Normally at this time of year, CropLife IRON and its readers prepare to vote on their favorite examples of Big IRON from the year we are in. However, as years go, 2020 has been anything but normal. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtually every in-person trade show usually attended by ag retailers has been cancelled and gone to a virtual format. While this has kept the spirit of these shows alive with the marketplace, it’s definitely put a serious damper on the ability of CropLife IRON readers to see for themselves what new products they consider “the best of the year.”
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2019 Winner: AirMax Precision R1/R2 Application System
Manufacturer: AGCO Corp. Description: In 2017, AGCO introduced the market to its new RoGator C Series self-propelled sprayers. For 2019, the company added a special option for these units – the AirMax Precision R1/R2 system. This system allows low- or high-rate application to be performed. The AirMax Precision R1/R2 also provides turn compensation in curves and corners and is available as a single-bin R1 or the two-bin R2 with configurable 50/50 or 60/40 split.
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2018 Winner: TerraGator C Series
Manufacturer: AGCO Corp. Description: The TerraGator C Series floaters are designed with an array of dry and liquid application systems. The units feature AGCO Power engines that can achieve speeds ranging from zero to 46 mph. TerraGator C Series floaters are also designed with air-ride cabs with updated seat suspension and cab motion that is fully unencumbered by hood mounting. Operators are given full error-code descriptions on the AccuTerminal screen. With AgCommand Advanced Plus subscriptions, users can have remote terminal viewing, enabling operator assistance and remote troubleshooting before a service trip would be necessary.
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2017 Winner: 5550 Trident
Manufacturer: Case IH Description: The Trident 5550 combination applicator features the optional New Leader NL4500T G4 Edge variable-rate dry nutrient applicator and a new level of precision dry-product application. Another feature of the unit is its dual wheel set-up. The Trident 5550 combination applicator is the first applicator featuring factory-available duals in row crop tire sizes. A variety of tire options help support operating over three seasons in a variety of ground conditions, crop types, and sprayer or spreader configurations.
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2016 Winner: Anniversary Patriot 3340/4440
Manufacturer: Case IH Description: In 2016, Case IH celebrated its application equipment leadership with special 25th Anniversary Patriot 4440 and 3340 sprayers. The commemorative models included all the productivity features that operators came to expect from Patriot sprayers, including cab-forward, rear-engine design, comfortable cabs and application excellence. The 25th anniversary machines also featured eye-catching silver-and-red paint finish, decals highlighting the silver anniversary, Michelin tires, Raven Industries technology, and Wilger Combo-Rate nozzle bodies as standard equipment. There was also a 360-degree lighting package option and the new AIM Command FLEX with no additional hardware needed.
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2015 Winner: Patriot 2250
Manufacturer: Case IH Description: The 660-gallon-capacity Patriot 2250 sprayer features a Case IH FPT 6.7-L engine rated at 175-hp and peaks at an impressive 190-hp. Case IH Efficient Power frees the engine to produce more raw power and torque with less fuel while meeting Tier 4 B/Final requirements. A variety of options, including a new front-fill design and advanced radio features, allowed greater customization to suit each operation’s unique needs. Boom choices included 60/80 feet or 60/90 feet and featured a parallel-link attachment for a wide range of heights. And the Patriot 2250 sprayer was compatible with all Case IH precision ag technology offerings, including AIM Command or AIM Command PRO spray systems, AFS AccuGuide autoguidance, AccuBoom automatic boom section control and AutoBoom automatic boom height control.
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2014 Winner: STS Series
Manufacturer: Hagie Manufacturing Co. Description: The 2014 STS Application System featured a 76-inch frame clearance, with a lightweight and balanced machine design that enhanced versatility to perform timely and precise applications while minimizing compaction, said the company. Drivers could cover more acres with booms up to 132 feet and tanks up to 1,600-gallon solution capacities while performing full season applications. The sprayer-specific cab maximized operator comfort and safety with state-of-the-art SyKlone air filtration system and standard back-up camera.
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2013 Co-Winner: Patriot 2240
Manufacturer: Case IH Description: The 2013 Patriot 2240 featured a cab-forward, rear-engine configuration to ensure optimum weight distribution to minimize compaction or rutting potential, which the company said was key when operators needed to access wet fields during short spray windows. The unit also had trailing-link suspension and a three-speed hydrostatic transmission. The 2013 Patriot 2240 came with a Tier 4A-compliant 165-hp, 6.7-liter Case IH FPT engine.
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2013 Co-Winner: RG700
Manufacturer: AGCO Corp. Description: The RG700 offered an AWD Smart Drive System, even weight distribution and Parallel C-channel flex frame. Other key features included a high-torque engine with 165-hp, AGCO’s advanced selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology that met Tier 4i standards, and adjustable track widths in two axle configurations (narrow and standard).
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2012 Winner: NITRO 5000 Series
Manufacturer: Miller-St. Nazianz Description: The NITRO 5000 Series was available in a wide range of tank size, boom width, and horsepower configurations, with optional Miller Quick-Attach and Injection Toolbar. Seven models were offered, each available with the four-wheel steering option. These included the 5215, 5240, 5275, 5333, and the 5365.
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2011 Winner: Patriot 4430
Manufacturer: Case IH Description: The 2011 Patriot 4430 featured a 1,200-gallon product tank and a 8.7-liter Case IH FPT engine rated at 325-hp with power growth up to 2,100 rpm. According to the company, this gave the unit 12% more horsepower than the Patriot 4420 and allowed it to have enough power to climb hills and navigate wet spots in the field. The Patriot 4430 also came equipped with selective catalytic reduction technology, meeting Tier IV standards.
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2010 Winner: RoGator 1396
Manufacturer: AGCO Corp. Description: With a 1,300-gallon product tank and 311-hp engine, the RoGator 1396 was designed with a C-channel frame that flexed when moving over rough terrain.
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2019 Winner: AirMax Precision R1/R2 Application System
Because of this, CropLife IRON for 2020 has decided to forego awarding a Product of the Year award. Instead, taking a cue from those sports fantasy websites that pit historical great teams from different eras against one another (such as the 1927 New York Yankees vs. the 1975 Cincinnati Reds). So we are looking back at the annual Product of the Year winners from 2010 to 2019, asking our readers to vote for their favorite example of Big IRON from the past decade!
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In the slideshow above, you will find brief product profiles and photos of the 11 Product of the Year winners from the past 10 years (there was one year where two products tied, hence the odd number). Now it’s up to you to decide which product was “the best” for decade of the 2010s.
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Once the winner is identified, a “virtual” Product of the Decade trophy will be presented to that company that came out on top. Let the voting begin!
Cast Your Vote
Please cast your vote below. You can also send an email directly to [email protected]. Votes will be accepted through Friday, October 23.
Voting for the Product of the Decade is now closed.
A virtual Product of the Decade trophy will be presented to that company that came out on top.
445Product of the Decade Candidates
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CropLife IRON® digs deep into product features, news, and specifications – about sprayers, tenders and trailers, nozzles and valves, and fertilizer blenders, and more – that plant and application managers crave. See all author stories here.
