Communication department

Dec 1, 2004 12:00 PM

Farm sitter signals trouble

A new alarm system designed for farm premises will alert growers when environmental conditions fluctuate in a building. The new Sensaphone FarmSitter remotely monitors livestock buildings and other farm facilities 24 hours a day. It will track conditions such as temperature changes, power failures, timers, alarms, excess humidity, water seepage, floods and intrusion. When an alarm situation is detected, the FarmSitter will instantly send a telephone or pager message to preprogrammed locations.

Growers may program the FarmSitter for specific needs. For example, the device may be programmed to delay an alert after a power failure occurs. This will provide some time for the power to come back on before an alert is issued.

Features of the Sensaphone FarmSitter include eight universal inputs, dial-out capability for eight telephone numbers, microphone for on-site listen-in, user-recordable voice messages and a time-stamped alarm history.

The device is suitable for inside or outside installations. It retails for $750. Contact Sensaphone, Dept. FIN, 901 Tryens Rd., Aston, PA 19014, 610/558-2700, visit www.sensaphone.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 199.

Deere history book

A beautiful coffee-table book about the history of John Deere is out just in time for Christmas shopping. John Deere enthusiasts will be enthralled with Randy Leffingwell's account of Deere's 85-year history, which parallels the history of American industry and entrepreneurial competition. In gathering the material for John Deere: A History of the Tractor, the author interviewed company executives, board members, engineers and, most importantly, American farmers. He examines the underlying commitment to excellence that has propelled the once-small tractor company to its current success.

The hardcover book with 384 pages includes 300 photographs of Deere tractors from the earliest prototypes to the latest models. Many never-before-published archival photos are included in the pages of this stunning documentary.

Price: $50. The book is available at bookstores, MBI Publishing Co. at 800/826-6000, or www.motorbooks.com.