Photo Gallery: 2012 FinOvation Award winners: Combines, sprayers, tractors, tillage equipment and more

Jan. 4, 2012

Combine header: Geringhoff folding header

When Geringhoff demonstrated its Northstar 2420 combine head at Farm Progress in 2010, the crowds filled in to watch it unfold and fold. The 20-in.-row, 24-row header is the widest folding combine head in the United States. The operator needs only to push a button in the combine cab to fold or unfold the header. The combine head features Geringhoff’s knife-to-knife technology for cutting. Aemsco, a North Dakota-based company, is distributing it for Geringhoff in the U.S. Base price is $180,000.
Combine: John Deere S-Series combines

The new S-Series combines from John Deere hit the market with a big splash. The new series includes five models ranging from a 271-hp Class 5 machine all the way up to a new 543-hp Class 9 model. These combines replace the 70 Series launched in 2007 and are heavily redesigned. A new cab includes 30% more space for greater comfort, along with more glass for better visibility. The controls are similar to those in other Deere equipment. In the threshing area, a new cleaning system has been added for 33% more capacity. A secondary processor called the Variable Stream rotor improves straw quality for baling, and a front chaffer extension adds more cleaning area for higher crop flow. Base list price of combines: $293,286 to $453,703.
Sprayer: New Holland sprayer

Farmers paid attention to this newcomer in the self-propelled sprayer market. New Holland introduced two lines of Guardian self-propelled sprayers that are manufactured by Miller-St. Nazianz. The front-boom line with four models features four-wheel hydrostatic drive, a cab designed for comfort and efficiency, engine sizes up to 365 hp, tank sizes of 1,000 to 1,600 gal., and boom widths of 90 to 120 ft. Prices: $270,000 to $335,000. The two rear-boom sprayer models have two-wheel mechanical drive, 240- or 275-hp engines, 1,000- or 1,200-gal. tank, and 90- to 120-ft. boom. Prices $210,000 to $285,000.
Fertilizer applicator: Case IH Nutri-Placer 940

Fertilzer applicators are of high interest to growers, and the Case IH Nutri-Placer 940 drew lots of attention. The new anhydrous applicator is the widest in the industry at 65 ft. Its heavy-duty frame with staggered coulters and row units is supported by 14 wheels. A 60-ft. model is supported by 12 wheels. Large flotation wheels on a walking tandem support the mainframe for both field and transport. The applicator features a five-section field flex and seven-section fold frame for handling ground contours and easy folding and unfolding. Price of the 65-ft. model is $102,000.
Grain handling: Balzer 2,000-bu. grain cart

The high-capacity grain cart from Balzer with 2,000-bu. capacity matches the growing size of combines and grain trailers. The Field Floater cart unloads 1,090 bu. in one minute with a 24-in. auger and a bidirectional spout. Other features of the cart include weigh scales with in-cab monitors and joystick controls of the cart that also are located in the cab. The 2,000-bu. cart is equipped with triple steerable axles. Smaller carts with 1,325- and 1,550-bu. capacities are available and may be purchased with tandem or triple undercarriages. Price: $118,000 to $150,000 for 2,000-bu. model.
High-horsepower 4-wd tractor: John Deere 9R/9RT Series

John Deere launched a new 9 Series 4-wd tractor that is engineered for large-acreage producers. The new series extends Deere’s horsepower reach up to 560 hp with its largest model, the 9560 RT. The line, which replaces the 9030 Series introduced in 2007, includes five models with wheels and three with tracks. The new 9 Series features an efficiency manager component on the powershift transmission to lock in the most fuel-efficient setting for driving. It also features a new Command View II cab with more glass area and storage than previous cabs. This cab was first used in the 8R Series row-crop tractors introduced in 2009. Base list prices: $256,757 to $416,175.
Utility tractor: Case IH Farmall C

Case IH has hit a home run with its heritage lines of tractors. The three Farmall C models introduced last winter with PTO horsepower ranging from 65 to 85 were popular among readers. These powerful utility tractors are equipped with the FPT Case IH 4-cyl., 3.2-liter, turbocharged engine and an 8 x 8 mechanical shuttle transmission. The C series is equipped with a new cab and new ergonomically designed controls. List price for the Farmall 75C with cab is $27,500.
Row-crop tractor: Versatile 305

Heavy interest from farmers earns Versatile the top spot in the row-crop tractor category for its 305 model. The Versatile 305 tractor is powered by a Cummins QSC 8.3-liter engine and 16-speed powershift transmission. Hydraulic specs are standard 30-gpm pump flow and optional 55-gpm flow plus three remote valves standard and four optional. The hitch lift capacity is 15,000 lbs. The new model features a heavy-duty drawbar designed to handle large grain wagons and an optional dual-speed PTO to power a wider range of implements. The cab includes an ergonomically designed console, straightforward dash and air-ride seat. Price: $189,000.
Skid-steer loader: New Holland skid-steer loaders

New Holland Construction wowed the crowds at the National Farm Machinery Show with its new line of skid-steer and compact track loaders. The line includes seven skid-steer models and three new compact track loader models, which makes it one of the largest loader introductions for New Holland. The company redesigned the loaders with extensive input from operators in the field. As a result, these loaders feature easy serviceability, machine stability, more comfort and visibility in the cab, and a Super Boom. The Super Boom offers more forward dump height and reach and a preset location during a lift cycle. Prices for the skid-steer loaders are $20,000 to mid-$50,000. The compact track loaders cost $30,000 to $60,000.
Hay equipment: Hesston by Massey Ferguson WR9700 windrower

A new line of self-propelled windrowers from Hesston by Massey Ferguson is geared to the large-scale hay producer. The new WR9700 Series features a new C100 monitor that controls nearly every aspect of the windrower, including electronic control of the hydraulics. It is equipped with the fuel-efficient, Interim Tier 4 engine, a V-Cool system that maintains optimal engine temperatures, a GlideRider rear-axle suspension system and optional semi-active air-suspension seat. Prices of base models range from $83,325 to $118,872.
Tillage: Gates Magnum Coulter Disk

The heavy trash left behind from the new biotech hybrids has created a demand for tillage equipment. The Magnum Coulter Disk from Gates took the top honors for the most reader interest. This new disk is available in 32- and 40-ft. widths. It features two gangs of 20-in.-dia. curved blades, 3-in. notched boron blades or 20-in. notched and scalloped concave boron blades on 6-in. spacing. The angle on the gang may be adjusted on the go from 0° to 15°. The disk is equipped with a floating hitch and requires 5 to 9 hp/ft. to pull. Price: $55,620 to $82,245, depending on options.

What do robotic equipment and refuge-in-a-bag corn seed have in common? They are both recipients of the 2012 Farm Industry News FinOvation Award. From the hundreds of new agricultural products that appeared in Farm Industry News or on farmindustrynews.com in 2011, these FinOvation winners were chosen as being the most innovative, based on reader interest. They cover a range of products designed to help corn and soybean farmers make their operations more productive and profitable.

For the first time in FinOvation history, we are asking you as readers to vote for your top three favorite products out of all 22 on the farmindustrynews.com home page or by clicking here. A Product of the Year will be awarded based on the results and will be announced at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville Feb. 15-18.