John Deere engineers call it a "major game changer, a historic event" – the new ExactEmerge planter equipped with a new seed delivery system.  ExactEmerge row units are designed to accommodate accurate planting at speeds up to 10 mph while maintaining superior seed placement, according to the company.

"The ExactEmerge planter is a whole new system from the ground up," says Kelby Krueger, product specialist, John Deere Seeding Group. The seed delivery system cradles the seed from the meter down to the seed trench, maintaining optimal seed placement at high speeds and in varying field conditions.

PUSH THE THROTTLE: When the planting window tightens and you want to plant faster, you can still expect planting accuracy with the new ExactEmerge planter.

The row units feature a new, rigid bowl-shaped meter and brush style double eliminator that requires no adjustment. It is designed to provide a smooth seed hand-off to the "industry-exclusive" brush belt, which replaces the seed tube. ExactEmerge row units handle all seed shapes and sizes achieving 99% singulation, according to Krueger.

"Another important feature is that our new brush belt does not have to be synchronized with finite meter speeds," continues Krueger. "The systems are completely independent of each other, allowing the meter to turn at the right speed for the desired seed population, while the delivery system exactly matches ground speed."

Brush bristles cradle the seed on all sides with full control to deliver each seed to the bottom of the trench, even in rough planting conditions and on slopes up to 15%.

Krueger says this careful controlling of the seed from the meter to the trench and then releasing it at the correct rearward velocity allows the gentle placement of each seed in the trench without the normal bounce and roll that would otherwise happen at higher speeds.

The ExactEmerge electric drive system is powered by two 56-volt electric brushless motors on each row that work independently to control the meter and the brush belt – with no synchronization required. The motors work off of ground speed to achieve desired seed population with speed matching delivery.

Active pneumatic downforce (PDF) means all row units maintain the required ground contact, even at higher speeds. "The operator sets the downforce pressure and the brush belt delivery system delivers the seed accurately to the bottom of the trench at the desired depth," says Krueger.

ExactEmerge row units are compatible with 1775NT and 1795 model planters with central commodity systems (CCS) in 15-in., 20-in. and 30-in. row spacings for corn and soybeans.

Traditional planter customers
John Deere also introduced a new line of MaxEmerge row units – the MaxEmerge 5 for planting at traditional speeds.

"These row units combine the best features of the existing MaxEmerge XP and Pro-Series XP units, which they replace," explains Kruger. These new row units are available across the whole planter line which consists of CCS configurations with mini-hoppers or non-CCS configurations with standard seed hoppers (1.6 bu., 3.0 bu., 2.0 Twin Row).  Both configurations come with new insecticide/herbicide delivery capabilities with Pro-Shaft drive meters or central insecticide system for liquid application.

The MaxEmerge 5 features one common vacuum meter design for John Deere planter row units. The units have double eliminator adjustments, three times longer-life gauge wheel arms and easy-to-adjust downforce capabilities (spring, heavy duty or pneumatic).

Real-time monitoring
In conjunction with the launch of the ExactEmerge planters and MaxEmerge 5 row units, John Deere also introduced SeedStar Mobile, which provides real-time, row-by-row performance data on an iPad in the tractor cab, office or on the go.

Depending on the configuration of the planter, the system collects and monitors population, singulation, seed spacing, downforce, variety and ground speed, on a row-by-row basis. SeedStar Mobile captures this information and stores it on the iPad by working in conjunction with the GreenStar 3 2630 Display and SeedStar XP or SeedStar 3 HP on the planter. SeedStar Mobile also transfers the planting data to the Operations Center in MyJohnDeere while planting in the field or in the producer's office using WiFi or a cellular connection.

SeedStar Mobile will be available for the 2015 planting season.