What is going to be the next "Big Thing"

   / What is going to be the next "Big Thing" #81  
How about an attachment that measures soil pH and other factors dynamically while in use that is tied into a computer / GPS that generates a detailed map of field conditions. This would be attached to a disc, plow or other soil contacting implement. Then tie that into a spreader / computer / gps that can spread the correct amount of fertilizer or lime based on the soil requirements? Maybe add in a seeder that can dynamically vary the amount of seed planted (row width / seed spacing) based on the soil's computed ability to support growth. Moister and richer portions of the field get more seed per square yard than drier or barren portions of the fields.

Just think'n out loud...

It is called Precision Farming (you can Google the term). Have a friend whose daughter got a degree in ag engineering from Purdue, then went to France to study the technique already being used there. This was 4 or 5 years ago. Everything controlled by computer and the farmers job was to get the equipment to the field.
 
   / What is going to be the next "Big Thing" #82  
It is called Precision Farming (you can Google the term). Have a friend whose daughter got a degree in ag engineering from Purdue, then went to France to study the technique already being used there. This was 4 or 5 years ago. Everything controlled by computer and the farmers job was to get the equipment to the field.

I agree tat this is all being done already, except for the soil testing part.
 
   / What is going to be the next "Big Thing"
  • Thread Starter
#83  
Yes! A 20" PTO tiller! The narrowest one I can find is the Agric 30" and its overall width is 36. Too wide for what I want. I want a tiller that fits on a CUT that I can till down rows of veggies and corn by straddleing TWO rows of plants with my tires yet still till/culitvate down the middle of the tractor. It could be built very light and instead of skids it would need to have two wheels that would adjust for depth of the tilling action. This is because skids damage the young plant roots and you can't till as close to the row. It would even be nice to have the tine layout like a troy built pony so that you could till right next to the row of plants without damaging the roots of the plants. Since it would be mostly a culitvater/weeder it wouldn't need to be built heavy and wheels should support the weight fine. I could then space my garden rows at 26 inches, straddle two rows and till down within 3 inches of my corn rows. No need to till corn once it gets over a foot or so. Seems like everyone I know has knee/ankle issues and walking a tiller down long rows in soft soil seems to aggrivate the joints like nothing else. It would look like this:

tractor tire:>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
veggie row:-------------------------------------------------------
Tiller width:()()()()()()()()()()())()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()())(()(
()()()()()()(()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()())(
veggie row:-------------------------------------------------------
tractor tire:>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Oh and I heard on the radio that next big thing was a "electrical banana".


I think I have the tool that will cultivate multiple rows with infinite lateral adjustment of the tines. Rows could be any spacing. $375 + modest shipping. Perfect for the CUT and would be a lot less expensive than a roto tiller. Ken Sweet
 

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   / What is going to be the next "Big Thing" #84  
I'm gonna second the diesel electric theory. Already making a huge resurgence in the commercial marine industry and now starting to creep into the construction equipment as well (Cat dozer). Actually, all the large LeTourneau mining trucks and loaders have been diesel electric for years, haven't they? There are so many more electronics in the tractors now, and the electric over hydraulic controls are fantastic. I believe John Deere has at the very least a prototype diesel electric tractor. Diesel engine only puts out the power it needs for any given task and no more. Electrically driven hydraulic pumps for drive motors, electrically driven pumps for hydraulic remotes, and an electric pto. Super efficient, compact, and pretty reliable stuff. Electric motors allow for precise and instantaneous control. In some ways I believe it is easier to build a machine this way also.

Give it another 10 years and I guarantee it will be more prevalent - if for no other reason, than it will cut down on emissions by allowing tractors to be operated on less horsepower for the majority of their tasks, only taking advantage of their full rated diesel engine power when a full electrical demand is absolutely called for.

Guys, don't be confused - the tractor doesn't run on batteries - it still has the diesel engine which runs ALL THE TIME. It just drives a generator instead of a gearbox which then distributes the power to the different electric motors. For instance, each drive wheel would have it's own motor (no drive shafts or gearboxes) and would only get the power that is called for. Think - truly independent 4 wheel drive! Much less wheel slippage as power can be split between the other non slipping wheels. You'll be able to run your pto slower without affecting ground speed/wheel power or hydraulic flow - everything is independent.

Thoughts?

Didn't AG-Chem/AGCO have something like that at the AG-Connect expo this year? One of the self-propelled sprayers maybe? Or maybe it was all electric? I really can't remember.
 
   / What is going to be the next "Big Thing" #85  
Our area had tedders as long as there have been people here. Pre 1800's it was people with forks or poles. After that horse drawn kicker tedders then rotary inline, then the spinner basket style in the 70's.

Most hay cutting went from horse drawn sickle bar to mower conditioner to disc mower conditioner. Very few tractor mounted mowers.

I think the big advance will be automated guided machines replacing operators. I think they will be setup to operate around the clock and just need managed. They are already pretty darn close.

I imagine once chemical resistance develops someone will build a Roomba style machine that patrol row crops 24/7 and pulls weeds or spot uses so much herbicide that it can't develop resistance.

From my memories, in the early fifties farmers went from horses and mules to tractors. In the fifties only about 3-4 farmers had a brush Hog in my county, now every farm does. In the fifties, we dug all our post holes with hand diggers, now we all have PTO diggers. We went from pitman mowers to beltdrive mowers in the sixties and seventies. Then we went from beltdrive sickle mowers to disc mowers in the eighties and now every farmer that does much hay has one. From Disc mowers to Discbines is the trend currently. Hay tedders were not even considered a needed implement until about 15 years ago and now every hay farmer has one.
In your opinion, what do you see as the "next big thing" in the implement area in the following years? Ken Sweet
 
   / What is going to be the next "Big Thing" #86  
It is called Precision Farming (you can Google the term). Have a friend whose daughter got a degree in ag engineering from Purdue, then went to France to study the technique already being used there. This was 4 or 5 years ago. Everything controlled by computer and the farmers job was to get the equipment to the field.

Oh sure! Those sneaky French, stealing my idea before i even had it!
 
   / What is going to be the next "Big Thing" #87  
As long as I have been around farming (54 years) the biggest pain in the butt has been the weather. Make something that can control that and you solve the worlds food problems.
 
   / What is going to be the next "Big Thing" #88  
Real Horsepower...:D
 

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   / What is going to be the next "Big Thing" #89  
Real Horsepower...:D see pic above

[humor intended]

That would not work for many here since that rig has no ROPS or seat belt. It would also be difficult to mount the MMM and the FEL is missing. And, I doubt if you could fill the tires (hoofs) for better traction.

[/humor intended]
 
   / What is going to be the next "Big Thing" #90  
 

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