Equipment

After recent rains, water stands in the border of this Filmore County soybean field. While wet conditions across much of the state will complicate harvest, taking steps to avoid compaction can reduce the challenges for future crops. (Photo by Brandy VanDeWalle)
Figure 1. After recent rains, water stands in the border of this Filmore County soybean field. While wet conditions across much of the state will complicate harvest, taking steps to avoid compaction can reduce the challenges for future crops. (Photo by Brandy VanDeWalle)

Avoiding Harvest Compaction in Wet Soils

October 10, 2019
With wet soils in many areas and heavy harvest equipment, compaction is likely to develop, affecting crop growth in coming seasons. Taking these 10 steps can help reduce compaction this harvest.

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Chemical sprayer application in the field

How Clean is Your Sprayer? Study Participants Needed

May 10, 2019
University researchers are seeking 30 Nebraska spray applicators for a sprayer cleanout study. The study will help extension application educators learn about applicator practices and how to direct their educational efforts.

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Spraying a field
Figure 1. Thoroughly cleaning a sprayer after pesticide application is necessary to avoid potential off-target contamination. Just one drop of dicamba can cause visible injury to three acres of crops.

Think Your Sprayer's Clean? Think Again

June 6, 2018
A 120-foot sprayer can have as many as 96 nozzles and screens and stow away as much as 15 gallons of pesticide residue in its nooks and crannies after an application is done. Consider these tips for thoroughly cleaning your sprayer to avoid off-target contamination.

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Devon Vancura, a senior agricultural engineering major, checks a connection for a testing monitor in the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory. The facility is the designated tractor testing station for the entire United States. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication)
Devon Vancura, a senior agricultural engineering major, checks a connection for a testing monitor in the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory. The facility is the designated tractor testing station for the entire United States. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication)

Nebraska Research to Advance Tractor Test Methods

March 23, 2018
New research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will help bring tractor testing into the modern era by simultaneously assessing the three types of tractor power used to pull implements — power takeoff, hydraulic, and drawbar.

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Tractor Restoration Club members (from left) Kiel Kruse, Joshua Bauer and Jaythan Scheideler work with support pieces that will be attached to the 1945 Allis Chalmers Model C so it can be moved around for restoration work. Club members are preparing the tractor for display at the Homestead National Monument of America near Beatrice.
Tractor Restoration Club members (from left) Kiel Kruse, Joshua Bauer and Jaythan Scheideler work with support pieces that will be attached to the 1945 Allis Chalmers Model C so it can be moved around for restoration work. Club members are preparing the tractor for display at the Homestead National Monument of America near Beatrice. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication)

Restoring an 'American Treasure' — a 1945 Allis Chalmers

October 10, 2017
For students in the Tractor Restoration Club, fixing up tractors from their great-grandparents’ era is part of college life.They're currently restoring a 1945 Allis Chalmers Model C for display at the Homestead National Monument near Beatrice.

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Strong Nebraska

Share Machinery, Reduce Costs — Developing a Joint Ownership Agreement

April 5, 2017
Joint ownership of large farm equipment may offer cost savings. If you're considering this, check out the details that need to be included in the Joint Ownership Agreement.

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Biological Systems Engineering Assistant Professor Santosh Pitla (left) talks with BSE Graduate Student John Evans about the class they're teaching where students explore access and analysis of operational data from tractors.
Figure 1. Biological Systems Engineering Assistant Professor Santosh Pitla (left) talks with BSE Graduate Student John Evans about the class they're teaching. Students learn how to access and analyze tractor data.

Agricultural Machinery Data Acquisition and Analytics Research Could Lead to Increased Fuel and Field Efficiencies

October 28, 2016
How much power are your farm implements using and how can you make them more efficient? These are among the questions being addressed by Santosh Piitla, an assistant professor of advanced machinery systems in the University of Nebraska Department of Biological Systems Engineering. Pitla is developing software to analyze key data from a tractor's multiple computers. Eventually the data will lead to "real-time," in-the-cab feedback to help operators manage field equipment more efficiently.

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Field of mature soybeans
Figure 1. Keep a careful eye on soybean moisture as the crop dries down. What appears to be wet from the road may be dry enough to harvest. Soybeans in right side of photo had a fungicide application, same variety, thus are staying green longer.

Set Soybean Harvest Goal of 13% Moisture to Aid Profits

September 21, 2016
Learn how setting a goal of 13% moisture for harvested soybeans can help maximize potential profit from this year's harvest. Also see recommended adjustments for harvesting greener soybeans.

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