Kinze has debuted a prototype planter that gives soybean growers the ability to plant narrower rows while covering the same ground of a 60-foot, 30-inch corn planter.
The split row, centre pivot unit was on display at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois last month. It’s capable of 24-row, 30-inch corn planting and 15 inch row spacing for soybeans.
“We see a lot of 60 foot planters on the 30-inch corn market, but not many good solutions for the 60-foot market on split row (15-inch) beans,” explains Kinze’s Mike Gryp in the interview below.
With the additional width comes more weight, as the Gryp says the prototype has capacity for 120 bushels of seed and 1000 gallons of dry or 600 gallons of liquid fertilizer. The weight is distributed using a hydraulic weight transfer system, easing pressure on the centre rows.
With a centre pivot, the frame folds up to a 12-foot transport width.
Gryp says they brought the prototype to FPS to gauge farmer interest in the design. No deadline or released date has been set.
Related: Two planters, one machine: introducing Case IH’s new 2140 Early Riser
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