This article is the story of our experiences developing and running the iWRS AI control system.The Early YearsBy 1995, the AI controls team had been working with several groups in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division (CTSD), building Al control systems in support of CTSD''s investigations in advanced life support (ALS). In 1995, they put a man in an airlock linked drillpressfrontspeedadjustment to a 10-foot-diameter chamber full of wheat (Laifook and Ambrose 1997). For 15 days, the man lived, worked, and exercised in the chamber as the wheat crop took in his carbon dioxide and produced oxygen for him. The control system--our first for ALS--monitored and provided caution and warnings for the climate and nutrient environment of the wheat crop.

A good friend called to let me know that there was an error in my thinking concerning aerial work platforms. I said "there is an aerial work platform in the field population in North America for every 1200 people, give or take a few." I should have said there''s an aerial work platform in the field population for every 950 people. That will decline this year to one machine for every 850 people, give or take a few. That''s still a lot of work platforms, no matter how you cut it! The 951 backhoe attachment from Great Bend Manufacturing mounts on skid steers from 40 to 100 hp and 55 to 100 hp tractors with Cat. II 3 point and I hitch. The 951 offers 9.7 ft. of digging drillpressfrontspeedadjustment depth with 4575 lb. of digging force. A tapered console and walk-through deck provide comfort and visibility to the operator and two double-action hydraulic cylinders replace chain links to ensure smooth swing operation, the company said. Attach hydraulic Ho-Pac Model 500 vibratory compactor/driver to mini-excavator, backhoe, or trencher to compact or drive soil in narrow trenches. Base plate measures 12 ins. wide and 27 ins. long. Boasts impulse drillpressfrontspeedadjustment force of 3,940 lbs. at 2,000 cycles per min. with minimum of 9 to 18 g.p.m. from carrier. Optional swivel-top mounting bracket permits precise positioning without moving carrier. My 22-month-old son is mad for trucks. And not just any trucks -- construction vehicles. Out of the vast variety of images he''s exposed to daily, he has drillpressfrontspeedadjustment honed in on dump trucks and cranes. How did this happen? My partner, Laura, and I are still trying to figure it out. Neither of us drives a big rig. Riley doesn''t watch TV. He has dolls. He loves flowers and animals. But boy, does he love backhoes.

GJB has owned several utility tractors but says his old 500 Ford is his favorite, thanks to its lift capacity, fuel usage, and overall performance. "We have never had to repair the little beast except for oil, filters, tires," he says.In-futures says, "I have a 5220 John Deere 2WD with synchro trans. It is a delight to drive, and visibility is great."Surf for used utilitiesThe Internet is a great resource for anyone in the market for just about anything, including used utility tractors. Manufacturer sites like John Deere''s machinefinder.com, Machine Locator at agcocorp.com, and the used equipment section at caseih.com can help you find just what you''re looking for. Chances are your favorite manufacturer offers a similar service.Sites like ebaybusiness.com offer an ever-changing selection, as do the Agriculture Online[TM] classifieds at agriculture.com/classifieds. Agriculture Online[TM] classifieds are free for registered users of the site.

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