Material handling, application and seeding tools at work

<p>SPREAD PRECISELY: Following the purchase of Blu-Jet in 2019, Unverferth entered the dry spreader market with the Pro-Force 50-Series models. They’re equipped with a Raven ISOBUS system for variable-rate application. A 34-inch-wide rubber belt moves everything through the spreader, and specially designed spinners fling the fertilizer up to 90 feet away. The 12-ton unit begins at $48,275 and is made to mount onto a row crop sprayer chassis. The pull-type spreader options range from 14 to 22 tons, with the 14-ton option costing $89,385. For more information, contact Unverferth, Kalida, Ohio, 419-532-3121 or visit <a href="http://unverferth.com" target="_blank">unverferth.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p>QUICK TRUCK SKID: With Bestway Ag’s semitruck skid, you can safely transport inputs without a $20,000-$30,000 sprayer trailer. Quickly go from hauling grain to detaching the trailer and backing into a skid in minutes with Bestway’s skid. The 18- or 16-foot wood bed has a kingpin that can be adjusted once the truck is in place. It also has LED lighting, a rear RV hookup and sits atop 8,000-pound storage jack stands. Front and rear skid mounts and pinch plates can be installed and uninstalled in less than 30 minutes. For more information on this $12,000 truck skid, contact Bestway Ag, Inverness, Miss., 800-608-6548 or visit<a href="http://bestwayag.com" target="_blank">bestwayag.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p>FAST UNLOAD SPEEDS: Balzer’s new Field Floater 7 has a flat-bar load cell as opposed to the round bar on previous versions in the series, a change made to extend the life span of the cart. It boasts the fastest unload rate in the industry at 1,090 bushels per minute, which can fill a semi in 90 seconds. It comes standard with 30.5-inch tires. The new Model 7 can go up to triple axle, with the option to go up to 1050 Series 32-inch tires. Tracks cost $50,000. While previous field floaters came in three sizes, the Model 7 has five. The starting price for the 1550-bushel capacity cart is $96,000. There are also a 1725, 1850, 2150 and 2550. For more information, contact Balzer, Mountain Lake, Minn., 800-795-8551 or visit <a href="http://balzerinc.com" target="_blank">balzerinc.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p>4-WHEEL AND DRILL: Large food plots on hunting grounds don’t need a lot of work during planting when using the industry’s only 5-foot-wide, pull-type drill for UTVs. Also available in the more common 4-foot width or three-point widths, it only takes a couple minutes to switch between the standard “scatter seed” box for row crops and an optional warm-season-grass box that will plant fluffier native grasses. All ground-engaging components are rolling, with disks cutting open a trench and a harrow finalizing the seed bed. The 5-foot, pull-type unit costs $11,000. For more information, contact Kasco Manufacturing, Shelbyville, Ind., 800-458-9129 or visit <a href="http://kascomfg.com" target="_blank">kascomfg.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p>LOW-PROFILE SPREADER: Bunning has adapted its line of wide-body spreaders for the American market with a new lower-to-the-ground profile, so that farmers can now load manure and compost with skid steers. With auger flighting made from durable and flexible boron and variable-floor-speed control, the new 670 LoPro Widebody spreader costs $70,000. For more information, contact Norwood Sales, Horace, N.D., 800-446-0316 or visit <a href="http://gtbunning.com" target="_blank">gtbunning.com</a>.</p>

<p>EASY CONSERVATION PLANTING: Plant grains, grasses and small seeds with Landoll’s new 5110 grain drill, built mainly for use on land in conservation. It’s similar to the company’s two-seed-chamber 5211 drill, though having a third seedbox for native grass seeds sets it apart. The seed meter for the native box has an agitator to prevent bridging; a picker wheel ensures the seed makes it down the tube. For more information about the $61,000 drill, contact Landoll, Marysville, Kan., 785-562-5381 or visit <a href="http://landoll.com" target="_blank">landoll.com</a>.</p>

<p>BETTER OPERATOR EXPERIENCE: Spray pasture and croplands from the road with the commercial-built Hydra Spray F550 pickup sprayer from GVM. It was recently updated to give the booms a second fold before going on the road, preventing a javelin-like effect that was present in previous models. It’s controlled by the Viper 4 Raven system and fits a 545-gallon, stainless steel tank. It can also fit a dry spreader box. For more information, contact GVM Inc., Biglerville, Pa., 800-458-5123 or visit <a href="http://gvminc.com" target="_blank">gvminc.com</a>.</p>

<p>SMALL SPREADER: Artex Manufacturing is entering into the most popular-size spreader market with SB200, the smallest and newest member of its SB series. It’s 16 feet long and 5 feet wide, with a 32-cubic-foot capacity. Unlike many competitors, Artex doesn’t install horizontal beaters on the spreader, preferring the farther-spreading pattern of vertical auger flighting. Without the optional Raven scale system, the SB200 costs $27,000. For more information, contact Artex, Redwood Falls, Minn., 888-644-2893 or visit <a href="http://artexmfg.com" target="_blank">artexmfg.com</a>.</p>

<p>NEW NO-TILL SEEDER: Land Pride has launched the NTS26 Series of No-Till Seeders. There are models that work with a Category 2, three-point hitch, and pull-type models. Models range in horsepower requirement from 60 to 110 hp in 7-, 9- and 11-foot widths. They use fluted seed cups and a metering system that accommodates lower seeding rates. There’s also a gearbox on the main box to eliminate the need to switch chains and sprockets to vary seeding rates. Suggested list price for the model shown – the 9-foot machine – is $14,293. Learn more from Land Pride, Salina, Kan., at 785-823-3276 or visit <a href="http://landpride.com" target="_blank">landpride.com</a>.</p>

<p>TAKE ON TOUGH ALLEYS: The Nuhn Alley Vac is a self-propelled machine that makes short work of alley cleaning in big barns. The folding blade on the front wings out to match alley size and is controlled from the cab. The center-cab-mount design allows for a good view, and is heated and air conditioned for operator comfort. The machine features Dual Magnum 400 Vacuum Pumps and a full-length auger to remove solid buildup in the alley. The high flotation tires offer you the option to spread the manure directly in the field or to transfer the manure. And the 12-inch unload valve provides fast unloading. Suggested price for the machine shown is $275,000. Learn more from Nuhn, Sebringville, Ontario, Canada, 877-837-7323 or visit <a href="http://nuhn.ca" target="_blank">nuhn.ca</a>.</p>

<p>EASY HAULER: Landoll purchased trailer maker Travalong in 2019, and has added Travalong’s product series to the line. This is the dump trailer, which offers a range of material handling options around the farm. The trailers are available in 10-, 12-, 14- and 16-foot lengths and features an 82-inch-wide design. They have a 50-50 spreader gate and a solid box frame. They also feature power-up and power-down hydraulics, LED lighting, torsion axles with electric brakes and a number of options. Suggested list price for the trailer shown is $12,500. Learn more from Travalong by Landoll, Waterville, Kan., 785-363-2552 or visit <a href="http://travalong.com" target="_blank">travalong.com</a><em>.</em></p>