The all-new Sunflower^® 1800 Series Tandem Disc Harrows are built for North American producers who need a heavy-duty disc harrow capable of breaking through hard-packed soils and thick crop residue for primary tillage needs. The Sunflower 1800 Series combines bigger blades and wider blade spacing with larger frames to produce some of the highest weight-per-blade specifications in the industry for reliable performance in the field. These disc harrows feature cutting widths from 14-feet, 4-inches up to 39-feet, with a weight-per-blade range of 333 pounds to 635 pounds.

The Sunflower 1800 Series Tandem Disc Harrows are available in two models with a variety of widths and configurations that cater to the specific needs and field conditions of individual farming operations.

The all-new Sunflower^® 1700 Series Offset Disc Harrows offer the highest weight-per-blade specifications in the industry for optimal soil penetration and crop residue management in the field. Featuring large-diameter disc blades and the necessary weight needed to easily tear though hard soils and thick crop residue, the SF 1700 Series Offset Disc Harrows combine innovative technology with heavy-duty durability and toughness for optimal soil penetration and crop residue management in the field.

The Series consists of two models that allow for numerous machine configurations with a variety of widths and weights — from 299 pounds to 514 pounds depending on the model and its configuration. The SF 1700 Series working widths range from 11 feet up to 24 feet, 11 inches, giving producers a multitude of choices so they can select the offset disc harrow that’s ideal for their operation.

• Two models: SF1710 rigid frame, SF1730 flexible frame.
• Spring-cushion gang design helps prevent unnecessary damage in the field
• Configured with 28- or 30-inch notched disc blades spaced at 11- or 13-inch intervals for mixing action
• Adjustable gang angle positioning allow for establishment of ideal seedbed
• Heavy-duty tubular steel frame is built to withstand rigors of aggressive tillage
• Total weight ranges between 10,329 pounds and 22,860 pounds

Team co-captain Arlene Zachary cuts Kirk Cool's 13-inch ponytail for Locks of Love

How do 350 employees generate $6,631 for the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” event? They put FUN into fundraising. For more than 15 years, the employees at the AGCO-Beloit and Cawker City facilities have supported their Relay team by opening their wallets and giving generously. You may remember reading about this in an earlier post.

This year the AGCO team was able to contribute to two worthy organizations, American Cancer Society and Locks of Love , through the “Get ‘er Cut Fund”. Kirk Cool, Beloit Machine Shop Supervisor offered to cut 10 inches of his ponytail for $500 for the Relay. Then he agreed to an additional one-half inch for every $50 over the goal.

The goal of $500 was met fairly quickly. The fund leveled off at $615 until someone donated $85 which put the haircut at 12 inches. Just before the deadline for contributing, an individual presented $100. During a plant-wide employee meeting June 8, Kirk Cool got a haircut from team co-captain Arlene Zachary; and Locks of Love got a 13-inch gift.

This year’s team members are: Arlene Zachary, co-captain; Eve Flynn, co-captain; Steven Isley; Kathy Hargett; Ethan Smith-Esogbue; Ruth Roberts, and Chandra Ackerman. AGCO employees in Beloit and Cawker City have demonstrated their support of the Relay for Life event for many years. They have donated their personal time and money because they believe there should be more birthdays.

What is the funnest thing you have ever done for charity?

On 25 May 2011, AGCO Challenger dealers hosted nearly twenty customers from  Germany and Austria to a rain-soaked visit in Kansas, USA.  The visitors were part of the Challenger Tour 2011 to experience farming operations in the United States and see first-hand how AGCO farm equipment is produced.  After landing in Chicago, USA the group visited a farm in Iowa.  During their stopover in Minnesota they toured the AGCO Jackson facility. They spent the night in Kansas City, Kansas before arriving in Beloit.  A tour of AGCO Hesston and of a Wichita, Kansas grain elevator completed their North America journey.

The schedule of events in Beloit included a barbeque lunch, plant tour and farm visit.   As anyone knows who lives in, or regularly visits, the Plains States region, weather plays a large factor in outdoor activities.  This trip was no exception.

Watching a computer-aided welding demonstration during plant tour.

The week prior, Kansas fields were dangerously dry.  On the day the guests were to be at a farm site, it was still raining from the previous stormy night.  Consequently, the barbeque was moved indoors and the plant tour took a little extra time.  Eventually, there was enough of a break in the rain to stop by one local farm west of Beloit.

The group was able to look at the machinery and “talk shop” comparing farming practices.

Engineering Manager, Rye DeGarmo had this to say, “the highlight of the trip was the farmer-to-farmer discussion.  Both the local and European farmers were interested in each others’ farming practices, especially yield amounts and fertilizer usage. Farmers from both continents were surprised to find the numbers of large farms are growing in a very similar fashion to their own — but on opposite sides of the world.”

What is considered a large farm where you live?

“Toto, I’m not in Kansas anymore”.

It is amazing how this blog can take me from Kansas to the world — and bring the world to Kansas.  Glad you could stop by for a visit!  Contrary to popular belief, Kansas is not flat {a motorcycle out of gas will confirm that fact}; we like barbeque; and working hard/ playing hard is a way of life.

Wheat harvest is June when it’s hot and windy.  Beans and milo are cut in the fall around frosts, rains and snows.

And in the middle of it all is AGCO located in Beloit, Kansas with a satellite plant in Cawker City, Kansas.

AGCO Beloit’s website www.sunflowermfg.com tells the plant’s history and details the Sunflower branded product lines.  This transplanted city girl has the privilege of visiting with you about the happenings at AGCO Beloit and the area farm community.

My name is Jo Herian and have worked at the Beloit plant over 20 years.  Please join me and let’s put some gravel in our travels.