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.
Great Kinze Innovations: the Rear-fold Planter
By the mid-1970s, Kinze was growing steadily through sales of its grain carts and anhydrous ammonia applicators, as well as the adjustable width plow licensed to DMI, Inc. Still, Jon Kinzenbaw sensed there was something missing from the Kinze product offering. That big idea that could propel his still-young company to the next level. Lo and behold, the big idea walked right into his shop. In 1975, a farmer from southern Iowa stopped by the shop and commented that somebody should figure out how to fold a big planter horizontally to make it easier to move from field to field. New to the market were 12-row planters that folded upward, which resulted in seed and insecticide being spilled from the hoppers. Folding vertically simply wasn’t a good way to transport a planter. Furthermore, planters larger than 12 rows were too tall and too wide to safely go down the road. Another method competitors...
In Kinze News
Introducing the Kinze 50 Year Anniversary History Video
2015 marks a milestone year for Kinze Manufacturing as we celebrate our 50 year anniversary. By now, most of you are likely familiar with the story of how Kinze got started. In 1965, my father Jon Kinzenbaw started a small welding and repair shop in Ladora, Iowa. Dad was only 21 years old at the time, but he had the confidence, creativity and skill set to make something of himself and his small business. In the early years, dad took any job that came through the door – even those that promised little to no profit. He never backed away from a challenge, but instead found ways to overcome it. And, through determination, innovation and unwavering faith, he built that small company into one of the largest privately held farm equipment manufacturers in the world. That, in short, is the Kinze story. Of course, like any good story, there’s much...
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A Tractor & His Boy: a Book About Following Your Dreams
Part of what makes Kinze Manufacturing such a special company are the many rich stories of our founder and president Jon Kinzenbaw. In 2013, we released a children’s book “Big Blue and Polly,” which shared a story of friendship and determination with the next generation of farmers. The book was so well received among kids, teachers and Kinze fans that we got to work on a second book soon thereafter. In December 2014, we released “A Tractor & His Boy,” which is based on the true story of how Jon Kinzenbaw rediscovered his father’s old tractor – The Old H – decades after it was thought to be long gone. This is a story about never giving up on your dreams, a lesson that we can’t reinforce enough with today’s youth. As the author of these books, it’s been a great privilege to recreate Jon Kinzenbaw's stories in a fun and colorful...
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, Planters
New Kinze Technology Makes Farming Easier
We continue celebrating 50 years of loyalty, innovation and improvements with the next post in our year-long series on Sparks of Innovation, which takes you out in the field to meet our customers and hear why they stay true to blue. This month, we’re visiting Dan Brettnacher of Brookston, Indiana. In the early 1990s, Dan bought a Kinze 2600 planter to plant 15" rows of soybeans. Until then he’d been pretty loyal to another color of planter, but was so impressed with the accuracy and depth control of his first Kinze that he later bought another Kinze planter for his cornfields. Today, Dan uses a Kinze 4900 24-row planter for both corn and soybeans, and he says it makes him feel proud to see so many blue planters used by surrounding farmers. Click here to see Dan’s full testimonial. Enjoy the latest installment of this ongoing series!
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, Planters
#KINZEPLANT15 Photos From Around the World
We asked you to submit photos of your Kinze planters out in the field this planting season, and the response has been spectacular, to say the least. Photos have streamed in from around the world – from here in the heartland of America to Ontario, Canada and Brescia, Italy. Even The Bachelor Chris Soules tweeted out a pic of his Kinze planter in action! The coolest part is seeing how proud you all are of your Kinze planters. Doesn’t matter if you’re pulling a brand new 4900 24 row, or an older 6 row Kinze that’s celebrating its 20th planting season, the pride certainly shines through in all your photos. But don’t just take our word for it! Check out all of the different planter models, crops and locations in the #KinzePlant15 album. Thanks for sharing these awesome photos with us! And, if you'd like to submit your Kinze planter pic, share it online...
In News & PR
New Kinze Technology Makes Farming Easier
Dan Brettnacher purchased his first Kinze planter in the early ‘90s. Hear how Kinze’s technological innovations have made his job easier. Watch the testimonial shared on Farms.com.
7 Tips for Planting Season
Planting season has returned! To celebrate we have compiled a list of planting tips and reminders to help get you and your Kinze planter primed for action. 1. Graphite Done Right Standard Hoppers: Once the hoppers are full, take your bottle of graphite and make a good line around the edge of the hopper. Bulk-Fill: We recommend using at least 1 – 2 lbs. of graphite per 50 units of seed, which can be layered in as you fill the hoppers. Tip: To verify you are using enough graphite, open the meter and rub your fingers over the disc, backing plate, housing etc. They should be black from graphite use. If not, add more graphite. 2. Let's Talk Talc Talc powder is recommend for use when seed has a sticky or tacky treatment. Tip: Stick your hand in the seed, make a fist and then remove it. If seed sticks...
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How Fast Can We Plant?
The Kinze 4900 Series Planter can maintain accuracy at up to 8 mph (as field conditions allow). Kinze District Sales Manager Chris Schlesser spoke with Farm Equipment to explain how the goal is to make planters more efficient, and help farmers get the most out of their time. Read more from: Farm Equipment
Time to Tune Up Your Monitors and Modules
Getting ready for planting season now means that we need to check more than just the “nuts and bolts” on our farm equipment. Today, precision ag technology drives the functionality of many of our tractors and planters. Therefore, it’s equally important that you take time to make sure you are up-to-date with the latest versions of software on your monitors and controlling modules. Here are current versions of supporting firmware (as of 3.20.15) for the monitors Kinze is compatible with: Here are the current versions of firmware for Kinze controlling modules (as of 3.20.15): Click here for more information, including instructions on how to perform firmware updates. For troubleshooting and support, please contact your Kinze dealer.
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Jon Kinzenbaw Named Hero in American Agriculture
The Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area honored its members during their 11th Annual Golden Silo Awards Luncheon. Jon Kinzenbaw was named a Hero in American Agriculture, an award that honors an individual, organization, business, agency, or local government who has been the catalyst to revolutionize the industry of agriculture. Learn more about the award from:Wallaces Farmer Cedar Valley Business Monthly Online Iowa Farmer Today Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area