Making planting easier
Constant innovation, improvement are the name of the game for Travis Seed Carts by HitchDoc
By Justin R. Lessman
Planting is a whole lot easier thanks to Jackson-built Travis Seed Carts by HitchDoc.
And it promises to get even more so, thanks to constant innovation and improvement of the line.
HitchDoc of Jackson began fabricating seed carts for Travis Manufacturing in 2000 and purchased the brand outright in 2009. Eric Boughey, a 20-plus-year industry veteran who works in sales and business development with HitchDoc, said improvements began almost immediately, starting with the fabrication process.
“Really, the innovation starts with how the product is made,” he said. “HitchDoc is on the cutting edge of technology, and our high-tech equipment provides quality parts so the fit and finish of every product is spot on. And HitchDoc uses as many U.S.-made components as possible to help guarantee on-time delivery and quality parts.”
Improvements have also been made to the line itself, Boughey said.
“The first Travis model was a four box and, since then, we have added a two-box augur cart, then bulk augur carts and then conveyor two-box and bulk carts,” he said. “Since the original design was introduced, we have made little enhancements, such as updating the box seals — we switched from flat foam seals to an automotive-style seal — and an optional larger unload augur. All equipment is getting larger, which means larger seed boxes to fill.”
Boughey said the box seal design change increased sealing between the seed box and the seed cart chute, while the larger augur option increased the unload rate by up to 50 percent, depending on seed type and treatment.
“Like the larger augur, the bulk and conveyor carts help meet the increased needs of the growers,” he said.
Those growers are often the ones driving the innovation, Boughey said.
“Farm shows are a good place to get feedback and HitchDoc is very interested in hearing from end users at shows,” he said. “Honestly, 99 percent of our feedback is on how much people like their Travis Seed Cart, but we have people with questions or comments as well, and we take notes on all of them.”
Innovations and improvements also come from within, Boughey said.
“Some of the HitchDoc team members also farm and are always looking at ways to make using the carts easier or more efficient,” he said.
And that includes HitchDoc owners Brad and Chad Mohns.
“They started making motorcycle hitches in 1990, and now we serve a variety of markets thanks to their vision and learning what people need,” Boughey said.
Travis Seed Carts are available in both seed box and bulk-style seed tenders, and farmers can choose from bumper pull, gooseneck and skid models. Color choices of black, green or red powder-coat finish are available.
All models come with a wireless remote that controls the hydraulic functions of the cart, giving farmers the ability to control it from the planter, tractor or wherever they need to be. Also, producers have the option to order specific scales that best fit their needs: auto shutoff scale, standard scale, scale-ready or no-scale models.
Seed tenders come complete with self-contained hydraulic systems, department-of-transportation-compliant trailers, rubber dual torsion axles, electric brakes and easy-cranking jacks.
“I personally have been selling seed delivery products for 20-plus years and HitchDoc’s design is the best one I have seen,” Boughey said. “It is very user-friendly and the build quality is superior. We have very few replacement parts sales, so that is a great indicator of the quality.”
By Justin R. Lessman
Planting is a whole lot easier thanks to Jackson-built Travis Seed Carts by HitchDoc.
And it promises to get even more so, thanks to constant innovation and improvement of the line.
HitchDoc of Jackson began fabricating seed carts for Travis Manufacturing in 2000 and purchased the brand outright in 2009. Eric Boughey, a 20-plus-year industry veteran who works in sales and business development with HitchDoc, said improvements began almost immediately, starting with the fabrication process.
“Really, the innovation starts with how the product is made,” he said. “HitchDoc is on the cutting edge of technology, and our high-tech equipment provides quality parts so the fit and finish of every product is spot on. And HitchDoc uses as many U.S.-made components as possible to help guarantee on-time delivery and quality parts.”
Improvements have also been made to the line itself, Boughey said.
“The first Travis model was a four box and, since then, we have added a two-box augur cart, then bulk augur carts and then conveyor two-box and bulk carts,” he said. “Since the original design was introduced, we have made little enhancements, such as updating the box seals — we switched from flat foam seals to an automotive-style seal — and an optional larger unload augur. All equipment is getting larger, which means larger seed boxes to fill.”
Boughey said the box seal design change increased sealing between the seed box and the seed cart chute, while the larger augur option increased the unload rate by up to 50 percent, depending on seed type and treatment.
“Like the larger augur, the bulk and conveyor carts help meet the increased needs of the growers,” he said.
Those growers are often the ones driving the innovation, Boughey said.
“Farm shows are a good place to get feedback and HitchDoc is very interested in hearing from end users at shows,” he said. “Honestly, 99 percent of our feedback is on how much people like their Travis Seed Cart, but we have people with questions or comments as well, and we take notes on all of them.”
Innovations and improvements also come from within, Boughey said.
“Some of the HitchDoc team members also farm and are always looking at ways to make using the carts easier or more efficient,” he said.
And that includes HitchDoc owners Brad and Chad Mohns.
“They started making motorcycle hitches in 1990, and now we serve a variety of markets thanks to their vision and learning what people need,” Boughey said.
Travis Seed Carts are available in both seed box and bulk-style seed tenders, and farmers can choose from bumper pull, gooseneck and skid models. Color choices of black, green or red powder-coat finish are available.
All models come with a wireless remote that controls the hydraulic functions of the cart, giving farmers the ability to control it from the planter, tractor or wherever they need to be. Also, producers have the option to order specific scales that best fit their needs: auto shutoff scale, standard scale, scale-ready or no-scale models.
Seed tenders come complete with self-contained hydraulic systems, department-of-transportation-compliant trailers, rubber dual torsion axles, electric brakes and easy-cranking jacks.
“I personally have been selling seed delivery products for 20-plus years and HitchDoc’s design is the best one I have seen,” Boughey said. “It is very user-friendly and the build quality is superior. We have very few replacement parts sales, so that is a great indicator of the quality.”
