24
SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCER
PRODUCTION
MIXING IT UP While many growers choose to mix in the field, larger sprayers and bigger bulk supplies of pesticides make central loading more tempting. But field mixing has advantages and a new precision tool solves a few of the challenges. | Page 26
PRODUCT IO N E D I TO R : M I C H AEL RAINE | P h : 306- 665- 3592 F: 306-934-2401 | E-MAIL: M IC H AEL.RAIN E@PRODUC ER.C OM
MACHINERY | COMBINES
New combines designed for Prairie crops More power, bigger headers | Designs cater to small grains and oilseed growers BY MICHAEL RAINE SASKATOON NEWSROOM
G
O
IN
G
FA
ST
KANSAS CITY & INDIANAPOLIS — Prairie farmers have more choices now that two major farm machinery makers have introduced new combines. A higher horsepower and more feature-filled combine from John Deere had been on the radar for many years and in development for more than five. The S series’ cab shape, automated grain hopper canopy and blockier body profile were the source of much speculation for the last few years. The final package was unwrapped on a farm outside Indianapolis, Indiana, at the end of August. The new design provides more power, more hopper, more cab, more grain pan, more rotor and more cleaning capacity. Earlier in the month, Agco rolled out its new Massey combines in Kansas City, Missouri, featuring more power, more cooling and more threshing tools. These two new editions from Deere and Agco are moving toward meeting a greater variety of needs. The market for combines in North America is typically about 12,000 units annually, according to sales figures collected by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. As a result, it might not be feasible to make one combine for wheat, another for corn, yet another that does a great job with beans, peas and lentils and one more that excels at canola and flax. Some farmers are also looking for high quality straw and many have different preferences in residue management. All of this has increased expectations as well as the price. However, engineers have been working on making these most recent releases do more for every crop, while also providing a choice between a Midwest corn machine, a
The new S series combines from John Deere offer 30 percent more capacity than their predecessors and a class nine machine to the company’s harvest lineup. RIGHT: a new mini-cylinder and concave re-threshes returns and sends them to the processor rather than the rotor. | MICHAEL RAINE PHOTOS
prairie small grain harvester or a rice unit. John Deere’s Katie Dierker said the new S series machines have been given additional power to manage bigger yields in small grains and bigger header systems that gather up those crops faster. “The longer nose allows for more up-front threshing to take place, making better use of the rest of the rotor,� she said. The threshing area has increased by 30 percent, while a mini-cylinder rethreshes material inside the clean grain return’s top-end, putting bypassed grain onto the grain pan rather than returning it to the cylinder. This active tailings system frees up the rotor and keeps it from damaging clean grain returns. For small grain and oilseed growers, an optional new rotor replaces the company’s previous bullet rotor design. It has a greater taper at input, an additional cone space at the exit and a variable intake vane and cover system that allows it to adapt to a variety of crops, volumes and moisture conditions. Dubbed the Tri-Stream rotor, it is part of a package that comprises a typical setup for a western Canadian and Great Plains S series combine from Deere. The cab is 30 percent larger and operators no longer have to lean forward to see the end of the unloading auger. Unload times on the class 7, 8 and 9 machines — S670, S680 and S690 — are 3.8 bushels per minute. A 400 bu.
We know that heavy straw and tough fall conditions are part of the prairie business. The new combines were designed for those conditions. KEVIN COBB AGCO
hopper is standard on the top two models, as is a power-folding hopper cover/extension basket that folds up in 30 seconds. A 13.5 litre Deere engine produces 473 horsepower on the 680, 543 h.p. on the 690 and 373 h.p. on the class 7. The three largest models are the new portion of the line. Residue management includes a wind direction compensation option and a chaff and straw separator. Agco’s latest design for Massey combines also accommodates the small grains business. Their quick-change concaves with three bar configurations allow producers to pull concaves, swap the spacing and move from square to
A new helical design on the axial rotor boosts material intake and flow. A spring-loaded concave system keeps the Massey from plugging and provides rock protection. round over three sequential areas of the concave to customize the system. “It means you have the right tool at hand no matter what crop you are taking,� said Kevin Cobb of Agco. “We know that heavy straw and tough fall conditions are part of the prairie business. The new combines were designed for those conditions.� The 9520, 9540 and 9560 models produce 313, 370 and 460 h.p., respectively. The top two models are 9.8 litre units, and all three are Agco engines. The cooling system’s triangular setup draws air across the radiator, intercooler and hydraulic cooler, independent of one another. It also self-cleans during operation
using a common, reversible, hydraulic fan. Engine intake air is taken from behind the coolers for pre-filtered air. The result is little or no in-season cooling and filter maintenance. A new helical design on the Axial rotor and a spring-loaded concave system keeps the machine from plugging under most conditions and provides rock protection. A larger 10 inch return increases clean grain return capacity. A longer feederhouse improves flow into the rotor, reducing clumping. An optional, 24 foot unloading auger is available to pump four bu. per minute. FOR MORE PHOTOS ONLINE, VISIT PRODUCER.COM/CROPS.
6:,3( 72 :,1
Tackle all your HARVEST purchases with AgriCard for a chance to WIN
5X Q V 0 D\ 2 FWRE HU
A TRIP to the Ultimate Canadian Football Experience
For contest details contact
1-800-784-2504 I www.agricard.ca