To win big in small grains, it takes a seeding solution that superseeds your expectations. John Deere delivers with a complete line of everything you need – and the sizes you want – to seed for success. Air-hoe drills. Commodity air carts. No-till air drills. Openers. Fertilizer attachments. Central commodity systems. Box drills. Plus precision ag technology to stretch your productivity to higher levels. But it’s far more than iron and technology. It’s the exceptional agronomic know-how and unsurpassed dealer support in all phases of production to keep you running. With our latest additions to equipment and openers, our seeding solutions deliver the next-generation performance you need to help you reach the full potential of each seed. That’s our commitment to you.

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.

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.

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.

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 SeedPlus app or on the Gen 4 display in order to generate a meter displacement value (MDV).

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.

Perscription/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 power take-off (PTO) power generation unit or an onboard hydraulic power generator. Growers can choose either of these options based on their tractor limitations. The on-board system utilizes power beyond, whereas the PTO system frees up hydraulic capacity on the tractor as the PTO powers the generator.

The more frequently you calibrate your seeding equipment, the more accurate it will be. With ActiveCal, available only from John Deere on the C850 Air Cart, you can do all the calibration from your cab to minimize variation in product metering. It takes only minutes, so there’s no need for back-and-forth trips to the cart. ActiveCal is designed to recalibrate itself throughout your work day to give you confidence in changing product weight and weather conditions.

A number of variables, including product weight and changing climate conditions throughout the day, will have an effect on any volumetric metering system; with the John Deere ActiveCal system, calibration can be done from the cab of the tractor, while seeding, to minimize the variation in product metering.

The process to calibrate the implement starts with the Gen 4 4600 CommandCenter™ Display in the work setup page, where the operator defines product types, rates and selects meter rollers. Based on information entered into the work setup page, a preconfigured meter displacement value (MDV) will populate per meter. An initial manual calibration will give the most accurate MDV to start with. However, the preconfigured MDV will be a good starting point for growers who do not wish to manually calibrate.

The operator engages ActiveCal while stationary by selecting the button on the screen and then begins seeding. When enough product has been metered out, typically after about  3.2 to 4.9 ha (8 to 12 acres), the Gen 4 CommandCenter will prompt the operator to stop when convenient to do so. At that time, the data points are calculated and a new MDV with percent difference is displayed on screen. The operator can accept or reject the new MDV. If accepted, the system automatically calibrates to the new MDV. If rejected, the system continues at the previously calibrated numbers.

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

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

Initial meter calibration

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

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the calibration.

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

Enter the weights of the bags into the app.

The SeedPlus 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 the RelativeFlow blockage sensing, operators can see the flow rate of both seed and fertilizer from inside the tractor cab. Sensors on all primary towers and secondary hoses monitor the relative product flow, 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 exclusive technology can help you identify any problems before potential blockage occurs.

RelativeFlow Blockage is available on the following models:

• P540 – 12.2-m (40-ft)
• P556 – 17.1-m (56-ft)
• P576 – 23.2-m (76-ft)
• N500C – all widths
• 1890 – 15.2-m (50-ft) and 18.3-m (60-ft)
• N530F – 9.1-m (30-ft)
• N540F – 12.2-m (40-ft)
• N543F – 13.1-m (43-ft)
• N560F – 18.3-m (60-ft)

RelativeFlow Blockage is compatible with hydraulic drive carts for model year 2014 and newer 1910, model year 2013 and newer 550 carts, and C850 air cart.

Below are the GreenStar™ 3 2630 Display screens for the blockage monitoring system. For complete details and information, see the owner’s manual.

The RelativeFlow 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 warning sensitivity allows the producer to set and change the sensitivity of the sensors to meet their preferences. 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.

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.

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).

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 Relative Flow Blockage are not compatible with 1910 air carts with ground drive.

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 33×15.5R16.5 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.

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.

This document lists all the compatible equipment approved with the software update 19-3 release and is subject to change with newer software updates. To ensure complete and proper compatibility, the most current version of implement control unit software, Generation 4 Display software, or compatible farm management information software (FMIS) should be used. Non-current software versions will require an update before support can be provided. Unapproved software version configurations will not be supported.

The software update 19-3 release is only compatible with 4600 CommandCenter™ v2 processors. Software update 17-2 is the last release that was compatible with 4600 v1 processors.

Server serial numbers are as follows:

• v1 = RWG prefix
• v2 = PCG prefix

Machine compatibility

John Deere Large Ag Tractors

*NOTE: For latest Precision Ag functionality, update machines equipped from the factory with v1 processor to v2.

John Deere Nutrient Applicators

John Deere Self-Propelled Sprayers

*NOTE: When using the 4640 Universal Display on a Hagie Sprayer, additional mounting and harnessing may be required.

• 4640 Ram™ Mount – SJ34503
• 4640 power/video harness – BPF11527 (1-3 video plus machine power), PF90687 (machine power only)

NOTE: Current John Deere/Hagie field kits only offer GreenStar 3 2630 Display parts.