Inside The 2012 National Farm Machinery Show

Cultivation Construction And Competition Sled Pulling Trucks Showing Off

With 1.2 million square feet of exhibitor space, 850 companies on hand, and more than 300,000 visitors, it’s easy to see why the National Farm Machinery Show is the largest indoor agricultural trade show in the nation. Whether you’re a farmer, business owner, equipment operator, student, or take a general interest in the agriculture and construction industries, this event is the place for you. From big-name manufacturers like CAT and John Deere, to small businesses and entrepreneurs showing off innovative new products, it’s a venue that has something to offer everyone.

Cultivation Construction And Competition Sled Pulling Tractor

For the 47th annual show, we trekked down to Louisville, Kentucky, and added to its record-setting year for attendance (305,512—the third largest in its history). While there, we saw the latest in land-cultivation technology, caught a glimpse of what the future may hold for American farming equipment, and got to gawk at one-of-a-kind concept machines.

Cultivation Construction And Competition John Deere Booth

We were also able to watch the world-renowned Championship Tractor Pulling action unfold each night. Read on for a recap of this year’s show.

Cultivation Construction And Competition Case Skid Steer Right Front Three Quarter

Coolest In Show
While in Case IH’s neck of the woods, we were drawn to this one-of-a-kind skid steer. Based on an SV250 model (and nicknamed Red Power), it was donated as an initiative to raise funds for the National FFA Foundation. It will be up for grabs via an online auction beginning in September, where 100 percent of the proceeds will go straight to the National FFA Foundation.

Cultivation Construction And Competition Case Sv250 Skid Steer Side Shot

From the authentic Case color scheme to the red LED lights to the custom, eight-spoke pattern wheels, this trick little loader will be a huge hit with Case fans and collectors. Other unique features we noticed were tinted windows, a two-tone leather seat (black and red), and chrome center caps and lug nuts. The nail in the coffin for us was seeing the dual chrome exhaust stacks out back.

This neat little creation stems from the University of Kentucky’s Wildcat Pulling Team. It was built by a group of agriculture scholars for the 1/4-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition organized by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. This tractor earned back-to-back Second Place overall finishes in years past, along with a First Place design award. Unfortunately, no hopped-up Kubota engine resides on this rig—it’s Briggs and Stratton powered.
This neat little creation stems from the University of Kentucky’s Wildcat Pulling Team. It
Maybe it’s their monster truck-like appearance, but we’ve always been fans of four-wheel-drive floater trucks. This Atlas 3654 model built by Miller is fitted with a 365hp Cummins QSL 8.9L that meets Tier III emissions standards and is bolted to a 3000 series six-speed Allison transmission. The New Leader G4 spinner box on the back means this floater is a dedicated dry box machine (for applying lime and fertilizers).
Maybe it’s their monster truck-like appearance, but we’ve always been fans of four-wheel-d
Precision Turbo and Engine has definitely found a niche in the world of diesel truck pulling. For 2012, it shared a booth with one of its largest diesel marketplace distributors, Scheid Diesel. Some of Precision’s most successful chargers were on display, including its 3x3.35-inch, clipped 3.0 Class turbo (far right).
Precision Turbo and Engine has definitely found a niche in the world of diesel truck pulli

JCB claims to offer the safest skid steers in the construction industry, and now that we’ve seen them in person we’re starting to believe in its commitment to safety first. Its loaders, like this 135 series, come with a side door so operators don’t have to step or crawl over attachments to get into the cab. Its latest generation of skid steers also offers an unparalleled, 270 degrees of visibility (which is 60 percent more than most of its competitors).
JCB claims to offer the safest skid steers in the construction industry, and now that we’v
One thing you’ll see a lot of at the National Farm Machinery Show is a manufacturer touting its ability to meet or exceed the ever-increasing non-road diesel emissions standards. Case IH is a great example of this. Like many agricultural equipment makers, Case IH met Tier 4A emissions standards in 2011 by using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) on engines making more than 100 hp. Look for a new wave of technology to come to light in coming years, as manufacturers gear up to meet 2014’s Tier 4B requirements.
One thing you’ll see a lot of at the National Farm Machinery Show is a manufacturer toutin
Hosting two exhibitor displays was Scheid Diesel—and its retail booth was jam-packed all week long (the second booth was graced with Scheid’s 6-second diesel dragster). Even as neighboring exhibitors were packing up for the day, dozens of potential customers congregated around the Scheid booth.
Hosting two exhibitor displays was Scheid Diesel—and its retail booth was jam-packed all w

At an event like the National Farm Machinery Show, you’re bound to see plenty of diesel trucks in the parking lot. Well, more like hundreds of them. If we learned one thing this year, it’s that the world’s largest indoor agriculture show is one of the best spots to buy or sell a truck. We saw at least half a dozen diesels up for grabs, including this clean ’04 6.0L dualie with just 50,000 miles on the clock.
At an event like the National Farm Machinery Show, you’re bound to see plenty of diesel tr
With five championship tractor pulling sessions taking place during the four-day event, fans definitely got their fill of wintertime pulling action. Every night of the show, the stands were chockfull of spectators, and the best machines in the world battled for the chance to make it to Saturday night’s final showdown.
With five championship tractor pulling sessions taking place during the four-day event, fa
Blain Fraker’s 4760 model John Deere (The Agitator) just made the cut during one of the ultra-competitive, 9,300-pound Super Farm Class’ qualifying sessions. However, in the finals, he took home Third Place.
Blain Fraker’s 4760 model John Deere (The Agitator) just made the cut during one of the ul

In professional tractor pulling, the Pro Stock Class is considered the premier group of tractors to watch. The elite tractors in this class run big-cubic-inch engines, a 5-inch (or larger) turbocharger, and make well north of 2,500 hp. Of the 45 Pro Stock invitees, just 12 made it through the qualifying process and into the Saturday night finale.
In professional tractor pulling, the Pro Stock Class is considered the premier group of tr
Shane Kellogg’s 7,500-pound Super Stock truck showed up in Louisville sporting a new paintjob and the same, proven Haisley Machine Super B Cummins combination under the hood. The second-generation Dodge ended up in Fifth Place with a distance of 221.42 feet.
Shane Kellogg’s 7,500-pound Super Stock truck showed up in Louisville sporting a new paint
As one of the last trucks to hook to the sled, Scheid Diesel’s Kent Crowder dug his way to First Place. At 230.46 feet, he put nearly 3 feet on Second Place finisher Curt Haisley (227.86 feet) and also beat out the likes of Ben Miller (227.28 feet) and Calvin Miller (222.70 feet).
As one of the last trucks to hook to the sled, Scheid Diesel’s Kent Crowder dug his way to