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  News  
     
 

April 2009 – Clarification regarding LAFORGE front hitch systems for CHALLENGER MT 700B and MT 700C Track tractor

LAFORGE issued information in October 2008 regarding the launching of the HDIT front hitch system for CHALLENGER MT 700B and MT700C Track tractors.
While the design has been implemented following all of AGCO’s guide lines for optimizing the installation and performance, the wording in our news releases stating "approved without restriction by AGCO" requires a clarification.

The design does ensure that the tractor will reach maximum tractive capacity, when pushing an implement, before exceeding the design strength of the frame.
However due to the size of the front overhang, it is important that the front hitch is not loaded to full lift capacity without verifying the total tractor weight distribution and dynamic stability.
Considering that it is not possible to control that this process is implemented properly, AGCO Corporation does not support nor endorse this product.

 
     
 

March 2009 - LAFORGE at SIMA 2009

The 73rd SIMA, The International Agri-Business Show in Paris, France, was held from February 22 to 26 at the Parc des Expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte.

LAFORGE presented a full range of products, including the latest innovations:

-The FrontPower® line of front PTO with ISO direction of rotation and electro-hydraulic controlled wet clutch.

- 2-Stage FLEXIMASS® ballasting system for use with 2-point mounted equipment

- DynaContour® Ultima the stand-alone automatic control systems for front hitches.


 
     
 

January 2009 - HDI front hitch on CASE-IH PUMA compatible with LAFORGE automatic hitch controls and front PTO

Specially designed for heavy-duty applications, the LAFORGE HDI front hitch system is now available for CASE-IH PUMA tractors. The 13 200 LBS lift capacity is impressive, but more importantly the HDI has a design that allows for the use of dozer blades and primary tillage tools.

The HDI front hitch can be equipped with LAFORGE’s exclusive automatic controls:

- automatic position and traction control a patented system that keeps an implement at a set depth, or height, and reacts to varying traction conditions in the field

- DynaContour® Ultima the award winning option that adds active field contour following to position and traction control.

The HDI is also compatible with LAFORGE’s industry leading front PTO systems with electro-hydraulic, modulated, multi-discs wet clutches:

- FrontPower the most powerful and long-lasting after-market front PTO system on the market It is designed with correct ISO direction of rotation (6 splines / 540 rpm, or 21 splines / 1000 rpm) for use with mowers, shredders, and snow blowers throughout the world.

- LAFORGE counter-ISO rotating PTO (6 splines/1000 rpm) is available in selected markets.
The picture above shows a CASE-IH PUMA 210 tractor equipped with HDI front hitch and automatic position and traction control.

LAFORGE continuously develops accessories for front hitch systems with the purpose of simplifying the task of the operator and to ensure quality work while maximizing the performance of the front-and-rear tractor combination.

 
     
  October 2008 - LAFORGE Front Hitch System for CHALLENGER MT 700B

LAFORGE is expanding its line of front hitch systems for track tractors with the HDIT model for CHALLENGER MT 700B series tractors. The HDIT is a Cat.3 system with 6000 Kg (13 200 LBS) lift capacity.

It has been developed in collaboration with CHALLENGER engineers in Jackson, MN, and is approved by AGCO without restrictions. The design of the reinforcing frame for this hitch makes it suitable for even the most demanding front applications, while protecting the integrity of the tractor design.

In addition to strength and durability aspects, the goal has been to integrate the system with the tractor, preserve access for service and maintenance as well as maintaining visibility from the cab.

The ease of operation and productivity of the CHALLENGER 700B can be further enhanced with LAFORGE’s industry leading and patented, optional Automatic Control Systems for the HDIT front htich:

- Basic Electronic Position & Traction Control
- DynaContour® Ultima for unequaled performance with front-and-rear implement combinations.

This system is especially valuable for track tractors because it compensates for pitch changes of the vehicle.

About LAFORGE :

LAFORGE – the expert in tractor-implement interaction, has been developing the most complete range of front hitches, front PTO, and automatic controls for almost 30 years, as a competitive and reliable response to market demands. Headquarters are located in Guignicourt, France.

LAFORGE SYSTEMS, INC, established 1991 in Concord, CA is responsible for sales, service, and marketing in North America through a network of several hundred local tractor dealers.

 
     
 

Minneapolis, MN June 2007

FLEXIMASS the revolutionary ballasting system for tractors has been selected as an AE50 winner for 2007. The award sponsored by ASABE’s Resource magazine recognizes the top 50 innovative new products introduced in 2006. Please click here for a brochure.


FLEXIMASS is the latest innovation by LAFORGE aimed at improved tractor efficiency and the 5th time a LAFORGE product has been awarded the prestigious AE50 award. This is a testimonial to the commitment by LAFORGE to find solutions for our customer’s ever evolving challenges around the globe. FLEXIMASS was also recognized by the SIMA show in Paris earlier in 2007.


FLEXIMASS is a ballasting system for three-point-linkage-equipped agricultural tractors. This quick and easy system for adapting the ballast level of a tractor to the task at hand has the potential for significant fuel and labor savings. Agricultural tractors use tires or tracks to transfer power to the surface traveled on. The amount of weight needed on the tire or track to transfer power is dependent on soil type (pavement type), moisture content, soil firmness, etc., but in general, adding weight increases the power-transfer capability. Adding solid weights is a common solution and preferred over liquid in tires — “suitcase weights” on the front and bolt-on cast-iron rings for the rear wheels. Both systems are arduous and time consuming. FLEXIMASS provides a solution for adding up to 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) of ballast by using a front and/or rear three-point linkage.


In addition to being a quick way of adding or removing weight, it also allows the flexibility of what type of weight to use because the method of attachment is a standardized 3-point frame: European mono-block weights, standard tractor suitcase weights, 3-point tank, or any 3-point attachment.

 
     
 

Tulare California, February 2007

The World Ag Expo (www.worldagexpo.com) with over 100,000 visitors from more than 60 countries is marketed as the largest annual farm equipment show in the world. It was the 40th year celebration this year. The significance of the show to the nation as a whole could among other things be seen in the fact that a very possible future United States President was headlining the opening ceremony: Rudy Giuliani.

Laforge equipment was of course on display, just like it has been since 1989. We currently have our own booth inside Pavilion “C” rather than a large outside booth. This format has been found to be more conducive to information exchange with potential customers. In this setting a customer can explain what he is trying to achieve and we can together explore solutions by using pictures, spec sheets, and examples. Laforge doesn’t really so much sell equipment as we offer mechanization solutions.

Having said this, it was definitely possible to find Laforge equipment on display at large outside booths:


CASE-IH had an MX 275 on display with the new HDI system by LAFORGE. The revolutionary system, with a pending patent, allows for this tractor to be equipped with a 3-point dozer blade with full crop clearance. Great news for silage producers for example. The system is of course also capable of primary tillage and all other front applications as you would expect from LAFORGE. Optional automatic electro-hydraulic controls are available as well.


NEW HOLLAND displayed a TM 190 tractor with SuperSteer front axle and a LAFORGE MDI 4 front hitch. There is definitely an opportunity for NEW HOLLAND to promote the SuperSteer concept to growers that use cultivators and tillage equipment on the front. The axle mounted hitch gives you an unequalled control of your front implement.

It was apparent at the LAFORGE booth that Conservation Tillage is taking hold in California. Individual growers as well as custom operators and chemical companies are working on strip-till and minimum-pass equipment. Front 3-point technology can be an essential part of this if you are factoring in tractor ballasting, fuel consumption, and compaction.

LAFORGE was also for the first time showing the FLEXIMASS ballasting system at the World Ag Expo. The system enables you to quickly add and remove over 6,500 LBS incrementally to the rear of a tractor, and/or to the front if it has a front 3-point system. Some customers who pack silage with row crop tractors were very interested, but the main type of customer to benefit is the one who uses the same tractor for both (rear) 3-point mounted equipment and pull-type tillage equipment

Anybody in North America seriously involved in the production of food and fiber (and bio-fuel) should visit the World Ag Expo once every few years. Virtually all commercial suppliers of equipment are represented with their most knowledgeable staff. The most recent equipment and information are on display. LAFORGE salutes the 40th anniversary and are looking forward to many more.

 
     
 

Pocatello, Idaho, January 2007

Eastern Idaho Ag Expo has become a show that caters to growers of most of the crops grown in the state. Because of the concurrent Potato Conference, there is still a lot of potato equipment on display though.

Because of the Potato Conference, you get visitors from a much wider area than the size of the show would normally attract. In addition to visitors from the North West of the US and Western Canada, we greeted many in our booth from as far away as Maine and the Canadian Maritimes.

LAFORGE had a small booth with table top displays of front hitch applications in different crops. The DVD screen showing applications from around the world ranging from front mounted rippers to hay mowing always draws a crowd.

Like in so many other parts of the country, the triple-gang mower is in the process of taking hold in Idaho. A couple of units have been sold in 2006 and several interested growers inquired at this show. The most common configuration what has become known as “butterfly” with one 8’ – 10’ mower up front and one on each side on the rear of the tractor. This requires a front hitch and a front PTO. Growers are justifiable worried about support and parts availability for these systems. All the major tractor brands use outside suppliers for their systems. Even when they are “factory” installed. LAFORGE was given the opportunity to point out at the show that we are the only supplier with a corporate presence in North America and a US warehouse.

Eastern Idaho Ag Expo is a relatively small show. But because of the diversified agriculture in the area, the visitors have an unusual high interest in front hitch technology. Combining passes, timeliness, and labor costs are their main motivations for upgrading tractors with front hitch systems.

 
     
 

Laforge is introducing HDI front 3-point hitch exclusively designed for Case-IH MX 215, 245, 275, 305 “Next Generation” tractors.

CONCORD , CA January 2007 - Saving fuel and labor by using front 3-point technology to combine passes has been common practice in Europe for many years. It’s now also becoming popular in North America – on North American built tractors.

LAFORGE’s HDI (Heavy Duty Integrated) line of hitches has been expanded to include the CASE-IH MX 215, 245, 275, and 305 “Next Generation” tractors. The fully integrated Cat.3N front 3-point system has been redesigned specifically for these tractor models. An innovative reinforcing mid-frame (patent pending) eliminates the need for any structural member underneath the front axle. This gives the front hitch equipped tractor full ground clearance regardless if it is equipped with a suspended MFD front axle or a standard MFD.

It is also the solution for farmers who have found that common dozer brands with a belly-frame under the front axle severely limit the ground clearance. By mounting a dozer blade on the LAFORGE HDI hitch instead, you have full clearance and a terrific lift height for the steepest approach angle whether you are pushing dirt, snow or working a silage pit.

HDI Specifications at a Glance

Lift Capacity: 6,000 kg (13,200 LBS)
Lift Range: 700 mm (27.6 inch)
Lower Links: Single piece welded box design for ultimate rigidity and durability.
Hydraulics Standard: Double-acting with full down pressure.
Hydraulics Optional: Electronic Position & Traction Control, Hitch Dampening
Quick Attach System: “Hook-and-Ball” on the lower links is standard for enhanced safety and compactness.

Laforge HDI Availability

Laforge HDI hitches for CASE-IH tractors are available through the CASE-IH dealers in North America. Warranty, parts, and service are administrated through the local dealers and they are supported by Laforge’s US based staff and warehouse.

Founded in 1991, Laforge Systems, Inc. is a subsidiary of Laforge SARL in Europe. The parent company has more than 25 years of experience in front hitch technology and has a multitude of patents and engineering awards in this field.

For More Information

Laforge Systems, Inc., 4425-C Treat Blvd.#230, Concord, CA 94521
Lars Paulsson Ph. 925-827-2010, e-mail; lars@fronthitch.com
On the Web ; www.fronthitch.com

 

 

 

 

   
© 2004 Laforge Systems Inc.