They Customize Tillage Tools To Meet Soil Needs

They Customize Tillage Tools To Meet Soil Needs TILLAGE EUIPMENT Ridge-Till AGuru Machinery doesn’t believe in “one size fits all” when it comes to strip tillage Contact the company and president Bill Preller may show up to look at fields and soils before recommending a system AGuru systems cover the gamut from 180 to 600 hp tractor power and 2-pt hitch to drawbar and drawbar pull-type chassis “Bill started as a crop consultant in 1982 before going to DMI and then CNH and finally Case IH ” says Paula Inda AGuru “He saw strip tillage as a viable option for the best environment for seed germination but it bothered him that the major OEMs weren’t investing in the concept ” While he saw several short-line equipment makers getting into strip-till he didn’t feel they had the world-class manufacturing and quality control needed He decided to apply his experience in equipment production and agronomy to the problem “He looked at the compromises farmers had to make in longevity or dependability and wanted to do better ” says Inda Preller was soon joined by several seasoned seed soil and equipment experts as well as others with needed competencies Initially the team focused on the 7 by 7-in standard ag toolbar first introduced in 1952 “An engineer from outside ag said ‘You know there are bigger toolbars out there in other industries’ ” recalls Inda AGuru spent the next three years conducting research and development of toolbars including their flagship 16 by 16-in toolbar as well as convertible yield-till row units The different combinations of ground-engaging tools were selected to produce the best soil conditions for seed establishment root growth and plant support Since 2019 AGuru has been selling prototype tools as they were developed and piloted in the field The first production units are now being marketed Systems have already been marketed from Maine to the Dakotas and south to Texas The company now offers a variety of mounted and drawn toolbars in both 7 by 7-in and 16 by 16-in sizes with 3D truss wings sized for the toolbar and application Components include row cleaners main coulters side tillage coulters berm builders soil conditioners and a variety of shanks and knives as well as precision nutrient placement systems Inda suggests that the number of toolbar and component tool options as well as their possible configurations makes pricing an individual matter for each order “Our goal is to introduce dependable products that not only fit the short tillage window available to farmers but expand it ” says Inda The company is developing a network of agents rather than traditional ag dealers “We are selecting marketing partners based on their understanding of agronomy rather than sales ” says Inda “Existing agents include equipment distributors and independent crop consultants ” Prospective customers have the option of buying direct from the company Inda encourages producers to call for a consultation Contact: FARM SHOW Followup AGuru Machinery 210 Lantz St Congerville Ill 61729 ph 309-825-5940; www agurumachinery com

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