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John Deere's redesigned version of the N500C series air drill.
John Deere has introduced a redesigned version of the N500C series air drill.
The new machine draws on the best features of JD’s 1900 CCS air seeder marketed for ten years. It has the latest in seeding technology, including new openers to help small-grains producers raise productivity and accuracy.
According to Ryan Hough, marketing manager for John Deere Seeding, the N500C is improved in having easier meter access, higher accuracy and greater capacity with less compaction.
The N500C has undergone changes to the main frame and commodity tank. The blower is mounted in the forward position, with a raised platform which gives operators easier access to the meter and for clearing blockages or cleaning out seed.
Unlike chain driven air seeders, the N500C has electric drive volumetric meters which better control seed population, and four-section variable rate seeding capability.
JD says several new technologies are added to the updated seeder, including ActiveCal tank scales for on-the-go seeding calibration from the cab for row-to-row seed-flow monitoring, down force control from the cab and the SeederPlus app for convenient calibration of meters and weight monitoring for tank scales.
The N500C air drills also have the maker’s new no-till Pro Series openers aimed at improving seed placement accuracy on a wide variety of soils and ground conditions. These low maintenance openers use a narrow seed boot and a narrow, flexible press wheel that gives 40% more consistent seed depth across the width of the seeder. This is said to result in more even seed emergence, uniform crop maturity and higher yield potential.
The new seeders are available in 30, 36, 40 and 42 foot widths with 3523L or 4228L central hoppers.
The machines have front and rear banks (with 7.5 and 15 inch or 10 and 20 inch row spacing) that can be hydraulically raised and locked. A single bank with 15 inch row spacing is also available.
JD says the new N500C air drills are available to order now. Production will begin in September 2019.
While tractors combines and machinery for agriculture and construction is still its key business, John Deere appears to be taking opportunities in the hightech sector via acquisition, with the recent purchase of Sentera, a Minnesota-based company that specialises in equipment for capturing and interpreting aerial images.
John Deere have recently announced upgrades to its round baler offerings, with all models of this latest generation equipped with advanced ISOBUS capabilities, allowing them to be fully integrated into the John Deere Operations Center.
With agriculture in New Zealand coming out of the doldrums over the last few months and the recent announcement of a 20% tax write-off for capital purchases, it likely that farmers will be spending on tractors.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
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