Winners FINOVATION 2007
Jan 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Karen McMahon and Sarah Day
Excalibre
A NEW inoculant for soybeans called Excalibre stays viable on the seed for up to 120 days before planting. Traditional inoculants remain viable only a few hours to a few days. Biological Marketing's Excalibre ends the rush to apply an inoculant right before planting.
The product comes in a 1-lb. package of dry powder that treats 60 50-lb. bags of soybean seed.
Contact Advanced Biological Marketing, Dept. FIN, Box 222, Van Wert, OH 45891, 877/617-2461, visit www.abm1st.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 110.
Herculex RW
THE NEW Herculex RW trait hit the market last winter as an option for corn rootworm control. The new trait provides in-plant protection against corn rootworm, including western, northern and Mexican larval corn rootworms. The Herculex RW trait is second in the family of Herculex traits; the first was Herculex I for corn borer control. Both traits are combined in Herculex Xtra and all have LibertyLink technology for tolerance to Liberty herbicide.
The Herculex line is being developed by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred International. For more information, visit www.dowagro.com or www.pioneer.com, or circle 111.
Yamaha 700 FI 4×4
BIG, POWERFUL ATVs draw a lot of attention. But unless you're over 6 ft. tall and weigh more than 200 lbs., high-power vehicles are difficult to handle. Yamaha took care of that by designing its Grizzly 700 with power steering. The new 700 FI 4×4 is equipped with electric power steering that makes it a breeze to handle. Our readers apparently liked the idea of an easy-to-steer ATV because the vehicle topped our list of ATVs featured in the magazine. The vehicle weighs 602 lbs. and is equipped with an Ultramatic automatic transmission and on-command, push-button 4-wd. The ATV's new fuel-injection system helps it start easier in cold weather.
The 2007 Grizzly 700 FI 4×4 retails for $7,999. Contact Yamaha Motor Corp., Dept. FIN, 6555 Katella Ave., Cypress, CA 90630, 800/889-2624, visit www.yamaha-motor.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 112.
Accubuilt super-duty
ACCUBUILT PARTNERED with Ford Motor Company to upgrade its F-450 and F-550 chassis trucks into extra-heavy pickups. Accubuilt upgraded the factory-installed, OEM pickup box components, making the truck bed heavier by adding four under-the-bed rails to support increased cargo weight. Heavier loads can be pulled despite the unchanged motor size.
Prices range from $35,000 to $70,000. Contact your local Ford Dealer or Accubuilt, 2550 Central Point Pkwy., Lima, OH 45804, 888/324-7895, visit www.AccubuiltTrucks.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 113.
Hitch helper
WHEN HEAVY equipment is attached to a vehicle, its front-end stability usually is compromised because the weight pulls its rear end down. The Hell-Ya Hitch Helper levels the vehicle, which keeps the rear end up and increases front-end stability. The product attaches to any 2-in. receiver hitch and comes in a single or dually design. It features easy height adjustment and comes with a one-year warranty.
Price: $599 for a single-wheel unit; $1,129 for a dually. Contact Hell-Ya Productions, Dept. FIN, 114 E. 2nd St., Miller, SD 57362, 887/851-0096, visit www.hell-ya.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 114.
Hydraulic bi-fold door
THE NEW Schweiss hydraulic bi-fold door for a machinery building drew attention for its ability to fit into an existing building because it requires only 4 in. of headroom. The one-piece hydraulic door features a self-supporting header frame and may be purchased in almost any size. All of the doors are pre-built with a special bottom truss for added strength and rigidity.
Suggested retail price is about $4,000, depending on the size of the door. Contact Schweiss Bi-Fold Doors, Dept. FIN, Box 220, Fairfax, MN 55332, 800/746-8273, visit www.bifold.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 115.
Dish adapter
WEAK WIRELESS network signals on a computer may be boosted with a new dish adapter from Hawking Technology. The dish can boost wireless network distances by up to 300% compared to standard embedded wireless cards. The new Hi-Gain Wireless-G dish adapter uses a USB 2.0 connection to Windows-based computers. Five LED lights display information about signal strength and wireless connection quality so the antenna may be rotated for the best performance. The device supports WEP, WPA and WPA2 wireless security standards.
Price: $69.99. Contact Hawking Technology at 888/662-8828, visit www.hawkingtech.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 116.
OptiGro Imaging
GROWERS MAY now subscribe to a new service for variable-rate application of crop inputs. The service, called OptiGro Imaging System, comes from John Deere Agri Services. The OptiGro system features a proprietary combination of high-tech automated cameras, custom software and the Internet to deliver digital color and near-infrared images. The images are shot from automated cameras inside a small airplane.
Participating agricultural retailers or crop consultants who work with growers and John Deere Agri Services can obtain the images quickly, usually within 48 hours, then turn them around to their clients with recommendations. “The OptiGro Imaging System is among the first to integrate the new technologies of digital imaging, computer analysis, GPS, variable-rate systems and the Internet,” notes Terry Brown of John Deere Agri Services.
A set of images costs about $2.50 to $4.00/acre, depending on service options. Contact John Deere Agri Services at 847/645-8927, visit www.JohnDeereAgriServices.com, or circle 117.
Swing hopper
A REMOTE-CONTROLLED swing hopper allows an operator to use a handheld remote to precisely position the hopper when unloading grain and seed. Creator Ken Heley wanted an easier way to move his hopper so he created two remote controls to use to position the hopper under a trailer. The swing hopper is powered by an enclosed, fan-cooled, gear reduction motor providing accurate positioning. The hopper walker can be mounted on either side of the auger and can be attached to several different sizes and brands of augers. Easy installation requires simply bolting the motor on the auger and plugging it in.
The remote-controlled swing hopper sells for $2,350 and includes the two remotes. Contact Heley at CLWorks, Dept. FIN, 8895 160th Ave. S.E., Lidgerwood, ND 58053, 701/538-4013, visit www.hopperwalker.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 118.
Wrench
LOGGERHEAD TOOLS offers a new adjustable wrench that combines the tightening power of a wrench with the easy use of a pair of pliers. The 8-in. Bionic Wrench automatically sizes and grips with its six steel grips fitting 16 U.S. and metric-sized nuts and bolts. Operation requires one-handed minimal pressure to the handle.
The 8-in. Bionic Wrench has a lifetime guarantee and sells for $28.95. Contact Loggerhead Tools, Dept. FIN, Box 83, Palos Park, IL 60464, 888/564-4374, visit www.loggerheadtools.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 119.
Oil extractors
TWO NEW oil extractors from Pela Products won our top award for shop tools. The Pela 2000 oil extractor is a manually operated vacuum pump that sucks old oil out of small engines. The Pela Pro 14 is a larger oil extractor with a 14.8-qt. capacity.
Suggested retail price of the 2000 is $32.95. The Pro 14 sells for $109.95 to $124.95. Contact Pela Products, Dept. FIN, 7215 Cessna Dr., Greensboro, NC 27409, 888/272-7964, visit www.pelaproducts.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 120.
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