In September 2012, Geringhoff made a big announcement—it was opening its first factory outside of Germany in St. Cloud, Minn. (read my blog post about the live video announcement here).

The company aims to produce machines for the U.S. in the U.S., including its current lineup and the anticipated Independence Corn Head, which can harvest corn in any row spacing in any direction.

And in just six months, the company has produced the frames for the five prototype harvesting heads, with the first 8-row prototype’s frame being done on March 9, and just three hours ago the finishing welds were put on the last of the five machines.

Geringhoff has been providing updates on its Facebook page.

Here’s a video report from The St. Cloud Times (read the full story here)

And for a sneak peek at what the Independence has to offer, here’s its promotional video:

 It’s definitely not a Prius. The John Deere 644K Wheel Loader is powered by a diesel engine and an on-board electric power generator. The diesel power source is a Tier 4 Interim compliant PowerTech engine with 229 hp. Perhaps this machine is setting the stage for the hybrid tractor….

The main components of the electric drive technology include: a generator that converts rotational energy from the engine into 3-phase alternating current (AC) electrical energy and uses recycled energy to drive hydraulic functions; an inverter that is water-cooled and can be used to deliver electrical energy when the operator demands it; the single electric motor, much like the generator, uses 3-phase AC electrical energy and replaces the job of the torque converter, recycling energy back into the system; and the water-cooled brake resistor only uses energy when the power electronics actively control its circuit

The company quotes a 25% reduction it the amount of fuel used by the hybrid machine compared with a traditional machine. Another side benefit is reduced noise.

Here’s a video from the company with operator reactions to running the hybrid wheel loader: 

And click here for the John Deere web page about the machine.