Fastest Gun In The West

Fastest Gun In The West SPRAYING New Sprayers 3-2-4 When Minnesota farmer Kenn Kass, of Tracy, got tired of walking to chop volunteer corn out of his soybean fields, he did something about it. Result: The Ken-Ride Spot Sprayer. Now, rather than the slow job of walking fields and pulling, chopping or hoeing volunteer corn or stubborn weeds, four persons seated on the Ken-Ride each operate an 18-in. spray wand. A total of 10 acres per hour can be spot-sprayed, traveling 5 mph, reports Kass. Broadcast spraying is also possible with this "fastest new spray gun in the West". Operators flip a quarterturn valve to broadcast-spray a heavily-infested area, then resume spot spraying in areas of sparser infestation. Eight 40-in. rows, or twelve 30-in. rows, can be sprayed broadcast. If the crop needs cultivating, a rear mounted cultivator can be used behind the tractor, with riders up front to spot spray isolated weeds. Or, the driver can broadcast spray with or without riders as he cultivates. Kass really didn't think seriously about marketing the machine until he noticed that every time he used the Ken-Ride, somebody asked him to make them one, or to borrow his rig. Last fall, Kass contracted with a manufacturer to produce the machine. They are readily available for the 1979 cropping season, at a suggested retail price of $1,235, fob. Kass has field tested the machine for 5 seasons. "When we first started spot-spraying, about all we had available was 2,4-D, and drift was a problem. But, when Basagran, Butyrac and Roundup were introduced, things really started to work," Kass told FARM SHOW. "We use Butyrac and Basagran when we want to spot-spray or broadcast and not worry about hurting the crop. But, with Roundup, we've got the perfect chemical for spot-spraying either corn or bad weed patches, such as thistles. Just a few drops and the corn or weed is killed and there's no drift. We're also used Hoelan experimentally. It works great and we're hopefull it will be cleared for use yet this year." Kass says the cost of spot-spraying with Roundup is about $2 to $6+per acre, depending on the degree of infestation of volunteer corn or other weeds in soybeans or other crops. "That compares to about $15 per acre for broadcast treatment," he points out. In addition to less cost for chemicals, Kass says there is a hefty savings in labor with his new style spot sprayer. "If you've got four fellows walking 20 acres, it will probably take them about 10 hours, which adds up to about $90 or $100 in labor for only 20 acres. With the Ken-Ride, you can do 100 acres for the same labor cost." Herbicide can be drawn from a 3-pt. hitch-mounted tank, from side-mounted tanks, or from pulltype trailers. Pump and plumbing systems on the Ken-Ride are corrosion resistant and compatible with most herbicides. Seat height adjusts from 3 to 5 ft. (Each seat is equipped with a safety belt.) The toolbar wings fold for transport. The standard Ken-Ride mounting bracket fits most John Deere and International Harvester tractors. Brackets for virtually all other makes of tractors available on custom order. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Kenneth Kass, Ken-Ride Sprayer, Tracy, Minn. 56175 (ph 507 629-3405).

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