This instalment is another in the series that highlights seeding technology offered by manufacturers who had equipment on display at the Ag in Motion farm show in July.
John Deere introduced its new line of C Series air carts at the February Commodity Classic farm show in the U.S.
In July, farmers here got a look at them during the Ag in Motion farm show near Langham, Sask.
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The lineup includes five leading and five trailing models with capacities from 350 to 650 bushels, with two, three or four tanks depending on cart size. At the top end, it also includes the flagship model C850T with 850 bushel capacity, which is only available in a trailed configuration.
“There’s lots of new technology throughout the lineup,” says Anthony Styczinski, John Deere’s go-to-market manager. “The ordering program is open now. We had a limited production run for this year. We’ve had really good feedback from customers on those units.”
Carts have the AccuRate metering system that uses stainless steel components to reduce corrosion and can handle up to eight meters per cart. Each metering section has its own electric motor.
“We’ve always had section control but that was the gate slamming shut,” says Styczinski. “The meter would continue to roll. You could get some seed damage in there. Now, having electronically controlled meters, we’re able to stop them to avoid seed damage. There’s no grinding there.
“We have high fidelity prescription (with an 80-foot drill). In the past we’d have to run a prescription that was 80 feet wide. Now we can control that on a primary level. In this case you could run a 10-foot section instead of an 80-foot section. You could run a different prescription every 10 feet across that tool, which really allows you to manage your land better.”
To ensure the cart is feeding the exact rate of product to the openers, C Series carts have added features.
“We now have tank scales on all carts. In the past we could only get tank scales on the 650 and 850. Now all carts can have tank scales.
“That gives the customers the ability to have ActiveCal, the ability to calibrate from the cab throughout the day as conditions change. It allows them to adjust to ensure that rate is perfect throughout the day.”
Making the initial calibration is easier on the C Series as well, with Deere’s EZCal system.
“I think we all remember the days when you had to climb under the cart with a bag and a fish scale to weigh it,” says Styczinski. “This new system really does all that for you.
“It takes the material, runs it through and weighs it for you, gives you the NDV value, all from the cart side display. Then all you do is hit a check box and it sends that number to the cab.”
Working through Deere’s Operations Center, prescriptions can be prepared in advance and ready to transfer to the cart when it hits the field.
“You can do that all in the off season with work planner,” Styczinski adds. “Send it to the tractor and when you show up to the field, it’s as easy as hitting the Go button. The operator, tractor and cart know what rates should be put where and it all just works seamlessly.”
