D4-Uncnfr Farming Saturday, May 23,1992 MOLINE, 111. This spring, farmers in several parts of the country will have the opportunity to see or participate in final Held tests of John Deere's innovative 550 Mulch Master. "Although it won't be available for sale until fall, this dramatically different secondary tillage tool is creating considerable interest and anticipation," said Tom Bueker, tillage product manager at the John Deere Des Moines Works. "Farmers with highly erodible land (HEL) who are considering how they can achieve the residue percentages called for in their compliance* plans will want to closely examine the Mulch Mas ter,” said Bueker. “Likewise, those fanners who use preplant incorporated herbicides and those who seek a machine with a broad er range of capabilities to improve efficiency and productivity will also want a closer look at this machine." Two of the most impressive performance advantages of the Mulch Master are its ability to pre pare a final seedbed with no appreciable net loss of residue and to thoroughly incorporate chemi cals in one pass. What's noticeably different about the Mulch Master design is the patented incorporator wheels at the rear of the machine. The wheels are spaced on 10-inch cen ters in two gangs running at opposing 30-degree angles. This arrangement gives an effective S-inch spacing between wheels for complete surface coverage and thorough chemical incorporation. The two gangs produce an aggres sive churning action that moves chemicals through residue and into the seedbed. The incorporator wheels pro vide several performance advan tages. They lift residue to the sur face, incorporate chemicals, pre- KMoBoeoßfßfSteoetßfSfßoSfOfStSoSfOfStSfGfStStSf>B/!SfStSfOtSflßtlßfStSfSfSfStlSflßfSfSfSfSM^Stlßol^ Agriculture - Residential - Commercial Invest In Concrete, Quality Work That Will last A Lifetime CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATES AND SEE HOW AFFORDABLE CONCRETE WALLS CAN BE PRECISE 601 Overly Grove Road, New Holland, PA 17557 Mulch Master Undergoes Field Tri pare the final seedbed, and kill weeds by removing soil from the roots. TTic wheels are made of nodular iron for strength and dura bility. They are mounted in pairs on spring-loaded supports to fol low terrain for even incorporation. The independent action of the sup ports effectively eliminates plugging. The front of the Mulch Master features three ranks of 24-inch low-crown sweeps mounted on 20-inch centers for highly effec tive soil and residue flow. An underframe clearance of 28 inches also contributes to the Mulch Master's considerable capacity to handle heavy residue. The low crown sweeps' lift-and-return action loosens the soil and levels out ridges to provide moist soil for herbicides. TTiis action also leaves maximum residue on the surface. The 4-inch sweep-to-sweep over cut takes out weeds completely. The Mulch Master is designed to normally operate at a 2 to 4-inch depth. Chemical applicator nozzles are mounted immediately ahead of the incorporator wheels to place chemicals on the level, moist surface produced by the sweeps. Bueker points out that the machine does not have to run five inches deep to properly incorpo rate chemicals in the 2.5 to 3-inch zone because the incorporator wheels will thoroughly mix chem icals throughout their full range of operating depth. Speed is another Mulch Master advantage. The recommended operating speed is 7 mph, with an effective range of 6 to 8.5 mph. Unlike other types of tillage tools, speed is not a limiting factor. In fact, Bueker said the performance of the incorporator wheels con tinues to improve as speed increases. The Mulch Master's faster field speeds coupled with fewer spring tillage passes to pre 65’ Diameter SCS Approved Circular Manure Storage pare a seedbed'and incorporate chemicals provide significant sav ings in time and money. Deere plans to offer the Mulch Master in six configurations: ITS" and 16' rigid models, and four flexible folding sizes of 19'2", 22'6", 25T0", and 32'6". Power requirements for the Mulch Mas ter range from 8 to 10.5 hp per foot "The 550 Mulch Master will complement our already extensive line of tillage equipment for meet ing the needs of farmers whose practices include conventional till, no-till, and all the options in between," said Bueker. Dress For Success When Spraying Pesticides UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) With the onset of spring, many homeowners will be attempting to control a new popu lation of pesky weeds. “Controlling lawn and garden weeds usually is done by pulling or snipping, or by using chemical weed killers called herbicides,” said Sam Steel, senior project associate in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and direc tor of the Pennsylvania Agricultur al Safety Council. “lf you use herbicides, make sure you wear appropriate personal protective equipment,” Steel said. “Many agricultural pesticides can cause severe illness and even death if misused. Less toxic home and For All Your Concrete Walls And Construction Needs CONTACT STEVE PETERSHEIM 717-355-0726 CONCRETE WALLS, INC. The John Deere 550 Mulch Master is an Innovative sec ondary tillage tool that Is designed to prepare a seedbed with no appreciable net loss of residue and thoroughly Incorporate chemicals in one pass. The performance capa bilities of the Mulch Master make It appealing to farmers with HEL acres and those who use preplant-incorporated herbicides. The Mulch Master Is also designed for farmers who are looking for a machine with broad-range capabili ties to improve efficiency and productivity. garden pesticides still must be handled, applied, and stored with care.” Steel offers the following guide lines when dressing for a weed- Idlling job: • Wear a long-sleeved shirt to keep chemicals from contacting your skin. Forearms are a prime area of pesticide absorption into the body. • Wear long pants to keep chem icals from contacting your legs. • Wear rubber boots instead of leather or fabric shoes, which can absorb pesticides and hold them next to your skin. • Use unlined rubber, latex,