cowboycorn
Hired Hand
schpellin and gramer natzee
Posts: 155
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Post by cowboycorn on May 3, 2012 11:40:45 GMT -5
Like I mentioned in a previous thread, my custom business started without really intending to become what it has. Word of mouth, as I never advertised, has me so snowed now, I'm thinking about giving up most of my rented ground just to keep it running. When we are running, it's work, keeping this old man humping, but it does give me a bit more free time to spend with my other half 100 miles away. Am considering building a second rig, but don't know if I can keep up with the tanks. Double tanks are at a premium down this way, I think the Co-ops have intent to double up some more in 2012 though. Wow, they sure help, but pull hard as hell with a 1/2 T 4WD. 1-1/2T pulls them great though, and if I can double up on them, then that 6-7 mpg won't hurt so bad on that gas hog. The tractor driver likes his job, hell he doesn't even have to turn around on ends, now have OUTBACK E-drive X. Thinking about cutting his wages.
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cowboycorn
Hired Hand
schpellin and gramer natzee
Posts: 155
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Post by cowboycorn on May 3, 2012 11:43:46 GMT -5
Pic belongs with above post, it got lost somewhere in the typing. Attachments:
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Post by ses on May 3, 2012 22:05:59 GMT -5
What breed of applicator is that? Getting less NH3 around here every year. If we want to use it we have to drag tanks 35 miles. No double tanks either.
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cowboycorn
Hired Hand
schpellin and gramer natzee
Posts: 155
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Post by cowboycorn on May 3, 2012 23:01:04 GMT -5
WAKO Notil offset openers on a Blue-Jet Landwalker frame. The difference widened drastically this year, with NH3 at 40 cents a pound actual, dry urea at 77 cents and 28% liquid at just over 82 cents. Have picked up a butt load of new customers just from that change.
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Post by ses on May 4, 2012 8:03:44 GMT -5
There's a guy around here with a WAKO setup on a WAKO tool bar. That moves so little dirt you would have to have GPS to know where you were going. I talked to them a couple of times, they said their newer version has a slightly concave disc that works better. Is yours the newer one? Also what do you charge per acre? We are kinda thinking about doing the same thing you are. Probably have to sell the NH3 too since it's so far away. The co-op we deal through said they might set up a tank and do the billing, etc.. Wouldn't have to worry about getting with a big fertilizer bill that way.
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cowboycorn
Hired Hand
schpellin and gramer natzee
Posts: 155
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Post by cowboycorn on May 4, 2012 11:15:49 GMT -5
I just talked to the WAKO shop last Monday, and he advised me of some changes they are making, but never mentioned a concave disc. That would seem to throw more dirt the way I see it. The entire 24" blade is at a 5-1/2 degree angle to travel, laving only a slot that the packing tire then pushes shut. This is the second season on this rig. You do have to have GPS, espcially in high residue fields. I have had to do some tweaking to keep things running true and right, as it is designed around their BIG COUNTRY shank. It's not something you just hook onto and never look back to check, kinda like the big Co-op rig drivers. However, they only run sweeps and knives, they don't run this NTO unit. The operator drivers never look back. I cover more acres in a day with 33' than they do with 60'. Where does ses hang out. Hopefully not close enough to move in on me. I stay just under Co-op's rate, to allow for the tank rental fee the farmer will still have in each tank. I offer them a discount if they will pull the tanks for me, but obviously $1/acre is not enough of an incentive, they all leave it to me
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Post by ses on May 4, 2012 16:38:26 GMT -5
Cowboy I live in northwest Kansas. Sorry, wasn't trying to pry or move in on anybody's business.
I like the looks of the WAKO machine. I think there's quite a bit of potential here if the anhy was more readily available. A couple of co-ops have shut down their anhy the past few years. They say insurance and liability issues are the main reason. As you said, the price difference makes it look awfully attractive.
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Post by ses on May 4, 2012 16:40:34 GMT -5
BTW I think the concave on the disc curves the opposite direction of what you think. Should make for less soil disturbance. Could be someone else's setup but I was pretty sure it was WAKO's.
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cowboycorn
Hired Hand
schpellin and gramer natzee
Posts: 155
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Post by cowboycorn on May 4, 2012 17:34:42 GMT -5
I talked to Wayne, WAKO owner, this afternoon, inquiring about their latest mods. Concavity is not one of them. I've done my own mods, like I said, and they continue with their work in progress tool.They are working on increased simplicity of the packing/closing wheel and liquid tube placement/stability. Some cuss the unit, and there are other makers out there, but parts and repairs are right in my back door here with WAKO. I am getting along very well with it.
Good luck on your endeavor. I also considered moving the business closer to where I live (north of Tulsa, farm 100 miles west), but balked after finding out the costs of insurance/bas tanks/yadda yadda. Co-ops over here don't carry it either, and I have visited with number of local farmers who wish they would. If I can convince them to carry it, and do the billing, I still may be able to move closer to the wife unit yet.
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cowboycorn
Hired Hand
schpellin and gramer natzee
Posts: 155
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Post by cowboycorn on May 4, 2012 17:36:53 GMT -5
The concavity may be th taper on the 1/4" blade. The started out with a double taper, both sides, and went back to a single taper, away from the knife/tube. Me thinks that is the concave your buddy speaks of.
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