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Great Plains Launches New Systems to Improve Crop Production

Dan Miller
By  Dan Miller , Progressive Farmer Senior Editor
Terra-Max features adjustable front and rear coulter gangs and new TurboSpeed blade. (Photo courtesy of Great Plains)

Great Plains, of Salina, Kansas announced earlier today a new addition to its hybrid tillage line-up, the Terra-Max. Great Plains offer it in widths from 20 to 40 feet.

Great Plains defines hybrid tillage as a tillage system that uses a blend of vertical and conventional tillage methods or tools that allow for an aggressive field pass at faster operating speeds. The Terra-Max is a soil management tool used in primary and secondary tillage operations to address a variety of needs from killing weeds, sizing residue, to preparing seedbeds.

The Terra-Max features adjustable front and rear coulter gangs. The front gangs adjust from zero to 8 degrees, while the rear coulter gangs adjust from zero to 6 degrees. Rodney Hake, Tillage Engineering Manager, who presented Terra-Max today said the 8-degree adjustment range incorporated into the front gangs gives this tillage tool an enhanced ability to manage fall field conditions.

"What makes the Terra-Max really shine, compared to other hybrid tillage tools on the market, is its finishing capabilities," Hake said. A lengthened frame, opposing left-hand and right-hand rolling spike harrows, and a double-basket rear attachment combined with active hydraulic down-pressure (rated up to 900 pounds per square inch), all work together to create an ideal seedbed. To get that quality finish, Great Plains designed elements to level the soil, remove ruts and bury residue, while also controlling resistant weeds.

Key to the Terra-Max's productivity is its TurboSpeed blade, Great Plains said. It is a design crafted for higher speeds that combines the soil penetration characteristics of the Turbo-Max-mounted TurboBlade and the low-concavity profile of the SpeedBlade, a key feature of the Velocity. Turbo-Max and Velocity are tillage tools also produced by Great Plains.

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Hake is confident farmers will notice the tillage quality bump they will get from the TurboSpeed blades. The manufacturer tested six styles with varying quantities and depths of waves. "We wanted to make sure (growers) are happy with the cut-out, action and movements of the soil," he said. Great Plains tested them on two 30-foot machines, in two distinct locations, on more than 8,000 acres each. Hake said the blades retained their profile even after that workout.

The Terra-Max will be offered with Great Plains' optional Implement Command system. Implement Command allows producers to set, adjust and monitor the unit from the tractor cab. Implement Command works with the tractor's existing virtual terminal.

One other feature on Terr-Max are radial transport tires. Great Plains mounted the tires -- a size larger than may normally be required -- to better match the travel demands on the machine given longer distances between fields and more commonly, higher road speeds.

PL-SERIES PLANTERS GROWS WITH PL5200

Launched in 2018, Great Plains PL-Series planters entered the market boasting even emergence and increased crop yields. Its newest model is the PL-Series line is PL5200.

The PL5200 is a 40-foot mounted stack-fold planter. It accommodates a wide variety of crops in single- and twin-row planting. The switch between row spacing takes about an hour.

Central to PL-Series planters is the 5000 Series Row Unit. The 5000 Series Air-Pro Meter uses a positive-air system that "dead drops" seed into the Great Plains-patented Clear-Shot Seed Tube to achieve uniform spacing. The meter is designed for a variety of crops, such as corn, soybeans, sunflowers, cotton, and smaller seeds, such as milo, canola and hemp.

The PL5200 is available in both large-capacity bulk-fill hoppers or individual row hoppers. Producers can choose from a traditional three-section mechanical ground drive, a three-section variable rate-ready hydraulic drive, or electric individual row control (IRC) drive.

The PL5200 is now available for purchase.

For more information about the PL5200 and Terra-Max go to: www.GreatPlainsAg.com.

Dan Miller can be reached at dan.miller@dtn.com

Follow him on Twitter @DMillerPF

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