Among the high-tech agricultural equipment featured at this year’s annual farm show held in Decatur, Illinois, this fall included gear that allowed farmers to monitor the quality of their stored grain via their smartphone and a high-powered grain vacuum.
Farmers from all over the Midwest and throughout the US gathered in September for the 2015 Farm Progress Show, which is sponsored by Penton, is the nation’s largest outdoor agriculture event.
The show featured more than 500 different displayers, including agricultural equipment, machinery and high-tech devices today’s farmers use to streamline operations.
Compact Telehandler
Among the most popular exhibits was a compact telehandler produced by JCB which was specially modified for moving large, cumbersome materials in livestock operations. The telehandler featured a front end Loadall that can lift 5,500 up to 20 feet in the air — making it perfect for moving large square bales.
The vehicle comes with a standard 4-wheel drive and a compact wheelbase for turning in tight circles.
Also on display from JCB was an articulated telescopic machine that has a maximum lift capacity of 4,410 pounds and a reach of 15 feet. It can be used for cleaning barns and moving hay.
Bales can be put into position using a newly designed joystick control system in the vehicle’s cab. The TM220 telehandler also can be fitted with a general purpose bucket, teeth, or a toe plate.
High-Powered Grain Vacuum
Another popular display was the new REM GrainVac VR12, from Ag Growth International, a high-powered vacuum unit that can clean out grain bins faster and more efficiently than ever before.
It has a 10-inch inlet, which allows the unit to move 9,000 to 10,000 bushels of grain per hour when connected to a 12- horsepower tractor. it comes standard with two cleanup nozzles, a bin load out nozzle, and three hose caddy.
Also from REM was the GrainVac VRX, a completely redesigned version of one of the company’s most durable grain vacuums. Now it operates more quietly than the tractor powering it, and has a fan that will last 25% longer than earlier models.
Smart Grain Monitoring
There were two eye-catching displays for grain farmers. The first was a remote-operated grain monitoring device from OPI Blue that allows the temperature, moisture and fill levels of grain bins to be monitored from any smartphone or tablet. Once parameters are set, the system will automatically send out an alert if grain conditions changes, helping to protect the farmer’s investment stored inside each grain bin.
Also innovative new monitoring device was a glow-in-the-dark mechanical grain gauge from Customer Marketing Company. It is twice as large as other brands and needs no electricity or maintenance. As the material in the grain bin reaches the gauge, it pushes against the activator turning it from black to green.