Ag-Chem Equipment


Ag-Chem Equipment Company was a manufacturer of nutrient and pesticide application equipment that was founded in Jackson, Minnesota USA. It was sold to AGCO Corporation in 2001.

History

After receiving his bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri in 1954, Al McQuinn, the founder of Ag-Chem Equipment Co., served in the Army until 1957. Upon his departure from the armed forces, he went to work for Federal Chemical Company which sold row crop sprayers. These sprayers and others like it didn't do a very good job of applying product. The solubles in the product would often settle in the solution which led to inconsistent, watered-down applications and unhappy customers.
In 1963, McQuinn set out to find a "solution for his solution". He developed a sparger agitator, a device which recirculates liquid product to keep the solubles suspended in their solution until they are applied, in a garage in Jackson, Minnesota. Ag-Chem Equipment Co., Inc. was born.
Advancements in fertilizer and farm chemical technology in the 1970s paved the way for more intense production agriculture in the United States. New fertility management practices, more acres in production, and the need for less soil compaction drove Ag-Chem's application equipment to larger capacity and higher flotation machines. In 1974, the company made its first acquisition by purchasing Ag-Tec, Inc. AgTec, Inc., a former subsidiary of Stokely-Van Camp, manufactured spray application equipment used in orchards, gardens, groves, and vineyards.
In 1980, Ag-Chem first appeared in "The Corporate Report 100", an annual ranking of Minnesota's largest publicly traded companies. In the same year the first international equipment sale was completed. Newly developed pneumatic dry spreaders required greater horsepower and efficiency and brought about the development of the 1800 and 1900 series TerraGators. The United States farm economy was severely depressed from 1981 to 1986. Major U.S. manufacturers were faced with consolidations, takeovers by foreign companies, and the elimination of established product lines. Ag-Chem continued to dominate its markets in 1981 is spite of deteriorating economic conditions. Rickel Manufacturing Co., a company founded by Ed Rickel and known for their "Terra Tires" and Big A® product line, was acquired by Ag-Chem™ in 1983 and one year later Ag-Chem™'s first four-wheel flotation unit for agricultural use, the TerraGator 1664, was introduced
Ag-Chem lost money in 1985 and 1986. Its locally traded over-the-counter stock sold for pennies a share. In 1987, the company closed its Salina, Kansas, plant and consolidated production in Jackson: total company assets were reduced from $21.9 million to $11.6 million. According to the company, its cost-cutting programs and the loyalty of employees and suppliers helped Ag-Chem survive the period.
In 1991, Ag-Chem purchased Benson, Minnesota-based LorAl Products, Inc. and a 60% of Soil Teq, Inc.'s holdings. Soil Teq, Inc. developed the patented SOILECTION® process which was a pioneer in the variable-rate application of fertilizers and pesticides. The acquisition of both assets furthered the company's earnest site-specific efforts to refine the concept of variable-rate application into a practical set of high-tech tools.
Conservation tillage in the 1990s required adaptation of new chemical and fertilizer application technologies for post-emergent weed control. Ag-Chem responded by bringing the RoGator® 664 to market in 1993. Agriculture professionals recognized the potential of site-specific resource management from an agronomic perspective as well as the economic and environmental benefits. In 1995, Ag-Chem purchased the remaining 40% interest in Soil Teq, Inc. and continued to develop a comprehensive "total package". Expanded offerings included continually updated mapping software, variable-rate product controllers, and variable-rate application systems.
In 2001, the company was purchased by AGCO Corporation. The acquisition was beneficial to both parties as Ag-Chem now had larger funding, engineering, and distribution tools at its disposal and AGCO gained a solid foothold in the self-propelled application market among the other major Ag equipment manufacturers.

Machine models

First self-propelled sprayer

The first self-propelled Ag-Chem sprayer was developed in 1967 and was called the Ag-Gator 404SP. This front wheel driven model featured a gasoline-powered, 61 horsepower Wisconsin brand engine, a stainless-steel 440 gallon product tank, and a 40' boom width. It was mass-produced between 1969 and 1971.

ModelEngine TypeEngine HPTransmission MFGTransmission TypeTransmission # of GearsAxle MFGAxle TypeApplication System TypeYears Produced
Ag-Gator 404SPWisconsin Brand 154in36 hpBorg-WarnerSyncromesh4 SpeedRockwellStd. H-140Liquid1969–1971
Ag-Gator 504SPWisconsin Brand 154in36 hpBorg-WarnerSyncromesh4 SpeedRockwellStd. H-140Liquid1970–1975
Ag-Gator 754Ford 204in3UnknownBorg-WarnerSyncromesh4 SpeedRockwellStd. H-140Liquid1972–1976


https://web.archive.org/web/20140203125911/http://www.wisconsinmotors.com:8080/wm/images/catalogs/wisconsin/V465D_V41NID_V461D_Repair.pdf

First flotation applicator

The first flotation-type applicator produced by Ag-Chem was the Ag-Gator 804. This model was also the first design to allow the operator to apply either a liquid or a dry product. This model featured front-wheel drive and an optional 150 HP gasoline-powered or 155 HP diesel power plant.
Beginning with the 1253, Ag-Chem elected to change the model name from Ag-Gator to TerraGator, which is still in use today. In all models succeeding the 1253, the last digit represents the number of wheels on the chassis.

TerraGator Flotation Type Applicators
TerraGator ModelEngine TypeEngine HPTransmission MFGTransmission TypeTransmission # of GearsAxle MFGAxle TypeApplication System TypesYear Produced
Ag-Gator 804Ford 330in3 OR Cummins 348in315 hp 15 hp Borg-WarnerSyncromesh4 SpeedEaton2-Speed 16221 or 17221Liquid or Dry Spinner1973–1976
1253IHC V8UnknownFuller RT-610 or RTO-6104 SpeedJohn DeereAN521250 or 1500 US Gallon Liquid or Dry Spinner1973–1979
1253Cummins V504 or V555195 or 21 hpAllison MT6434 SpeedJohn DeereAN521250 or 1500 US Gallon Liquid or Dry Spinner1973–1979
1253Caterpillar 3160 210 hpSpicer 70414 Speed with #4 locked out John DeereAN521250 or 1500 US Gallon Liquid or Dry Spinner1973–1979
1253Caterpillar 3208 210 hpAllison MT6434 SpeedJohn DeereAN521250 or 1500 US Gallon Liquid or Dry Spinner1973–1979
2505Cummins V903 350 hpSpicer or FullerSST-10 or RT-910, RT-1110, RT-116104 SpeedRockwellOutboard Planetary reduction, lockable inter-axle2800 gal liquid, Anhydrous ammonia, or 4000 gal PV sludge1976–1989
2505Cummins L10 420 hpFullerRTO-15618, RTLO-14618B4 Speed with #4 locked out RockwellOutboard Planetary reduction, lockable inter-axle2800 gal liquid, Anhydrous ammonia, or 4000 gal PV sludge1995
2505Caterpillar 3176 400 hpFullerRTLO-14618B4 SpeedRockwellOutboard Planetary reduction, lockable inter-axle2800 gal liquid, Anhydrous ammonia, or 4000 gal PV sludge1996–1999
1004Cummins V378-C155 V6 140 hpFuller Allison RT-610, RT-6610 or MT643 4 Speed with #4 locked out John DeereAN22Liquid, Dry Spinner, Liquid Manure Applicator, Dry Manure Spreader1976–1987
1004Cummins V504 V8 190 hpFuller Allison RT-610, RT-6610 or MT643 4 SpeedJohn DeereAN22Liquid, Dry Spinner, Liquid Manure Applicator, Dry Manure Spreader1976–1987
1603Cummins V555 Natural or Turbo 215 or 250 hpFuller, Allison, Spicer, Allison RTO-610 or RTO-6610, MT643, 7041, MT643 4 speed except for Spicer which had 4th locked out John DeereAN53 Low Speed, AN53 High Speed, Team Mate II Team Mate II AB Liquid, Dry Spinner, Mechanical Dry, Pneumatic Dry1979–1985
3004Cummins V555 or V903 230 hp or 290 hpFuller or Allison RT-6610 or MT654R 4 SpeedRockwellT-226-FIndustrial Applications1980–1985
2004Cummins 6BTA 5.9L 190 hpFuller Allison RT-610, RT-6610 or MT643 4 SpeedJohn DeereAN22Liquid, Dry Spinner, Liquid Manure Applicator, Dry Manure Spreader1981–1992
004Cummins V504 180 hpFunk2000 Powershift6 FWD and 3 REV SpeedsJohn DeereAN22Liquid, Dry Spinner, Liquid Manure Applicator, Dry Manure Spreader1984–1998
004Cummins 6CTA 8.3L 250 hpFullerRT-6610 w/ Columbia Transfer case4 Speed with #4 locked out John DeereAN22Liquid, Dry Spinner, Liquid Manure Applicator, Dry Manure Spreader1984–1998
1664Cummins V555 Big Cam, Turbocharged 250 hpFuller or Allison RTO-6610, 2-A-92 series, MT643, or MT643 Auto 4 SpeedEaton and Rockwell Tubular Beam, Outboard Planetary1550 gal liquid, Dry spinner, Mechanical boom, Pneumatic boom, industrial systems1984–1985
1664TCaterpillar 3208 250 hpFuller or Allison RTO-6610, 2-A-92 series, MT643, or MT643 Auto 4 SpeedEaton and Rockwell Tubular Beam, Outboard Planetary1550 gal liquid, Dry spinner, Mechanical boom, Pneumatic boom, industrial systems1986–1992
1603TCaterpillar 3208 Natural or Turbo 210 or 250 hpFuller, Allison, Spicer, Allison RTO-610 or RTO-6610, MT643, 7041, MT643 4 speed except for Spicer which had 4th locked out John DeereAN53 Low Speed, AN53 High Speed, Team Mate II Team Mate II AB Liquid, Dry Spinner, Mechanical Dry, Pneumatic Dry1986–1999
1803Cummins 6CTA, Caterpillar 3208, or John Deere 6081 275/300 hp, 275/295/300 hp, 300 hp Fuller, Allison, Spicer, or Funk RTLO-14618A or RTLO-9118 AMT, MT643 or World MD-3060P, 7041 4 speed or 7041 3 speed, Funk Powershift4 Speed 3 Speed, 11 Speed John DeereAN53 Low Speed, AN53 High Speed, Team Mate II Team Mate II AB 1550 gal or 1800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, Pneumatic Dry1989–1997
1703Cummins 6CTA 250 hpFuller or Allison 7041, or MT 643, or MT 643 Auto 4 SpeedJohn DeereAN53 High Speed, Team Mate II or Team Mate II AB1550 gal or 1800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner1990–1996
1804Cummins 6CTA 270 hpFuller, Spicer, or Allison 7041, or RTO-15619 or MT 643, or MT 643 Auto 4 SpeedEaton and Rockwell Tubular Beam, Outboard Planetary1550 or 1800 gal. Liquid, Dry spinner, Mechanical boom, Pneumatic boom, Waste 2000 gal P.V., or Dry Manure Spreader1990–1993
1903Cummins L10 250 hpFuller Torq-Boost18 SpeedRockwellOutboard Planetary2000 gal liquid, Dry Spinner, Pneumatic Dry1991–1994
1903Caterpillar 3176 400 hpFuller Torq-Boost18 SpeedRockwellOutboard Planetary2000 gal liquid, Dry Spinner, Pneumatic Dry1995–1999
2204Cummins 6CTA 240 hpFuller RT-66104 SpeedJohn DeereTeam Mate II 1200 SeriesLiquid Slurry w/ Toolbar, Dry Manure Spreader, Industrial Systems1992–1997
1844Cummins 6CTA Natural or Turbo, John Deere 6081, Caterpillar 3208 275/300 hp, 300 hp, 275/295/300 hp Fuller, Allison, Funk, or SpicerRTLO-14618A or RTLO-9118 AMT, MT643 or World MD-3060P, TerraShift, 7041 4 speed or World MD-3060P Multiple SpeedsEaton and Rockwell Tubular Beam, Outboard PlanetaryLiquid, Dry Spinner, Pneumatic Dry1993–1998
8103John Deere 6081H 8.1L 300 hpFunk TerraShift11 SpeedJohn DeereTeam Mate II AB1800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, Pneumatic Dry1998–2006
3104John Deere 6081H 8.1L 300 hpFunk TerraShift11 SpeedJohn DeereTeam Mate II AB 1400 Series3400-gallon NMS, 3100-gallon PV, Side-discharge manure spreader1998–2007
8104John Deere 6081H 8.1L 30 hpFunk TerraShift11 SpeedEaton and Rockwell Tubular Beam, Outboard Planetary1800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, Pneumatic Dry1999–2006
8144John Deere 6081H 8.1L 300 hpFunk TerraShift11 SpeedFabco and Rockwell Steerable-double reduction, Outboard Planetary1800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, Pneumatic Dry1999–2006
6103John Deere 6081H 8.1L 270 hpFunk TerraShift11 SpeedJohn DeereTeam Mate II AB1800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner2000–2006
9103Cat 3176C 10.3L 400 hpFuller RTLO-14618A18 SpeedRockwellOutboard Planetary2400 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, Pneumatic Dry2000–2006
9105Cat 3176C 10.3L 400 hpFuller RTLO-14618B 18 SpeedRockwellOutboard Planetary2400 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, Pneumatic Dry2000–2006
4104John Deere 6081H 8.1L 300 hpFunk TerraShift11 SpeedJohn DeereTeam Mate II 1400 Series Sweda3400-gallon NMS, 3100-gallon PV, Side-discharge manure spreader2001–2006
6203Caterpillar C-9 310 hpFunk TerraShift11 SpeedAxleTechPRC 2715, ratio 16.65:11800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Pneumatic Dry2007–2010
8203Caterpillar C-9 330 hpFunk TerraShift11 SpeedAxleTechPRC 2715, ratio 16.65:11800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Pneumatic Dry, Air Spreader Single Bin, Air Spreader Twin Bin2007–2010
8204Caterpillar C-9 330 hpFunk TerraShift11 SpeedEaton and AxleTech Tubular Beam, PRC 2715, ratio 14.04:1 or 15.6:11800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Pneumatic Dry, Air Spreader Single Bin, Air Spreader Twin Bin2007–2011
8244Caterpillar C-9 330 hpFunk TerraShift11 SpeedEaton and AxleTech Tubular Beam, PRC 2715, ratio 14.04:1 or 15.6:11800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Pneumatic Dry, Air Spreader Single Bin, Air Spreader Twin Bin2007–2008, 2010–2011
9203Caterpillar C-13 420 hpCaterpillar TA-2216 SpeedAxleTechPRC 2715, ratio 17.41:11800 or 2400 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Precision or Air Max Precision2, Air Spreader Single Bin, Twin Bin, or Four Bin2007–2011
9205Caterpillar C-13 420 hpCaterpillar TA-2216 SpeedAxleTechPRC 2715, ratio 17.41:11800 or 2400 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Precision or Air Max Precision2, Air Spreader Single Bin, Twin Bin, or Four Bin2007–2011
3244Caterpillar C-13 420 hpCaterpillar TA-2216 SpeedAxleTechPRC 2715, ratio 17.41:11800 or 2400 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Precision or Air Max Precision2, Air Spreader Single Bin, Twin Bin, or Four Bin2008–2010
6303AGCO Sisu Diesel 8.4L310 hpAGCO ML-260InfiniteAxleTechPRC 2715, ratio 17.55:11800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Pneumatic Dry2011
8303AGCO Sisu Diesel 8.4L330 hpAGCO ML-260InfiniteAxleTechPRC 2715, ratio 17.55:11800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Pneumatic Dry, Air Spreader Single Bin, Air Spreader Twin Bin2011
8304AGCO Sisu Diesel 8.4L330 hpAGCO ML-260 w/ DropBoxInfiniteAxleTechPRC 2715, 14.8:11800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Pneumatic Dry, Air Spreader Single Bin, Air Spreader Twin Bin2011
TG7300AGCO POWER Tier 4i Diesel 8.4L330 hpAGCO ML-260InfiniteAxleTechPRC 2715, ratio 17.55:11800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Pneumatic Dry2012–Present
TG8300AGCO POWER Tier 4i Diesel 8.4L360 hpAGCO ML-260InfiniteAxleTechPRC 2715, ratio 17.55:11800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Pneumatic Dry, Air Spreader Single Bin, Air Spreader Twin Bin2012–Present
TG8400AGCO POWER Tier 4i Diesel 8.4L360 hpAGCO ML-260 w/ DropBoxInfiniteAxleTechPRC 2715, ratio 14.8:11800 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Pneumatic Dry, Air Spreader Single Bin, Air Spreader Twin Bin2012–Present
TG9300Caterpillar C-13 Tier 3 420 hpCaterpillar TA-2216 SpeedAxleTechPRC 2715, ratio 17.41:11800 or 2400 gal Liquid, Dry Spinner, AirMax Precision or Air Max Precision2, Air Spreader Single Bin, Twin Bin, or Four Bin2012–Present

RoGator

In the 1990s, Ag-Chem saw an emerging market for a self-propelled row-crop sprayer. Ag-Chem's answer was the RoGator. The first RoGator was the model 664.
Current RoGator Type Applicators
RoGator ModelEngine TypeEngine HPTransmission MFGSystem OptionsBooms OptionsWheel Tread Spacing
RG900AGCO Power Tier 4i Diesel 8.4L280 hpSauer Danfoss Hydrostatic900 Gal / 180AirMax / New Leader90 ft / 120 ft / 60 ft -AirMax120in-152in
RG1100AGCO Power Tier 4i Diesel 8.4L310 hpSauer Danfoss Hydrostatic1100 Gal / 180AirMax / New Leader90 ft / 100 ft / 120 ft / 60 ft -AirMax120in-152in
RG1300AGCO Power Tier 4i Diesel 8.4L330 hpBosch Rexroth Hydrostatic1300 Gal / 180AirMax / New Leader90 ft / 100 ft / 120 ft / 60 ft -AirMax120in-152in