Rounding up harvest and hay tools

<p>CONTROL BLADE WEAR: Go for long-lasting residue management with Straw Claw chopper blades from Kondex, which are now able to replace the original manufacturer’s blades in Case IH choppers. Available also for Claas, John Deere, Gleaner and Massey Ferguson, the fixed knives have serrated ridges composed of ultra-strong tungsten. The steel between the ridges is meant to wear down as the blade dulls, so that it gets a more defined serrated edge. This helps increase the life span of the blade. A four-piece box for 40-blade choppers from Case IH costs $96, while a two-piece set for 28-blade choppers costs $68. More blades for Case models are available at $44 for a two-piece set. For more information, contact Kondex, Lomira, Wis., at 920-269-4100 or visit <a href="http://kondex.com" target="_blank">kondex.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p>NEW CORN HEAD: Capello, the Italian corn head producer, is rolling out the new Diamant chopping corn head for 2020. The unit features new dual-action deck plates and allows the user to make hydraulic adjustments from the cab. The snouts have a unique feature as well. They're spring-loaded — so if they're pushed back by the crop, they snap back into place easily. The hoods, or snouts, themselves are also designed for smoother crop flow, and those hoods can be removed in a few steps without the need for tools. Also, the new head features a lighter-weight design combined with enhanced durability. Suggested list price for the machine shown is $165,000. Contact Capello, Sioux Falls, S.D., at 855-227-3556 or visit <a href="http://capellousa.com" target="_blank">capellousa.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p>BUDGET BIN MONITOR: The new Steps system offers farmers the ability to monitor bins over Wi-Fi. The modular system is designed so buyers can buy only what they need. The first “step” is a smart monitor that can turn fans on and off according to your settings. In real time, you can read the temperature and humidity in a bin. The cost is $395 per fan. The second “step” is an added temperature sensor that can help identify problems before they arise, with a retail price of $595 with one cable sensor (up to 36-feet long); an added sensor would be $215. The third “step” is a plenum sensor that can be added to a low-temp header to provide precise temperature and humidity readings; it costs $485 and&nbsp; includes a 12-foot wire. There are more options, too. Contact Steps, Eden, Ohio, at 260-624-5969 or visit <a href="http://stepsgms.com" target="_blank">stepsgms.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p>HAY INCOME OPPORTUNITY: Big round bales in storage have their value, but there's a rising market for quality hay in square bales. The new S3 Super Slicer from DewEze can process a bale to be laid out on the ground in a windrow. That’s great for feeding cattle from hay and helps reduce lost waste from bale rings. Yet another opportunity is to unroll those bales, and rebale them into squares to be sold into target markets — such as the horse community. Suggested list price for the machine shown is $18,500. Learn more from DewEze a Harper Industries brand, Harper, Kan., at 800-835-1042 or visit <a href="http://deweze.com" target="_blank">deweze.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p>NEW BALERS ROLLING: Vermeer is launching the new 604R Series of balers in three trim levels — the Classic, Signature and Premium. The Classic, essentially the base-level version of the baler, is designed to offer bale-making without a lot of bells and whistles. It features the Atlas control system, which offers a net-wrap gauge that works like a gas gauge, showing how much is left on the roll. This baler works with tractors with 60 to 80 PTO hp. Suggested list price ranges from $40,000 to $46,000, depending on options.&nbsp;The Signature baler has an optional silage kit to adapt to different weather conditions, and rubber-mounted pickup teeth for added durability. It comes with standard moisture sensors (also on the Premium) to see real-time moisture readings, and it features the Atlas Pro control system to allow bale control from the cab. Suggested list price is $45,000 to $54,000, depending on options.&nbsp;The Premium version has a new look and 19% more capacity versus the Signature version. It offers higher bale density, with up to 30% denser bales compared to the Signature and Classic. It features auto-eject to allow the baler to automatically open and close the tailgate, and it comes with an industry-first lift system (see next slide). Suggest list price is $60,000 to $63,000, depending on options. Learn more from Vermeer, Pella, Iowa, at <a href="http://vermeer.com" target="_blank">vermeer.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p>NIFTY FEATURE: The new 604R Series Premium baler offers a feature that many farmers will appreciate, and it got a lot of attention at the National Farm Machinery Show. The net-lift system allows you to lift rolls of net wrap onto the back of the baler using an electric thumb control. During a long day of baling, lifting those 80-plus-pound rolls a few times can slow you down. This new system helps you get that roll where you want it with no heavy lifting, which is good for operators of any age and standard on the 604R Premium baler. It’s an innovation that may make it on more Vermeer balers in the future — at least as an option. Learn more at <a href="http://vermeer.com" target="_blank">vermeer.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p>MAKE SHORT WORK OF BALES: Round bales are a great feed source but present their own challenges when it’s time to use them. The new Bale Cracker from Maxilator is designed to cut through plastic wrap, net wrap and twine when you have the bale where you want to feed it. The unit attaches to a skid-steer loader, or to the skid-steer plate of a conventional tractor-loader. A single operator can pick up a 5-by-6-foot bale without leaving their seat. The system uses a patented Wrap Retention Mechanism that pierces a bale’s covering, while a simple knife section using a sickle bar mower cuts through the net and wrapping material. Once the new bale is cut and firmly gripped, one fork pivots up and away from the bale, dropping it to the ground while holding the net away from feed for easier collection. Learn more from Maxilator, Atlanta, 800-241-1806 or visit <a href="http://maxilator.com" target="_blank">maxilator.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p>BIGGER FLEX HEAD: For Geringhoff, productivity matters. And with its flex heads going bigger, it makes sense. This is the new TruFlex Razor 45-foot flex head. This newest unit has key features found on its smaller siblings including the Integrated Air System, which gets the crop you want where you need it — into the combine. The airflow helps make sure seeds and pods are harvested, not left behind. This is a feature that’s designed for sensitive crops; it gently blows grains back to the belt. The air lines are integrated in the head, with no external lines to damage pods. Suggested list price for the head as shown is $144,000. Learn more from Geringhoff, St. Cloud, Minn., at <a href="http://geringhoff.com" target="_blank">geringhoff.com</a><em>.</em></p>

<p>STOP WEEDS EARLY; Redekop is known for crop residue management behind the combine, and this latest tool is gaining attention as farmers look for more ways to reduce the weed seed count in the field. This is the Redekop MAV Seed Control Unit, which uses the company’s Maximum Air Velocity straw-chopper design with a new seed control unit. Built for John Deere combines, this machine is still under development, but it uses a proprietary mill design to crack or devitalize weed seed at harvesttime in an effort to reduce the viable weed-seed count in a field. The unit integrates with the John Deere in-cab monitor and is equipped with a tailboard control to manage residue spread. The company claims greater than 98% destruction of harvestable weeds. Marketed in the U.S. by Worthington Implements, Worthington, Minn., get more information at 888-845-8456 or visit <a href="http://redekopmfg.com" target="_blank">redekopmfg.com</a><em>.</em></p>