Oxbo News

Oxbo Welcomes New Korvan Dealer in New Jersey

Oxbo is proud to announce the newest Korvan blueberry harvester dealer. Pole Tavern Equipment Sales Corp. will now be providing sales, parts, and service for Korvan blueberry harvesters in the New Jersey area. For information on Korvan harvester, contact berries@oxbocorp.com or contact Pole Tavern at 800.924.0381.

New Oxbo Products Add Productivity, Efficiency

Oxbo International Corporation proudly introduces the next generation of multi-crop harvesters specifically developed for increased productivity, performance, reliability, operator comfort, and control. Based upon the legendary Big Jack and Super Jack, the new Oxbo 2430 and 2470 bring unprecedented efficiency to green bean, sweet and seed corn, and other vegetable harvesting operations.

Recognized world-leading multi-crop harvesters
The new 2430 and 2470 harvesters have at their foundation the time-proven articulated chassis with mud conquering mechanical 4WD. This design foundation has earned a stellar reputation for its ability to keep going in adverse conditions, and harvest every acre.

State of the art command and control
Plus+1 by Sauer microcontroller and monitoring systems allow the operator to closely manage the performance of each of the machine’s systems. Feedback loop electronic controls provide unmatched precision in adjustments to maximize performance. System displays and controls are easy to understand and use. The convenient multi-function joystick puts critical controls at the operator’s fingertips. Wiring is simplified with significant reductions in the quantity of connections and mechanical components required. Plus+1 technology allows easy diagnostics for service.

Comfortable work environment
The 2430 is equipped with a unique cab that allows the operator to stand and reposition in order to reduce fatigue. The 2470 features a fully accessorized John Deere cab, including an automatic harvest function shutdown seat switch.

Completely redesigned dump boxes
The 2430 and 2470 have both been given superb new product dump boxes modeled after the rugged and durable Oxbo dump cart design. Two-stage lift and dump operations allow for dumping at any height. Operators can select either fast or slow dump speed for better control of load transfers.

Large scale productivity
The 2430 makes rapid work of efficiently harvesting large acreage, and its compact design allows it to move or be transported easily and economoically from one field to another. The 2470 is capable of harvesting over six tons of beans without stopping to unload. Both units feature high capacity cleaning and hydraulic fan hood adjustment for greater control of trash dispersal.

Greater utilization with multi-crop harvesting
Either of these models can be outfitted with a variety of headers for harvesting green beans, fresh market sweet corn, seed corn and processed sweet corn, plus spinach and greens.

Power and stamina to spare
The 2430 is powered by a 6.8L 173 hp John Deere 6068HF turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine. The 2470 features a Cummins, 6.7L 260 hp engine. These field-proven harvesters are designed to run around the clock in the most demanding conditions.

For more information on the new Oxbo 2430 or Oxbo 2470 multi-crop vegetable harvesters, please contact Brian Maul at 800.628.6196 or vegetables@oxbocorp.com

Korvan harvesters make gains in fresh market blueberry harvesting

In an effort to continually improve fruit quality and fruit retention, Oxbo worked with local growers to test various catching systems. Putting the Korvan Ultra Low Loss catchers up against the competitors, the Korvan catchers led the competition with only 9.4% fruit droppage; Littau dropped 12% and BEI Centipede catchers dropped 18%.

Testing was conducted on side-by-side rows. Tarps were laid down and attached to the blueberry plants and each harvester drove down a full row. Then, fruit collected by each harvester was weighed. Fruit on the ground was collected and also weighed. Dropped fruit weight was compared to collected fruit weight to determine the percentage of total droppage. Korvan’s Ultra Low Less catchers proved to drop less fruit—reducing droppage by up to 50%, when compared to round-style catchers.

“We understand that fruit retention is key to profitability for many growers, especially with lower prices,” said Brian Foote, Korvan product representative. “That’s why we wanted to get the numbers in the field—to get together with the growers and optimize fruit retention. The tests proved the Ultra Low Loss system captured more fruit; plus, it doesn’t smash any berries like growers have discovered with the turning-wheel design.”

Growers also appreciate other key features of the Korvan 8000, including the shortest drop from the belts to the bin and the most effective picking system on the market. Season after season, the unique Korvan Oribrotor picking head picks fewer green berries and leaves more bloom than any other picking method.

The Korvan 8000 has the least distance between catchers and picking unit and can effectively pick low hanging fruit and big bushes, making it the versatile choice for growers looking for high quality fruit and reliable performance. Korvan Ultra Low Catchers are available from $5,500 and can be purchased as a retrofit kit for older harvesters, a substantially lower investment than other catcher kits on the market.

For more information on Korvan blueberry harvesters, please contact Brian at 888.656.7826 or at berries@oxbocorp.com.

Oxbo 50 Series Cornhead Named Top New Product of 2009

For more information on the Oxbo 50 Series cornhead, please contact us at 715.263.2112

2009 Farm Progress Interview

To learn more about the unveiling of the new Oxbo 50 Series Corn Head listen to the interview done at the 2009 Farm Progress Show by Brownfield Ag News. Open the interview by clicking here, or visit http://brownfieldagnews.com.

New Oxbo 50 Series Cornheads Easy on the Ears
"Exclusive Soft Touch™ technology significantly reduces header loss and helps producers reap more of what they grow

Clear Lake, WI (September 1, 2009) – Oxbo International Corporation, a 25-year leader in harvesting technology, is setting a higher standard in grain recovery with the introduction of the 50 Series cornhead, its first cornhead made for field corn producers. Oxbo has designed these new cornheads for commercial field corn harvest, using the same technology as the cornheads that have made them harvesting leaders for the seed industry – with the focus on gentle, efficient ear removal making "every kernel count."

Oxbo's Soft Touch™ technology has been proven in the seed corn industry. A 2008 survey of multiple sites in Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin by Dr. J.S. Burris, of Burris Consulting LLC, Ames, Iowa, demonstrated significant gains in seed recovery with the Oxbo 50 Series cornheads compared to competitive models. To determine field loss in the study, seed and ear losses were gathered from measured quadrants after the harvester had made its pass. According to Dr. Burris's report, the recovery advantage with the Oxbo 50 Series cornhead ranged from 58 pounds to 430 pounds of seed per acre. In addition, the study tested two different gathering mechanisms – belts and chains – by configuring identical Oxbo 50 Series heads with each. In this portion of the test, seed recovery was 63% better with the belted heads.

The secret to Oxbo's success lies in the way the ear is removed from the stalk during harvest. Conventional cornheads typically remove the ear through raw force, oftentimes banging the ear against the stripper plates at high speeds and inconsistent angles. The Oxbo 50 Series cornheads, available in sizes ranging from 6-row to 14-row with 30" spacing and also limited configurations in 20" spacing, actually cut the ear off the stalk using exclusive tapered intermeshing knife rolls and remote actuated stripper plates to create gentle, precision ear removal.

"The Oxbo 50 Series cornhead is specifically designed for high productivity harvesting," says Mike Miller, Oxbo Marketing Manager. "Our exclusive Soft Touch technology cuts ears off cleaner; our constantly centered, beveled stripper plates reduce butt shelling, and the rubber gathering belts convey the ear in a more gentle fashion than traditional cornheads. Our process is definitely 'easier on the ears' than competitive offerings, resulting in less header loss during harvest. And, reduced kernel loss and less trash entering the combine means a more efficient harvest for the grower."

Oxbo sets a higher standard in crop recovery with its 50 Series cornhead, its first cornhead made for field corn producers. Oxbo's exclusive technology makes them harvesting leaders in the seed industry – with the focus on gentle, precision ear removal and making 'every kernel count.'

The 'Soft Touch' Advantage

Oxbo's new 50 Series cornhead is specifically designed for harvesting in any condition a grower may encounter during harvest season, including down corn and low ears. Oxbo's Soft Touch technology uses exclusive 6-bladed tapered intermeshing knife rolls to cut the ears of corn from the stalk. The knife rolls are engineered to gently and precisely cut the ear from the stalk, reducing header loss.

The knife rolls work in tandem with Oxbo's hydraulically adjusted stripper plates. The stripper plates remain centered over the knife rolls thanks to a patented remote actuated stripper plates (RASP) adjustment system. When combined with Oxbo's beveled and chromed stripper plates, the constantly centered RASP creates straighter stalk pull down into the stripper plates, precise ear removal, reduced ear damage and less trash in the harvester. The knife rolls are made of hardened, chromed steel, and are 24" in length and 3.5" in diameter. These longer and smaller diameter rolls, reduce stalk acceleration into the stripper plates, reducing ear impact and shelling.

"With the new corn hybrids in recent years, residue management has been at the forefront of many discussions," Miller says. "Our system keys on residue management by aggressively crimping and cutting the stalk which provides uniform stalk conditioning while keeping the stalk attached to the ground for easier fall tillage and reduced wind and water erosion. Residue management is an important part of harvest, but we feel the main goal is to get as much corn out of the field as possible. At Oxbo we can help the grower most by maximizing grain recovery."

The Oxbo cornhead also includes a unique row unit frame that is designed to be shorter and narrower through the nose. This gives the cornhead a lower profile without frame damage or ground interference, allowing it to capture the ears that are low to the ground or on downed stalks. Contoured polyethylene snouts and row dividers provide smooth and efficient stalk gathering and the rounded design reduces wear, ear bounce, and weed and trash build-up.

"One of the key exclusive features to our Soft Touch technology are the gathering belts," Miller says. "These deep lugged, durable rubber belts are 'easy on the ears' in three ways. They're gentle on the crop, significantly reducing shelling, they convey ears more efficiently, and they're quieter to operate than other cornheads on the market."

Other system components include an auto lubrication system, convenient for growers looking for less daily maintenance and better long term durability of their cornhead.

See the Difference an Oxbo 50 Series Cornhead Can Make

This fall, Oxbo will be conducting a Demo Challenge in corn fields throughout the upper Midwest, putting the Soft Touch technology up against the competition. During the challenge, Oxbo will bring a 50 Series cornhead to the grower's field and compare it to the current cornhead on their combine, allowing each grower to see how much grain they've been leaving in the field. Signing up for the Demo Challenge is easy. Interested growers can register by going to www.oxbodemochallenge.com to sign up and receive their free header loss kit, then an Oxbo representative will contact them to arrange a time for the demo during this upcoming harvest season.

For more information please visit the 50 Series Corn Head page.

Fresno State researchers target mechanized thinning for wine grapes

FRESNO
June 3, 2009 12:02am

A research team from the Viticulture and Enology Research Center (VERC) at California State University, Fresno has joined with an international agricultural equipment maker to improve mechanized pruning for wine grapes in the San Joaquin Valley.

“As hand labor is becoming more expensive and scarce in the Central Valley, growers are turning more towards mechanization to reduce costs and to increase efficiency and sustainability of their wine grape operations,” says the project leader, Kaan Kurtural, an assistant professor who holds the Bronco Wine Co. viticulture chair at VERC and the university’s Department of Viticulture and Enology.

Mechanized pruning of wine grapes is not new, having been introduced in California more than 10 years ago, says Mr. Kurtural. But manufacturers have focused mainly on equipment for high quality wine grapes grown on vertically-shoot-positioned or lyre trellis systems in areas such as the Central Coast.

More recently, companies such as Oxbo International have developed and refined systems designed not only for pruning, but also for shoot and cluster thinning. Key objectives of the current partnership is to test mechanical systems for shoot and cluster thinning on the type of trellis system most commonly found in San Joaquin Valley wine grape vineyards – the California “T” -- also known somewhat less elegantly as the “California Sprawl.”

“The majority of the wine grape acreage in the valley is trained to the California Sprawl due to its initial low cost of installation,” says Mr. Kurtural. Growers who have tried to adapt existing mechanized pruning equipment to that system have encountered an assortment of problems because of the way the vines grow along that type of canopy, however. Problems include over-shading of clusters, non-uniform shoot and fruit distribution, uneven fruit ripening, delayed flavor development and over-cropping.

“If we are to remain competitive in the domestic and international wine market, the adoption of mechanical canopy management needs to increase from its current level of 15 percent across California,” Mr. Kurtural says.

For this project, the research team is evaluating new mechanical pruning, shoot thinning and cluster thinning machine heads that Oxbo has designed for use on the California Sprawl. The project will feature three treatments: conventional hand pruning and thinning, mechanical pre-pruning followed by hand pruning and thinning, and mechanized pruning and thinning.

Last summer was the first season of the four-year project, and results look promising, says Mr. Kurtural.

“We saved close to a quarter per vine in costs, and we did not lose anything in yield or quality,” he says. At 21 cents per vine, 600 vines per acre, that amounts to $126 per-acre savings using a completely mechanized system.

The study is being conducted on Fresno State’s university farm on Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on Freedom rootstock. The vines are trained to a bilateral cordon at 54 inches height with a foliage support wire at 66 inches on a two-wire vertical trellis.

Treatment analysis includes measurement of fruit yield, cluster numbers, average berry size, percent total soluble solids, juice pH, titratable acidity, and anthocyanin and phenolic concentrations. Crop load and leaf area to fruit ratio also will be calculated based on yield and pruning weight per vine.

Confirmation of the positive results over several years of study “would have the potential for having a relatively rapid impact on grape and wine industries in the San Joaquin Valley,” Mr. Kurtural says.

Assisting in the project for Oxbo is viticulturist Greg Berg, working out of the company’s Kingsburg sales and service office. Oxbo, which has manufacturing plants in Washington and Wisconsin, has provided funding to help fund the research as well as engineering expertise in the development of custom pruning and thinning heads. Also supporting the research is Bronco Wine Co.

Oxbo is Working with Jatropha Growers to Provide Mechanized Harvesting Solutions
Oxbo is currently testing two styles of jatropha harvesters--a self propelled and a tractor pulled model. Both harvesters use the trademarked Dynarotor® picking system utilized in many of Oxbo's Korvan berry harvesters. Oxbo is experienced in designing and building over-the-row mechanical harvesters, and development of a jatropha harvester fits well with our existing product lines. Minor modifications to existing proven Korvan products are poised to generate a new harvester well suited to the immerging jatropha industry.

In recent testing, Oxbo's harvesters were able to pick ripe fruit and leave the green fruit behind, allowing the harvest of jatropha when the fruit is at optimum ripeness. By harvesting jatropha at the optimum ripeness more oil is generated from the mature seeds to be processed into a viable biofuel.

The harvest of jatropha curcas needs to be mechanized if this industry expects to grow beyond the limited production existing today. Harvesters available from Oxbo will be able to cover 400-600 acres (150-250 hectares) of jatropha each flowering cycle; the harvester is able to pick, convey, clean and transport the final product.

Oxbo is excited about its entry into jatropha harvest market. A mechanical jatropha harvester is just another extension of our commitment to providing mechanized solutions for agriculture worldwide. We are committed to further development of our machine based on the needs of this new industry. Jatropha offers a great biofuel solution for the world and Oxbo is working to promote and to encourage this dramatically growing industry.

Korvan Vineyard Mechanization Equipment Featured in Article
The March/April issue of Practical Winery and Vineyard featured an extensive article on the Korvan Vineyard Mechanization System. The article outlines 4 case studies of operations using the full Korvan system. You can read the entire article here. Or contact Greg Berg at 559.897.7012 for more information.