November 2011, Hannover, Germany

LAFORGE participated in the enormous AGRITECHNICA 2011 farm equipment show with a booth representing the three branches of our manufacturing in Europe:

• Front hitch technology
• Ballast technology
• Farm Implement

Included in the about half a dozen hitch systems on display, was the PowerFold, the first hydraulically folding front hitch system on the market. Also  DynaContour®,  the most advanced automatic control system for front hitches, caught a lot of interest because it now includes pressure control in the basic specifications. It allows for regulation of the ground pressure of front implements like mowers and defoliators.

But the most interest by far was generated by our display of a prototype front hitch system with the capability to lift a dozer blade far higher than is possible with a conventional front 3-point hitch.

On the ballast side you found assorted BigPac weights by EASYMASS® and the award winning FLEXIMASS® ballast carriers.

The LAFORGE implement display consisted of the unique FLEXIPASS ripper with swivel-shanks for easy pulling and hydraulic reset safety for continuous operation in fields with rocks.

Also worth noting: The “Tractor of the Year 2012”, the JOHN DEERE 7 280R, was on display in the JOHN DEERE booth with a factory installed front hitch system that’s supplied by LAFORGE.

AGRITECHNICA 2011 had over 2700 exhibitors from 48 countries and saw 415 000 visitors from all over the world. AGRITECHNICA is held every other year and is now alternating with the AG CONNECT EXPO in the U.S. and the SIMA in Paris, France.

October 2011 Press Releases:

LAFORGE Front hitches and Front PTO for the new JOHN DEERE 6R tractors.

As part of LAFORGE’s continuing commitment to meeting the diversified needs of our customers, LAFORGE is now offering several models of front hitches and front PTOs, as well as exclusive electronic controls for the new JOHN DEERE 6R series of tractors.

-GL ST3.8/6R with 3800 Kg (8 360 lbs) lift capacity is a standard front hitch intended for most common applications.

-GL PR5.5/6R with 5500 Kg (12 100 lbs) lift capacity is a premium front hitch for when extra strength and durability are required. It’s also well suited for offset loads.

-GL HD4.5/6R with 4500 Kg (9 900 lbs) lift capacity is a Heavy Duty front hitch for special applications and very intensive use.

All hitch models are designed to allow installation in less than an hour (excluding options).

The GL PR5.5/6R Premium front hitch is a of an entire new design with cast-iron frame and lower link bracket.
 It is perfectly integrated with the tractor, thus ensuring maximum steering angle and full ground clearance.

It is equipped with storage kit for the center link and hitch balls. Options include front hydraulic receptacles (up to 2 kits), return oil line, light connector, ISO connector bracket, as well as the exclusive LAFORGE electronic controls and DynaContour®.

LAFORGE FrontPower PTO systems are designed with wet multi-disc clutch and modulated engagement. Two models are available in North America:

-540 RPM , 6 splines output shaft, clockwise rotation when looking at the shaft

-1000 RPM, 21 splines output shaft, clockwise rotation when looking at the shaft

This equipment will be introduced at AGRITECHNICA in Germany this fall by LAFORGE SARL, Hall 13, Stand E28, and exhibited at many trade shows in North America during 2012.

LAFORGE FRONT HITCH PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM

The industry leading LAFORGE Position & Traction Control for front hitches now incorporates, in the base specification, a “carrying pressure control” function.

Down-pressure control is an optional add-on.

This system allows an implement to follow the ground contour with constant weight applied to the ground. This is especially useful with implements such as a mower, shredder, or defoliator.

The down-pressure control, on the other hand, can apply a constant pressure to the ground when used with rollers or packers for example.

DynaContour®, LAFORGE’s patented control system for ground engaging implements such as front plow, ripper, etc. (gold medal at 2005 SIMA show), can be accessed from the same control unit.

This equipment will be on display this fall at AGRITECHNICA in Germany by LAFORGE SARL, Hall 13, Stand E28.

In North America contact:

LAFORGE SYSTEMS INC., Concord, CA – Cedar Falls, IA

Ph. 1-800-422-5636

 e-mail:  lars@fronthitch.com

 www.fronthitch.com

  Fall of 2010

Laforge and Degelman agree to work together for mutual benefit.

Laforge Systems, Inc., Concord, CA and Degelman Industries, Regina, SK have decided to endorse selected products in each company’s line-up. Specifically, Degelman is recommending Laforge’s premium front 3-point systems as an alternative to traditional frame mounts of dozer blades on row crop and utility tractors. Laforge in turn is recommending Degelman dozer blades as the preferred brand for 3-point hitch mounting.

Modern row crop tractors, especially if equipped with suspended front axles, are getting lower and lower up front states Jason Faulkner, Sales Manager for Degelman Industries. He continues; “3-point mounting of our dozer blades ensures a greater lift height and better clearance under the tractor, while still keeping the blade close to the nose of the tractor. Laforge has a more than 20 year history of providing quality front 3-point technology to the North American market and we feel comfortable recommending the company and their products to our dealers and customers.”

Lars Paulsson, vice-president of Laforge Systems Inc. says: “Dozer blades and snow plows are increasing in popularity as front 3-point attachments. Teaming up with Degelman will offer our dealers and customers access to a wide array of blade sizes and designs from simple 4-way blades to the new advanced “Speedblade” design. Degelman products have a reputation for quality and functionality on the market and we are excited to be working with them.”

For More Information About Degelman Industries
www.Degelman.com
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 Waterloo, IA,  August 2010

Laforge is proud to announce the opening of a new manufacturing facility in North America.

The official opening was signaled with an Open House attended by a couple of hundred invited customers, suppliers, and local dignitaries who mingled with Laforge staff members at the event. The new 19 000 sq.ft. plant operates as Laforge LLC, and is located just a few hundred yards down the road from Bruns Machine in Cedar Falls, IA, a company that was acquired by Laforge in 2007.

Hubert Defrancq, President of Laforge, held the crowd’s interest with a presentation covering the almost 40 year history of Laforge from the humble beginnings in Mr. Laforge’s shed in Hermonville, France to a world leading manufacturer of front hitch and front PTO technology, general farm equipment, overhead material handling, and a long list of OEM components with four production plants on two continents.

The addition of a second factory in Iowa improves Laforge’s capability to service OEM customers in the US with components. It also improves the company’s flexibility in producing items for the North American after-market as needed. The Laforge LLC factory is equipped with latest machinery for production such as, Laser cutting table, Welding robot, CNC Lathe, several CNC vertical machining centers, a multi-pallet large capacity horizontal CNC machining center, and fully computerized CMM equipment for quality control.

About Laforge

Laforge products are marketed under the trade names: Laforge, AFE, Bucket Master, EASYMASS®, FLEXIMASS®, UNIPASS®, FLEXIPASS, DynaContour®, GreenLink® and Perrein.
Laforge Systems, Inc. is responsible for marketing the company’s line of front 3-point hitch technology including GreenLink® and DynaContour®,  as well as EASYMASS® and FLEXIMASS® in North America.
For more information visit www.fronthitch.com