John Deere : Seeding Group

Tru-Vee Blades
Question : When did John Deere change opener blades on planters?
Answer : John Deere continues to offer the best value disk blades in the marketplace. All of our suppliers use the highest quality steel available. The new opener blades offered by John Deere are produced to meet or exceed the stringent specifications set out by John Deere. These new blades deliver John Deere value through extended wear life. Actual field tests were performed comparing the new supplier blades against the blades previously offered by John Deere in a variety of field conditions across the region. Tests prove that these blades will maintain their diameter longer, providing consistent trench depth, as well as a sharp edge for prolonged cutting/slicing action.

Markers Loosen
Question : I have too frequently had the experience of finding my row markers have loosened and changed length. The set screw can only be turned so tightly at the risk of threading. I have gone to the point of putting tape on the sleeve at the telescoping joint to warn me when movement has happened. I have thought of welding the sleeve connection. Any suggestions what I might want to consider? Is this a more common problem than one would anticipate?
Answer : We do have a solution for this problem. Please see your John Deere dealer and ask them to reference Service Information Bulletin SIB 00-7-5-2.

Meter & Planter Reconditioning
Question : My neighbors claim that reconditioning their meters have improved their yields and seed placement significantly. What is John Deere’s recommendations or experiences with meter reconditioning?
Answer : There are several credible studies that show the relationship between seed spacing and yield gain. These studies have shown that by improving spacing by as little as 1 inch can positively affect yields by 1-4 bushels to the acre. John Deere Dealers have been offering this service for over 10 years. They have the knowledge, experience, and quality parts to properly service and adjust your meters. Remember as important as the seed meters are, they are only one part of the total machine. The entire planter has to be ready to go to get the most out of your planting operations. Pro-active maintence and annual inspection are critical to achieve the results you are looking for. Thanks for your question!

Another Flat Disks
Question : With SI’s new seed disc there is a wide range of seed sizes that fit in the 10 # of vac pressure,as where the JD disc you have to adjust the vac pressure more,Any thoughts on this?
Answer : With a celled disk in a John Deere VacuMeter you do need to make small adjustments in vacuum level as you change varieties of seed. The SI kit is not anything new. It is a copy of existing John Deere parts. These parts are the Large Sweet Corn Disk and Double Eliminator. SI is also charging a higher price than the original John Deere Parts available at your local John Deere Dealership. With the John Deere Large Sweet Corn Disk, you can set your vacuum to one level and not need to make any adjustments to the vacuum level. However, it may be necessary make adjustments to the Double Eliminator. This is true for both the John Deere Parts and the SI kit. Your local John Deere Dealer has all the info for planting corn with a flat disk. Thanks for your question!

Flat Disk Performance
Question : I would like to know if John Deere has tested the new seed disc from SI Inc? I would think that running at a slower rpm you would get a better drop and not so many doubles, What is your thought? I know JD has a double eliminator for there disc but how does it compare?
Answer : We have tested the SI kit. Our testing has indicated the John Deere Large Sweet corn disk and double eliminator perform better than the SI kit. Meter rpm is not a problem for the John Deere VacuMeter, and it does not affect spacing. We have noted in plot work with John Deere parts and the SI kit that there is a slight degradation in seed spacing when planting corn with a flat disk. Spacing degrades in the range of 3-10%. In a nutshell the SI kit is a copy of the John Deere Large Sweet Corn Disk and Double Eliminator with a few minor exceptions. The SI kit is also more expensive than the original John Deere parts. There are other considerations to look at before you use a flat disk. Tractor compatability, and Vacuum capacity should be looked at. Your local John Deere dealer has more information on how to effectively plant corn with a flat disk. Thanks for your question!

Talc usage
Question : I’m using a 1750 Conservation planter. There seems to be no clear precept for the use of lubricants on seed. I believe the manual does suggest talc for beans (I have the radial meters) and graphite for corn. Farmers seem to have different thoughts.
Any updated advice on seed/meter lubrications?
Also, will the chat info be available online for a week or so in case of need to review?
Answer : With both the Radial Bean Meter and the finger pickup meters, graphite should be used. With radial bean meters there is added caution that the use of other additives may leave residue on parts that can affect planting rates. Vacuum seed meters are treated with talc. In no case should sticky seed treatments be used. They can adversely affect seed release by the meter and spacing in the seed furrow.

Finger Pickup Meters
Question : We have been reading about some "new" precision planting finger meter parts. They claim that the poly backing plate and newly has a smaller hole and a bumper or absorber of some kind to prevent the seed from bouncing back into the finger unit. Also they claim a better finger design. What is your take on these aftermarket parts?
Answer : Seed bouncing out of the belt area is not a problem when operating the meter at recommended planting speed. Reducing the window size can be detrimental to meter performance. Field reports of premature wear on the Poly backing plates have been received, primarily when seed treatments are used. Thanks for your question.

Air Seeder - Tractor Compatibility
Question : We have an 1850 drill w/ a 1900 cart & pulled it w a 4620 tractor w/ power-beyond kit used to power the blower. We are now trying to use an 8300 tractor w/ power-beyond to power the blower w/ rather poor results. To make it work I must have @ least 1 of the scv’s in cont. setting. I have load sense line connected beyond metering valve which the instruction book shows to supply the amount of oil needed. If scv comes out of cont. setting the fan speed will drop @ least 50%. If you set fan speed w/ scv out of continuous setting the fan will far overspeed when scv is cycled to lift or lower implement.It is common to see the fan speed vary from 12-1500 RPM to well over 5000 RPM’s @ same metering setting, depending on whether scv is activated or not. Is this the way it is supposed to work? We never had this problem w/ the 4620. I expected the 8300 tractor w/ its vastly improved hydraulics to work better than this. One dealer tells me to use the power-beyond system & another tells me to get a splitter for one of the scv’s & use that!! I don’t think I want to cobble it up this way on this new of tractor.I would certainly appreciate some HELP as my frustration level is about to reach the limit. Thank you for any help you can give. Love the tractor & air seeder combo otherwise.
Answer : 1. Our preferred method of hookup / control of the 1900 Cart fan is through one of the SCVs. From the sounds of it, you do not have enough SCVs to dedicate one to the Cart Fan Motor.
2. So to address the problems you mention, we should check the following:
a. Is the load sense line hooked into the fan hyd circuit before or after the control valve? It needs to be hooked in before the control valve.
b. If the load sense line is currently hooked in before the control valve, then we will need your local dealer to Raise the Secondary Pump margin pressure per the attached Service Information Bulletin.

Other info:
Since the 8300 came standard with 3 SCVs, I assume you have it hooked up as follows:
#1 Opener Lift / Lower
#2 Wing Fold / Unfold
#3 Markers
If that is the case we have two options:
a. Add a Fold / Marker Diverter Valve AA48995 to tie the wing fold and marker hyd circuits together. This would allow you to use the same SCV for both fold and markers.
b. Add a 4th SCV by ordering and installing AR116485.
Call your dealer and have them refer to SIB 97-02-25-01 Power Beyond / Poor Response / Raise Margin Pressure

Blade wear
Question : How much wear can I have on my Tru-Vee Opener Blades before needing to change them? Will this help with planter performance?
Answer : Our specification is the blade should be replaced when the diameter of the blade reaches 14 inches. A new blade measures 15 inches with a 1/2 inch bevelled edge. Once the bevelled edge is gone the blade should be replaced. One key thing to remember is that as the blade wears down adjustment will need to be made to maintain the proper pinch point on the blades. The specification for pinch point setting can be found in your Owner’s Manual. We recommend a pinch point of 1.5 to 2.25 inches. As the blades wear and the pinch point changes seed placement can be affected. It is a good practice to check your blades, including the pinch point, every year before you start planting. Thanks for your question!

Drive Chains in corn stalks
Question : We have a 1750 planter. When no-tilling into corn stalks we have a real problem with the chain on the transmission and the drive chains on the wheels being either knocked off or getting corn stalks caught in the chain and the chains breaking. What can we do to prevent this from happening?
Answer : You need to ensure the shields are in place on the drive wheel system. If you have a 1750 Standard Planter you will need the H139584 shield. For a 1750 Conservation Planter you will need the A40690 shield. If you have these shields, and if you continue to run into this problem please get your local John Deere Dealer involved. Thanks for your question.

3 Bushel Hopper conversion
Question : Can I change my small hoppers on my 1770 planter to 3-bushel hoppers?
Answer : Yes you can replace your 1.6 bushel hoppers with the 3 bushel ones. If you have the dry granular insecticide currently, it will need to be removed in order to use the 3 bushel hoppers.

Planter Seed Population
Question : I have a 1760 Conservation till vacuum planter purchased in 1998. It is set up with liquid insecticide (gets rid of dry insecticide chain drive). The problem is that row 9 and 11 always plants a little less population. They usually run as the minimum on my monitor, and I also notice the boxes are not quite as empty after several days of planting. I really do not notice less population of actual plants, so the error is minimal. I have checked the chain drive and they seem the same as the others. Every year when I install the seed discs, I spin them all by hand so that all rows feel the same with friction of the disc on the seals. Any ideas to try next? Thank you.
Answer : While the amount of seed in the box is an indication that the meter is using less seed at rows 9 and 11, a quick check would be to switch the seed sensors with two other rows. If the problem still stays at rows 9 and 11, the next check would be the vacuum level at these two row units. One of your two center rows has a vacuum dome with a small tube attached to measure your vacuum level. This dome can be moved from row to row to see if your vacuum level is different between rows. If you find the vacuum level is less at these two rows, check your vacuum hoses and manifold in this area for potential leaks.

Gauge wheel mud
Question : Is there a liquid wax or other product which one can apply to rubber closing and gauge wheels to better inhibit mud pickup and/or removal?
Answer : There are no products that John Deere endorses putting on gauge wheels to prevent mud build up. We are actively looking at gauge wheel scrapers that would enhance planter performance in these wet or sticky soil conditions. We recognize that more acres are being farmed with fewer machines and operators, so planting in less them optimal conditions is a reality. Unfortunately, at this point we don’t have a product that we feel is ready to bring to the market place.