2008 News Releases and Information

LENEXA, Kansas (August 07, 2008) – Laser technology has been used in the past to help operators build and maintain ditches and levees. This technology has some limitations, however, because of distance restrictions and the inability to account for the curvature of the earth. John Deere introduces new software to be used with GreenStar systems, Surface Water Pro and Surface Water Pro Plus, which will improve productivity and accuracy when managing ditches and levees.

"Surface Water Pro uses GreenStar™ components that many of our customers already own," says Chrissie Cartmell, marketing representative, John Deere Ag Management Solutions. "Compared to a laser system that has high start-up costs, the Surface Water Pro software is an economical, more accurate alternative for managing ditches and levees."

There are four components to the new software which include: Survey Mode to record elevation for later use, Levee Mode to record and run levee tracks, Basic Ditching Mode to record and run ditch tracks, and Apex™ software to help manage elevation maps and levee and ditch tracks.

"The Survey Mode records elevations of their fields for later use," explains Cartmell. "Survey points do not need to be recorded as a separate operation and can be collected while doing work in the field such as during planting, harvesting, or tillage. All elevation information is recorded and saved on a data card and can be downloaded to desktop software such as Apex."

The Levee Mode can be used to record and run levee tracks. The dial on the screen is similar to a lightbar and an operator can use the display to steer a tractor left or right to keep the elevation consistent. The levee track will also be recorded so that the operator can use AutoTrac™ GPS-based guidance technology to automatically follow the correct path in future operations. The information can be downloaded to a data card and can be used on a PC in the office or at home.

The basic Ditching Mode creates and runs ditch tracks and is included in the Surface Water Pro package. This mode allows an operator to manually create a ditch while recording the ditch guidance line. Once created, AutoTrac can be used to automatically follow the ditch track line, while the operator focuses on creating the new ditch.

"Apex desktop software is used to manage the information collected for ditch track and levee track data," explains Cartmell. "Three types of maps can be collected and saved with Apex including Depression, Flow Direction, and Digitized Elevation maps."

Depression maps show where the water could potentially pond or accumulate after a rain. Flow direction maps show direction and location of water flow after a rain. And, digitized elevation maps illustrate field elevation contours to help manage future ditch and levee operations.

"For advanced ditching operations, we've also introduced Surface Water Pro Plus," continues Cartmell. "Integrated with the GS2 2600 Display, this new system takes water management to the next level and brings advanced technology for improved ditching functions."

Surface Water Pro Plus has all the features of Surface Water Pro with the additional benefit of an Advanced Ditching mode. The advanced mode creates a more precise ditch because it uses a second StarFire iTC™ receiver on the implement. This receiver gauges the elevation of the actual blade position and displays automatically where it needs to be adjusted. A vertical lightbar on the screen displays where the current blade position is and guides the operator to adjust manually to achieve the desired ditch.

"There are two methods to create a ditch with Surface Water Pro Plus," says Cartmell. "The first is Linear Drain which is much like a laser system because it uses a straight line to create a grade where the water is pooled and where it needs to exit the field.

"The second is a Best-fit Drain which creates a non-linear path by which the ditch will be cut. The line is calculated so that the least amount of soil is moved to efficiently guide the water off the field. This reduces time and fuel needed to create ditches and gives operators the ability to edit ditch track lines that were previously created."

Both Surface Water Pro and Surface Water Pro Plus are integrated to work with GreenStar guidance systems and displays. Apex software is used to manage all the data and provides great value for operators that manage ditches and levees in their work operations.

For more information on the Surface Water Pro systems visit our Web site at www.JohnDeere.com/Ag or or contact your local John Deere dealer.

John Deere (Deere & Company - NYSE: DE) is the world's leading provider of advanced products and services for agriculture and forestry and a major provider of advanced products and services for construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe.