John Deere has the seeding solutions that go above expectations with a complete line of everything needed in small grains. Offering a variety of openers for your chosen practice in a variety of configurations and sizes. All with integrated technology throughout the seeding train allows for effortless setup and seamless documentation.

Total seeding solution

Setting up a John Deere seeding train is quick and easy with the plug and play technology. All data and technology operate through the Gen 4 display and ultimately up to John Deere Operation Center™ that can be viewed from anywhere at any time. Not only does the complete John Deere seeding solution all operate through one display but it eliminates the difficulty and time-consuming tasks of setting up extra displays and harnesses.

John Deere tractor paired with John Deere tool and cart

With a complete John Deere seeding solution, there are multiple different onboard and offboard technologies shown below that improve the overall seeding production step. Many of these technologies are exclusive to John Deere. Each of these technologies bring different customer value that overall lead to the ultimate John Deere seeding solution!

Improve confidence and while reducing maintenance with the new AccuRate™ metering system

• Combination of stainless steel and composite materials ensure an entire corrosion resistant system
• Individual electric meters allowing for more precise seeding
  • Up to 8x more accurate prescriptions with high fidelity prescription
  • Start and stop each meter with SectionCommand™ Pro
  • Accurately meter the correct amount of product on a curve with curve compensation

AccuRate™ meters showing eight individual sections

Calibrate faster and easier than ever before with EZCal™

• Easily calibrate from the side of the cart with the click of a few buttons 45% faster than the leading competitor
• Automatically weigh product and update MDV values eliminating potential user error

G5e Cart Side Display

EZCal™ system

ActiveCal™ display Calibrate more frequently from the seat of the cab with ActiveCal™

• Calibrate the meters from the cab utilizing the tank scales
• Improved confidence that the correct seeding rates are being met

ActiveCal™ display

Save input cost with SectionCommand™Pro

• Control seed and fertilizer output by starting and stopping each individual meter section
• Eliminate skips and overlaps leading to reduced inputs and higher yields

Example of seeded field with SectionCommand™ Pro

On the go, quick adjust downforce with TruSet™ from the cab

• Adjust downforce pressure to improve uniform emergence
• Set presets to quickly adjust from field to field

TruSet downforce display

Monitor blockage row by row from the cab with RelativeFlow™

• Seed with confidence while monitoring each row
• Detect blockage early and know exactly where it is

RelativeFlow blockage sensors

AutoTrac™ Implement Guidance and AutoTrac Turn Automation

• Make every operator an experienced operator
• Precisely placed implements for more accurate seeding, less operator fatigue, and more productivity
• Hands-free turns within field headlands (with AutoTrac Turn Automation enabled)

AutoTrac Turn Automation display

John Deere Operation Center™

• Setup and manage your farm operations: equipment, team, fields, and crop inputs
• Plan work in advance to increase job quality and efficiency with Work Planner
• Map based prescriptions can be used with variable rates
• Analyze this season’s results to improve next season’s crops

John Deere Operation Center web and mobile

Operation Center Mobile

• View your data on the go; remotely monitor job quality, productivity, machine performance, and quickly make informed decisions
• Manage and monitor from anywhere at any time with near real-time field and machine updates

Operation Center Mobile

Connected Support

• Expert Alerts proactively notifies your dealer of any issues
• Remote display access allows for easy on the go support

Connected Support

For more information regarding Large Tractors and Precision Ag, view the following landing pages

• 8 Series Tractor Family
• 9 Series Tractor Family
• Precision Ag

John Deere color-coded hydraulic hose handles

Color-coded hoses plugging into tractor SCV

These color-coded aluminum hydraulic hose handles make connecting hydraulic hoses from the air seeder and air cart to the correct Selective Control Valve (SCV) on the tractor easier than before. The anti-slip makes it easy to grip the hose and connect or disconnect from the back of the tractor. Each color is laser engraved with the John Deere logo and extend/retract icons to ensure proper matching to the proper function.

• Easily identify function of each hose
• Consistently match hose handles colors to rear couplers on tractor
• Easy to grip for connecting or disconnecting to the SCV
• Base equipment on all trailing air carts
• Base equipment on all seeding tools

The tank on the N500C has been moved up and back to allow for better access to the meters. The blower fan has been relocated to the front of the tank to allow non-obstructed access to all four meters.

Rear of N500C machine

Relocated blower fan

Easy meter access

The updated tank design is also larger. The 9.15-m (30-ft) to 11-m (36-ft) models offer a 3523.9 -L (100-bu) tank. The 12.2-m (40-ft) and 12.8-m (42-ft) models offer a 4228.7-L (120-bu) tank.

3523.9-L (100-bu) tank

Tank cleanout has also been improved. Producers can place a seed box or conveyer under the tanks to empty out excess seed. The tank has been designed so there is minimal seed left in the tank after it has been emptied.

Cleanout with a seed box

Cleanout with seed tender

Calibrating the meters has also been improved thanks to electric drive metering. The N500C is calibrated stationary similar to larger air carts. Catch bags are placed under each meter, and the meters turn a pre-determined amount of revolutions. Catch bags are weighted and entered into the Equipment Mobile app or on the Gen 4 display in order to generate a meter displacement value (MDV).

Calibrating the meters

For the first time, meter sections are controlled with electric motors. Each meter section has its own electric drive motor. This eliminates the need for a variable-rate drive hydraulic motor or a ground drive wheel. This also enables the SectionCommand system and variable/prescription seeding.

Electric drive motor on meter

SeedStar run page showing four sections and prescription (Rx) seeding

Prescription/variable-rate seeding allows growers to apply the right amount of seed depending on predetermined management zones. Four-section SectionCommand has shown a potential seed savings of 4 to 6 percent depending on field size and shape.

Power generation

The electric motors are powered by a DC/DC convertor. The DC/DC convertor utilizes power coming from the tractor though the ISOBUS nine-pin connector and converts it to 56 V; this results in fewer moving parts and decreases the opportunity for downtime to occur.

DC/DC power generation

ActiveCal tanks selected on C-Series Air Carts

ActiveCal status page with MDV values

Overview

As circumstances evolve, it is essential to keep the meter displacement value (MDV) up to date. John Deere ActiveCal™, available on the N500C and all C-Series Air Carts, enables operators to maintain precise meter calibrations from the cab by using the individual tank scales on the air cart. This allows you to update your MDV as needed and as often as you prefer, all from the cab, without causing any downtime.

Using ActiveCal is straightforward. While stationary, activate the feature by selecting the button on the display screen and then start seeding. Once a sufficient amount of product has been metered, typically after about 8 to 12 acres (3.2 to 4.9 ha), the display will prompt the operator to stop at a convenient time. At this point, the data points are calculated, and a new MDV with the percentage difference is displayed on the screen. The operator can either accept or reject the new MDV. If accepted, the system automatically calibrates to the new MDV. If rejected, the system continues with the previously calibrated values.

Benefits

• Convenience: ActiveCal allows you to update your MDV value from the cab without having to stop the machine, reducing downtime.
• Accuracy: By maintaining precise meter calibrations, you can ensure that the seeding process is more accurate and efficient.
• Ease of use: ActiveCal is simple to engage and use, making it accessible for operators of all experience levels.
• Adaptability: The feature allows you to update your MDV as needed and as often as you prefer, ensuring that your machine is always calibrated for optimal performance.
• Automatic calibration: If the new MDV is accepted, the system automatically calibrates to the new value, streamlining the process and saving time.

Tank scales provide tank weights to ActiveCal system

Equipment Mobile app homescreen

Tank scale weights and meter calibrations can be completed from an Android™ or iOS® mobile device anywhere around the machine.

Calibrating tank scales

Calibration complete

Tank scale weights can be viewed anywhere within 15.2 m (50 ft). The Equipment Mobile app can also be used to calibrate the tank scales as needed.

Initial meter calibration

Select meters to calibrate

Select the meters that toned to be calibrated. Calibrations are recommended every morning or when crops/seed sizes are changed.

Steps to complete calibration

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the calibration.

Press meter calibration switch

Once the catch bags are in place, hold down the meter calibration switch until the number of revolutions is complete.

Weights of bag for each meter

Entering the weight of the bags

Enter the weights of the bags into the app.

Save meter displacement values (MDV)

MDV values are updated

The Equipment Mobile app will calculate MDV based on the number of revolutions and the product weights. Operators can choose to accept the proposed MDV values or not.

Android is a trademark of Google LLC. iOS is a trademark of Cisco Technology, Inc. used under license by Apple Inc.

With RelativeFlow Blockage sensing, operators can see the flow of both seed and fertilizer from inside the tractor cab. Sensors on all secondary hoses monitor the relative product flow row to row, 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 technology can help you identify any problems before a potential blockage occurs.

RelativeFlow Blockage is available in all run configurations on the following models (all widths):  

• H500
• H500F
• P500
• N500
• N500F
• N500C
• 730LL

RelativeFlow Blockage is compatible with hydraulic drive carts: model year 2014 and newer 1910, all 19,381.5-L (550-bu) 1910 Carts, and C650 and C850 Air Carts.

Below are the Gen 4 display screens for the blockage monitoring system. For complete details and information, see the owner’s manual.

Blockage monitoring screen on Gen 4 display

The RelativeFlow Blockage 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 Setup screen on Gen 4 display

Blockage warning sensitivity allows the producer to set and change the sensitivity of the sensors to meet their preferences and varying crop/fertilizer types. 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.

Blockage monitoring screen on Gen 4 display

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.

RelativeFlow Blockage configured run page

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).

Operators can zoom into flow details by meter section when selecting blockage tiles

Operators can zoom into the row level to access row/sensor information and turn a sensor on/off independently

Blockage sensitivities and alarm delays are all set up on one easy-to-navigate screen

Blockage alarm delays can be set up by clicking on the advanced settings button from the blockage set-up screen.

• A blockage delay is how long a blockage should occur before an alarm is sounded.
• The blockage alarm reminder is how often the alarm should sound when a blockage occurs.
• The meter on delay is the time from when the meter is turned on until the blockage sensor should start monitoring for blockage.
• The meter off delay is the time from when the meter is turned off until the blockage sensor should start monitoring to verify no flow.

For more detailed information, see the owner’s manual.

Air tools with RelativeFlow Blockage are not compatible with 1910 air carts with ground drive.

Downforce control from the Gen 4 display

TruSet downforce allows operators to set downforce pressures from inside the cab. Downforce can easily be changed by the push of a button as soil conditions very. Proper downforce is directly related to a consistent seeding depth, which leads to improved even emergence, plant density, and maturity.

TruSet system quick-reference guide

TruSet downforce settings:

A. Select to manually input a value

B. Select to increase or decrease the target force of the openers

C. Downforce toggle button: select to enable or disable the downforce

D. Indicates that the downforce is enabled

E. Indicates that the downforce is disabled

F. Indicates that the downforce is enabled but not applying

The N500C offers 33x15.5R16.5 tires standard on all machines, resulting in better floatation and less compaction and allowing operators to get into the field sooner and stay in the field longer. The mainframe is also equipped with walking beams to allow for better ground following.

500/40R16.5 tires with walking beam

33x15.5R16.5 tires with walking beam

31x13.5R15 tires on wing frame

Tire area comparison

N500C with SeedMetering2

N500C in the field

The N500C is designed for no-till seeding. The N500C with SeedMetering2 offers accurate volumetric metering in a compact tank-mounted-on-frame design, with the convenience of the Central Commodity System (CCS™) bulk-fill capabilities.

The N500C is available in single- or dual-rank designs, with 9.15-m, 11-m, 12.2-m, and 12.8-m (30-ft, 36-ft, 40-ft, and 42-ft) working widths. The single-rank N500C is available in 38.1-cm (15-in.) row spacing, making for a highly productive soybean seeding machine, while the dual-rank models are available in 19-cm or 25.4-cm (7.5-in. or 10-in.) row spacings. The dual-rank models also feature an optional dual row spacing package, which allows them to seed in their standard spacing or lock-up one rank and seed in 38.1-cm or 50.8-cm (15-in. or 20-in.) row spacings.

The productivity of the CCS comes standard with the N500C. The CCS bulk-fill tanks feature 3523.9-L (100-bu) capacity on the 9.15-m (30-ft) to 11-m (36-ft) models. The 12.2-m (40-ft) and 12.8-m (42-ft) models offer 4228.7 L (120 bu) of capacity to allow operators to seed more acres before stopping to refill.

The N500C features the Pro-Series™ No-Till Openers. With well over one million no-till openers in the field today, this proven opener offers accurate seed placement with the exclusive active hydraulic downforce ground-following system while minimizing moisture loss with its low-disturbance opener design.

ProSeries Openers

The ProSeries Opener is John Deere’s most advanced opener for your seed and separate fertilizer placement. When it comes to seeding precision, consistent seed depth, and uniform emergence in virtually all field conditions, you can superSEED your expectations with ProSeries.

Two of the three daily grease points were removed. The only remaining grease point is a yearly interval. The narrow seed boot travels behind the shadow of the blade, causing less soil disturbance. When attaching the boot to the shank, the bolt has been replaced with a flag pin. Now the flag pin is the wear point, not the casting, reducing overall maintenance. The seed press wheel is also redesigned; it has a narrow profile, a double-wall bearing, and is made of a flexible material. The quick-change blade feature reduces the time it takes to change each blade, saving time and money. Lastly, the seed tab is UV resistant and profiled similar to the trench. There is also the added option of the serrated closing wheel.

ProSeries Openers are in base equipment on all N500 and N500F Separate Fertilizer Placement (SFP), N500C, 1990 Central Commodity System (CCS™), and 1590 Air Drills.

The ProSeries Openers:

• Work not only in no-till conditions, but also in minimum or reduced-till conditions
• Provide 51 mm (2 in.) of free travel in the opener before spring down pressure takes over
  • Benefit: allows the opener to move over uneven ground conditions and minimize the chance of the gauge wheels bulldozing soil in soft or mellow conditions
  • The opener spring travels a maximum of 203-mm (8-in.) up or 150-mm (6-in.) down before the hydraulics react to uneven seedbeds

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?

N500C No-Till Air Drill

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

1590 No-Till Box Drills

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?

C-Series Air Cart tendering

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