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This is how fieldwork was done when my grandfather started farming. A lot has changed in the last 60+ years. These were days filled with long hours, lots of dust, the hot sun or extreme cold, and often dangerous conditions. The hours haven’t changed much but the conditions sure have... |
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This is today’s workforce. This is the CaseIH Steiger STX325. This tractor has a 9 liter diesel engine that puts out 325 horsepower. When weighted to pack silage it weighs 50,000lbs. A big tractor for big jobs. Lets step inside and see how this things runs... |
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When you step inside this tractor it features many of the same operator comforts that are included in today’s cars. The red leather seat is air ride and heated to keep the operator comfortable on long work days. The floor is carpeted and the noise outside is not even noticed inside the cab. On the steering column is a left hand reverser to control the direction of the tractor. Want to go from forward to reverse? Just move the lever to reverse, no clutching needed. On the right hand armrest is all the major controls for the tractor. |
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On the armrest you can control every major operation of the tractor with just lifting a finger. On the left side of the controls is the throttle. On the throttle is an orange button that is the gear selector. There are four levers beside the throttle that controls the hydraulics. When doing tillage they will raise and lower the tillage implement. When packing silage they control the up, down, tilt and angle of the blade. The yellow switch control the PTO. The PTO or power take off runs equipment such as the manure spreader. |