Whether his 12-row, no-till planter needs it or not, Maury McLean usually spends part of the winter trying to figure out ways to make the machine more efficient. “I always get enthused about the new growing season by early March and make some last-minute changes and upgrades to the planter,” says the veteran Lancaster, Wis., no-tiller.

Let me guess. You’re tired of people telling you they’ve got the newest gadget or gizmo that will boost profits for the “low price” that makes your checkbook shudder in fright. We’ve all been there.