www.pringlesagplus.com.au

Pringles Crouch staff celebrate ‘Christmas’ in February with their family and workmates

Social bowls “NABA” award

Luke Sanderson, Ian Pickett, Chris Provis, Greg McDonald, Julie Minge and Raj DaSilva from the Cleve branch took part in a 4-week casual bowls competition. In one round they played against Steve Magor and Lindsay Crouch of Crystal Brook who were part of the Cleve Hotel team who defeated the Pringles Crouch team.

The group of non-bowlers did not have high expectations, and were not disappointed, taking home the NABA (not a bowlers A***) prize for the 4 week competition. Not much danger they will be playing pennants for Cleve in 2014!

Starfire expansionPringles Crouch are excited to announce the expansion of our Starfire RTK network into the Eyre Peninsula region, as well as some improvements to the network in the Mid North. Currently we have 4 Starfire RTK Base stations covering from North of Jamestown to South of Clare. The first base station for the EP is situated in the Verran area south of Cleve and will cover the surrounding district. Future bases are planned for the EP region as the year progresses.

StarFire™ RTK provides highly accurate, repeatable corrections from global positioning system (GPS) to John Deere’s suite of precision ag applications. RTK utilizes a local, ground-based reference station that transmits the high-accuracy corrections to a StarFire receiver on a machine via RTK Radios.

“RTK utilizes a local, ground-based reference station that transmits the high-accuracy corrections to a StarFire receiver on a machine via RTK Radios.”

With many RTK solutions, automatic guidance simply stops working if trees or rolling terrain interfere with the line of sight between the base station and the machine. That is not the case when using RTK with John Deere, thanks to RTK Extend capability. RTK Extend is an industry-exclusive feature of John Deere RTK. This allows AutoTrac to keep functioning for up to 15 minutes with RTK accuracy without line-of-sight to the base station.

When using StarFire 3000 Receivers, the machine receiver automatically goes to the SF2 signal when RTK Extend expires. This allows operators to take advantage +/- 5 cm (2 in.) accuracy along tree lines or hilly terrain for up to 14 days without seeing the Base. The availability of SF2 provides RTK users with the best available accuracy by lessening the impact of any given field condition.

The machine will transition from RTK to RTK Extend, to SF2, and back to RTK without disengaging AutoTrac.

RTK accuracy provides many benefits to the user as well as highly accurate corrections to a suite of John Deere precision solutions.

Benefits include:Reduced overlap A producer running RTK can operate at +/- 2.5 cm (1 in.) pass-to-pass accuracy. With less overlap, fewer inputs are used and overall costs can be reduced.

No satellite drift Inherent to any satellite-based guidance system, drift occurs. Whether it is starting up a tractor in the morning or servicing it during the day, A-B lines can drift during those time periods. With RTK, satellite drift is completely taken out, because the stationary, local base station is now providing the corrections.

Additional functionality

RTK also enables other John Deere products to provide greater precision and repeatability like implement guidance.

As technology advances, Pringles Crouch are serious about Precision Ag and believe that providing 2cm accuracy through our Dealer Starfire RTK Network is a step in the right direction.

For more information, contact your local Pringles Ag + Crouch Rural Dealership.

By Clint Powell

For a great used machinery deal go to www.pringlesagplus.com.au

May 2013

www.pringlesagplus.com.au Wudinna Kimba Cleve Cummins Crystal Brook

Local Innovators

Our farming communities harbour many quiet achievers and innovators.

In our dry continent water is a precious commodity, Mark and Andrea Hannemann of Mangalo, have tackled the problem of water resources by installing a water harvesting scheme to make the most of the rainfall that they do receive. Their system has been recognized Australia-wide.

“This is why Mark and I put up our hands up to be Climate Champion farmers so we

could share our highs and lows, and have the opportunity to feed information from farmers back to researchers about what they need to better manage risk on their properties.

If you are interested in reading more about their water harvesting project go to:

http://chdairiesdiary.wordpress.com/2013/03/10/designing-your-own-destiny/

or

http://www.climatekelpie.com.au/ask-a-farmer/climate-champion-program/mark-a-andrea-hannemann

Service

Harry’s Handy Hints For Seeding.1] SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP SERVICE - Have your tractor checked over by your local Pringles Crouch branch before seeding. The earlier you book the better chance you have of scheduling a service for a time that suits you. I suggest you book early for next Feb /March or have it done straight after seeding.

2] CHECK AIR CLEANERS REGULARLY- After a very dry summer in dusty conditions debris can build up in your filters. Check that air cleaner elements are cleaned so your engine runs well. Don’t forget the cab inner and outer filters for driver comfort.

3] CHECK & RE-CHECK YOUR TYRE PRESSURES - Check your tractor and your seeding equipment. If you are unsure of the correct pressures consult your operator’s book (that’s the yellow book behind the seat of your tractor). Tyres do lose pressure during off season. Incorrect pressure can make a big difference to the operation of your tractor and the efficiency level of seeding equipment. We have known prankster neighbors to change tyre pressures around to have some fun before seeding starts!

4] MONITOR YOUR FUEL QUALITY……. Keep your fuel clean to save fuel system failure. Failures normally happen during peak times which cause peak frustration.

I suggest making sure your storage tank has a drain bung in bottom, don’t have your outlet at the lowest point in the tank and drain condensation off regularly. Have a good quality filter system on your tank and fuel cart. Let your cart sit for a few hours before filling machine and keep fill points clean (don’t forget to put cap back on tank after filling.)

5] MAINTAIN YOUR RADIATORS & COOLANT - Clean the radiator core regularly in dusty conditions. Make sure coolant tanks are full to level and caps are sealing. For further peace of mind have a sample of coolant checked for condition at your local dealer.

AND…..don’t forget to get some fishing in before seeding to relax. Until next time be safe, be good, if not be good at it. Harry

In Profile

Mechanic under the microscope!Name Jayson Postema.

Experience I have been working as a technician in South Africa since I was 17. I started my apprenticeship in the automotive engineering game working on earth moving, marine and industrial transport for five years. I then had ten years in the transport industry as a Diesel mechanic and field service technician. I worked on Agricultural Claas machinery for the Claas agency for three years before doing Agricultural contracting for another three years. I was on a farm maintaining 11 headers, 100 tractors, 100 trailers and I was the only technician covering 1100 km. I have been at Pringles since 2011 as a Senior Service technician at the Cleve branch specialising in John Deere and all Ag machinery.

“I was on a farm maintaining 11 headers, 100 tractors, 100 trailers and I was the only technician covering 1100 km.”

Favourite Tool Lap Top! It’s the communication between us and the machine, technology is so advanced being in the21st century. I just take it into the field plug it into the machine and it gives me all the relevant information to help repair and maintain.

Best Part of your job Interacting with the customers.

Welcome to our teamCraig Standley Branch Maintenance, Wudinna Jesse Small Parts Admin, Crystal Brook Natalie Hawkins Parts Admin, Cleve Pat Jenner Sales Consultant, Cleve Alec Sawyer 4th Year Apprentice Technician, Crystal Brook Eugene Swanepoel Technician, Cleve Peter Mason Adult Apprentice Technician, Cleve

Seeding is nearly upon us as I write; I trust the rains come as needed. We have been extremely busy over the last few months in a variety of ways. Training has, and continues to be a focus. As a John Deere dealer the level of training both expected and needed is enormous. We do this in a variety of ways, our own internal sessions run by our staff who train both staff and customers, we do a lot of Web Based training and travel both intra and interstate for skills updates. We are in the process of installing an Integrated Distance Training centre in Cleve, which is essentially an interactive video training facility where our staff participate in two way video training provided by John Deere Australia and USA.

Strategic Planning and then implementing those plans has been a key focus for us. Utilising the thoughts and ideas of our staff and management we have identified a number of initiatives that all aid in our ultimate goals of satisfying our customer and our staff while continuing a focus on growing our business.

With the advent of new Workplace Safety Laws this year, Pringles Crouch have turned up our focus on safety within our workplace. Our workplace not only encompasses our premises and land but frequently includes our customers’ properties. While this increased focus may at time seem onerous, our overarching motivation is to ensure the safety of our staff and our customers in every possible way.

All the best for seeding, let us know if we can help you.

Rick DuBois Managing Director

New WHS laws Attention all Customers:

Due to changes to Work Health and Safety Laws that commenced in January 2013, it has become necessary for all branches to make changes restricting customer access to our workshops.

If you visit one of our workshops and find roped off areas with signs stating “authorised personnel only”, please enter the branch through the sales area to ask for assistance or use the designated roped pathway to access the service office. If you are entering the workshops you are asked to wear a Hi Vis vest and have a Pringles Ag + Crouch Rural staff member with you. This assists us to keep you safe! We apologise for the inconvenience this creates for our valued customers however these changes are a result of legislative requirements and workplace safety.

Luke Boylan Memorial We were more than happy to support Westminster School’s Luke Boylan Memorial Appeal by donating two push lawnmowers to be raffled. Nearly $1000 was raised and we congratulate first prize winner Deb Judd of Morphett Vale and second prize winners Brett and Fran Francis of Kimba.

After the raffle draw we received the following letter from Westminster School.

The Westminster School Principal, Steve Bousfield, the Director of Boarding, Gary

Davison and I would like to thank Pringles AG+ Crouch Rural for generously supporting the Luke Boylan Memorial Appeal to name the new Boarders’ Recreation Centre in Luke’s memory. The large sign signifying this new name was recently installed on the building and this week, the Boarders moved in to the Precinct and are already making the most of the wonderful Luke Boylan Centre to relax in, socialise, play games and enjoy casual meals together.

Miranda Starke Director of Development Executive Officer, Westminster Foundation

OFFER ENDS MAY 31ST 2013PROMOTION INCLUDES COMBINATION OF MOST FILTER TYPES

Quad Bike Safety A Concern“With around 20% of deaths [on quad bikes] involving children under 16 years of age, Safe Work Australia will work with state and territory regulators to institute a ban on children under 16 years operating a quad bike of full size in a workplace” The Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Financial Services and Superannuation.

Key findings from the October discussion paper and the Quadwatch forum are available at http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/whs-information/agriculture/pages/agriculture.

John Deere Gators provide many features not available on a quad bike, including roll cages and seatbelts for up to four passengers. Why not call into your local branch to see what a John Deere Gator can do for the safety of your family.