For the farmers that wondered what Case IH would do after John Deere announced their move buy Precision Planting – the answer is the 2000 series Early Riser planter, which will be the first factory integration of Precision Planting components in North America.

In a press release announcing the new machine, Tony McClelland, planter marketing manager, Case IH, remarked: “After years of customer feedback and extensive engineering development, we are proud to announce a new generation of smart planting technology...make no mistake we didn’t just put a new meter on our current toolbars. This is an all-new row unit designed by Case IH with toolbars engineered to develop top accuracy at higher speeds.”

The company is noting it has conducted competitive plot research on the new Early Riser planter noting it delivered “more accurate seed placement and faster emergence at high speeds than comparable competitive models,” according to the press statement. McClelland adds: “We outyielded our competition. Whether planting laser straight rows at 10 miles per hour, or a contoured field, the new Early Riser planer was consistently accurate.”

He adds that the new design showed it is also rugged and durable when traveling at higher speeds. That comes in part due to the cast components that are part of the row unit. The design includes a 26-inch toolbar clearance, plus a 60% increase in vertical row-unit travel, which helps match uneven terrain without sacrificing accuracy.

The offset design allows the leading opener to slice through crop residue and provide proper seed-to-soil contact, while self-adjusting mud-scrapers ensure consistent performance in heavy, wet soils.

The trailed gauge wheels with soil-relieve grooves help row units ride better in rough conditions, while minimizing sidewall compaction. New larger inverted closing disks offer improved soil coverage over the seed. And the press wheel ensures seed-to-soil contact needed for uniform germination and emergence.

Integrating new tech

Case IH notes that this is the only planter designed and built with integrated Precision Planting components, direct from the factory.

The new 2000 series Early Riser planter uses case iron row units that are designed for added durability and high-speed planting.

Adds McClelland: “While others in the marketplace may offer some of these components, only the 2000 series Early Riser planter was designed to integrate Precision Planting technology with the industry’s most agronomically designed row unit.”

Developed specifically for the 2000 series Early Riser planter, the all-new seed meter and electric drive deliver accurate and consistent seed singulation, populations and in-row spacing for a variety of crop types. The vSet 2 meter and vDrive electric drive systems offer precise seed metering and curve compensated spacing with the simplicity of tool-free crop changes and adjustments. Additionally, the new minihopper and its single air-intake screen is easy to access and clean.

In addition to the electric meter, the plater uses the DeltaForce downforce system to allow “each row unit to function like a single row planter,” McClelland says. “Every row reacts automatically to its own particular conditions, from curve compensated spacing, to an automatic up/down force system for precise depth control.”

The system also includes row-by-row shutoffs for seed, liquid fertilizer and chemical to reduce input costs.

The company is also offering an Advanced Seed Delivery option including the new SpeedTube. This flighted belt works with corn and soybeans and is designed to control seed from the meter to the furrow, eliminating the drop and tumble variability of traditional gravity drop tubes – especially at high speeds. The SpeedTube changes speed as the planter slows or speeds up to provide accurate planting.

In addition, a SpeedTube planter can be transformed with conventional seed tubes for added crop type versatility, and without the need for tools.

Control from the cab

The new planer has in-cab controls for complete customization. Producers can choose between total planter control of Advanced Seed Information available with a single screen through the Case IH Advanced Farming Systems Pro 700 display; or the FieldView with the 20/20 SeedSense options available from Precision Planting.

The new planter has fewer parts than previous models for less maintenance and easier operation. The system uses a T-handle depth adjuster for changing seeding depth in 1/8-inch increments. And an indexing system provides accuracy across all row units.

With the Precision Planting partnership, Case IH has developed the new Early Riser row unit for enhanced seed placement.

The planter was selected to receive a 2016 AE50 award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. And farmers will get their first look at the new machine at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, in February.

The first models include 12- 16- and 24-row models on 30-inches with a front-fold design. These will be available for the 2017 planting season.

The company will also continue to offer the Early Riser planter with Advanced Seed Meter technology too. For more information visit caseih.com/newearlyriser.