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John Deere 4640 Gen 4 Display vs JD 2630 GS3

 

This month, John Deere introduced the new 4640 universal display. The 4640 display incorporates the easy-to-use layout of the 4600 Command Center and the portability of the GreenStar 2630.  With the release of the new 4640 display,  John Deere has moved to a subscription based activation system which is different from the previous approach of a one-time activation purchase.  Now activations for the 4640 are offered in four different configurations shown below:

1-year Autotrac Subscription $850

5-year Autotrac Subscription $4000

1-year Premium Subscription $1700 (Autotrac, Swath Control, Documentation)

5-year Premium Subscription $8000 (Autotrac, Swath Control, Documentation)

The 5-year subscription option is only available at the point of purchase of the new 4640 display. If you choose to go with a one-year subscription, you will not have the option to purchase the five-year subscription down the road.

This price comparison graphic illustrates a customer’s cost of entry for a 4640 Universal Display and a 1-year subscription compared to a similarly activated GS3 2630 display.

The entry price for the 4640 is approximately 1/2 of the GS3 2630.  Over the course of 5 years, a customer who purchased a 4640 display and a 5-year subscription will spend less money than the customer who purchased a GS3 2630 with activations.   Also, in 5 years, there’s certain to be updated technology that will be better suited for the 4640 than the legacy 2630 display.

 

Why the change to subscription-based activations?  Subscription-based precision ag offerings provide the following benefits:

  • Lower cost of entry to get started with display and subscriptions
  • Ability to try new applications for a year without having to commit to a permanent software license
  • Ability to match the cost of use with the revenue generated in the same fiscal year
  • Flexibility in selecting the level and duration of subscription that best fits the needs of the business without the expense of a one-time software license purchase

As previously mentioned, the 4640 display is portable, much like the GreenStar 3 2630 display. One of the things that the 4640 display is capable of over the 2630 display is that the 4640 can be used in conjunction with a Gen 4 extend monitor. This allows you to run the 4640 display with double the screen space.

Gen 4 extend monitor

The 4640 display also has enhanced data capturing abilities making section control and coverage maps more accurate. Setting on/off times is made much easier with the 4640 display. Simply select skip or overlap and enter the distance and speed.  The new operating system on the 4640 functions like a smart phone with swipe and touch integration.

At this time the 4640 display has a few limitations, but John Deere will correct these with upcoming software updates that wwill make the 4640 display even more versatile. Some of the current limitations of the 4640 display are: RowSense in combines, Vision and RowSense in sprayers, Coverage map and A/B line sharing, and Machine sync.  Also, the 4640 display is also not fully compatible with the John Deere Rate Controller 2000 at this time.

Here’s a video from Deere on the features of the new 4640 display.

by Conrad Meyer, Cuba City, WI

Sloan Support is written by the product support team at Sloan Implement, a 20 location John Deere dealer in Illinois and Wisconsin.   Learn more at www.sloans.com

 

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John Deere ExactEmerge: Buy New or Retrofit?

John Deere’s Exactemerge high-speed planter has definitely changed the game.  With improved seed spacing over conventional planters even at speeds of 10+ mph, unmatched productivity and accuracy now go hand in hand.  Covering dramatically more acres per day and still doing a better job in an ever decreasing planting window is a value story that hasn’t been seen since the introduction of the STS combine in 2000.  Sloan Implement has ExactEmerge customers that have cut their planting fleet in half and still get more done in a day, all while improving the plant stand.   This frees up manpower to do other tasks at a time when skilled farm labor is ever more difficult to locate.

John Deere offers two different options for customers who want to bring this technology to their operation: Buying a new or used Exactemerge planter or Retrofitting an existing 2011 or newer conventional John Deere bulk fll planter.  So what is the best option?  Both offer pro’s and con’s so let’s walk through both scenarios:

Buying a new Exactemerge planter: 

John Deere has introduced features each year since the Exactemerge’s introduction that cannot be retrofitted back to previous model planters.  Frame weight distribution is only available as a factory option and cannot be retrofitted to previous models.  Folding the planter through the display, thus eliminating the fold box, is also a factory only option.  Seedstar 4HP is new for the 2018 planter line-up and is not available for retrofit at this time.  Seedstar 4HP requires a Gen IV display.  The larger screen offers greater flexibility with the planter run page setup for viewing more functions on the screen at the same time.   The frame has also received a few tweaks, in particular, the markers can better handle the increased loads of 10+ mph planting speeds.  Buying new insures that you will have the latest technology as well as a full machine warranty for the planting season.

Retrofit a 2011 or newer central-fill planter to the Exactemerge planting system:

This option allows customers to get the Exactemerge technology at a substantially reduced cost vs. buying new.  Customers can get most of the latest technology except for the items listed above.  The Exactemerge row unit, pneumatically adjustable row cleaners, individual row hydraulic down force, and pneumatic closing wheels can all be installed on an existing planter to get these technologies for less money.  The basic Exactemerge retrofit unit comes with a new shank, openers, scrapers, gauge wheel arms, meter, brush module, parallel arm bushings, and an electrical system that includes vacuum automation and curve compensation.  All of the new components have a full planting season warranty.  What’s more, you can still use your existing 2630 display to operate the retrofitted planter, saving the cost of upgrading to the new Gen IV display.  The frame and seed delivery system both remain the same.  We have done several retrofits and customers have had great success while saving money.

Sloan employees prepared 7 short videos discussing ExactEmerge retrofit kits that can be viewed here:

As you can see, both options have a value story that is different.  What is not different is the performance and productivity each option will bring to your operation.

Click here to read more about the Exactemerge row unit or contact your local Sloan Implement location.

by Lucas Veale, Assumption, IL 

 

Sloan Support is written by the product support team at Sloan Implement, a 20 location John Deere dealer in Illinois and Wisconsin.   Learn more at www.sloans.com

 

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Are you ready to replant? Make sure your monitor is set up properly.

by Jared Wheeler, Assumption, IL

Unfortunately, some replant will need to be done in Illinois and Wisconsin this year.  Make sure your display is set up correctly for replant by changing the task under your Resources button to “Replant.”  This will prevent your section control from disabling the row clutches and stopping the meter from planting.  It will also allow you to see how many acres you replanted and as well as recording the seed variety.

Change the task to Replant on the Resources page

Sloan Support is written by the product support team at Sloan Implement, a 20 location John Deere dealer in Illinois and Wisconsin.  Learn more at www.sloans.com

 

 

 

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ExactEmerge High Speed Retrofit for Deere Planters – 0% for 48 Mos

by Lucas Veale, Assumption, IL 

The John Deere Exactemerge Planter has set a new standard for planter accuracy and productivity.  By controlling the seed all the way to the trench, the spacing is impeccable.  Customer satisfaction with this product has been overwhelming.  Customer interest in this product is also growing with each passing season.   A particularly popular option for these planters is the retrofit kit.  We have many customers with 2011-2014 model year John Deere planters that can benefit from an Exactemerge.  A retrofit kit allows these customers to upgrade for a substantially lower cost than buying a new Exactemerge planter.  In some cases the price difference between a retrofit planter and a new planter can be close to $50,000 and, in some cases, even more on a 24 row.  In any economic condition this would be a big savings, let alone during the current circumstances facing agriculture.  To help with this investment, John Deere is currently offering an 8% discount on retrofit kits as well as 0% interest for 48 months.  This is technology with with a quick ROI.

So, what do I get with a retrofit kit?  You get a new shank, gauge wheel arms and bushings, meter, brush module, openers, hydraulic downforce system, and electrical system.  See below for the row unit components.

row-unit-componenets

You will re-use the gauge wheels and the closing wheels and frame.  You basically have a new planter where it counts.  Along with this you get turn compensation which allows the row unit to speed up or slow down in a turn to maintain proper population across the planter while turning.  If you have a late 30 series or R series tractor in front, you also get vacuum automation.  This allows you to set the desired vac on the monitor and the tractor will adjust the flow to maintain the desired vac automatically.  Here is a comment from one customer who purchased a 24 row retrofitted planter last year.  “I had to get out of the cab only one time during the season in almost 5000 acres due to the planter.  Some debris had built up in a brush.  I got out, removed the debris, and in about 5 minutes was back to planting.  Amazing machine.”

Here’s the tractor compatibility chart for Exactemerge planters.

compatibility-chart

Hydraulic downforce is a must when purchasing an Exactemerge planter.  At higher speeds, maintaining equal and adequate seed depth is imperative and is not consistently achievable with an air bag system.  The ability of the hydraulic system to react to rapidly changing field conditions is unmatched.  It also is broken into smaller sections for more finite and precise downforce when and where it is needed.

Don’t have a 2011 or newer planter?  Not ready for the Exactemerge yet?  We also have the ME5 and ME5e planter upgrades available.  The ME5 upgrade can go all the way back to 2004 CCS planters.  This gives you the new double eliminator and mini hopper configuration.  The ME5e is the electric drive version of the new ME5 meter.  It also provides turn compensation and vac automation just like an Exactemerge.

Check with your local Sloan Implement location for a quote on the retrofit kit that best fits your operation.  Don’t delay since Deere currently has an 8% discount on these kits as well as 0% interest for 48 months.

Here’s a video of a walk around of the Exactemerge planter

 

Sloan Support is written by the product support team at Sloan Implement, a 20 location John Deere dealer in Illinois and Wisconsin.   Learn more at www.sloans.com

 

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Sloan Support Weekly Recap July 18, 2016

by the AMS Product Support Team

The wheat crop is being harvested in Northern Illinois and Wisconsin.    Wheat yield have been really good.  We have heard this from many areas including the wheat belt out West.  Damp conditions have slowed it a bit, but the rains are certainly welcome with the forecast of extreme heat that is on the way.

Some of the storms have led to some corn crop damage from wind and hail.  This has peaked some interest in drones as customers and insurance agents are interested in surveying the damage in a more efficient manner.   You can learn more about our drone packages here.   It has also spiked some interest in rowsense autotrac steering systems to help harvest the tangled crop.  Soybeans overall appear to be very good.

The Sloan 12F folding corn heads are also generating quite a bit of conversation as customers look for ways to reduce needed manpower by leaving the header on the combine for transport.  We are starting to see some of these heads roll out of manufacturing and hopefully will have some for show and tell at our local combine clinics late this summer.  You can learn more about the Sloan 12F here.

Sloan 12F Folding Cornhead

Sloan 12F Folding Cornhead

Exactemerge planters and retrofits were very hot topics these last few weeks as the planter program deadline was approaching quickly.  We had several customers update their existing planters as well as purchase new.  This technology is really gaining traction.  Not just for the increased acres per day, but also for the incredible spacing.  You can learn more about these retrofit kits here.

Jared and Austin have been pumping out the data folders for customers this past week.  If anyone has not brought in their data for processing, please do so soon so we will have you set up and ready to roll for fall harvest.

Sloan Support is written by the product support team at Sloan Implement, a 20 location John Deere dealer in Illinois and Wisconsin.   Learn more at www.sloans.com

 

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Sloan Support Weekly Recap July 9, 2016

by Lucas Veale, Assumption, IL 

Recent rains and cooler weather in central Illinois have really helped the corn crop as it at (or near) pollination.   I have heard of a few small pockets of wind damage but not wide spread at all.  Soybeans have nearly closed the canopy on 30” rows and look to be off to a good start.  I have seen and heard of some folks digging out the row crop cultivators from the back corner of the shed to cultivate some beans with some stubborn water hemp pressure.  Crops overall look pretty good in our area with a few pockets here and there that are showing the effects of some tougher growing conditions.

Tasseled Corn in Assumption, IL

Tasseled Corn in Assumption, IL

There is a lot of buzz in the area about the Exactemerge Planter Retrofit.  Customers are looking for ways to help save some money by upgrading their current planters to the new technology available with the Exactemerge row unit.  The seed spacing is amazing and with an optimum corn planting window of less than 5 days in many areas this year, growers are seeing the value in getting over more acres in a day without sacrificing seed placement.  We also have seen the benefit of hydraulic downforce systems to maintain seed depth when using these machines at higher speeds.  You can learn more about these retrofit kits by clicking here.

RTK signal accuracy is also generating a lot of interest as growers are making multiple passes after planting.  Planting, Post-emerge application of N, as well as weed control are the main drivers for this as they can maintain hands free steering in standing crop.  Late season fungicide is also an excellent use of this technology.  Year over year repeat-ability really opens some doors not available with other signal levels.  You can learn more about the benefits of RTK network by clicking here.

View from the Andover, Iowa RTK Base

Our planter meter test stands have been running strong as growers are taking advantage of our post season planter inspections to get their machines ready to go for next year before they put them away.   You can learn more about the importance of seed meter testing and proper storage by clicking here.

Jared and Austin have been working hard to get all of our data service customers data corrected and printed.  We still have a few customers that still need to turn in their data so would encourage any that still have not brought it in to do so soon so we can get the Harvest Variety Locator Files set up in plenty of time for fall harvest.  You can click here to learn more about our data management services.

Sloan's Can Print Your Maps

Sloan’s Can Print Your Maps

We have sold some new Starfire 6000 receivers to growers wanting to take advantage of the longer RTK Extend period and the new SF3 signal.  We still have some new Starfire 3000 receivers in stock which are a great value for growers that have needs that can be met by SF1 or are not in a sketchy RTK signal area.  You can learn more about the SF 6000 receiver by clicking here.

SF6000 Ready for Install

Keep an eye out for our upcoming combine clinic dates or check with your local Sloan Implement location for their specific clinic dates.

We have sold several drones lately as growers/seedsmen are wanting to assess crop in a more efficient manner.  They can identify trouble spots faster and easier than before and can then spend some of the saved time and effort focusing on determining causes and remedies for the troubled areas.  You can learn more about our Drone packages in a previous post by Jared Wheeler by clicking here.

JD 95 Combine Harvesting Wheat in KS

Drone Pictures of John Deere 95 Combine Harvesting Wheat in KS

 

Sloan Support is written by the product support team at Sloan Implement, a 20 location John Deere dealer in Illinois and Wisconsin.   Learn more at www.sloans.com

 

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ExactEmerge Retrofit Kit

by Jared Wheeler, Assumption, IL

The new ExactEmerge planter technology from John Deere has taken planter productivity to new levels while improving corn stands and emergence.  Don’t trade your planter-upgrade it!

  • Planting speeds of 10+ mph
  • Impeccable seed spacing and emergence
  • Simplicity of design with minimal impact on tractor hydraulic and electrical systems
  • Seedstar 3HP monitor (singulation, COV, ground contact, ride quality, population)
  • Vacuum Automation (R-Series Tractors)
  • Curve Speed Compensation
  • John Deere Green-on-Green Solution
  • Included new components:
  • Meter
  • Shank
  • Openers
  • Gauge Wheel arms
  • Scrapers
  • Brush Belt Seed Delivery System w/ ExactRate seed sensors
  • All wiring and harnesses
  • PTO drive electrical generator
  • Requires 1 less SCV than an equivalent hydraulic drive planter
  • Re-use only the closing wheel assembly and gauge wheels from the row unit.
  • All 2011 and newer 1770NT, 1790, or DB planters can be retrofitted to ExactEmerge technology.

Please contact your local Sloan Implement location before July 14, 2016 for early order program pricing on this breakthrough planter technology or to get more information!

Sloan Support is written by the product support team at Sloan Implement, a 20 location John Deere dealer in Illinois and Wisconsin.  Learn more at www.sloans.com

 

 

 

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Updates to SeedStar Mobile

Deere Seedstar Mobile for Ipad

by Josh Zuck, Lanark, IL 

Hope all is going well with this year’s planting season.  Last year John Deere introduced SeedStar Mobile with the ExactEmerge planters.  Retrofit kits are available for 2011 and newer 1770NT and 1790 planters.   SeedStar Mobile gives producers easy access to their planting data and provides the mobility they need to view the data at any time or place.

Flow of Planting Data

Flow of Planting Data

Last year the key function was high performance seed monitoring on your iPad to easily spot performance issues on a per row basis.

seedstar_mobile_model_1

SeedStar Mobile High Performance Seed Monitor

This year Deere improved the app greatly!  You can now view previously planted fields.

SeedStar Mobile Home Screen

SeedStar Mobile Home Screen

To do so, select the menu, then select field review.

IMG_0483

Field Review Selection Screen

You can then pick the field you would like to scout and review the “as planted” map.  You can view planting data as a map overlay relating to:

  • Actual population
  • Target population
  • Singulation
  • Seed spacing CV
  • Ride quality
  • Applied downforce
  • Gauge wheel margin
  • Ground speed
  • Variety

Field Review provides the grower the ability to perform basic crop scouting activities after the crop has emerged.  As long as you have an iPad with GPS you will see a little blue dot in the field for your current location.

field_review_1

Variety Map

You can then walk to the trouble area or hybrid change and see what issue you may have had or to see how that hybrid is performing.  The data can also be uploaded to MyJohnDeere operation center to view from your home.

Seedstar Mobile also allows you to remotely monitor planter performance in real time within the John Deere Operations Center.   Remote monitoring helps the grower or manager ensure the planter is performing properly without having to be at the field or inside the tractor cab.

If you are interested in purchasing SeedStar mobile or have more questions on it, please contact any of our 20 Sloan Implement locations.

Sloan Support is written by the product support team at Sloan Implement, a 20 location John Deere dealer in Illinois and Wisconsin.  Learn more at www.sloans.com

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Switching the Planter to Soybeans

by Lucas Veale, Assumption, IL 

We get a lot of questions about switching the planter from corn to beans, and for good reason.  Sometimes it is pretty simple, but for other models and monitors it is not quite so easy.

In a John Deere Vac planter with a Pro-Max 40 disk, obviously you will need to change the disk from the 40 cell corn disk to the 108 cell soybean disk.  You will also need to change the “knocker” wheel in the black meter vacuum chamber door to the “wiper.”  If you have a mini hopper planter you will also need to change the short brush with the “double stair step” to the brush with the “single stair step.”  The long step will go towards the outer radius of the meter.  The short step will be towards the inner hub of the meter.  Make sure you don’t install backwards.  Vac level settings should be around 8” of H20.  You will need to use talc in central fill planter even with beans.  If the beans are treated, you will need to use about the same rate of talc as what is used in corn.  Untreated beans can usually have the talc rate cut in half from corn.  If it is a warm humid day, take extra care to use plenty of talc and make sure it is well mixed in the hopper with the seed.

If you have a planter with a variable rate hydraulic seed drive then you will need to go into the section in the monitor where you enter the target rates and change the selected disk to “soybean.”  Failure to do this will result in an extreme overplant condition.  Keep in mind that the high rate sensors on many planters 10 or more years old will not count every bean, especially in a 30” row.  They can be 5-10% lower than the actual depending on a lot of factors.  Even the newer accu-count sensors may show slightly lower that the expected.  If the monitor is showing lower than expected, double check the beans per foot in the seed trench to verify that you are getting the correct population.

In an Exactemerge planter, you will need to use the 64 cell soybean bowl.  The “rumble strip” at the lower radius of the meter housing will need to be changed to the smooth unit.  Next, the double eliminator will need to be lowered to extreme lower setting line.  This will be well below the 3 corn setting lines.  Don’t forget to change the selected disk in the seed setup portion of the monitor to the soybean bowl and select your target population.

If your planter is a 1790 split row planter there are a couple more items to check.  In the monitor under the seed setup where you put in your target population, you will need to select the number of rows for beans.  If you have a 16/31 planter for example it will show a 16 or a 31 with a box.  Select the 31 and the monitor will change your row spacing and turn on the additional seed sensors automatically. If you have a 350 monitor you should only need to change the “Split” button and the monitor will change the row spacing and turn on the other sensors automatically.  Don’t forget to let down your back rows off of the stops so they will engage the ground at the proper depth as well.

You view more information on the Deere seed meter on this video:

Good luck throughout the rest of the spring planting season.

Sloan Support is written by the product support team at Sloan Implement, a 20 location John Deere dealer in Illinois and Wisconsin.   Learn more at www.sloans.com

 

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Pneumatic Closing Wheels from John Deere

by Josh Zuck, Lanark, IL 

In mid-January, John Deere introduced pneumatic closing available for the 2016 planting season.  As of now, these will only fit 2016 ExactEmerge planters.  Deere plans to add more models to the lineup in 2017.

Adjustments are made from the cab on your 2630 display. You can preset up to 20 different settings based on your ground conditions.  With the manual adjust closing wheels, it can take up to 5 min to adjust a 24 row planter.  With the pneumatic, that time can be taken down to 10 seconds.  Adjustments can be made on the fly with the press of a button.  The pneumatic closing wheels will be able to be set up in 2 sections.  Recommendations are center 4 rows as 1 sections, then the outer 10 rows on each wing as a 2nd section.  This will allow you to put more pressure on the center where the weight is carried and should help to close the seed trench.  There is also a pressure feedback sensor to let you know how the closing wheels are  performing.

Pneumatic Closing Wheel

Pneumatic Closing Wheel

Why pneumatic closing wheels? One advantage is more uniform emergence.  Uniform emergence is a 10 to 18 bu / acre factor. There is also 76% less variance in closing the trench than manual adjust.  You can now take control over your ground conditions even more. Contact any of our Sloan Implement locations for more info.

Sloan Support is written by the product support team at Sloan Implement, a 20 location John Deere dealer in Illinois and Wisconsin.  Learn more at www.sloans.com

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