Lucas Cooney, Author at Tractor News

AGCO Begins Expansion of Minnesota Facility

By Lucas Cooney
May 9, 2013

AGCO says it will invest $42 million over the next three years in infrastructure, increasing production capacity and efficiency as it expands its production facility in Jackson, Minn.

Eric Fisher, AGCO director of operations in Jackson, was joined by city of Jackson Mayor Wayne Walter in a groundbreaking ceremony at the site May 7, 2013, to mark the start of the facility improvement project.

The three-year endeavor is made up of seven phases affecting all areas of the campus, including component manufacturing, the tractor assembly line and the application equipment assembly line. Once completed, the expansion will create 75 additional permanent jobs at the facility, bringing the total number of employees to more than 1,200. The project will increase production capacity by 25 percent for both the tractor and sprayer assembly lines. (more…)

Mahindra Showcasing Tractors with Customer Events

By Lucas Cooney
May 3, 2013

Mahindra USA is inviting customers to its Dealer Days Sales Event to check out the Mahindra line of tractors.

When purchasing a Mahindra tractor during Dealer Days, customers can take advantage of zero percent interest for 84 months financing along with Mahindra’s five-year warranty. Mahindra Dealer Days provides an opportunity to learn more about Mahindra’s heritage and a relationship with North America that dates nearly 70 years when Mahindra was selected to build the Willys Jeep in WWII.

Supporting the Dealer Days Sales Event is the launch of Mahindra’s new North American national media campaign showcasing the company’s long history with the U.S. and Canada and a revamp of Mahindra’s popular “Lift” commercial that touts the superior performance of Mahindra tractors.

“We are excited to unveil our new advertising campaign highlighting Mahindra’s North American heritage and superior performance. These ads feature proud Mahindra tractor owners, staying true to our customer first strategy,” says Cleo Franklin, Mahindra USA’s vice-president, marketing and strategic planning. (more…)

Yanmar America to Distribute Woods Attachments

By Lucas Cooney
April 24, 2013

Yanmar America has entered into a partnership with Woods Equipment Company that will see Yanmar distribute Woods tractor attachments through its nationwide dealer network.

The product offering covers a line of agriculture and landscape equipment compatible with Yanmar tractor sizes ranging from 24hp to 49hp. The attachment line includes cutters, finish mowers, snow blowers, and assorted scrapers, discs, rakes, post hole diggers, stump grinders and blades. All equipment will be branded “Yanmar.”

Read our feature on Woods’ subcompact tractor attachments (more…)

Mahindra USA No. 2 In NAEDA Dealer Satisfaction Survey

By Lucas Cooney
April 1, 2013

Mahindra USA has moved up to the No. 2 spot in the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey.

After showing improvement in overall dealer satisfaction, Mahindra USA moved up a position in the rankings. Mahindra USA captured the top spot in several categories: Communications with Management, Marketing & Advertising Support and Product Availability.

“Our dealers are the critical link to translating the Mahindra Rise philosophy into action at the grassroots level,” says Mani Iyer, president of Mahindra USA. “We share our success with our dealers and are committed to their success as well.”

“Our dealers represent the Mahindra brand daily in their communities and are drivers for our strong growth in the U.S. and Canada,” says Cleo Franklin, vice-president of marketing and strategic planning at Mahindra USA. “We thank each of our dealer partners for believing in the product and showcasing Mahindra as well as they do our products.”

According to Mahindra USA, the partnership between dealers and the manufacturer, along with an industry leading warranty program, result in 98 percent brand loyalty and 97 percent customer satisfaction ratings from Mahindra tractor owners.

“We are pleased to see the impact of our dealer/customer-first focus reflected in our record sales growth and increased market share in North America,” says Franklin.

The NAEDA Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey is based on the feedback of NAEDA-member dealers in the United States and Canada with a 20 percent increase in responses as compared to 2012. The survey results are compiled from data provided by more than 3,000 individual dealers representing more than 1,000 dealerships.

Bobcat Unveils New PTO-Equipped Utility Vehicles

By Lucas Cooney
March 8, 2013

Bobcat has recently unveiled an innovative new line of hydrostatic drive utility vehicles – the 3600 and 3650. The 3650 model is the industry’s first utility vehicle with the capacity to operate front-mounted PTO attachments.

Both the 3600 and 3650 offer cabs with both heat and air conditioning, making these true four-season work vehicles.

Powered by 24.8-horsepower diesel engines, the new 3600 and 3650 join the 3200, 3400 and 3400XL in Bobcat’s utility vehicle family, along with the Toolcat 5600 and 5610 utility work machines.

One of the main drivers behind the 3600 and 3650 was the development of a hydrostatic drive system. The hydrostatic system in the new Bobcat UTVs provides durability, and uses a single two-speed motor with fewer moving parts.

Another key durability feature of the machines is a diesel engine that will automatically shut itself down if it experiences high engine coolant temperature, low engine oil pressure, or high hydraulic oil temperature. (more…)

Mahindra Produces Two Millionth Tractor

By Lucas Cooney
March 8, 2013

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Is celebrating a major milestone as the company’s Kandivali plant in Mumbai, India rolled out its two millionth tractor on February 27, 2013.

According to Mahindra, the company achieved this milestone by doubling its global production in less than a decade. The first million tractors were produced over a nearly 40-year span, beginning in 1965 with the first Mahindra tractor.

Mahindra USA has contributed to this milestone through its growth in the U.S. and Canadian tractor markets over the past two decades. Mahindra is the fastest growing tractor brand in North America. (more…)

Bobcat Partners With Georgia Boot For UTV Giveaway

By Lucas Cooney
March 8, 2013

It’s not often that a new pair of boots can lead to a free UTV, but Georgia Boot and Bobcat Company have partnered up for a contest to make that happen.

The annual Georgia Boot “Walk in Our Boots” sweepstakes will give away two Bobcat utility vehicles. Beginning in March and running through September, one Georgia Boot consumer and one sales associate at a Georgia Boot retail partner will have the chance to win a 2013 Bobcat.

In addition to the UTV, the grand prize also includes a free pair of Georgia Boots, a Comfort Core Logger t-shirt and Georgia Boot cap. The total package has an estimated value of more than $16,000. (more…)

John Deere Adds Environmental Sensors to Field Connect

By Lucas Cooney
March 8, 2013

John Deere‘s Field Connect soil moisture monitoring system introduced last fall is getting some significant updates. John Deere is adding new environmental sensors and features to Field Connect to provide additional information to producers of agricultural crops.

The new environmental sensors include:
• Weather Station
• Rain Gauge
• Temperature Sensor
• Pyranometer
• Leaf Wetness Sensor

In addition to the soil moisture data provided by the Field Connect system, John Deere says the new sensors provide data on temperature, wind speed, wind direction, humidity, solar radiation, leaf wetness and rainfall. The sensors are installed in customer fields as part of the Field Connect Gateway.

Nicholas Shafer, product manager for the John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group, says the new environmental sensors, along with the multiple capacitance soil moisture sensors, give customers a more comprehensive and accurate picture of what’s going on in their fields. (more…)

Massey Ferguson Offers New Rotary Rakes

By Lucas Cooney
February 25, 2013

Massey Ferguson has introduced three new rotary rakes, designed to help hay producers optimize hay quality and create windrows that increase baling efficiency and capacity.

The new models expand the RK Series line of rotary rakes from Massey Ferguson to offer more options that help both small and large operations produce quality hay. All three models are designed to help speed drying time because they sweep the hay or forage into a uniform windrow. According to Massey Ferguson, their gentle action helps maximize leaf retention for optimum protein content, resulting in more valuable hay.

“Rotary rakes form more even windrows without roping or plugging, and the tine angle and gentle sweeping motion result in a cleaner crop in the windrow,” says Dean Morrell, product marketing manager for Hay and Forage. “In addition, the tines on these rotary rakes last two to three times longer than tines on traditional wheel rakes.” (more…)

Massey Ferguson Introduces Two New TD Series Tedders

By Lucas Cooney
February 25, 2013

Massey Ferguson has introduced two new larger TD Series tedders, designed to help commercial hay producers cut drying time and increase tedding efficiency to produce quality hay faster.

The new models offer a larger width to provide a thinner crop matte with better aeration, which helps hay dry faster and more evenly. According to Massey Ferguson, every TD Series tedder is equipped with an induction-hardened rotor casting that is break-resistant and designed for the most adverse tedding conditions.

“The longer hay lies in the field for drying, the more opportunity there is for it to be damaged by rain or bleaching from the sun,” says Dean Morrell, product marketing manager for Hay and Forage. “Both rain and sun decrease the nutritional value and palatability. The new TD Series tedders spread the hay out to their full width to help cut drying time so hay may be harvested quickly and at its optimum quality.” (more…)

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2018 Mahindra 1626 Review

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 1

5 of the Best Sub Compact Tractors

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2018 Mahindra 1626 Review

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 1

5 of the Best Sub Compact Tractors

5 of the Best Compact Tractor Choices

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 2

2018 Mahindra 1626 Review

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 1

5 of the Best Sub Compact Tractors

5 of the Best Compact Tractor Choices

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 2

2018 Mahindra 1626 Review

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 1

5 of the Best Sub Compact Tractors

5 of the Best Compact Tractor Choices

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 2

2018 Mahindra 1626 Review

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 1

5 of the Best Sub Compact Tractors

5 of the Best Compact Tractor Choices

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 2

2018 Mahindra 1626 Review

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 1

5 of the Best Sub Compact Tractors

5 of the Best Compact Tractor Choices

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 2

2018 Mahindra 1626 Review

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 1

5 of the Best Sub Compact Tractors

5 of the Best Compact Tractor Choices

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 2

2018 Mahindra 1626 Review

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 1

5 of the Best Sub Compact Tractors

5 of the Best Compact Tractor Choices

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 2

2018 Mahindra 1626 Review

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 1

5 of the Best Sub Compact Tractors

5 of the Best Compact Tractor Choices

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 2

2018 Mahindra 1626 Review

2017 Subcompact Tractor Comparison – Part 1