Twenty-three pieces were eliminated in this fabrication-to-casting conversion.


son has facilitated steel fabrication to cast ductile iron conversions for Kinze several times over the years. “This was the biggest project we


have done for them. It is such a rad- ically new product for their equip- ment,” said Matt Schindle, Dotson sales and marketing manager. Kinze engineers approached


Dotson with an overview of how they needed to improve the row unit assembly. They wanted to create a robust row unit with more vertical travel, meaning the unit would have greater flexibility to distribute seeds over hilly, uneven ground, even in tough, no-till fields, for an extended rate of time. This would require stiffness in the unit for precise seed placement. Through past experience, Kinze engineers knew cast ductile iron would provide that strength and stiffness. Ultimately, the cast ductile iron design helped the planter


“


More consistent parts contribute to a more stable assembly, which means the 4900 Series Planter can move faster while placing seeds with a higher accuracy.


double the planting speed of earlier versions, reaching 8 mph, and 99% seed placement accuracy.


Need for Seed According to a report from the


Institute on Environment at the University of Minnesota, Min- neapolis, crop yields worldwide are not increasing quickly enough to support estimated global needs in 2050. World food production must


Sept/Oct 2013 | METAL CASTING DESIGN & PURCHASING | 21


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