Flaman Rentals Blog

Choose Your Harrow. RiteWay 5 Bar or 7 Bar.

Posted by Jeff Brown Apr 12, 2024

If you’ve heard good things about RiteWay tine harrows, and you’re thinking of buying one, you might be wondering if the HH8200 5-bar or MH7200 7-bar model is right for you. 

Both are designed to best serve the needs of customers but in different ways to suit different purposes. Let’s start by looking at the most important working feature of both harrows.



Tines
The five-bar harrows are equipped with 25 28” tines –longer than the 26” tines you usually see in competitor models. The HH8200 offers two tine thickness options – the standard 9/16” or the stouter-than-usual 5/8”. Whichever thickness you choose, you can upgrade your tines with Riteway’s “Max-Life” high-wear edge. 

The MH7200’s carbide-tipped tines are smaller than the 5-bar at 24” long and ½" thick, but with two more rows, there are 49 of them – almost twice as many as the HH8200’s 25. They’re also closer together, with only 1.43” of space between them, as opposed to the 5-bars 2.64”. Last but not least, they come standard with the high-wear edge. 

Which is better for you? The answer depends on what you need to do with your harrows.



Two Harrows. Two Purposes
The 5-bar model is a heavy harrow, designed to endure tough going. If you stand the harrows straight up, those thicker, more durable tines can dig in like a chisel plow. They can also help remove certain weed seedlings and enhance your herbicide penetration. You can also fill in ruts and level your field, but you may lose moisture doing it. 
 
The 5-bar's main feature is its aggressive approach to crop residue management. It shatters heavy straw for more even re-integration back into your soil. The RiteWay HH8200 excels at raking and disturbing the soil, blackening your field, and leaving a firmer soil pack.
 
If you’re mission is better trash management, the 7-bar is your ultimate seed bed prep tool. Its more-numerous ½" tines produce more whipping action than the rigid 9/16” or 5/8” of the five-bar, doing a better job of breaking up of your soil’s top crust. You’ll free up more soil absorption, clear the path for plant emergence, and create a more uniform dispersal of crop residue, seed, and chemicals. 

More tines, more flexibility, and shallower harrow depth also mean less “down pressure.” Because its down force is more spread out, the Riteway MH7200 leaves the soil less compacted and easier to penetrate. Some users prefer that feature because it allows them to reduce the pressure setting on their seed drills.  

Once you’ve decided what kind of field work you need to do, RiteWay offers the harrow to get it done. 

Flaman is the right place to find your Riteway Harrow
You’ve just read a few of the features and benefits of the RiteWay MH7200 and HH8200 harrows. There are many more you can discover by calling or visiting your nearest Flaman location. Our tillage experts will be glad to tell you about RiteWay’s heavy-duty construction advantages, its downforce-enhancing parallel linkage system, and more.
Posted in Product Information | Tagged with RiteWay Harrows | More articles by Jeff Brown

You Asked for Diesel.

Posted by Jeff Brown Mar 14, 2024

The Flaman Custom-Build team has finished work on our first Hatz Diesel powered Meridian 12 x 39 Auger. We’re excited to say that the test results have been impressive. Everything ran smooth as silk – operating quietly, while delivering loads of power. So, this Spring, we’ll build more diesel ready Meridian augers and conveyors for our customers.   

You’ll soon be able to see them at select stores. For now, we wanted to share our excitement with a sneak peek, along with some of our team's favourite features.  

In the words of Curtis Trumier from the production team,

” Every time the conversation comes up with customers about cold starts, the answer is always, ‘We should have bought a diesel engine.’ Well, now they can!” 

Cold Weather Start
Engine intake pre-heater and circulating block heater.

"A diesel engine has twice the torque as a gas engine. That’s a huge plus, and the inline-block heater will be excellent for cold-weather starts. Customers tell me their diesel engine will, on average, outlast three-grain augers.
Sheldon Sleeva (Yorkton)  

Real Power
24.7 HP Hatz diesel with 90ft/lbs of torque delivers over twice as much torque as a 40 HP gas option. 

"My customers have been asking for a diesel option for forever. Gas engines don't like to start in the winter, they blow seals, and bigger augers are underpowered with gas. A diesel option just has more power. This is a unique option at a great price point." 
Phil Flaman (Southey)  

 

Robust Auger Frame
A reinforced auger frame designed to handle the weight of a powerful diesel engine.

"For years, my customers have asked for an affordable load-out auger option with a diesel engine. It’s great knowing we can offer this option to customers frustrated with their gas engines. I know a diesel engine will outlast the auger, and I appreciate our build team reinforcing the auger frame for added stability.
Darrell Knash (Yorkton) 

 

No Fail Hand Clutch
Soft start hand clutch for years of bulletproof operation. No expensive electric clutch to fail.

I always get phone calls about the electric clutches quitting. Whether it’s due to the clutch or the soft start module failing, replacing these parts is very expensive. Having the manual hand clutch eliminates all electrical problems and will save money down the road.
Curtis Trumier (Prince Albert)

Our production team in Prince Albert has done an incredible job with our first diesel-powered auger and will begin building more for sale at select stores. Interested in seeing one in action? Contact your local Flaman representative.

 

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with Meridian Diesel Auger | More articles by Jeff Brown

A Quick Response Solution to Combine Fires

Posted by Jeff Brown Jan 11, 2024

Quick Response Fire Suppression Skid

Combine fires can start in a fraction of a second and burn for up to 30 minutes before they’re noticed, damaging farm livelihoods, and economies. “It seems like every trade show I'm at, every customer I talk to knows somebody who’s had a fire on a combine,” says Ryan Flaman, at Flaman Group of Companies. “All it takes is one bearing to heat up, and those bearings are usually covered in dust or have dust all around.” Combines are often destroyed before a fire truck can arrive, adding callout costs of up to $10K.

Inspiration

Ryan focused on two words, “quick response.” 

He sought to improve on the idea of mounting a quick response unit on the combine’s mobile shadow, the grain cart. Flaman already sold tanks, pumps, hoses, and other components they would need. Early in December, 2022, Ryan started envisioning fire protection that was more effective, comprehensive, affordable and accessible than what farmers could rig for themselves. Their input would prove invaluable. 


Built-in fork pockets allow you to move the 48” wide skid to your half-ton truck or grain cart easily.

Finding the Right Components

Ryan studied available options and reviewed them in meetings with the Parts and Hardware department throughout the winter. There were units powered by rechargeable 12-volt batteries. Other small electric units offered a 35-gallon tank. Gas-powered kits offered 60 US gallon tanks and either mounted on grain carts or sat in the back of an RV or pickup truck. But many farmers were asking for more spray volume. 

A 150-gallon tank that fits neatly out of the way on a grain cart.

Unfortunately, 250-gallon tanks took up too much space and weighed up to 3000 pounds with the necessary mounting hardware. The customers he talked to had their own number in mind – 150 Imperial gallons or 180 US gallons. The closest Ryan could source were 125 gallon tanks. 

That tank was part of a prototype Ryan showed to his uncle Don Flaman. Don was excited, but Parts and Hardware thought they could come closer to the volume customers had asked for. So, they had a tank molded that could hold 150 gallons and fit neatly out of the way on a grain cart. It’s a uniquely Flaman component, unavailable any place else.

The skid plate was a slightly different story. Ryan had envisioned a hanger system to hold the unit from the top, but he needed a strong plate underneath that could support everything and be compact enough to fit in a tight space. This would also make it easy to transport and store. He scribbled the dimensions on a napkin diagram, scanned it, and sent it off to an engineer. That began a process of back-and-forth tweaks, honing a skid plate that met all the necessary criteria. 


3/16” powder-coated steel skid. Ruggedly built to handle heavy use.

The final skid plate uses 3/16” thick metal, protected by Powdercoat. Similar products settled for a 1/16” thickness can be squished even flatter when the bolts are tightened. The Flaman skid also features fork pockets, so it can be easily moved to your grain cart, the back of a pickup truck, or any storage space when not in use. 

Cost-effective, reliable, and user friendly cartridge based foam delivery system.

Fire Suppression

Next, Ryan and the team looked at fire-suppression foam. Direct-injection liquid foam systems seemed promising. Their foam mixing system was ideal for several home applications, but was it right for Flaman’s new firefighting unit? 

Liquid foam has a limited shelf life, and it requires agitation once a month. With harvest coming once in a busy farm year, it was easy to forget the monthly maintenance. Ryan didn’t want his customers depending on something that had any chance of failing them at the exact wrong moment. 

So, he opted for a solid foam cartridge system that restricts water flow. This creates more back pressure, so the stream can spray farther and hit flames harder. The cartridges don’t require shaking or have a predetermined expiry date. You can keep them in your pickup’s glove box until you need one. 

100 feet of 3/4 inch 150 PSI hose on an industrial cox reel

Reliable Hose Access

Other firefighting units Ryan has seen have opted for clear air seeder (PVC) hose looped around two small hooks, which looked likely to tangle up at the worst possible moment. The Flaman Firefighter uses a black rubber hose rated at 150 PSI and spooled around a trusty Cox hose reel. Ryan chose it because it was compact, well-built and able to hold 100 feet of hose – putting plenty of reach in a small space. 

2” Aluminum Pump with Honda GX200

The Pump for the Job 

“The only thing that we readily had in stock was the pump,” Ryan says. The popular BE WP-2065HL general purpose water pump was ideally suited to the job. Equipped with a cast-iron impeller, it’s lightweight. Powered by a Honda GX200 Engine, it has the power to go all day every day.

But will it work?

After a winter of planning and assembling all the components, the team took the prototype out for field testing. To everyone’s gratification, there was no need to adjust its operation.

“We took the prototype number one and filled it up with water and throttled it up and water would shoot like 30 feet,” Ryan says. That’s some heavy pressure, but you’ll have a good 20 minutes of continuous flow without draining your tank, thanks to constriction at the nozzle. 

The only necessary changes were to the tank's shape and the width of the skid. Those alterations made, the Flaman Firefighter was ready to report for duty – or more correctly, duties.

Built-in fork pockets

More Uses than One

The Firefighter may be designed for combine fires, but its quick response capabilities lend themselves to other emergency applications, like grass and brush fires. Mounted on the back of a pickup truck, it can provide a first line of defense for more remote communities.

Value for Money

“I looked at what customers could get and what they would have to pay for it,” Ryan says. “I figured we could give them something better at a more affordable price.” That took a lot of planning, shopping around and testing, but the end product delivered the safety and functionality the customers wanted at the right size and price. 

“Our customers’ feedback identified the issues we needed to address. They asked us to deliver a bigger tank, a heavier skid, a pump with a bigger motor, and a hose reel that’s compact but still heavy-duty. They answered the question, ‘How can I make something better?’ I think I made more work for myself than I needed to, but I’ve enjoyed this.” 

See the Future of Farm Firefighting at Your Nearest Flaman Location

The Flaman Quick Response Fire Suppression Skid is one of many farm, home and business safety solutions we offer. Drop by and see this Inhouse-designed unit at any of our seven Flaman Sales locations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. 

Call or visit your nearest location – Swift Current, Swan River, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Southey, Yorkton, or Moosomin. Our fire suppression experts will be happy to show you the many features that could make all the difference one day.

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with Combine fires firefighting Quick Response Fire Suppression Skid | More articles by Jeff Brown

Three Phase Electricity for Grain Handling

Posted by Jeff Brown Nov 06, 2023

Three-Phrase Grain Handling Power. Doable. Valuable.
More acres seeded might mean more bushels brought into your bin yard. But it doesn't have to mean more work and expense. As farming grows, new technologies emerge to boost your grain operation's speed and efficiency.



Technology Boosts Productivity.
Grain Dryers like our AGI NECO and Oakland models are designed to run continuously and safely. There's no need for you to spend your time or hire a hand to supervise them. And with remote monitoring systems, you can spend more time working in the field.



The same goes for the Walinga Blower System. Its airflow can move dried grain to your dry bins at rates of up to 2,000 bushels an hour. Achieving those higher volumes depends on the size of your piping and your motor's horsepower. The latter can be a sticking point for many farmers.



Amping Up Your Operation
Most farming operations are still wired for single-phase power. The high-volume systems mentioned above require three-phase power, which hits its peak amplitude three times as often as single-phase for three times the power output. It’s the optimum circuit for power generation. Higher-phase systems prove too complicated and expensive to be worth pursuing. 

Despite its benefits, Farmers aren't often eager to rewire their farms to facilitate three-phase. Fortunately, they don't have to.

How to Convert from Single to Three-Phase Power Safely and Affordably
Walinga Blower Systems and AGI NECO and Oakland grain dryers all employ VFD technology. Variable Feed Drives have two outstanding features. First, they allow your motor to slow down and speed up, limiting energy consumption to reduce your power bill.
Walinga's Variable Frequency Drive Systems monitor and automatically adjust motor speeds

More importantly, they can be set up to draw current from your existing single-phase power source and convert it to three-phase electricity. So, you don't have to change your farm's entire power supply to run one or two bigger machines.



It's worth noting that not every variable frequency drive motor can deliver these results, but AGI, Oakland, and Walinga have engineered their motors with the farmer's single-phase/three-phase dilemma in mind.

Savings and Convenience to Help You Get Growing
There’s a big benefit to this small-scale phase shift. It removes a giant obstacle to building up your bin yard. Instead of waiting until you’ve saved up for a big change, you can increase your grain handling capacity in stages. More high-quality grain in your bin allows you to purchase more components down the road.



Ready to Lower Grain Handling Electricity Costs and Boost Production?
Get in touch with your local Flaman dealer and ask our bin yard experts how you can convert single-phase to three-phase power, add valuable components, and get your bin yard humming.

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with grain handling three phase power walinga neco oakland | More articles by Jeff Brown

Farmer-Approved Moisture Testing from Perten

Posted by Jeff Brown Jul 11, 2023

In agriculture, nothing is ever absolutely certain. However, farmers who’ve used the Perten AM 5200-Farm Moisture Meter say its instantaneous accuracy comes impressively close.

“When you have so many different people around - four different people using it - it was nice not to use the scale,” says Bruce Elke of Jansen, Saskatchewan. “Everybody puts it in and gets the same result.”

 
Bruce Elke shares the benefits of the Perten 5200-Farm

It’s not the first moisture tester to have its accuracy praised, not even the first one Bruce has praised. His previous tester was also bang-on, but the 5200-Farm brings something extra to the table. “I think really it was the ease of use and just taking out the possibilities of error,” he says.
 
“Customers like that,” observes Shaun Gettis, Vice President of Sales at Flaman. “No need to weigh or take temperature tests.”
 
A Simple Process
For a machine that delivers precise moisture reports for various grains, oilseeds, pulses, beans, lentils, seeds, and more the 5200-Farm is a breeze to operate.
 
Just select the grain type you’re analyzing from an extensive onscreen menu showing virtually every type available in North America. You can then enter ID info for your sample, saving your bin number, test date, and time for future reference.


 
Then scoop your sample in until the 5200’s cup is full and click GO. The tester intuitively takes the prescribed weight it needs and removes the excess. After a 25-second analysis, your sample’s moisture, bushel weight, and temperature all show up on the 5200’s colour touch-screen display. Every kernel in the machine drops into a clean-out drawer for easy removal. Need to do another sample? Just hit NEXT.


 
“There was no chance of finding the wrong page in the book or using the wrong weight and having mistakes made,” says Bruce Elke. “That was one of the things that I really liked.”
 
Reliable Readings. Customer Confidence.
The moisture curve remains accurate throughout a wide range of temperatures. That’s critical for farmers drying grain or harvesting on hot days. Not surprisingly, it’s one of the benefits potential users are most curious about. 
 
Some have seen the Perten 5200-Farm at work in their local elevator. Others have had a Flaman rep bring one out to their farm to demonstrate the tester’s advanced accuracy sampling their own grain, and the response has been positive.
 

Ask your local Flaman sales rep about an on-farm demo

“Farmers like that the test data is logged,” says Shaun Gettis. “The bushel weight gives them more insight into their grain.” That, along with consistent, reliable moisture testing results – even in extreme temperatures – allows producers to make their combining and grain drying decisions with confidence, which is value for money.


 
Experience Perten AM 5200-Farm Accuracy at Flaman
Call or visit your nearest Flaman location to discuss how the 5200 can give you confidence in your crop’s readiness. Talk to a moisture-testing expert at any of our 11 locations across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. 

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with perten grain analysis moisture testing | More articles by Jeff Brown

Five Reasons to Upgrade Your Grain Handling

Posted by Jeff Brown Jun 20, 2023

Wish managing your bin yard was a little less complicated? A tied-in grain-handling system can make that happen. Flaman offers several innovative components that can eliminate the effort, expense, and inconvenience of getting your grain safely in your bins. Bringing them together in one place yields a bumper crop of benefits.



1. Reduce Manpower and Save on Labour Costs
Consider all the moving parts involved in traditional grain handling – augers, tractors, and semis to drive in and unload, plus the manpower to keep them moving. Setting up a grain handling system can save you the time it takes to move and operate equipment plus the expense of hiring help.

Options like belly dumping or side dumping grain into a pit that feeds a bucket elevator can be done by one person – saving you a lot of hiring, hollering, and hand signals.



2. Minimize Maintenance Costs
You’re probably all too aware of the cost of running a tractor back and forth to your grain bins. In addition to fuel, extra operating time will also mean more wear and maintenance. Your auger flighting can also wear out, suffering more metal-on-metal damage as time goes by.
 
A self-propelled, belt-driven bucket elevator is designed to avoid impact points, and a pit system can eliminate the need for a tractor to move or power anything.



3. Eliminate Seed and Grain Damage
Of course, if metal can damage metal, it can easily crush any seed that gets caught between an auger’s flighting and its tube. Brittle pulses like lentils and peas are particularly vulnerable to significant and costly damage.

A gentler handling option makes good economic sense. You could employ a low-cost Hutchinson Chain Loop system, operating like a sideways-mounted bucket elevator, or you could opt for the bucket elevator itself, which carries your grain in plastic buckets for minimum damage.



Walinga’s air system takes seed and grain protection even further. Its vacuum intake and blower combo gives your crop an air-cushioned ride to the bin.



4. Invest in the Future Growth of Your Operation with a Staged Expansion Approach
Not everyone can afford to set up a state-of-the-art grain handling system on day one. Fortunately, Flaman can help you structure a budget-friendly plan to expand your grain operation whenever and however you feel comfortable.



You can build up in stages over a number of years. For instance, Stage 1 might mean setting up a reliable bin-and-auger process. Your second stage might include tying all your bins together with a grated pit and bucket elevator system. In stage 3, you might add grain storage or introduce a truck scale or an overhead unload bin you can drive your truck under. Your fourth stage might see the addition of cleaning and processing equipment.

This is just an example. You could switch it up to expand your operation as you see fit. Every customer is different, and Flaman helps each one find an individual solution.



5. Increase Efficiency
Nothing saves time and money like speed and volume. Flaman offers both. Our low-maintenance grain handling equipment is proven to provide a high degree of safety for your crop and yourself. These include grain-moving options with impressive capacities of up to 20,000 bushels an hour.



From Start to Finish, We Have It Handled
If you’d like to make life on the farm more than kinda laid-back, Flaman proudly offers the best-in-class industry experts to help you do it.

You can count on our team of certified technicians. Their collective grain-handling expertise, service, and support are yours throughout the setup, optimization, and maintenance of your operation.

Get efficient this year. Talk to Flaman about the grain handling options that can start saving you money – and about the expansion you can achieve with the money you save.  

Start your better bin yard conversation here. 

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with grain handling walinga bucket elevator hutchinson grain pump | More articles by Jeff Brown

U-Drain Narrows Down Your Search for Ideal Floor Drainage

Posted by Jeff Brown May 18, 2023

Nothing says, "hope this will last" like cementing something into your floor. Fortunately, U-Drain pre-engineered floor drains were designed by carefully studying what drainage systems should do - and what they've failed to do in the past.
 
U-Drain engineers examined the drawbacks of previous systems and came up with several unique improvements.


 
Grate-Free Floor Drainage
Over time grates tend to buckle and bend after being removed and replaced for cleaning, eventually ruining the level, low profile of your floor. U-Drain uses no floor grates. Instead, it replaces them with a slotted design engineered to stay in place for decades of service. There's no need to remove or replace anything.


 
So Many Options!
U-Drain includes many features to make both homeowners and business operators happy.


Residential and commercial U-Drain installation examples
 
The slotted surface track is narrow and stays level with your floor, never sticking out from the moment you finish your concrete pour. As a result, homeowners and other property owners can now protect their garage floors, pools, driveways, and walkways without sacrificing style. U-Drain looks good and stays looking good.


 
Because larger commercial buildings may require more than one drain, U-Drain offers commercial customers several accessories for their specific drainage needs. Commercial packages are built to handle heavy-duty workplace drainage from fire halls to animal shelters. Our team will help you choose the accessories that best suit your unique business needs.


 
Long Lasting
Unlike other systems that can show up damaged before you even use them, U-drain is made galvanized and stainless-steel construction. The zinc galvanizing process will provide decades of protection against bacteria, rust, and corrosion.


 
Easy to Install
U-Drain's pre-engineered design makes installation simple. Sections bolt tightly together, lined up perfectly with laser-cut markings. The commercial sections measure 10' in length, unlike the usual 3 to 5' of other drainage systems. That means not only quicker and easier assembly, but also a straighter line going out. Special anchors are welded firmly onto the sections and sump corners, allowing you to secure them directly to your rebar grid.


 
Structural Integrity
Unlike grate systems that can start buckling from the weight of equipment rolling over them, the slim U-Drain track channels the weight into the surrounding concrete. That's why its residential and commercial safe live load capacity exceeds 10,000 lbs.


 
Easy to Clean
U-Drain provides a very simple cleaning alternative to removing and replacing grates. A specially designed cleaning paddle inserts easily into your drain slot. You can walk the full length of your drainage slot, sweeping debris into your sump for convenient disposal. Excess water drains out of 4" commercial and 2" residential outlet pipes running from your sump.


 
Learn More about U-Drain at Flaman
Flaman always takes pride in giving our customers one less thing to worry about, so we'll be happy to talk with you about how a U-Drain system can help make your home, workshop, or business tidier and more productive. We'll have your coffee and plenty of advice on options, benefits, and installation.
 
You can find U-Drain at any of the 11 Flaman dealerships across the prairies. In Alberta, you can find us in Nisku (just south of Edmonton), Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Fairview. Saskatchewan has six locations: Moosomin, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Southey, Swift Current, and Yorkton. We also serve Manitoba, through our Swan River location.
Posted in Product Information | Tagged with U-drain floor drain drainage systems | More articles by Jeff Brown

The Right People are the Key to Superior Service

Posted by Jeff Brown May 11, 2023

“It pays to invest in people,” says Rick Knight, Service Manager at Flaman’s Nisku, Alberta location since 2021. He’s describing what brought him to Flaman after 30 successful years in the automotive, motorsport, and trailer service industry.

“It’s people and family oriented,” he says. The company’s care for its team and its customers impressed him. So did its principle of always wanting to do what’s right, a keystone of its founder’s philosophy. “I knew about Frank Flaman and his involvement in the community. I also heard when he gave up his entire company to charity, I respect that so much.”  

Rick applied his years of experience to building on what Frank Flaman had begun. Inspired by Flaman’s 60 years of growth, Rick knew his service department could take its own leap forward.  


Common Problem. Flaman Solution. 
It would be tough. Qualified trades people were in short supply, but Flaman already had a solid strategy for growing teams like Rick’s service department - promoting from within.  Rick deemed it a tailor-made solution.

“Most of our employees have mechanical experience and/or welding/fabrication experience. Some have farm experience, but we also have people come straight out of high school and be successful.” 



Natural Born Mechanics 
James Usselman can tell you exactly how that happens. 

“I was looking for employment and dropped off an application,” James recounts. “I knew Flaman was in the Ag business, and I grew up on a farm, so I already knew about Flaman’s products and services.” He knew what made them work as well. His father was a self-taught mechanic. “No training or certification, just a natural-born mechanic.”  

James says his father put his skills to work for several neighbours on farms in his community near Allan, Saskatchewan. “For as long as I can remember, I was by his side – mostly in the way – for a number of years.” It wasn’t a huge number of years, as James was already a reliable mechanical helper at the tender age of 10. “Things just progressed from there. We did automotive, ag, and heavy-duty repairs – everything from oil changes and brake jobs to full engine rebuilds.”  


Aptitude can take you a long way.  
When James went job hunting, he could present an impressive list of skills, but he lacked the certification to go with them. That might discourage other employers, but not Flaman. 

“Any certifications I have, I received here,” James says. Flaman started him on forklift engine rebuilds and general maintenance on all company vehicles. His talents earned him a spot in the service department, where he continued to impress. In 2005, the department moved into a new building, and James moved into a new role – Flaman’s Saskatoon-based Service Manager. 

Great Beginnings to Promising Futures 
James isn’t the only success story.  

“We had an entry level position for wash bay attendant,” Rick Knight recalls. “A 17-year-old showed up on his last day of school after writing his last final exam. He had a great attitude and personality; we hired him on the spot. Within 7 days, we realized his ability and skill set, moved him into the Service shop, and started to train him as a Tech.” 


A High Service Standard 
A high service standard is what Flaman Service Department shoots for. James agrees: “We try to do the job like we’re working on our own equipment.”  

In one sense, they ARE working on their own equipment, because Flaman services virtually everything it sells. But the team also services equipment bought elsewhere. Trailer repairs may be the star attraction, but it’s on a long list of items Flaman staff can fix and maintain, including: Augers, Conveyors, Discs, Grain carts, Post pounders, Pressure washers, Rough cut mowers, Seed tenders, Water pumps.
The staff also install truck decks and accessories, and they’re pros at in-house fabrication and customization. It all adds up to a wide range of services.


Good Opportunities for Good People 
No mechanical background? Not a deal breaker.

“We do start people from scratch,” Rick says. Flaman employees have earned training and advancement by demonstrating a great attitude, willingness to learn, punctuality, and a consistent work ethic.  

That policy pays off in the biggest dividends a Service Manager could hope for. 

“In return, we get great people, long-lasting team members, people with the same goals. They appreciate everything we have done, and we all truly become a family,” Rick says. “When it comes to doing the work and repairs, we haven’t failed to meet a challenge yet. 

“We are very confident in our team here at Flaman.” 


We value positive, long-term relationships with our employees. 
Do you have the customer-focused, team-oriented qualities described above? How about the experience, aptitude, or interest to pursue a mechanical career? Flaman employment opportunities offer much more than great service jobs. Successful candidates can take advantage of career training, advancement opportunities, competitive compensation, an extensive benefits package, RRSP and incentive programs.  

At Flaman, we value positive, long-term relationships with our employees.  If that sounds good to you, our service department is hiring. Visit Flaman Careers to apply.

Posted in Testimonials | Tagged with Careers Service Mechanic | More articles by Jeff Brown

AGI Batco UCX3 Conveyor. U-Trough Convenience. All Commodities.

Posted by Jeff Brown May 08, 2023

We could speak volumes about the volumes the all-commodity AGI Batco UCX3 U-Trough Belt Conveyor can process. It’s powerful, high-capacity, and fast. In ideal conditions, it can move up to 12,500 bushels (about 340 tons) of canola in a single hour.

At that rate, it’s not sheer fantasy to imagine loading a Super B in 10 minutes. Even heavier crops like wheat and peas still whistle through at about 10,000 BPH.  



Fast as that ride might be, the cereals, pulses, oilseeds, or fertilizers you put through it come out hardly the worse for wear. Gentle handling is the beauty of a U-trough system – especially one with the UCX3’s problem-solving design. It focuses on eliminating points where spillage, crushing, and other damage can occur, from intake to spout.



Advanced Leakage Protection
That starts with the redesigned collapsible hopper. It’s built low, so you can be sure it will fit easily under any bin. The new, reinforced design also maximizes grain flow by minimizing potential leakage and grinding along its sides.



A double-lip sealed edge keeps your commodities tightly in place as they travel up the conveyor’s 15” Direct X belt. It’s a U-trough-ready update of the chevron pattern used in the successful AGI Batco BCX3 tube conveyor. 

Sticking With What Works
The BCX3 design worked so well that many of its features have been incorporated into, or adapted to, the UCX3. These include:

Turbo clean wash system, two belt scrapers, and belt brush. Working together in one remarkably easy clean-out process, they keep your belt debris-free and oilseed-friendly.



Redesigned S-Drive. Easily adjusted with normal tools, this feature keeps your belt running straight and true without the risk of overtightening your pinch-roller bearings. 

IBEX Mover Kit. Redesigned with a built-in braking system and a 160° turning radius, the IBEX is powerful and easy to maneuver whether you’re on a flat, dry surface or navigating deep muck. Two features provide the outstanding traction you’ll need to get you through a rain or snow-drenched day in your bin yard: Skid steer-style tires for better traction and single-wheel drop-and-go convenience and balance.



More Power to U. 
One notable difference between the U-Trough Conveyor and the BCX3 is the size of their engines. The BCX3 offers a choice of two gasoline engines – the 32HP Kohler or the 33HP EFI Vanguard. The UCX3 bumps the power up with a 40HP EFI Vanguard motor and upgraded drive components to further increase hydraulic performance and longevity. 



Learn what the UCX3 can do for you at Flaman.
Want to know more about the AGI Batco UCX3 U-Trough Conveyor? You can find expert advice at 11 Flaman dealers across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Drop by your nearest Flaman location and get an up-close look at features like the ergonomic command centre, IBEX Mover Kit, and spillage control.



Ask our knowledgeable sales staff how the UCX3 or any of our other equipment can help your farming operation.  

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with agi batco u-trough conveyor belt oilseed | More articles by Jeff Brown

Seed Tenders: A Seeding Efficiency Game Changer

Posted by Jeff Brown Mar 28, 2023

Seed tenders were invented to reduce your transport time, lower labour costs, keep your work concentrated in the field, and enable you to seed more acres. Flaman offers several innovative models that meet those marks with remarkable efficiency.



Commercial Seed Tenders
The Convey-All CST-1550 Seed Tender is one of the largest seed tenders available today. Its 1550 cubic feet of storage and attached conveyor save you time and money while providing a new level of convenience. You can load it from either side at your bins, station it at your optimum fill site, and save multiple trips between home and field.


 
Designed to prevent cross-contamination, this tender’s six stainless-steel, epoxy-coated compartments can carry different seed types along with fertilizer in the same load.

 
The CST-1550 is a manpower saver. Remote control gives a single user command of a 25' conveyor, powered by a 50HP diesel engine and fully contained hydraulic system. As master of the conveyor’s 144-degree swing range and two-tons per-minute unload rate, you can fill air seeders and trucks precisely and evenly. There’s no need to bring extra help to reposition anything and you can fill both tanks of your air seeder so they both empty at the same time.

 
Users say those advanced features yield impressive numbers. They’ve reported saving 30 minutes each time you fill your drill. Multiply that by four or five fills a day, and you’re gaining an extra 2.5 seeding hours per day. A 76’ drill seeding 34 acres/hour can use that time to add 68 to 85 extra acres to your daily total. Over 10 days, you could seed an entire extra section.
 
Side-Draw Solutions
If you already have a conveyor (and there are plenty of good ones), the Convey-All CSC-1545 Seed Cart is a good choice.



Instead of a conveyor, the CSC-1545 utilizes a side-drop chute system, offering stainless-steel slopes and gates. Otherwise, it provides comparable features to the CST-1550, including six separate stainless steel-lined, epoxy/polyurethane-coated compartments and an overall capacity of 1,525 cubic feet.



Flaman also offers two excellent Side Draw Seed Tenders from Haul All Industries.

"The Haul All Side Draw Seed Tender is like a Swiss army knife. It can be used to load air drills, clean seed with, and it can also be used as a harvest surge trailer."

The four-hopper Haul All 1580NT features a 1260-bushel capacity and rides on a 40-foot tri-axle frame. The slightly smaller Haul All 1185NT model carries up to 945 bushels in three hoppers mounted on a 30-foot tandem trailer. Like Convey-All, Haul All builds its hoppers with stainless steel.



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Our seed tender experts can help you find the seed tender that best serves your operation. We have 11 Flaman dealers located across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Drop by the one nearest you, and let’s talk about your optimum grain-handling solution. 

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with seed tender seed cart side draw seeding Convey-All Haul All | More articles by Jeff Brown

What's it like being a Flaman Rental Dealer?

Posted by Jeff Brown Jan 17, 2023

We could explain how we support our dealers and how our Rentals division reflects Flaman’s history and community culture (which we will). However, to provide a clear picture of the actual dealership experience, it’s best to let our dealers speak for themselves.  



Today, we are sharing the experience of current rental dealers with you.   
 
An Unforeseen Advantage: Brian Headon
 
We recently talked with Brian from Headon Rentals in Lloydminster. He shared his insightful perspective on how becoming a Flaman dealer added to their existing livestock farm.   

We decided to become a Flaman Rental Dealer because it complements our farm. We have a year-round livestock operation and don’t have the same seasonal demands as grain producers. Flaman Rentals just made sense as a cash-flow business. Now that rental income has morphed into its own enterprise in the 11 years since we’ve partnered with Flaman.   
 
There’s an unforeseen advantage in creating this massive relationship with the community. You really don’t know what other producers are doing. We sort of became this hub, and we get to see how innovative other growers have become.   
 
Our success in the first year happened because of the early support from Flaman Rentals. Whenever we had a question or concern, we could count on Flaman, and the local farming community could count on us.   
 
—Brian Headon, Headon Rentals, Lloydminster, AB.   

The Roots of Flaman Rentals 
 
The national company you now know as Flaman began in 1959 with Frank Flaman and a baler and swather. You could say that custom baling and harvesting in the Southey, Sask area was Frank’s first rental venture. The commodities were his equipment and his manpower. This was the seed that would grow to become Flaman Rentals in 1993. It was nurtured by Frank’s desire to reduce the financial pressure on farmers and help make a difference in his community.   
 
Over 80 Flaman Dealerships exist across Western Canada and the U.S., supported by management, administrative, IT and marketing teams in our head office. We’ve expanded the range of products offered by our rental services to meet our client’s ever-changing needs. Even though many things have changed, one thing that remains the same is Flaman’s commitment to the customer.   
 
With the success of our existing Flaman Rental dealers, we expect to see many new ones sprout up. Many people share our vision of making a difference by helping local farmers succeed in today’s climate.   
 
The greatest thing about being a Flaman Dealer: Chad Cissell
 
Chad Cissell of Darkside Rentals shares a story similar to Brian’s. He took over an existing Flaman dealer five years ago.   

Flaman support was top-notch as we were first getting started. And even through the years, if you have a question, our Territory Manager will have an answer. We are one of the larger dealers with loads of experience, and we pass on our expertise to other Flaman Dealers.   
 
We serve lots of smaller farms that can’t just buy high-dollar equipment – ones that need quality implements in the short term to remain competitive. We offer that option at a fraction of the cost.   

Being part of the dealer network is the greatest thing about being a Flaman Dealer. We share tips and tricks, stories from the field, and help each other grow. There is still that competitive spirit amongst the dealers but… it just makes everyone better. That network is valuable.   
 
For those considering becoming a dealer, it’s very different day to day. Especially when you’re working with 100-plus customers over the year. You're used to seeing them at the grain market or auction house on occasion. It’s different when you become hands-on with them and understand what they need.   

Being a Flaman Rental Dealer is a challenging experience and I enjoy every minute of it!   
 
—Chad Cassel, Darkside Rentals, Ponoka, AB.   

Big Commitment. Ample Rewards. 
 
As you can see, a lot goes into becoming a Flaman Rental Dealer, but it comes with ample rewards. If you operate a farm or an agriculture-related business like delivering fuel or fertilizer, it's a great way to supplement your income. Dealership candidates with a solid understanding of the needs of farmers, farming communities, and agri-business go to the front of the line. We look for people like Brian and Chad who realize that maintaining that level of involvement is a reward.
 
At Flaman, we pride ourselves on being supportive; If you think you’re the kind of person who’d enjoy this kind of opportunity, join our team, you can count on our help finding the right equipment for your location. Flaman helps you succeed so you can continue to be the center of the community - meeting everyone in the surrounding area and being part of an invaluable and coherent dealer network.

If you are interested in joining this mutually supportive network of dealers, learn more about the Flaman Rental opportunity here.   

 
Posted in Testimonials | Tagged with Rentals Ag news | More articles by Jeff Brown

Grain Cart Unloading Done Just Right

Posted by Jeff Brown Jun 16, 2022

It really does matter how you look at it. Watching those harvest bushels pour out of your auger may do your heart good, but your back and neck don’t fare so well.
 
That’s because traditional grain carts unload on the left-hand side, causing you to turn away from your tractor controls. Meanwhile, anyone in your buddy seat has to do his own contortions to stay out of your way while you try to accurately offload grain. All that straining and stretching to see what’s happening makes for a long, unpleasant day - and a sore, sleepless night. 
 
Thankfully, one simple common-sense improvement gives you a clear view of your auger without the aches and pains.



Right-side augers change everything! 

J&M Manufacturing’s right-side auger grain cart makes the most of your tractor’s cab layout. Easy access to controls and unobstructed visibility allow you to effortlessly aim your auger right into the semi-trailers. The increased comfort makes grain handling more operator-friendly— with fewer visits to the chiropractor. 



It works with the extended right-hand swivel of most tractor seats and provides a consistently clear view of your controls and monitors. No more groping around, hitting the wrong button, and spilling your valuable grain. 


 
Farmer Approved

Operators have noted the left-to-right change left them less fatigued at the end of the day. 

“It's hard to look to your left when your controls are on the right. It’s just a piece of cake.” 
Bill Carter, Carter Farms

 
Different Side. Same Great Quality.

J&M builds their right-side auger model to the same high-quality standards as the rest of their grain cart line. All components and wearable parts remain as durable, dependable, and available as ever. Only the auger position has changed, and it's just one of this cart’s outstanding features.


 
Speed, Accuracy, and Convenience

The X-tended reach straight auger enables you to transfer 1400 bushels of grain in 2.5 minutes. Meanwhile, J&M’s patented telescoping hydraulic flow control spout sharpens your offloading aim – reducing the amount of grain that spills on the ground.
 
A 3-position auger system offers a 'storage' position to reduce machine width during transport and parking. The 'field' position limits stress on the auger and keeps the auger clean of any mud. The auger quickly extends to the 'unload' position to drop grain off. 

J&M Grain Carts at Flaman

Flaman carries the J&M 1412 grain cart with single 32” wide wheels or a 36” V4 Track to reduce soil compaction. Other heavy-duty standard components include:

-  V-Truss axles designed for strength, preventing twisting or bending
-  Oversized 6” spindles
-  10-bolt and 20-bolt hubs available
- Computer-balanced bullet auger flighting for quick unload speed and durability

All of our 1412 X-tended reach right-side auger grain carts will be wrapped with special edition Canadian decals, and will feature an iFarm scale, rolling tarp, and 1 ¾" PTO drive.

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Numbers are limited for 2022. Contact your nearest Flaman Ag expert and reserve your new J&M right-side auger grain cart today!

Posted in New Products | Tagged with J&M grain carts right side auger x-tended reach grain handling harvest | More articles by Jeff Brown

When Melted Snow Must Go, Flaman Pumps You Out

Posted by Jeff Brown Mar 07, 2022

It's great to see the winter snow melt, but it can leave a sea of excess meltwater on your farm, acreage, or worksite. Flooded ditches, construction sites, dugouts, or even just low-lying spots in your field can accumulate serious pools of water. The sucking mud that comes with it can make you miss frozen-solid winter ground.

Fortunately, Flaman carries a number of water pumps to help you move winter snowmelt water quickly – giving your spring growth room to breathe.



Our large selection of water pumps range in size from 1” to 4” from brands like Honda and BE. We also carry two brands of floating pumps: Watermaster and Warthog.

The Watermaster floating pump is a high-volume, low horsepower pump, available in either gas-powered or hydraulic configurations. The Warthog floating pump is a highly fuel-efficient piece of equipment that is capable of pumping continuously up to 15 hours at 850 gallons per minute (51,000 gallons per hour). It's so compact it can fit in the trunk of a car.


From right to left: BE water pump, Warthog floating pump, Honda water pump

For your existing spraying or pumping operation, we have all the hoses, fittings, and filters you'll need to keep things running smoothly. 

Our variety of spraying and pumping hoses includes lay-flat, air-seeder, and industrial-grade suction hoses at an affordable cost. They can be purchased pre-cut to a specific length, so you can have the option to build your own efficient system right off the shelf.



Our large selection of hose and pipe fittings are offered in both aluminum and plastic, with options for manifold or threaded style. We specialize in 1” to 4” size fittings that include cam locks, ball valves, reducers, pipe thread, flanges, and more.



We carry Super Flo water filters, rated at over 4,000 gallons per hour and equipped with easy-to-replace foam and mesh. If your pump-to-filter hook-up needs some tweaking, we have adapters available for your convenience. Some Flaman locations also carry filter floats, which help remove some common hurdles of pumping water. They eliminate the need for waders and keep your filter submerged in sloughs, ditches, ponds, and dugouts as low as 10” deep.

Filter Float demo video

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From water pumps, floating water pumps, filters, fittings, hoses, and accessories, Flaman is here to provide you with efficient, reliable, and cost-effective solutions to move water. To learn more about our product selection or to get expert water-moving advice, talk to one of our team members at your nearest Flaman location. 

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with water pumps filters fittings hoses meltwater spraying operation moving water | More articles by Jeff Brown

Winter Tune-up: The Health Benefits of Snowmobiling

Posted by Jeff Brown Jan 10, 2022

At first glance, it might be hard to believe snowmobiling is good for your health. After all, you are just sitting on a motorized machine that does all the work, aren't you?

No, you're actually doing much more than that. Here's a rundown of the health benefits of "sledding," and how you can take part if it sounds like your kind of outdoor fun.

More Than a Mechanical Sleigh Ride

According to the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO), sledding can positively impact both your physical and mental health. In 2019, the organization released its Physical Activity Health Study, a summary of independent research done by the University of Guelph. The report included physiological data from field-testing in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.

The study highlighted how snowmobiling could restore a sizable list of healthy habits that go missing as the days get shorter and colder - physical activity, outdoor time, exposure to nature, and socialization. Unfortunately, their absence can result in weight gain and reduced strength, endurance and immunity. With winter seemingly closing in on us, we can add Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) to the price of our sedentary sins.

Physical Benefits

After following over 4,000 snowmobilers, the study found that the average rider used 5.6 METs while riding. The term "MET" stands for Metabolic Equivalent, a measure of the calories you burn sitting still. The study used body-position sensors to determine snowmobiling is much more than "sitting still."

There's a lot of standing, kneeling, stabilizing, handle gripping, and changing position involved – especially if you head out into the backcountry or up into the mountains. The study also mentions peripheral tasks like digging out a stuck sled, clearing obstacles and truck/trailer loading and unloading.

The study also measured these activities' exertion, fatigue, and aerobic exercise value. Again, uneven terrain was a significant factor. Trail riders reached an average of 68% of their maximum heart rate, while backcountry and mountain riders reached 71% and 82%, respectively.

The researchers admit that cardio calculations can be logistically tricky with all the moving around. Measurement can also be obscured by exhilaration, which sometimes goes by another name - fun.

Emotional Benefits

Snowmobiling is so much fun, you might overlook the workout you're getting - and that physical activity makes you feel even better. It combats changes in the brain that can lead to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Time out on the snowy trails can also do wonders for sleep cycles and blood flow to the brain. It can even enhance the structure of the brain itself.

Furthermore, frequent leaning and shifting positively affect stress hormones, inflammation, and neurotransmitter production. It works as well or even better than prescribed antidepressant medications at reversing depression symptoms. One weekend trip can keep your contentment charged up for up to a week.

Social Dynamics Make Social Dynamos

The study also points to several social benefits vital to mental health and physical safety. For example, isolation is a significant contributor to depression and other mental disorders. Because snowmobiling works best as a group activity, it offers several group dynamic pleasures, benefits, challenges, and rewards. Leaders choose the path and set the pace, and followers look out for those before and behind them. Negative thoughts are replaced by the good feeling of being part of a group that relies on your best qualities.

It's also a great way to learn skills from others and develop your own sense of mastery. Feeling capable when you encounter challenges lowers your levels of stress and anxiety. So does gaining confidence within a group. Last but not least, there's a proven link between physical activity and improved mood. All of these benefits are easier to realize in an affirmative group setting.

So, where do you get started if you're interested in snowmobiling but don't have any snowmobile friends? There are several snowmobile associations and federations across Canada representing 729 individual clubs.

Reclaim Your Time with Nature.

It's not just what you do, but also where you do it. Getting outdoors in the winter allows many of us to confront and befriend the fearsome snow beast of our imaginations. It's more than liberating. It's restorative. You're reclaiming a connection you thought you'd lost with the summer sun, and the scenery is still gorgeous to behold.

Happy Trails!

The CCSO reports there are over 121,000 km of organized snowmobile trails in Canada, used by over 1.5 million family members across the nation. No doubt many of those snowmobilers get excited when the snow starts falling.

Just remember to take good care of the trails you travel, those who share them, and yourself. Follow that rule, and snowmobiling can be great fun and fitness for everyone who jumps on and throttles up.

Flaman Has the Trailer That Can Take Your Sled to the Snow.

You take pride in owning a snowmobile that can take you where you want to go. Take the same pride in a trailer that takes your sled where you want to go. Flaman Trailer Stores sells and rents outstanding utility, enclosed, and flat-deck trailers to take one or more snowmobiles to the trails. (We also deal in gooseneck, stock and dump trailers.)

You can count on our accredited Trailer Service Department for quality maintenance, inspection, repair, warranty, or upgrade work. You put a lot of care into your sled. Let our professionals put the same care into the trailer that carries it. Call or visit your nearest Flaman Trailer location and talk about giving your great ride a great ride!

Posted in Contests | Tagged with Winter Contest winter recreation snowmobiling ice fishing trailers | More articles by Jeff Brown

Get Out and Enjoy Winter Part 4 - Fun

Posted by Jeff Brown Dec 12, 2021

For countless winters, Canadians have instinctively taken to the outdoors. That habit has given us a national sport, long average lifespans, and a reputation for friendliness, hardiness and adaptability.

Most of us went out without the knowledge of studies documenting the good we were doing our minds and bodies. Fresh air, being active, and the natural beauty of our country were reasons enough.

Even if we find ourselves spending less time outside, the door is always open. So here’s some information for those who’d like to regain the joy of winters past and those yet to fully discover what the season offers. It’s our way of encouraging you to get out and enjoy the glories of a great Canadian Winter.

Part 4: Fun!



In part 3 of this series, we offered some timely tips to ensure your time outdoors is safe. As lovely as a regret-free winter sounds, FUN sounds even better. It's good for the mind and body and for our relationships with nature and each other. 

Done correctly, fun has the admirable power to make you feel younger AND extend your lifespan. So it's never a waste of your time. 

Raring to Go Outside



Recent events have made "going out" feel like a long-ago dream. That's certainly taken a toll on everyone's mental health, but at the same time, it's elevated our appreciation of our time outdoors. A recent study by the Centre for Addiction and mental health (CAMH) reported that getting outside was the most popular coping method - touted by 93.5% of survey respondents. Remember, that's in an age when people were already spending too much time indoors gawking at screens.
 
We've also become wiser and more respectful of each other's space – and there's plenty of it outdoors. So the time has come for us to reap all the benefits of a brisk winter day, safely sharing time with family, friends, and neighbours.
 
That renewed socialization comes with a whack of benefits. While our bodies enjoy reduced blood pressure and stronger immunity, our minds gain a better mood, more confidence and self-esteem, purpose, improved communication skills, increased brain health, and reduced risk of cognitive decline. 

Winter Frolics – Go Outside and Play



And we can have fun doing it. Just look at some of the entertaining activities out there and the health benefits they provide:
 
Downhill skiing: Do cardio-metabolic benefits like improved insulin resistance, body composition and glucose metabolism, and lowered blood pressure, blood lipids and heart rate sound like you're going downhill? According to a 2018 Time Magazine article, you are if you're on skis. Downhill skiing's cardio benefits are compared to those of rowing and cycling. But it's also a fantastic full-body workout, especially when your carve up those moguls. It's also a form of interval training with downhill dashes and rides back up on the chairlift. 

Cross-country skiing: The gliding motion makes it low-impact. Using your upper body, arms, legs, and core makes it a supreme strength and toning exercise. Because it's so good for your heart and easy on your joints, people enjoy it into their 90s.

Skating: It also uses a gliding motion that's easy on your joints. It actually enhances your joint flexibility. You'll be moving in directions that don't apply to regular walking and getting great aerobic exercise as you gradually build up your heart rate and respiration. You'll also dart around in quick bursts, which is a fantastic anaerobic exercise to build up your muscles. 

Snowshoeing: You can walk or run on them over snow that would otherwise cave in and leave buried up to your waist. (If you want a REALLY TOUGH workout, try walking around like that.) Because it keeps you on top of the snow, you can cover a lot of ground and see a lot of nature. But that doesn't make it a stroll in the park. There's enough drag over the surface to burn up to 50% more calories than you would walking the same distance. Meanwhile, you're building up muscular endurance as you work your flexors, quads, glutes, hamstrings and calves.

Cold Weather Hiking: We've discussed the benefits of forest bathing, which is more relaxed and nature-focused than the driven pace of a full-on hike. However, the effects of forest surroundings work the same – increasing the physical benefits of a good, brisk walk. It's even better if you take your hike in the mountains. Participants in a 2017 PLOS One study said they found it more pleasant and less tiring than a treadmill workout. 

Old Familiar Fun in the Snow



Wish you were a kid again? It might be your sense of propriety and not your years that you need to overcome. Every winter, you can find plenty of snow to build forts, snow people, or snowballs to fling about. 

Put on your warm, waterproof clothing, then flop down and make a snow angel. Take a downhill plunge on a toboggan, tube or other gravity/good push-propelled vehicle. If you've got kids, use them as an excuse. They'll understand what you're getting out of it. 

• If you want more excuses, here's a bunch of them:
• You're getting a great cardiovascular workout that just feels like you're enjoying yourself.
• You'll be stimulating brain function.
• You'll activate your imagination.
• You'll bring back childhood memories and optimism that can lift the burden of adult problems off your shoulders for a while. 

Winter's Calling You to Come Out and Play.
 
If you remember your childhood correctly, you'll recall what came before all that romping in the snow. There was the getting roused out of bed and the bundling up your parents made you do. As adults, we can make our own choices, and we often decide to forego the inconveniences that come between us and getting on with life. 

It's easy to stay indoors in your pyjamas and wait for winter to just end already. But you'll miss out on all the invigorating, emboldening, and just plain fun benefits of the season. 

So go out and make a friend of winter. You'll miss it when it's gone. 
 

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Warm Up to Winter Contest
Have you entered our Warm Up to Winter contest on our Facebook and Twitter pages yet?

It's that time of year again – and we're giving away some awesome prizes! Enter to win a $3,000 trailer purchase credit plus weekly prizes like trailer rentals, Koenders snowmobile sleds, gas cards, and more! Draws are made at the end of every week until our Grand Prize Draw on February 4th. Enter now – and good luck!

 

Posted in Contests | Tagged with Winter Contest winter recreation snowmobiling ice fishing trailers | More articles by Jeff Brown

Get Out and Enjoy Winter Part 3 - Safety

Posted by Jeff Brown Dec 12, 2021

For countless winters, Canadians have instinctively taken to the outdoors. That habit has given us a national sport, long average lifespans, and a reputation for friendliness, hardiness and adaptability.

Most of us went out without the knowledge of studies documenting the good we were doing our minds and bodies. Fresh air, being active, and the natural beauty of our country were reasons enough.

Even if we find ourselves spending less time outside, the door is always open. So here’s some information for those who’d like to regain the joy of winters past and those yet to fully discover what the season offers. It’s our way of encouraging you to get out and enjoy the glories of a great Canadian Winter.

Part 3: Safety
 


In part 2 of this series, we went over the mental and physical benefits of getting outside in winter. But, of course, our coldest season brings some hazards beyond the usual sniffles or minor frostbite. 
 
However, that's no excuse to avoid winter altogether. Here are some common-sense tips for balancing safety with the joys of outdoor winter activity.
 
Don't Let Jack Frost Bite You.



Here are some tips from the Mayo Clinic and other leading experts on best practices for keeping fit out in the snow:
Talking to your doctor before starting any exercise regimen is always a good idea.

Create a schedule and stick to it. Consistency is essential all year round. However, during the short days of winter, finding the right time for working, sleeping, exercise and eating are vital. Healthy, balanced meals will help keep you energized while the sun's up. That will help you make the most of your exercise, which will help you restore your circadian rhythm. Proper sleep and a consistent sense of time will help you stave off SAD and the physical, mental and behavioural problems that come with it.

Check the weather – especially if you have heart issues, lung problems or asthma. Remember, the colder it is, the harder it gets on your lungs and respiratory tract. Respiratory symptoms and lung function begin to change at -15 C, according to University of Alberta exercise physiologist and associate kinesiology professor Michael Kennedy. He advises slowing down if you go out on bone-chilling days. Indoor exercise may also be an option.

Dress in layers. As you exercise, your body will naturally warm up. So instead of taking off a big coat and instantly switching from too hot to too cold, you'll be able to adjust your clothing insulation like you'd change your thermostat at home.

Choose the right gear for winter running conditions. That includes reflective clothing for those dark morning runs and good shoe traction for icy conditions. In addition, a skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling helmet could offer vital protection if you do have a slip.

Keep hydrated. Drinking water or sports drinks before, during and after a run is a good idea, even if you're not feeling thirsty. Colder weather doesn't eliminate the threat of dehydration through sweating or even breathing.

Stay properly nourished. Carbohydrates are a great source of the energy you'll need. You can get them quickly from a pre-run banana or glass of orange juice. For longer runs, you'll want to bring along fruit, granola bars or other snacks to keep your strength up and your body warm.



Run against the wind on your way out. That way, you can get the "wind resistance" benefits of your run while you're fresh. You'll also have the wind behind you on the way back. Not only will it give you a push, but it will also protect you from a chill after you've been sweating. 

Take time to acclimatize yourself. Don't burst out of the door running or immediately jump on those skis or snowshoes. Instead, spend a little time getting used to the cold around you and do a slow warm-up before you take off. This practice will help you build up your metabolic rate gradually and safely.

Consider making it a walk. Running isn't the only way to cover ground and keep up with your fitness.

 
Wind Up Your Exercise Wisely



After a good workout in the cold, you might not want to wait to go back inside. Instead, you'll want to resist that urge, according to Associate Professor Kennedy. Rewarming is an exertion unto itself, and you don't want to inflict it suddenly on your chilled airway. Instead, it's best to cool down slowly while gradually reintroducing your body to a warmer environment. 

If you've driven to a skiing or snowshoeing area, driving home with the heat off can help your airway slowly regain its surface liquid before going into your home.

Once You're Back Indoors 



You can warm up further with a hot beverage and a meal that combines protein and carbs. Options include hot cocoa, chicken noodle soup, a tea latte made with dairy or soy milk, whole-wheat toast with peanut butter and banana, or oatmeal with warm milk, raisins and walnuts.
 
Eat it within 30 minutes of your re-entry to properly replace your spent fluid and glycogen resources. In addition, the walnuts offer an added refuelling benefit. Along with foods like almonds and lettuce, it can provide the melatonin that helps you get a great night's sleep.

Just remember that doing something out in the snow is not all work and no play. Exercise is great, but just going out and having a blast can do wonders for you as well. So, in Part 4, we conclude with a refresher on winter fun – and how to have it.
 

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Warm Up to Winter Contest
Have you entered our Warm Up to Winter contest on our Facebook and Twitter pages yet?

It's that time of year again – and we're giving away some awesome prizes! Enter to win a $3,000 trailer purchase credit plus weekly prizes like trailer rentals, Koenders snowmobile sleds, gas cards, and more! Draws are made at the end of every week until our Grand Prize Draw on February 4th. Enter now – and good luck!

 

Posted in Contests | Tagged with Winter Contest winter recreation snowmobiling ice fishing trailers | More articles by Jeff Brown

Get Out and Enjoy Winter Part 2 - Benefits

Posted by Jeff Brown Dec 12, 2021

For countless winters, Canadians have instinctively taken to the outdoors. That habit has given us a national sport, long average lifespans, and a reputation for friendliness, hardiness and adaptability. 

Most of us went out without the knowledge of studies documenting the good we were doing our minds and bodies. Fresh air, being active, and the natural beauty of our country were reasons enough.

Even if we find ourselves spending less time outside, the door is always open. So here’s some information for those who’d like to regain the joy of winters past and those yet to fully discover what the season offers. It’s our way of encouraging you to get out and enjoy the glories of a great Canadian Winter.
 
Part 2: Benefits  

In part 1 of this series, we discussed the mental and physical costs of staying cooped up all winter. Then we showed how other cold-climate regions get out and make the most of our coldest season. We also mentioned the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” – seemingly nothing more than an observant walk in the woods. But its proponents argue that their time in nature is much more than a pleasant pastime. Researchers agree with them – pointing to documented benefits. For instance, the aromatic scent of evergreen trees wafting airborne essential oils that can boost your immunity for weeks.
 
And that’s just the beginning of the mental and physical benefits winter holds for you.
 
Scientifically Proven
 


Studies indicate connecting with nature can help lower your body mass index (BMI) and lessen your risk of obesity and related conditions. A Central European study of late spring and winter forest bathing showed blood pressure levels dropped as well. 

Findings suggest it may reduce the prevalence of chronic illnesses including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Studies further show it speeds recovery from other ailments. There’s even research indicating that it bolsters NK (natural killer) cells in their battles with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

It’s also shown to be as good for your mind as it is for your body – improving your memory, mood, motivation, energy, attention span, focus, creativity and problem-solving. Forest bathing has been attributed the power to enhance spiritual benefits like mindfulness and gratitude.
 
A Symbiotic Relationship
 


The relatively new field of Environmental psychology puts much stock in the notion that time in nature helps us resolve internal, interpersonal and societal ills. It holds that human beings are more readily adaptive to natural environments than man-made ones. Other tenets include:

• Natural light quickly helps reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and boost our immune system
• Strong connections to the environment make us more aware of it and how we fit into it.  
• Humans can always improve the environment they live in.
• We’re active adapters to changes in society and the environment. We can reshape our social identities and affiliations to the physical space we occupy.

 
You can read more about our relationship with nature here. 
 
Of course, many like to add a little physical exertion to their enjoyment of nature. That, too, can be an invigorating experience – if it’s done correctly.
 
Exercising in Winter



Short days and chilly weather can discourage you from going out for that daily jog or brisk walk. But once you get out and do it, you can adjust to the difference and reap a long list of benefits.

Your body will thank you for awakening a metabolism that just wants to sleep in. It will help keep your figure trim even throughout the feasting holidays. Outdoor exercise pumps up your heart health and lowers your blood pressure all year long. But in winter, the cold acts as another form of resistance.

Meanwhile, the sun sends down buckets of vitamin D – even in winter – bolstering your bone strength and immune system. Studies indicate it also aids weight loss and helps protect us from the flu, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease.

You won’t have to tax your heart rate as much as you do in the summer, meaning less sweat and more energy. And who wants to sweat in all that winter clothing? The weight of those layers helps you become stronger and fitter at the same time.
 
The Heart-Warming Effects of “Chilling”



Piling on those clothes can take a load off your mind. Going out to exercise is an ironic escape; You’re breaking free of a debilitatingly oppressive winter by fleeing into a refreshingly liberating one. 

Same winter. Different perspective. Instant change.

This isn’t purely philosophical. Science has proven exercise makes you happier by releasing delightful endorphins. It ends your day with a relaxing sleep, which helps you greet the next day with more energy and enthusiasm and a sharper focus.

The air in natural areas like park trails along rivers is high in negative ions. In this instance, it’s believed that negative is better than positive – especially when it comes to emotions. An Australian study backed this belief – showing runners who ran outdoors reported more mood elevation running outdoors than on an indoor treadmill.

Further research has indicated:

• Vitamin D helps battle anxiety and depression.
• Exercise can improve your response to stress
• Exercise may help your brain produce new cells – boosting performance and clarity

With winter exercise, the “how” is as important as the “why.” Its many benefits come with some sound advice on keeping your time outdoors, safe, productive and enjoyable. That’s in Part 3 of this series.
 

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Warm Up to Winter Contest
Have you entered our Warm Up to Winter contest on our Facebook and Twitter pages yet?

It's that time of year again – and we're giving away some awesome prizes! Enter to win a $3,000 trailer purchase credit plus weekly prizes like trailer rentals, Koenders snowmobile sleds, gas cards, and more! Draws are made at the end of every week until our Grand Prize Draw on February 4th. Enter now – and good luck!

 

Posted in Contests | Tagged with Winter Contest winter recreation snowmobiling ice fishing trailers | More articles by Jeff Brown

Get Out and Enjoy Winter Part 1 - Appreciation

Posted by Jeff Brown Dec 12, 2021

For countless winters, Canadians have instinctively taken to the outdoors. That habit has given us a national sport, long average lifespans, and a reputation for friendliness, hardiness and adaptability. Most of us went out without the knowledge of studies documenting the good we were doing our minds and bodies. Fresh air, being active, and the natural beauty of our country were reasons enough. Even if we find ourselves spending less time outside, the door is always open. So here’s some information for those who’d like to regain the joy of winters past and those yet to fully discover what the season offers. It’s our way of encouraging you to get out and enjoy the glories of a great Canadian Winter. 

Part 1: Appreciation



"Like it or not, winter is here", the saying goes. Unfortunately, too many of us choose “or not, “ and that’s a shame when winter has so much to offer. As children, we went outside and played in the snow and on the ice. As adults, we largely resent those frozen things as inconveniences or even threats. That outlook causes us to dread winter when it’s coming, endure it while it’s here, and celebrate its departure. Combined with our own physiological response to changing seasons, it’s caused us to suffer all manner of problems. 

The Cost of Avoiding an Entire Season



One of the biggest problems – and often the root cause of several others – is seasonal affective disorder (aptly abbreviated as SAD). It can happen in spring and summer but is more common during fall and winter. While it can cause depression at any time, it also drains you of energy and bedevils your moods in the winter.
 
It can make you feel down all day, diminish your interest in your favourite activities and knock your circadian rhythm (AKA internal sleep clock) completely off-kilter. Sufferers have trouble concentrating, and might feel anything from sluggish and irritated to worthless and hopeless, so it’s something you’ll want to nip in the bud.

Even if you’re just feeling a little groggy and grumpy, you’re still bringing on negative physical effects. You’ll eat more – with a greater craving for carbohydrates. Unless you have a way to burn them off, you’ll gain weight. The extra weight can deepen those negative feelings and throw higher cholesterol levels and blood pressure onto the heap.
Too much sedentary time at home can start to feel like a prison sentence. Which, in an odd way, is a good way to look at it. It will spur you to break out. 

Change the Way You Look at Winter.



Admittedly, winter can send some cold winds, pile its snow up deep, and create white-knuckle driving conditions. However, taking winter as a whole season – and only at its worst – is a recipe for anxiety, isolation, depression, and physical illness. 

We need to reclaim our childhood wonder for the season. Few things are more beautiful than a winter landscape on a sunny day, and few things are fresher than a breath of winter air. There are plenty of clear days to bundle up and enjoy both. Some days, you won’t even have to bundle up that much.
 
It’s more a feeling of befriending winter, rather than conquering it. To accomplish that, you need to venture out into its worst elements. If you do, stay warm and don’t venture out too long or too far. Then you can come back in, put your slippers on, and sip your cocoa triumphantly, like an old sea dog who’s rounded the horn.
 
How Other Countries Warm Up to the Cold


Photo by Robson Hatsukami Morgan (unsplash.com)

Getting outside in winter is nothing new. Cold climate areas around the world have been doing it for centuries. The UN consistently rates Norway as one of the happiest countries on earth. Yet, during their long winter, its citizens see an average of only 6-8 hours of sunlight during the day – and that’s in the south.
 
The northern Norwegian city of Tromsø, where the polar night lasts for three weeks, hosts an internationally-known half marathon in the darkest part of January. (They also host an outdoor film festival that month.) It’s citizens are ski-crazy, walking uphill on skis then schussing down, guided by the light of headlamps. When it’s always dark, this is an anytime thrill. It’s also not unusual for families with small children to have a winter campout on a frozen lake.
 
Meanwhile, Yakutsk, Russia posts a frigid average winter temperature in the -40s. Houses are built on stilts so the amount of heating needed to make them livable doesn’t melt the permafrost underneath them. Still, the city’s outdoor markets stay open year-round. Wired magazine reported that although the Siberian winter yields some days that can quickly send you scurrying indoors, kids still get out and ice skate.
 
Commune with Nature


Photo by Tobias Bjørkli (pexels.com)

Just as Yakutsk isn’t constantly cold, Tromsø isn’t completely pitch black. During certain times of the 15-day night, the sun manages to turn the sky a deep cobalt blue, known as the ‘polar twilight’. Even better, it’s occasionally animated by dancing Northern Lights. When full daylight finally dawns again, it reveals a beautiful city ringed by islands and fjords – a sight that no doubt contributes to the local population’s vigour.
 
Time in nature’s beauty is another internationally revered commodity. The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku – “forest bathing” – can be as simple as a walk in the woods or a three-hour guided eco-therapy tour. The point is consciously connecting with what’s around you through a concentrated use of your senses.
 
If it sounds a little new-agey to you, consider that science confirms several of its benefits. We’ll address those in part two of this series.
 

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Warm Up to Winter Contest
Have you entered our Warm Up to Winter contest on our Facebook and Twitter pages yet?

It's that time of year again – and we're giving away some awesome prizes! Enter to win a $3,000 trailer purchase credit plus weekly prizes like trailer rentals, Koenders snowmobile sleds, gas cards, and more! Draws are made at the end of every week until our Grand Prize Draw on February 4th. Enter now – and good luck!

 
Posted in Contests | Tagged with Winter Contest winter recreation snowmobiling ice fishing | More articles by Jeff Brown