Separate Fertiliser Placement (SFP) Air Drill
Setting the opener down pressure is convenient and easy to adjust.
For 9.1-, 11.0-, 12.2-, and 13.1-m (30-, 36-, 40-, and 43-ft) widths the down pressure on the front fertilizer rockshaft is adjusted independently of the middle and rear seed opener rockshafts. Simply dial in the required pressure using the knobs.
The seed opener pressure gauge face is color coded to provide a guide for normal pressure operating ranges.
The valve has two internal checks to reduce possibility of damage to valve when charging the system.
The down pressure cylinder is connected to live hydraulics and extends or retracts to maintain uniform down pressure on openers.
This system is compatible with either closed center or pressure flow compensated tractor hydraulic systems.
IMPORTANT: Tractors with open-center hydraulics require an open-center kit with change valve (order code 6505 to make the air drill compatible). The open-center application does not provide an opener flexibility feature.
Growers have historically had to make some difficult planting and seeding decisions due to weather. Operators have been forced to plant in wet conditions that are far from optimal in order to plant within the optimum planting window. Those operators have experienced poor performance from wet soils working in between the depth gauge wheel and the opener disk and not having a way out. This creates the possibility of the depth gauge wheel or opener disk to seize up and drag through the soil.
The spoke gauge wheel is a solution for operators who plant in these conditions to allow the mud and debris that get caught behind the depth gauge wheel to easily flow through the wheel and continue providing superior depth performance.
The spoke gauge wheel is designed for optimum performance. Its features include serviceable, stamped inner and outer rims. The wheel also has cast spokes and bearing hubs for increased strength. This allows smaller spokes, creating larger open surface area for mud and debris to flow more easily than competitor’s wheels. Another improvement over the closed gauge wheel is a snap-ring bearing retention. Simply remove the snap ring, replace the bearing, and place the snap ring back.
Heavy trash fields from no-till environments have also tested very well with the new spoke gauge wheel. Some growers provided feedback of crop residue getting inside and jamming up the gauge wheel and opener. This spoke gauge wheel has shown exceptional performance within these areas as well. These wheels are compatible with both 90 Series openers on seeding tools and planter row-units.
Below is a chart that demonstrates a competitive advantage over MudSmith™ wheels for mud and residue flow:
MudSmith | John Deere | Percent improvement | |
Open area | 329 cm2 (51 cu in.) | 471 cm2 (73 cu in.) | 43 percent |
Rim height | 1.9 cm (3/4 in.) | 1.4 cm (9/16 in.) | 25 percent |
Spoke width | 3.5 cm (1-3/8 in.) | 1.9 cm (3/4 in.) | 45 percent |
The wheel is serviceable along with other parts.
Not compatible in dual gauge wheel applications.
MudSmith is a trademark of MudSmith, LLC.
A digital pressure sensor is located inside each tank on the C-Series Air Carts, enabling a reliable tank-pressure readout on the cart’s side display and in the cab of the tractor on the 4600 CommandCenter™ Display or 4640 Universal Display. Seeing the digital readout allows for fine tuning of tank pressure, which is needed for metering accuracy on fine low-rate commodities. Seeing the tank-pressure in the cab allows the operator to monitor the pressure and take corrective action if needed. It also allows the operator to see if a tank lid was left open.
Adjusting tank pressure is done at the side of the cart using the banjo handles pictured above. The decals in yellow indicate with what tank the handle is associated. There is a spectrum of low to high tank pressure for dialing in the adjustment, and the decal shows to what primary the air is being mapped.
For producers who need high rates in their operation, AirPower 2 delivers. With the dual fan system, producers get twice the fans than the original AirPower. Plus, each fan is larger than before. When additional power is needed to generate a higher level of input flow, AirPower 2 has the capability to deliver. The fan housing is cast aluminum, making it lighter in weight, but more durable than ever before. Producers can trust the fan system will stand the test of time.
John Deere AirPower 2 system uses two separate, high-capacity fans – one for top shoot, one for bottom shoot. Using both fans can deliver a total of 249.5 kg (550 lb) at 8.8 km/h (5.5 mph) at 15-degree slope of material per acre, precisely metering product into the primary air stream. The results: Greater consistency across the entire drill, more uniform seed emergence, more even flowering and canopy development, and greater yields.
Enhanced air seeding performance would not be possible without the updates to the 15,152.8-L (430-bu) and 19,381.5-L (550-bu) 1910 and C-Series Air Carts. For the wider seeding width, more fan capacity has been added.
Air Power 2 provides two independently controlled fans – one for seed and one for fertilizer. Along with large, 76.2-mm (3-in.) primaries, more accurate delivery rates are possible across the full width of the seeding tool, from opener to opener. Plus, Air Power 2 allows growers to deliver high rates under field operating conditions – up to 40 percent more product delivery per primary compared to the single-fan system.
Dual fans are required for tow-between and tow-behind carts on the 23.2-m (76-ft) P576 and 18.3-m (60-ft) N560F models along with the eight primaries. Each fan will direct air to one set of primaries. Two selective control valves (SCVs) are required for the fans. The fan speed will be controlled through the SCV flow control.
Air Power 2 will also be compatible with the 17.1-m (56-ft) P556 and 23.2-m (76-ft) P576 Air Hoe Drills, as well as the 13.1-m (43-ft) N543F and 18.3-m (60-ft) N560F Disk Drills, plus the 15.2-m (50-ft) and 18.3-m (60-ft) 1890 models. An option is available for stainless-steel primaries to resist corrosion from high fertilizer rates.
There is a slide at the meter to choose bottom or top shoot for each meter. There is also a valve on the tank pressure system to choose top or bottom shoot. This same valve is used to adjust the amount of air to the tank to create the proper pressure differential.
The arrow on the valve handle should be pointing to the top of the range for the top shoot and the bottom of the range for the bottom shoot. If the tank will not be in use, set the pressure valve to the middle setting to not pressurize the tank. The operator should use the gauge to find the correct setting. An electronic pressure sensor will send a warning to the display if the tank pressure differential is out of range.
If pressure is in the green operating range, the tanks are sealed and operating correctly. The electronic pressure sensor is located behind the mechanical gauge on the side of the cart.
With the RelativeFlow blockage sensing, operators can see the flow rate of both seed and fertilizer from inside the tractor cab. Sensors on all primary towers and secondary hoses monitor the relative product flow, giving you a better view of the flow rate of both seed and fertilizer from the cart to the opener from inside your tractor cab. This exclusive technology can help you identify any problems before potential blockage occurs.
RelativeFlow Blockage is available on the following models:
RelativeFlow Blockage is compatible with hydraulic drive carts for model year 2014 and newer 1910, model year 2013 and newer 550 Carts, C650 and C850 Air Cart.
Below are the GreenStar™ 3 2630 Display screens for the blockage monitoring system. For complete details and information, see the owner’s manual.
The RelativeFlow sensing chart shows the amount of flow through each sensor on the selected tower. Sensitivity for the blockage system can be adjusted if desired, as shown below.
Blockage warning sensitivity allows the producer to set and change the sensitivity of the sensors to meet their preferences. Increasing the sensitivity means the system is more likely to show a false blockage, while less sensitivity means the system is more likely to miss a blockage.
Multiple run-page alarm behavior options are available for selection.
Below are the Gen 4 display screens for the blockage monitoring system on the N500C.
For complete details and information reference, the owner’s manual.
The SeedStar™ system run page displays the five major run settings. Clicking on any of the tiles will take an operator to that specific page (shown below).
Blockage alarm delays can be set up by clicking on the advanced settings button from the blockage set-up screen.
For more detailed information, see the owner’s manual.
Air tools with Relative Flow Blockage are not compatible with 1910 air carts with ground drive.
TruSet downforce control enables operators to conveniently set values for the seed and fertilizer ranks independently from the cab. This feature enables them to meet optimal downforce pressure while in varying soil conditions. TruSet downforce control improves seed placement accuracy in varying field conditions, leading to improved emergence and plant maturity.
TruSet system quick-reference guide image key:
Select the tool setup to enter calibration screens, input downforce setpoints, and to verify the tractor SCV controlled by automation:
TruSet system tool setup - automated SCV image key:
TruSet system tool setup - manual SCV image key:
TruSet system tool setup - Implement Detection image key:
TruSet system tool setup - opener configuration image key:
The 18.3-m (60-ft) N560F Disk Drill offers larger mainframe and wing tires with higher floatation, resulting in less overall surface compaction while minimizing emergence issues. All tires on the 18.3-m (60-ft) machine are 207 kPA (30 psi). The mainframe and wing tires are equipped with casters and walking beams to allow for better ground following.
Model | Width | Mainframe tire size | Wing tire size | Mainframe tire pressure | Wing tire pressure | Tire size | Flat-plate contact surface area |
N560F | 18.3 m (60 ft) | 550/45-22.5 | 33x15.5-16.5 | 207 kPa (30 psi) | 207 kPa (30 psi) | 550/45-22.5 | 1929 cm2 (299 sq in.) |
33X15.5-16.5 | 671 cm2 (104 sq in.) |
This N560F Disk Drill is 18.3-m (60-ft) wide, which means 40 percent more working width over the current 13.1-m (43-ft) model. This gain in working width can save up to nine rounds per quarter section during the same amount of time spent in the tractor cab.
An increase in productivity positively contributes to agronomics. Improving a grower’s productivity will increase the likelihood of hitting the seeding window while minimizing the chance for yield declines.
The opportunity for the 18.3-m (60-ft) N560F model compared to the 13.1-m (43-ft) model is a $1,500 gain in wheat yield and $2,700 gain in canola yield from increased productivity. The productivity gain for the 18.3-m (60-ft) N560F paired with a C850 Air Cart can save a grower up to nine rounds per quarter section. Overall, this drill was designed for productivity and efficiency.
The 5-degree fertilizer opener:
There are four choices of interchangeable fertilizer tubes:
Key features of the SFP opener are:
The 25-mm x 305-mm (1-in. x 12-in.) cast closing wheel follows the press wheel to close the furrow, placing soil over seed or fertilizer after the press wheel secures the seed in the furrow.
ProSeries Openers are in base equipment on all 1890 and N500F Separate Fertilizer Placement (SFP), 1990 Central Commodity System (CCS™), and 1590 Air Drills.
On the 1890 models, the single-disk openers are on 190-mm (7.5-in.) or 254-mm (10-in.) row spacing. On 15.25-m (50-ft) and 18.3-m (60-ft) 1890 models, the 190-mm/380-mm (7.5-in./15-in.) or 254-mm/508-mm (10-in./20-in.) dual-row spacing feature is in base equipment. The single-disk openers provide consistent and accurate seed placement.
The ProSeries Openers are gang mounted and are hydraulically raised and lowered. The hydraulic downforce system also offers a wide range of downforce settings for the openers.
The active hydraulics:
The down pressure:
NOTE: For additional ballast in hard-to-penetrate conditions, tractor suitcase weights may also be added to the mainframe and wings to obtain maximum down pressure per opener.
The ProSeries Openers:
The 18.3-m (60-ft) tool is five sections with 254-mm (10-in.) spacing and is Air Power™ 2 compatible. This larger tool will require a 15,152.8-L (430-bu) tow-between cart, a 15,152.8-L or 19,381.5-L (430-bu or 550 bu) tow-behind cart, or the C850 Air Cart with Air Power 2 dual fan system. Along with this cart compatibility, breaks are required for this configuration due to the weight of the drill and cart versus the tractor during transport mode. Below are compatible tractor, horsepower, display, and engine specific details.
Along with the added tool size, the N500F offers a heavy-duty hitch to pull an additional 20,412 kg (45,000 lb), which is the equivalent of two 7570-L (2,000-gal.) NH3 tanks when using a tow-between cart.
This larger tool was designed for the Gen 4 CommandCenter™ display. This technology integration saves time and money.
Growers that may be interested in upgrading their current 90 Series Openers to the ProSeries Openers can do this by ordering a ProSeries retrofit kit.
Two kit offerings are available for seed openers, a two row (AA98693) and eight row (AA97392) kit. The breakdowns are as follows:
A105410 | Deflector, seed firmer tab | 2 pc |
A107506 | Washer, special | 8 pc |
A109343 | Seed boot, left hand | 1 pc |
A109344 | Seed boot, right hand | 1 pc |
A110307 | Closing arm spring, left hand | 1 pc |
A110308 | Closing arm spring, right hand | 1 pc |
A31869 | Locknut | 2 pc |
AA88056 | Press wheel assembly | 2 pc |
E55662 | Nut, 3/8 | 8 pc |
N280653 | Washer | 2 pc |
N283804 | Opener disk | 2 pc |
N283976 | Nut, U-nut | 2 pc |
N283308 | Screw, flange | 2 pc |
03H2070 | Bolt, round head | 8 pc |
19M7720 | Screw, hex | 2 pc |
A105392 | Spiked seed closing wheel | 2 pc |
A97699 | Instructions, dealer download | 1 pc |
A105410 | Deflector, seed firmer tab | 8 pc |
A107506 | Washer, special | 32 pc |
A109343 | Seed boot, left hand | 4 pc |
A109344 | Seed boot, right hand | 4 pc |
A110307 | Closing arm spring, left hand | 4 pc |
A110308 | Closing arm spring, right hand | 4 pc |
A31869 | Locknut | 8 pc |
AA88056 | Press wheel assembly | 8 pc |
E55662 | Nut, 3/8 | 32 pc |
N280653 | Washer | 8 pc |
N283804 | Opener disk | 8 pc |
N283976 | Nut, U-nut | 8 pc |
N283308 | Screw, flange | 8 pc |
03H2070 | Bolt, round head | 32 pc |
19M7720 | Screw, hex | 8 pc |
A105392 | Spiked seed closing wheel | 8 pc |
A117632 | Instructions, ProSeries | 1 pc |
NOTE: Kits are subject to change.