By Sonja Begemann and Sara Brown
John Deere Responds to DOJ’s Precision Planting Block
In late August, John Deere’s planned acquisition of Precision Planting came to a halt when the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) listed concerns about lack of competition and likely higher costs for farmers. John Deere did not immediately respond to the complaint but in an October statement, company officials highlighted three key points for the DOJ to consider:
- The case is designed to protect a competitor, not competition. DOJ initially cleared Deere’s acquisition of Precision Planting but when a competitor to Deere protested the deal, the DOJ opened a new investigation and filed a lawsuit in an attempt to block the sale.
- An incorrect interpretation of the market is jeopardizing options for growers. Deere disagrees with DOJ defining high-speed precision planting as a distinct market from other planting equipment used by growers.
- The Deere-Precision Planting combination would create more choices for growers and increase access to technology.
Visit www.AgWeb.com for continuing coverage on this merger.
|
Smoother Grain Handling
Brent V-Series corner-auger grain carts from Unverferth Manufacturing offer more visibility and high-speed unloading, with speeds up to 700 bu. per minute. Models are available in 750-, 850-, 1,000-, 1,100-, 1,300- and 1,500-bu. capacities. The auger has 7⁄16" thick-edge flighting and double flighting in key areas to keep grain moving. Made with durable steel construction, the carts feature oversized heavy-duty powertrain components. The corner-auger positioning and a four-way directional downspout give the operator more visibility and precision grain placement during unloading and folding. The Soft-Start auger connection provides smooth engagement of lower and upper augers at startup for reduced stress and longer drivetrain life. Undercarriage choices include high-flotation singles, duals, Equalizer tracks or conventional tracks. A variety of weighing options are available. Visit www.umequip.com for more details.
|
New Line of Compact Loaders
Bobcat’s M2-Series, including skid-steer, compact track and all-wheel steer loaders (24 models total), are powered by non-DPF Bobcat diesel engines. The models automatic ride control option can be turned on or off from inside the cab. When the auto mode is selected, the system will work at any speed to reduce material spillage. For improved maintenance, the cooling fan reverses direction for several seconds to blow dust and small debris from the radiator and rear screens. Cab comfort enhancements include new front and rear cab isolators, side screen dampers and LED lighting. A lift cylinder cushioning provides slower, smoother movement of loader arms. A redesign of the cab’s top window improves operator visibility by 34%. In the skid-steer category, the S850 model has a larger 100-hp engine to increase performance while operating high-flow auxiliary hydraulic attachments. On 600- and 700-frame-size loaders, a low-effort hydrostatic pump reduces drive lever effort by as much as 25% to decrease operator fatigue. For more information, visit a local dealer or www.bobcat.com.
