Father And Son Build Custom-Mounted Toolbars

Father And Son Build Custom-Mounted Toolbars FERTILIZER APPLICATION When Ohio farmer Gary Schmitz and his son wore out their anhydrous toolbar 10 years ago they decided to take a big step and build their own replacement rather than buy a new one “The old model was a pull-type but we thought a mounted model would work better for our conditions ” says the elder Schmitz “We built a completely new 17-shank double-fold bar and also experimented with new rolling disk sealers that worked real well Eventually we mounted those sealers on a smaller toolbar and used it for sidedressing ” That equipment was so successful that the Schmitz’s were soon getting requests from neighbors and friends to supply tool bars and disk sealers “We’ve incorporated many design changes on the bar and the disks and now I believe we’ve got the most heavy-duty low maintenance units on the market today ” Schmitz says The disk sealers operate independent as a pair and are adjustable so the operator can widen narrow or swivel them as needed The younger Schmitz thinks one of their reasons for success is that he and his dad are farmers building equipment for farmers “We test all our equipment on our own land and we make revisions and adjustments based on what we see and need ” says Schmitz II That philosophy helped the team revise and improve the closing coulters over 5 growing seasons so they could sidedress ammonia at high speeds “The sealers hold the soil around the shank and keep it away from the young plants even those just 2 to 3 in tall so we can apply ammonia at 4 to 7 mph ” Schmitz II says Another advantage of their sealers is the maintenance-free disk bearings While the Schmitzes love farming they love building equipment even more The engineering and heavy-duty construction of their toolbars and sealers is a major selling point So is the fact they build sizes from 5 to 15 shanks and offer their equipment in any color the buyer wants Their “standard” feature list includes a hydraulic folding system complete flashing light package with reflectors spring cushion 1 by 2-in shanks premium NH3 knives adjustable gauge wheels and 18-in sealing coulters The bars and cross members are made of heavy-duty 4 by 6-in rectangular tube steel Convenience features include a safety step to access the top of the machine a bracket to hold the hose in place and a heavy-duty parking stand Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Countryside Implements 1220 St Rt 120 Lyons Ohio 43533 ph 419 923-3961; toolbar53@yahoo com

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