Although the first official day of summer is a few days away we are experiencing some very warm temperatures around central Illinois. With highs in the 90’s and considerable amounts of rainfall recently, the crops are growing fast! Harvest will be here before we know it so now is a great time to think about upgrading your S-series combine!
In 2018, John Deere introduced the ActiveYield automatic yield calibration system as a factory option with the ability to retrofit back to 2012 and newer S-series combines. For many years we have had the ability to map our yields however the calibration process is critical for yield accuracy. On all S-series combines in the past, getting accurate yield readings meant collecting multiple calibration loads, manually weighing these loads with scales on a wagon or at the elevator, then inputting these weight values back into the display. Though this process can be very accurate if completed correctly, it could also prove to be time-consuming and sometimes frustrating for new users. As crop conditions such as moisture change throughout the season, this process had to be repeated to maintain accuracy.
With the introduction of the ActiveYield system, we no longer have the frustration of the multipoint yield calibration process! ActiveYield eliminates time-consuming manual calibrations and replaces them with automated sensors that calibrate the machine by measuring the grain as the tank fills. This enables decisions to be made in real-time without leaving the cab while providing more accurate yield mapping data. These automated sensors are scale pads mounted on the cross auger covers in the grain tank.
Scale Pads Mounted on the Cross Auger Covers
This exciting new system requires very little user input since it is designed to perform calibrations on the fly while harvesting. There are several precautions built into the software to maintain the accuracy of the system. Any pitch or roll of the machine over 4 degrees of levelness measured by the Starfire receiver (SF3000 or SF6000) will cancel a calibration load that is in process. This amount of pitch or roll can cause the pile of grain to shift on the sensors resulting in inaccurate readings. The system will also reject a load that has inconsistent grain flow due to waterways and headlands, drastic changes in speed, or inconsistent crop conditions. If a load is rejected, a new calibration load automatically starts once the grain is below the cross auger sensors. The operator can monitor the active yield system on the combine’s Greenstar display to see the quality of the calibration, the number of accepted loads, and current status.
Active Yield Calibration Screen
To sum it up, ActiveYield will save the operator time while improving yield data accuracy. When paired with a JDLink Connect subscription, your ActiveYield maps can be automatically sent to the Operations Center in MyJohnDeere.com and you can access your accurate yield data within minutes of finishing the field. We had the opportunity to see a few limited production machines in the field with active yield in 2017 and the results were excellent. See your local Sloan Implement dealer today for more information on compatibility and pricing on a retrofit kit for your machine!
At this time the ActiveYield retrofit kit is compatible with all S670, S770, S680, S780, S690, and S790 combines. It is not compatible with S550, S650, S660, & S760’s with manual grain tank extension.
If you have an older 60 or 70 series machine, you can trade up to an S-series combine to take advantage of an ActiveYield retrofit kit for the upcoming harvest.
Click to view our used S660 combines
Click to view our used S670 combines
Click to view our used S680 combines
Click to view our used S690 combines
Also ActiveYield supports the following crops: Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Canola, and Barley.
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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