on yield. Get your population right with vDrive, control down force row by row with DeltaForce, and you’ve got a planter of the future worth writing home about.

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37 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com

Case IH® is a registered trademark of CNH Industrial N.V. John Deere® is a registered trademark of Deere & Company. KINZE® is a registered trademark of KINZE Manufacturing Inc. WHITE® is a registered trademark of AGCO Corporation. DeltaForce®, vDrive® and Precision Planting® are registered trademarks of Precision Planting LLC ©2014 Precision Planting LLC.

www.centralilag.com Âˇ Volume 6 Issue 1

200 Sharon Street Atlanta, IL 61723