Narrow seed boot

On the ProSeries Opener, the seed boots are made of the same material as the older high-wear boots previously offered, which is a highly abrasion-resistant white iron. However, this seed boot is narrower, causing less soil throw on neighboring rows. It also sits up tight to the disk blade, resulting in less wear on the boot.

Below are two diagrams showing the seed boot comparison from the 90 Series Opener (highlighted in green) to the ProSeries Opener (highlighted in red). In these diagrams, the ProSeries seed boot is narrower and sits up tighter against the disk blade.

Seed boot comparisons

• ProSeries seed boot highlighted in red
• 90 Series seed boot highlighted in green

• A is the boot comparison at a 44.5-mm (1.75-in.) depth
• B is the boot comparison at a 63.5-mm (2.50-in.) depth
• C is the ground plane

The inlet/entrance diameter is 33 mm (1.3 in.) on the 90 Series and the ProSeries. The seed tube internal diameter is 27.4 mm (1.08 in.). The cross section is larger than the inlet for the 90 Series and ProSeries.

Serrated closing wheel

Serrated closing wheel:

• The serrated closing wheel offers an improved closing system when seeding into hard soils or high residue conditions. The notches help break up the top layer of soil covering the seed trench. The notches also reach through residue to seal off the trench better, rather than simply moving residue over the trench. Consistent soil over the seed bed provides optimal germination and emergence. The serrated closing wheel has performed well in all conditions but truly shines in high residue or hard soil conditions.

Smooth closing wheel:

• The smooth closing wheel is still offered for producers who seed into loose soil conditions with little residue. The smooth closing wheel has performed well over the years and has a long-lasting service life, keeping replacement costs down.

Narrow and flexible press wheel

The narrow and flexible press wheel has improved overall seed-to-soil contact. The improvement is in the shape and diameter of the press wheel. The ProSeries Opener press wheel profiles the trench better, partly due to the narrower and more flexible wheel itself, measuring 1.8 cm x 25.4 cm (0.71 in. x 10 in.). The 90 Series press wheel is 1.9 cm x 22.9 cm (0.75 in. x 9 in.).

Growers that have consistent seed depth have a greater opportunity for uniform emergence, uniform tillering, uniform flowering, and uniform maturity. This leads to increased yield potential, easier management of crop, and typically lower harvest loss on canola.

Improved seed tab

The ProSeries Opener has an upgraded seed tab that compliments the furrow much better. This seed tab, with an angled edge that profiles the trench better, also allows for consistent seed placement due to the flexible material that was designed to make it less brittle. This also minimizes seed bouncing, which increases overall seeding accuracy.

Spoked gauge wheels

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 spoked 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 spoked 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 for 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 spoked gauge wheel. Some growers provided feedback of crop residue getting inside and jamming up the gauge wheel and opener. This spoked 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.

• AA86055 – complete wheel assembly
• A101570 – inner wheel rim half
• A101571 – outer wheel rim half

Not compatible in dual gauge wheel applications.

MudSmith is a trademark of MudSmith, LLC.

Narrow gauge wheels leave more stubble standing

The 76.2-mm x 406.4-mm (3-in. x 16-in.) depth gauging wheel:

• Compatible with all 90 Series and ProSeries Openers
• Provides more clearance between openers for residue flow
• Leaves more stubble standing and disturbs less residue than the 114.3-mm x 406.4-mm (4.5-in. x 16-in.) gauge wheel

Why cover crops?

With proper management and the right selection of cover crops, you can slow soil erosion, improve soil health, enhance water availability, suppress weeds, control pests and diseases, increase biodiversity, and reap numerous other benefits for your farm’s health and profitability. Cover crops act as a protective shield for the soil, reducing the impact of heavy rains and wind, which in turn minimizes topsoil loss. They improve soil structure by adding organic matter and fostering beneficial soil microorganisms, which enhances nutrient cycling and retention.

 

Additionally, cover crops can break up compacted soil layers, improving root penetration and water infiltration. By suppressing weeds, they reduce the need for chemical herbicides, leading to more sustainable farming practices. Cover crops also provide beneficial habitat for insects and pollinators, boosting on-farm biodiversity. Furthermore, they can help in sequestering carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation. Overall, integrating cover crops into your farming system can lead to more resilient and productive agricultural landscapes, ultimately enhancing long-term profitability.

What tool works best for you?

The N500C model machines provide extensive crop compatibility, making them an excellent choice for customers looking to seed multiple crops and crop blends using a single tool. These machines can be customized with two unique rollers in multiple sizes to meet the specific needs of each operation. Refer to the crop compatibility link by roller below. Additionally, the N500C is capable of seeding in various soil conditions and residue types. Featuring the Pro-Series No-Till opener, it is designed to handle a wide range of conditions, from heavy residue to lightly worked soils. For more information, see the Sales Manual links below.

 

N500C crop compatibility

N500C model

Box Drills are an excellent choice for seeding cover crops, offering simplicity and high placement accuracy. Equipped with the Pro-Series No-Till opener, the 1590 Box Drill can handle a variety of conditions, from heavy residue to lightly worked soils. The 455 and BD11 Series Box Drills, featuring a double disk opener, are ideal for tilled seed beds. They also provide wider widths and a range of spacing options. For more information, see the Sales Manual link below.

 

Box Drills

Already have an Air Seeder?

Any John Deere air cart compatible tools are excellent options for seeding cover crops. Air carts come with multiple tanks, enabling you to combine or blend your cover crop mixes effectively. With a wide range of meter roller options, air carts can be easily tailored to meet your specific cover crop needs and paired with the most suitable tool for the job. For more information, see the Sales Manual links below.

 

Air Seeding

Air cart roller information