Sprayer's "Steerable Hitch" Follows Tractor Tracks

Sprayer's "Steerable Hitch" Follows Tractor Tracks HITCHES Hitches 22-5-31 The wheels on this new "steerable hitch" sprayer follow in the tractor tracks at the end of the field, greatly reducing crop damage, says Service Systems Engineering, Jackson, Minn. The 2-wheeled rig is designed to be pulled behind a planter, cultivator, or toolbar and is equipped with a 1,000-gal. tank and a short gooseneck hitch on front. The back end of the hitch connects to a mechanical linkage that connects to a steering rod. As the tractor pulling the sprayer starts turning at the end of the field, the sprayer wheels turn in the opposite direction and follow right in the tractor tracks instead of cutting to the inside and running over the crop. The steering angle of the wheels can be adjusted at the front end of the tongue by changing the position of a ball inside a slot. "It knocks down a lot less crop at the end of the field than conventional sprayers," says James Grantz. "The steering system allows it to be used with a much shorter gooseneck tongue than can be used on conventional spray carts. Spray carts equipped with long goosenecks can't be used on hillsides because they æcrab' down the hill and knock down the crop. The short tongue solves that problem. "It works great when used behind a toolbar to sidedress 28% liquid nitrogen. The tank can be replaced with a dry fertilizer box and blower." Sells for about $5,000. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Service Systems Engineering, Rt. 1, Box 66, Jack-son, Minn. 56143 (ph 800 487-9153 or 507 847-2878).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.