New Grain Drill Folds Forward For Transport

New Grain Drill Folds Forward For Transport DRILLS Drills (42C) 1-5-15 Just about everything you've wanted in a wide, rugged folding grain drill has been incorporated into the new Great Plains drill designed and being manufactured by Ray Applequist, Sauna, Kan. "We asked several hundred farmers about their needs for an improved grain drill, then designed it accordingly," Ray told FARM SHOW. The 30 ft. wide unit is made up of three 10 ft, sections which float independently on uneven ground. The two outside sections fold forward to a narrow 15 1/2 ft. width for road transport. "The drill lifts hydraulically before it folds, allowing it to be easily folded even in loose ground and with the grain boxes fully loaded," explains Applequist. "We've developed a truly revolutionary folding mechanism that's both rugged and dependable. It roads beautifully, much like a two wheel trailer." Another exclusive feature is the "problem free" drive mechanism. "During our testing program, we never had a single problem with it," says Applequist. "We drive off the gauge wheels instead of the press wheels. The roller chains and sprockets are up out of the dirt and in front of the openers. Since our gauge wheel stays in a fixed position to the seed box, we don't need any spring tighteners. Gauge wheels are positioned in the center of each section, allowing you to plant as close to the edges of the field as you like. You also don't leave any wheel tracks in the field." Here's how Applequist describes other key features: Rugged construction: "We use 6 by 4 by 1/4 in. wall rectangular steel tubing for the main frame and tongue. The main sections of the drill are welded together in close tolerance jigs to insure an accurate yet rugged machine. Because of this, it can easily be folded and moved with a full box of seed." 10 in. row spacing: "Farmers we querried wanted row spacings of from 8 to 12 in. Since it wasn't feasible to build all of these kinds the first year, we're offering a 10 in. disc drill and a 10 in. hoe drill. Planting depth is controlled by a manual lever." Other features include adjustable disc marker; vacuum sealed acre meter; simple seeding rate adjustment; sight glasses in each box to show seed levels; rubber sealed lids on the seed boxes; and double pitch roller chain and cut sprockets. The 30 ft. hoe drill retails for $10,800, the disc drill for $400 more. Neither model is available with a fertilizer attachment. For more details, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Great Plains Manufacturing, 921 Bishop, Salina, Kan. 67401 (ph 913 825-7758).

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