Jul 1, 2002 12:00 PM, Karen McMahon

TERRA-GATOR
Custom application of manure

Want fast and variable manure application? The new manure applicator and computer equipment attached to a Terra-Gator should fill the bill. With its 18½-ft. toolbar and speeds of 8 to 12 mph, the Terra-Gator handles 25,000 gal. of liquid manure/hr. Ag-Chem, a division of AGCO, is marketing the new manure injector as part of its Nutrient Management System (NMS) designed to help growers meet government regulations for manure application. The system ties grid soil samples and manure tests to application recommendations and then produces an as-applied map to meet state and national nutrient management plan requirements.

The equipment for the system involves a Terra-Gator 3104 or 9105 that is equipped with an NMS, Falcon computer controller, GPS guidance and Kongskilde injector toolbar that also has tillage capabilities. The Terra-Gator is outfitted with a 4,500-gal. tank that is filled in the field. Darrell Steiner, industrial sales manager, says one customer uses three semis with 6,000-gal. tanks to keep the Terra-Gator operating. Manure from the hog or cattle units is pumped into the semi tanks.

The system features a manure application map generated by agronomists using the SoilTeq Geographical Information System (SGIS). The map indicates how much manure should be applied across the field. Then the manure is variably applied and incorporated through the controller and GPS equipment on the Terra-Gator, Steiner says. The controller generates the as-applied report.

Price of the Terra-Gator with software, GPS and toolbar will run up to $350,000, Steiner reports. For more information, contact Ag-Chem Industrial Div., Dept. FIN, 13625 Geyser Path, Apple Valley, MN 55124, 952/891-4567, www.agchem.com.

HAGIE NTB
High-speed N application

Don't be surprised if you see a high-speed sprayer injecting liquid nitrogen in a cornfield this summer. Hagie Manufacturing is selling a new liquid N attachment that fits on its STS series sprayer tractors and boasts a clearance of up to 6 ft. The sprayer will run 12 to 14 mph in the field while injecting 50 to 80 lbs. of nitrogen, and it can reach a speed of 30 mph on the road.

The new liquid N attachment allows sidedressing nitrogen on corn in early summer when the nutrient is most needed. This removes concerns about getting down enough nitrogen pre-plant. Often wet field conditions in the spring hamper N application, and applying it in the fall means some nutrient loss during the winter.

Jim Williams, Hagie design engineer, says in the future EPA may restrict nitrogen applications, particularly in the fall. “We see this applicator as a good solution,” Williams says. “Plus, studies show yield benefits when putting on lower amounts of nitrogen at the right time, which is a late sidedress application.”

Although late-season nitrogen is best, it is the most difficult to apply. So the company developed this attachment to apply liquid nitrogen. It includes a toolbar, running coulter injectors, electronic flow controls and a 1,000- or 1,200-gal. tank. Two models are available: the NTB 12 that handles 12, 30-in. rows and the NTB 16 for 16 rows. The row units are adjustable from 20- to 38-in. rows.

Yetter heavy-duty, liquid injection coulters inject the nitrogen directly into the ground. Hagie designed the toolbar in three sections to handle uneven terrain. It folds to a 12-ft. transport width.

The NTB provides a large application window because it clears crops almost until tassel or up to 6 ft. tall. The price of a 12-row NTB is $14,000, and the 16-row unit costs $19,000. For more information, contact Hagie Mfg. Co., Dept. FIN, Box 273, Clarion, IA 50525-0273, 515/532-2861, www.hagie.com.

WALKER BIGDOG
Fast spraying

If you do a lot of spraying or are considering custom spraying, check out the new BigDog 1200 self-propelled sprayer from Walker Ag Equipment. Walker sales manager Paul Klemme says the new sprayer is designed with durability and long life in mind. Its front-mounted boom available in sizes up to 100 ft. enables the operator to easily view the field. Plus, the full-truss design of the boom cuts up-and-down movement.

The new sprayer has about 10% more speed and power than other standard sprayers have, according to the company. The increase comes from the 275-hp Cummins QSB 5.9-liter engine and a dual hydrostatic, 200-cc drive system with 128-cc wheel motors equipped on the sprayer. Because of these features, the sprayer can cover more acres and reduce travel time between fields. Running at 15 to 16 mph, the sprayer will cover 80 to 100 acres/hr., Klemme estimates.

To keep the operator comfortable during the long hours of spraying, the new sprayer has a John Deere 90 series cab with adjustable air ride seat, buddy seat, fingertip controls and wraparound windshield.

The BigDog 1200 features walking beam suspension that is a frame within a frame so wheels follow the ground contours for great traction and stability. The sprayer chassis clears 6 ft., and maximum boom height is 9 ft. Suggested retail price for the BigDog with 90-ft. boom is $174,000. For more information, contact Walker Ag Equipment, Dept. FIN, 999 N. Washington St., Lisbon, IA 52253, 800/900-7424, www.walkeragequipment.com.

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