This systems supplier is integrating cutting-edge automotive safety systems into off-road equipment cabs
A few years ago I had the pleasure of interviewing the industrial designer who styled the cab and body of the first Challenger 65 belted ag tractors, which were then part of the Caterpillar brand before coming under AGCO ownership. Before coming to Cat, the designer had spent several years working for General Motors and […] Read more
Australian manufacturer K-Line makes a big jump into the North American market
If you were a farm equipment manufacturer in a country that is its own continent, where would you look to make your first expansion into the international market? For the Australian company K-Line, the choice was easy. Head to North America. “It’s really one of the best moves we’ve made, as far as our company […] Read more
At 82, Amilcare Merlo is still planning the long-term future of the company that will be his legacy
In February I was invited to tag along with a group of dealers and their customers as they paid a visit to telehandler manufacturer Merlo’s assembly plant just outside the historic old city of Cuneo, Italy. When everyone had arrived, we stood on a balcony at the plant and watched several telehandlers go through a […] Read more
The green brand offers a glimpse of what’s to come in 2017
Next month, John Deere will host a formal event to pull the wraps off several new additions to its equipment line. What will be under the covers? In February, at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky, the brand teased showgoers by unveiling a couple of new products that are bound to be included […] Read more
New machines designed to broadcast dry fertilizer are hitting dealerships for the 2017 season
For years, one-pass seeding systems that incorporate fertilizer application with the seeding pass had producers turning their backs on dry spreader systems. Many older designs of spinner spreaders lacked the precision that producers could now get from direct-seeding systems. But the logistical demands of getting everything done in one seeding pass have a few growers […] Read more
As Canada’s largest ag dealership chain turns 10, Country Guide sits down with its senior executives to look at how it got here, and where it’s going
Suspicion. Unease. Uncertainty. They were all sweeping across the West a decade ago when farmers began seeing their local Case IH and New Holland dealerships get gobbled up by a new and unfamiliar company. Then they started hearing the name — Rocky Mountain Equipment — but that didn’t help. Except as the outsiders buying their […] Read more
2016 saw manufacturers introduce several enhancements to their equipment. Here’s a look at the year’s highlights
During 2016, several Prairie-based seeding equipment manufacturers announced new design enhancements to meet customer demand. Here’s a look at the major announcements that will begin production for 2017 model-year machines. Seed Hawk Responding to problems reported on the iCon seeding system it introduced in 2014, Saskatchewan-based Seed Hawk — now owned by Swedish manufacturer Vaderstad […] Read more
This new ag robot concept uses swarms of small machines
A new research project underway in Europe may give farmers a reason to think swarms are a good thing. Far from swarms of locusts or other troublesome pests, the MARS (Mobile Agricultural Robot Swarms) project is working on creating swarms of small, autonomous robots that can seed farm fields on their own. The MARS project […] Read more
Versatile draws on inspiration from its past to position itself for future growth
It isn’t much of a surprise when Versatile shows up for the annual Manitoba Ag Days. The show, after all, is just two hours from the Versatile factory, so the company’s regular attendance is pretty much a given. Local farmers expect to see the brand put in an appearance there every year, and they’re never […] Read more
The brand is following through on a commitment to add new machines to its product line twice a year
BRP, the company behind the Can Am line of products, has expanded the choice of Defender Max UTVs for 2017 with the addition of two new machines, bringing the total number of Max models to four. The company says the Defender Max UTVs are “pickup truck-inspired” and will now offer seating for up to six adults. […] Read more
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