If you need help finding a part, call us at 877-AKRS-NOW
Shop for more parts on Shop.Deere.Com
Set Up, Maintenance, Trials, and How-Tos for all your Planter needs
Here you can find step by step instructions, set up, maintenance, trials, how-tos and more to have you ready for all that planting season will throw your way.
SeedStar 4 and 5 Settings and Information Setup
This video walks through the initial setup and settings for John Deere SeedStar 4 and 5 planters. It covers key options like fast start, section control overrides, speed sensor settings, and height sensor calibration. Users can customize downforce increments, vacuum automation sensitivity, SCV assignments, and CCS blower and agitation controls. It also includes alarm settings for airbag pressure and notifications for section control planting status. These settings help optimize planting performance and can be tailored to user preferences and field conditions for a smoother planting experience.
John Deere Exact Shot Setup
This video walks through setting up John Deere's ExactShot system on the GreenStar display. It covers key settings like dosing mode, target rates, nozzle selection, and specific gravity input for accurate fertilizer application. Users can configure dose per seed, dose length, and effective rate to match seeding and field conditions while reducing overall product use. The system also includes pressure settings, tip clean-out, and helpful in-display documentation. Correct setup ensures precise fertilizer placement at the seed, improving efficiency and reducing waste during planting.
How to Use ExactRate ExactShot Solution System
This video explains how to prime and operate the John Deere ExactRate and ExactShot solution system. It walks through the process of preparing the system for use—starting with filling the tank, opening valves, priming the pump, and bleeding air from the distribution lines. The keypad at the back of the planter controls pump speed and nozzle activation. A full nozzle check or a more product-efficient section check ensures proper flow at each row unit. This setup is crucial for accurate fertilizer application and effective in-season and end-of-season maintenance.
GFX Row Cleaner Operation
This video explains the operation of SurePoint Ag’s GFX hydraulic row cleaners, which are frame-mounted to reduce their impact on downforce. Controlled via ISOBUS through a John Deere display, the system offers adjustable pressure presets for varying field conditions. Users can select, customize, and switch between presets for different tillage needs, with pressure adjustments determining how aggressively the cleaners engage the soil. The setup includes real-time pressure monitoring and is designed for easy, in-cab control to optimize row cleaner performance on the go.
ExactShot Dose Rate Verification Setup
This video explains how to perform a dose rate verification test for John Deere’s ExactShot fertilizer system. Unlike continuous liquid systems, ExactShot precisely doses fertilizer at each seed. To ensure row-to-row accuracy, a catch test is done by simulating planting conditions (e.g., 32,000 seeds/acre at 7 mph) and capturing a set number of doses. The measured volume is compared to the system's expected output, and adjustments are made in the display. Multiple rows should be tested for consistent and accurate calibration across the planter.
How to Adjust Hydraulic Downforce for Even Planting
This video explains how hydraulic wing downforce works and how to adjust it for even planter performance. The system shifts weight from the center to the wings using hydraulic cylinders and valves, either manually or in-cab with SeedStar 5. Proper adjustment ensures consistent row unit depth by balancing wing and center wheel pressure. Checking trench impressions and parallel arm alignment helps fine-tune settings. In some cases, added planter weight may be needed to keep arms level and maintain ideal seed placement across varying field conditions.
This video provides maintenance tips for planter vacuum systems, stressing the importance of cleaning vacuum tubes before or after each season. Newer planters include cleanout covers for easier debris removal. Talc, graphite, and dirt buildup can damage the vacuum motor impellers, causing imbalance and seal failure. If a motor seal fails, inspect and possibly replace worn or dirty impellers. To prevent damage, regularly remove vacuum tubes and use a blow gun to clear debris—or disassemble the housing if buildup is too severe.
The brush belt ensures pinpoint planting accuracy and requires basic seasonal inspection. Check for wear, tension, and damaged bristles; replace belts showing a quarter-inch gap or more. Remove belts or release tension before off-season storage to prevent deformation. Ensure drive components turn freely, especially the gearbox, to avoid planter shutdowns. Clean the seed sensor gently and inspect the wire cleaner. Always reapply belt tension before use. Proper care prevents slipping, overheating, and damage, keeping the brush belt and planter running smoothly year after year.
The Air Adjust Closing Wheels system ensures proper seed-to-soil contact by allowing precise trench closing. This planter features factory-installed Yetter Twisters and a pneumatic closing system, which can also be retrofitted. Proper alignment, wheel wear, and bushing condition should be checked pre-season. The air-adjust system, controllable from the cab, enables real-time pressure adjustments by zone (center/wings). Ideal starting pressures vary by field conditions—tilled or no-till. This system enhances flexibility, reduces manual adjustments, and improves planting performance across varying soil types.
The video explains the IRHD 2.0 (Individual Row Hydraulic Downforce) system on a 2025 model planter. It details how load cells on each row unit send data to adjust downforce in real time, improving seed placement by maintaining proper depth and soil contact. The upgraded accumulators are now serviceable and more durable. Viewers learn how to set and fine-tune downforce margins in the cab using active or manual modes, troubleshoot common issues, and perform checks to ensure optimal planter performance in varying field conditions.
This video covers troubleshooting and maintenance tips for onboard air compressors on planters. If an error indicates the compressor is running too often, it's likely due to an air leak. To find leaks, pressurize the system, shut everything down, and listen closely—especially near valve stacks and solenoids. Regular maintenance includes checking the filter every 50 hours, replacing it every 100, monitoring oil levels through the sight glass, using non-detergent 30W oil, and draining water from the air tank at least annually to prevent damage.
This video explains how to replace and adjust Tru-Vee openers on a John Deere ME5 row unit. After removing gauge wheels and scrapers, inspect components like the seed tube guard and frog for wear. When installing new blades, ensure proper clearance with the updated seed guard if using heavy-duty blades. Use the business card test to check blade spacing—ideally a third-card-width gap between them. Incorrect shim spacing can cause poor trench formation or premature bearing wear, so adjust shims evenly on both sides for accurate seed placement.
The John Deere ExactEmerge Meter ensures precise planting by using a brush belt to place seeds in the trench, preventing seed bounce. Key components include the seed bowl, agitation strips, and double eliminators, all of which must be regularly adjusted and inspected. The seed bowl is fine-tuned for proper resistance, while agitation strips and double eliminators prevent skips and doubles based on seed type. Regular maintenance of seals, vacuum, and knockout wheels is crucial for optimal performance, especially at higher planting speeds.