Orthman wins international award

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), recently awarded an AE50 award to Orthman Manufacturing for their Shadow Tracker GPS guidance system. ASABE deemed the Shadow one of the year's most innovative designs in engineering systems for the food and agriculture industries. The award was presented to Ryan Hulme, Design Engineer for the project during the ASABE Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference.

The Shadow will be featured in the March/April 2011 special AE50 issue of ASABE's magazine, Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World.

Hulme pointed to Orthman's tradition of innovation and flexibility in accepting the award. "The Shadow Tracker System is based on the proven Tracker IV GPS guidance system, and allows for mounting options across multiple platforms. Ever since Henry Orthman began using 7 X 7 structural tubing for equipment frames in the 1960's, it has become the industry standard - and the Shadow Tracker GPS System takes advantage of that standardization. It can be mounted wherever there is an open section of 7 X 7 on the planter frame, and it replaces all mechanical linkages between steering blades with a rephasing hydraulic cylinder on each steering module. This allows growers with center flex planter frames the ability to have sub-inch accuracy implement guidance, which was previously unavailable. This award is a testament to Orthman's dedication to developing innovative products for growers around the world." said Hulme.

Agronomist Mike Petersen pointed out the importance of implement guidance. "For growers practicing precision tillage and placing fertilizer products with the Orthman 1tRIPr followed with a top-quality planter, repeatable accuracy is a must- planting must occur where the fertilizer is placed." He also touted the importance of implement guidance on slopes. "In steeper slopes, drawn planters have a real tendency to slide downhill, and missing the mark is not acceptable. Reducing stress, grief, loss of dollars, and replicating A-B lines all point to active implement steering and the Orthman Shadow Tracker."

Companies from around the world submitted entries to the annual AE50 competition and winners were chosen by a panel of international engineering experts. The judges select products that will best advance engineering for the food and agriculture industries, and emphasizes the role of new products with advanced technology. These engineering developments help farmers, food processors and equipment manufacturers cut costs, enhance quality and increase profits.

Resource, a technical magazine geared to agricultural, biological and food system engineers worldwide, is produced at ASABE headquarters in St. Joseph, Michigan. The publication is read by thousands of professionals and others involved in the agricultural, food and biological industries.

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers is an educational and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering and technology for sustainable agricultural, food, and biological systems. Members are consultants, educators, executives and others who uniquely understand the interrelationships between technology and living systems. Founded in 1907 and headquartered in St Joseph, Michigan, ASABE comprises 9,000 members from more than 100 countries. For further information, contact ASABE, 2950 Niles Rd, St Joseph, Michigan, 49085; (269) 429-0300; hq (at) asabe.org; www.asabe.org.

For more information about AE50, Resource magazine or ASABE, contact Publications Director, Donna M. Hull at (269) 932-7026 or hull (at) asabe.org