STRIPTILL SYSTEMS

Informational

Sales Guide

Agronomic Overview

Definitions (Iowa NRCS EQUIP Web Page)http//:www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/stateequip.html

NoTill StripTill (ZoneTill) MulchTillThis practice leaves the soil and

crop residue undisturbed except for

crop row where the seed and

fertilizer is placed in the ground. No

Till planters disturb less than 25%

of the row width. Weeds are

controlled primarily with herbicides.

Row cultivation is not done except

in emergency situations. The STIR

value in a NT system does not

exceed a value of 10 in any year of

the rotation. Full benefits from a NT

system are accomplished after five

continuous years of this practice.

Coulters and/or row cleaners till up

to 30% of the row width leaving the

remaining 70% between the rows

undisturbed. The STIR value in a

StripTill System does not exceed a

value of 15 in any year of the

rotation. May involve making strips

in fall or spring prior to planting.

Chisel plow or secondary tillage

equipment such as field cultivator or

disks are used to till prior to

planting.

While some residue remains on the

soil surface, disturbance occurs to

more than 30% of the soil surface

on the field. STIR value exceeds

15. Aerways, rotary harrows and

turbo tills are examples of full width

tillage.

Agronomic Overview

Advantages

NoTill StripTill (ZoneTill) MulchTillAdvantages:

Maximum erosion control, conserves soil moisture, improve organic matter, lowest fuel and labor input costs

Management Challenges: Limited incorporation potential, may increase dependence on herbicides, soil warming may be slower in the spring especially on poorly drained soils with heavy residue levels.

Advantages: Excellent erosion control, conserves soil moisture, allows soil warming in the row, allows in row incorporation, low fuel and labor costs, and allows banding of P and K.

Management Challenges: May increase dependence on herbicides

Advantages: Allows incorporation, moderate erosion control, conserves some soil moisture when residue levels are high.

Management Challenges: Moderate erosion control especially if contour planting is not used, moderate soil moisture loss, medium labor and fuel costs

Agronomic Overview

Benefits Over NoTillFaster Spring Warm Up Better Root Development Better Crop Stand

As far south as Larned Kansas, Kansas State University Researchers report an average of six degrees difference into June in soil temperatures within the strip over a five year period.

The warmer soil allows plants a better environment in which to mature. StripTill warm up advantages become more important further north, where farmers have reported having challenges with germination and early plant development due to cold soil in NoTill environments.

In soils where young plants encounter less compaction, the root system will venture deeper earlier.

The use of the shank directly below where the seed is to be planted allows for any compaction above the 10” line to be fractured. This gives the younger plants better access to moisture and nutrients within the soil profile.

By clearing residue away from the area where the germinating plant is growing, seedlings have much less interference when establishing their horizontal root systems and vertical stem growth.

The clearing away of residue thus produces much less competition for space between the new plants and old residue. A stronger root ball and better stand is the result.

Agronomic Overview

Benefits Over MulchTillLower Application Rates Time and Fuel Savings Erosion Control

In comparison with a production strategy that uses the incorporation of broadcast fertilizer, producers report similar yield results in StripTill while cutting their fertilizer inputs by up to 25%.

Although the application of Anhydrous Ammonia or Liquid Nitrogen has not shown a rate reduction as dramatic as dry fertilizer, it has shown some.

By Using StripTill, some producers are down to four passes during a corn production cycle: StripTill, Plant, Spray, Harvest. This dramatically cuts fuel costs within the production equation allowing for additional funds to be added to the bottom line.

Consensus is split on whether an additional nitrogen application in the form of side dress is needed. Soil type, climate, and nutrients remaining in the soil are the key considerations on whether an additional application is needed.

By leaving 70% of the residue within a field undisturbed, a StripTilled field is less likely to suffer the effects of wind and water erosion.

Moisture loss within a field that has been StripTilled is also less than one that has been mulch tilled. Furthermore, moisture absorption within the strip has been shown to be similar to that of a mulch tilled field.

Practical Overview

Operational Goals1. Do as Much as Possible in One Pass

• Depending on soil type and climate, some operators will put down dry or liquid P & K along with Anhydrous or Liquid Nitrogen in a dual placement operation.

• Some have tried planting in the same pass with mixed success.

2. Produce More with Less

• Producers have reported fewer input costs primarily in fertilizer and fuel

• The time savings allows for various other activities including more acres, livestock, or specialty crop production.

3. Make it Pay

• In addition to StripTilling their own land, Farmers who own StripTill applicators report custom applying, renting applicators to neighbors, and contracting with fertilizer dealers for custom application work.

• This helps offset the higher costs associated with equipment and maintenance.

Practical Overview

The Standard StripAlthough there are a multitude of ideas on what will create the perfect Strip, most will agree that the Strip created should have the following attributes.

1. The tilled horizontal area of the Strip should be no more than 10” wide

• More than 10” will not conform with the 70% undisturbed residue standard

2. The tilled vertical area of the Strip should be 6-8” deep

• Fertilizer Placement should be at this depth as well

3. The Strip should be relatively residue free

• As low as 9% in the strip

4. The Strip Berm should be 2-4” high

• Enough to ensure that the strip will not become concave prior to planting

5. Soil in the Strip should have a finished look prior to planting

• This can be achieved with a basket, or through freeze/thaw

Practical Overview

Standard Equipment Configuration1. Coulter

• All major competitive brands employ a coulter to cut through the residue where the strip is to be created.

• Most use a 20” fluted blade, some employing parallel linkage systems will use a NoTill coulter with a depth band

2. ResidueManager

• It is debatable to some whether the ResidueManager is most effective before or after the coulter, some even consider it optional equipment. Our experience shows less residue within the strip when it is placed after the coulter, and it is effective enough to be used in almost every residue situation.

Practical Overview

Standard Equipment Configuration1. A

2. A

3. Shank & Knife

• A majority of StripTill Applicators on the market will employ a shank and a knife. Shanks very from 4” depths to 18” depths. Most university researchers and agronomists agree that a shank running 6-8” deep is most efficient.

• Knives will vary depending on soil type. The most common knife is a mole style with a 1” to 11/2” foot at the front. This allows for more soil stirring within the Strip.

4. Disc Hillers

• Typically look like Anhydrous Ammonia sealing tools. Some are modified versions of Disc Sealers, others have no modifications at all.

5. Basket

• Generally considered optional equipment, a finishing basket leaves the Strip with a smoother look, ready for planting. If operating in the Spring, a finishing basket should be considered a must.

Product Overview

BLU-JET Design Advantages – Row Units

1. Super 1200 Coulter

1. Delivers 1200 pounds of Residue Slicing Pressure to keep the blade in the ground while protecting from in field obstructions.

2. 20” Fluted Blade cuts through the residue while providing stirring action to loosen the surrounding soil.

2. Spring Mount ResidueManager

1. Sweeps Residue cut by the coulter out of the Strip, creating a cleaner, blacker area.

2. Spring design provides superior obstruction protection while applying enough down pressure to deliver a clean row, even in heavy residue. Two Setting Options Provide the Adjustability Necessary for Varying Soil Types and Residue Situations.

Product Overview

1. A

2. A

3. MaxPac Spring Mounts

• Provides ~790 pounds of force at the tip of the knife to ensure accurate depth while protecting against field obstructions.

• Can travel a full 10” to clear larger obstructions with less shearing of knife bolts.

4. Edgebent Shank

• Ensures accurate depth placement through simple rigidity.

• It carries a lifetime warranty against breakage.

5. SealPro II Disc Hiller

• Designed for high acre application, this low maintenance (less grease points, springs optional) Hiller is free floating with independently moving arms. It allows any remaining residue to pass through by simply floating over it.

6. Rubber Torsion Finishing Baskets

• Low Maintenance Design eliminates an additional spring.

BLU-JET Design Advantages – Row Units

Product Overview

1. StripTill 3-Point

• 3-Point mainframes available in 6R30 to 16R30 configurations.

• Economical for the smaller farmer, or for those in contour situations.

2. StripTill Systems (LandTracker 9400)

• A multipurpose carrier allowing for StripTill Systems bars to be placed under the tongue or behind.

• The compact look with the bar up front (6R30 to 12R30 only) is appealing to those wishing to carry a liquid tank or dry box aboard their Applicator.

3. Galaxy 3-Point

• This heavy duty 7”x7” frame can accommodate numerous StripTill row spacings including 20”, 22”, 24” & 30”.

• Widths start at 15’ and can go as wide as 45’

BLU-JET Design Advantages – Mainframes

Product Overview

1. LandRunner

• The economical design makes this mainframe highly price competitive in the 12R30 and 16R30 StripTill marketplace.

• Best employed as an implement pulled behind a pull between dry air cart, with Anhydrous Ammonia placement, or with both in a dual placement application

2. Legacy

• With the option of 385 or 295 mainframe and wing truck tires, the Legacy offers superior road transport and flotation capacities at the 16R30 StripTill width.

• The 6x6 Commercial Class Constant Level Mainframe can be used to tow liquid, dry, or NH3 nurse tanks or be pulled between the dry cart with a nurse tank in the rear for dual placement operations.

BLU-JET Design Advantages – Mainframes

Product Overview

1. A

2. A

3. a

4. AT6020

• The king of the StripTill marketplace.

• This Commercial Class Fertilizer Applicator features one of the largest ranks in the industry and is StripTill ready at 18R30, and 24R30 configurations.

• At the 60’ width, it is the only known applicator to feature full StripTill options including ResidueManagers and Finishing Baskets. It employs dual mainframe tires and four single hydraulic gauge wheels for superior floatation in the field.

• Nearly twelve vertical feet of wing flex assists in maintaining accurate depth placement over uneven terrain.

• It meets the challenge of high application rates with available dual AutoLok nurse tank hitches and the option of mounting two GDI’s on the rear of the bar.

• When compared to a 16 row applicator, the 24R30 AT6010 can apply 16.8 more acres per hour at 7mph, meaning more time for additional acres and additional profits.

BLU-JET Design Advantages – Mainframes

Competitive Sales Points

The “Must Ask” QuestionsNo matter how the StripTill prospect approaches you, the following questions should be asked in

order to qualify the customer, ascertain his needs, and position yourself as an expert on the subject.

1. What size is your planter?

• Sell to match unless otherwise specified by the prospect

• Follow up: Do you plan on possibly switching to a larger planter in the near future?

2. Will you be using GPS and a Mapping System?

• Most who answer no to this question rarely understand the precision required for StripTill Application. Those who do, and still think they can get by with row markers, think they can drive straighter than they actually can.

• A no answer also gives you the opportunity to explain that BLU-JET does not even offer a row marker with their applicators, as it is next to impossible to stay on the strip with the planter. You can then point out that other manufacturers who do offer a row marker are obviously lacking in experience within the StripTill marketplace.

• Follow Up: Your opportunity to include your guidance package with the StripTill Applicator

Competitive Sales Points

1. A

2. A

3. Will you be operating the applicator in the spring, the fall, or both

• Allows you an opportunity to discuss the basket option if the answer is in the spring, or both in the fall and the spring.

• Allows the prospect to further elaborate on his intended uses of the applicator

• Follow up: Are you in a low freeze/thaw area or in bottom ground where you may need a finishing basket in the fall?

4. In what residue situations do you anticipate operating the applicator?

• Gives you the opportunity to speak on the necessity of a ResidueManager in most situations, discuss the various settings and high adjustability of all components, and gets the customer to think about the options he will need on his BLU-JET StripTill Applicator

• Establishing the need for a ResidueManager takes some competitors out of the picture as they either do not offer one or offer a model much more costly than ours.

• Follow up: Will you be operating in any corn on corn situations? If the answer is yes, mentioning that he should split last years row will further establish you credibility.

The “Must Ask” Questions

Competitive Sales Points1. A

2. A

3. A

4. A

5. In what kind of soil will you be operating?

• Gives you the opportunity to speak on knife selection and strengthen the point on versatile, adjustable components if he answers “all kinds”, which most do.

6. In what kind of terrain will you be operating?

• Allows you to speak on mainframe options, particularly on the wing flex of all applicators should he answer anything other than flat. Wing flex is a big advantage over all competitors that do not manufacture traditional fertilizer injection applicators

7. What type(s) of fertilizer will you be applying while StripTilling?

• From this you can ascertain the best type of mainframe for his operation, as well as discuss the various distribution options available to him.

8. Do you plan on supplementing with an additional fertilizer pass?

• Opportunity for an additional sale of a side dress applicator if he dose not already have one. Also allows you to discuss the versatility of the LandTracker carrier should he answer affirmatively. Selling LandTracker as a multi use tool eliminates all competitors.

The “Must Ask” Questions

Competitive Sales Points

• The most effective argument made when selling against most StripTill manufacturers is one of company history. If the argument that one should purchase a StripTill applicator made by a company who builds fertilizer injection application equipment can be made, you have narrowed the competitive field from 27 (including regional manufacturers) down to three main brands.

• Items related to this topic include the following and may help solidify the point.

• BLU-JET has been building fertilizer injection application equipment for over 30 years. Combined with the over 25 years experience in Conservation Tillage Equipment manufacturing, our experience in the StripTill marketplace is superb.

• Adjustability of components for varying soil types and residue situations.

• Lower maintenance (less grease points and springs) for high acre application

• The ability to change knives, adjusting to seasonal soil and moisture conditions

• Widths ranging from 15’ to 60’ to fit most operations

• Choice of mainframes to fit price ranges, production strategies, and application needs

BLU-JET vs. Most StripTill Manufacturers