RU Customer Testimonials

Here’s What Our Customers Say

Season after season. Year after year. Decade after decade. We rely on you to tell us what we’re doing right and how we can improve. Read what real Kinze customers have to say about Kinze Manufacturing throughout the years.

Kinze

Kinze Power Products Re-powers

Note: The following is an excerpt from the book "Fifty Years of Disruptive Innovation". Kinze Power Products In 1988, recognizing the demand for replacement engines on the 86 Series John Deere four-wheel-drive tractors, Kinze jumped back into the re-power business. One of the first projects was re-powering a John Deere 8630 with a Cummins 855 engine. The project proved so interesting and successful that, one year later, Kinze created Kinze Power Products, Inc., an autonomous operating company. From 1988 through 2007, Kinze Power Products re-powered numerous 8630s, 8640s, 8650s and 8850s for farmers throughout North America and in key export markets. As with other Kinze innovations, Jon Kinzenbaw found ways to make existing equipment better. The re-powers increased the value and performance of the classic workhorse John Deere four-wheel-drive tractors, giving farmers the best of both worlds: increased torque and lugging power, better fuel efficiency, and improved engine reliability combined with...
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Kinze

Getting the Planter Ready for Next Year Starts Now

Whew! It was a busy spring waiting on the weather and then planting within a narrow time frame. That last night of planting got late and you rolled onto the yard about 11:00 pm, but it was finished and it felt good to have all the seed in the ground. Now you can relax . . . RELAX?! . . . no way, not with spraying to do and side-dressing to get done. There’s really never a dull moment around the farm in the spring. Now it’s summer and things are starting to slow down — at least just a little. You walk into the machine shed and there sits the planter still needing to be put away for the season. You think to yourself, “It looks good, I think I’ll just let it set until next year.” Not a good idea… For your planter to run at peak performance, efficiency...
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Kinze

Regulations Concerning the Use of Drones (UAS, UAV) in Agriculture

By simply observing what is flying in the sky, it is easy to see that the use of drones on farms has increased exponentially over the past 5 years. What was once a device for taking striking video of equipment working in the field has evolved into a serious tool used on efficient and profitable operations. Many farm news sources have reported on the applications and benefits of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and how rapidly the technology is growing. But what is also rapidly changing are the FAA regulations surrounding the operation of drones. As recently as 2015, it was essentially illegal for a drone to be used for anything other than “hobby pursuits.” Use for commercial pursuits (including Agricultural applications) was effectively not allowed. In 2016 the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) amended its regulations to address the operation of small UAVs for commercial purposes...
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Kinze

Core Value Leadership Awards

At Kinze, we operate according to a set of core values: integrity, customer focus, excellence, innovation and mutual respect. Our employees embody these core values each day. Last year, we implemented Core Value Leadership Awards to recognize individuals who go the extra mile and display a great example of one or more of our core values. These awards are given based on nominations from our senior leadership team. Our most recent awardees are Jeff, Fabrication Supervisor I, and Russ, Proto Tool and Die Manager, for demonstrating excellence.  Nomination We received sprockets that needed to be stamped. We painstakingly hand stamped well over 1,000 sprockets with a hammer and stamp. Then we received almost 3,000 more that also needed stamped. Russ took it upon himself to look for an alternative to hand stamping. Jeff jumped in to help Russ. Together, they developed a process with a press that was drastically better than...
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Kinze

The Advantages of Kinze Split Row Planters

Planting split rows, or the practice of adding row units between existing row units to plant narrow row soybeans, has been around for nearly 40 years. Originally introduced by Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. in 1978, split rows were initially achieved by installing row units side-by-side on Kinze rear fold frame planters. In 1983, Kinze introduced its unique, patented push row units, which were installed on the front of double frame toolbars, that enabled a single planter to be easily used for both corn and soybeans. The introduction of this innovative feature, and its incorporation as a common farming practice, provided farmers with trash flow and yield advantages. Trash Flow Advantages Kinze’s exclusive push row units have better trash flow and seed placement accuracy than other narrow row planters: The 16" spacing between parallel toolbars creates additional clearance between row units to allow trash to flow freely when planting in heavy residueSplit row design plants 15" no-till soybeans...
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Kinze

5 Crop Information Apps for Farmers

There are many different smart-phone and web-based applications that can help farmers manage their crops with greater efficiency. It can be overwhelming selecting the apps that will work best for you and your operation. Some apps are free with in-app purchases for more functionality, while some require payment upon downloading. When searching for apps, pay attention to who creates the app, what data is collected, how data is used and shared, and how your data and privacy information is stored. Other factors to keep in mind are how much data and battery the app uses on your phone. Below are five apps that may help you monitor your crop information this season. Canopeo | Oklahoma State University Android, iPhone, iPad, Website FREE This app uses downward-facing photos taken on your device to quantify the percent canopy cover of live green vegetation for any agricultural crop, turf or grassland. This is helpful...
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Kinze Fellowship Awarded to Isu Ag Engineering Professor

Jon and Marcia Kinzenbaw established the Kinze Manufacturing Fellowship in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.  "We are thankful for the generosity and support of the Kinzenbaw's," says Wendy Wintersteen, endowed dean of the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  "This is another example of the supportive leadership they offer for the agricultural industry." Read more at Wallaces Farmer
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Kinze

The Kinze Vacuum Meter

Since its introduction in 2014, the Kinze Vacuum Meter has consistently demonstrated superior singulation and seed drop for 99%+ accuracy at speeds up to 8 mph*. Here are some of the reasons why. Very Well Suited for a Variety of Conditions Uniform to irregular seedMany different types of seedsLow to high population ratesEasy and quick switchoversHigher planting speedsDesigned to prevent downtime Seed Disc  Promotes uniform loading of seed cellsHas a smaller diameter and more seed cells for lower seed velocityFeatures an unobstructed, raised release pointProvides a low Coefficient of Variation (COV) Coefficient of Variation (COV) is the measurement of how well a meter is releasing seed and the variation of seed spacing that results. For more information, read our blog about COV. Component Life Expectancy Yearly meter testing and component inspection is recommend for peak, trouble-free planter performance. Contact your Kinze dealer. Below are the typical life expectancies of the Kinze Vacuum Meter components....
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Kinze

Prepare Your Planter for Spring!

Wrestling state tournaments are done and the kids are now competing for state basketball titles, but where has the winter gone? Weeks from now the tractors will return to the fields and planting for 2017 will begin! Fortunately, you put the planter away well, but you seem to remember there were a few components that need replacement before starting to plant. To assist in identifying what planter components may need to be adjusted or replaced, and be prepared for a great spring, review the simple list below. To download the complete Kinze Planter Checklist to print and mark up while you inspect the planter, click here. Thoroughly inspect for loose hardware. Pay particular attention to: Parallel arm boltsTransport and field wheel boltsCenter post bearing casting bolts (on pivot fold planters)Hitch bolts 2. Ensure safety devices are properly working: Safety chain is properly installedSafety lights work when connected to tractorSMV sign is attached — clean...
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Kinze

Navigating the National Farm Machinery Show

Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky; February 15-18, 2017 The National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS) is the largest indoor farm show in the United States. It has eight exhibit halls spanning more than 1.2 million square feet. There are 850 exhibitors showcasing their latest innovations and products in the farming industry. In addition to hundreds of exhibitors, there are 11 free, educational seminars offered at various times throughout the show. Some are offered multiple days. Plus, you can’t forget about the Championship Tractor Pulls. With so much to see and do, how do you begin to navigate the show? Below are two great resources to maximize your National Farm Machinery Show experience. Map Your Show Map Your Show helps you find exhibitors based on your interests, locate them on the map, and create a custom schedule for the show. How to Use: Create an account. It’s free!Select the product categories you are interested in.It...
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