Fertilizer inputs can represent 30 percent to 35 percent of the cost in small grain and oil seed production. It is no wonder farmers are concerned about nitrogen losses from gas escape, volatilization and leaching.
One opener combines four key processes to minimize nutrient losses through precise nutrient placement at seeding. John Deere’s SFP disc opener features:
- Active hydraulic downforce
- Depth gauging at the opener
- Ultra-low soil and residue disturbance
- Positive closing system
All of these lock in dry, liquid, or gas forms of nitrogen.
There is no more worrying about pre-season nitrogen loss due to denutrification and leaching. Operators can forget about volatilization of top-dress applications, and maybe most notably, endure a day of seeding without the burning nasal passages that accompany poor anhydrous ammonia retention.
SFP opener with 5-degree angle
SFP opener
Key features of the opener include:
- Depth gauging at the opener with 11.4-cm (4.5-in.) or 7.6-cm (3-in.) semi-pneumatic gauge wheels
- Depth adjustments are in 6 mm (1/4 in.) increments from 1.3-cm (1/2-in.) to 9-cm (3-1/2-in.) deep
- 5-degree operating angle creates a narrow trench and minimizes soil disturbance
- Close-coupled closing wheel assembly for quick trench closure and maximum fertilizer retention
- NOTE: Closing wheels are base equipment on anhydrous openers and optional on liquid and dry openers. Closing wheels are recommended.
- Extended-wear (chrome alloy) fertilizer boots
- Sealed, non-greaseable bearings
Fertilizer tubes
There are four choices of interchangeable fertilizer tubes:
A) Dry fertilizer tube to be used with 32-mm (1-1/4-in.) secondary fertilizer hose from the 1910 Commodity Cart.
B) Liquid fertilizer tube (for 13-mm [1/2-in.] ID hose). Using this tube for anhydrous may cause loss of retention.*
C) Dual fertilizer delivery tube. Allows for placement of dry or anhydrous. If applying both simultaneously, the operator may need to provide a relief system to relieve air from dry tube for adequate anhydrous retention. Without air relief, the operator will need to adjust air plenum to restrict all airflow to SFP dry tubes when anhydrous is being applied.*
D) Anhydrous tube (for 10-mm [3/8-in.] ID hose).*
* NOTE: Liquid or NH3 Fertilizer metering/delivery system is not provided by the John Deere seeding group.
Code |
Bundle |
Description |
1205 |
|
Dry fertilizer delivery tube |
1215 |
|
Liquid fertilizer delivery tube |
1220 |
|
Dual delivery tubes |
1225 |
|
Anhydrous fertilizer delivery tube |
Serrated closing wheel
Serrated closing wheel
The serrated closing wheel offers an improved closing system when seeding in harder, dryer conditions. The notches on the wheel break up the dryer conditions while offering an improved sealing that will directly promote better germination which supports and increases flowering and even / fuller canopy overall. By sealing off the trench, there is less outgassing of anhydrous, offering a safer environment for the producer. By less outgassing, there is a higher opportunity for increased yields stemming from better germination
Opener furrow closing wheel
2.5-cm x 30.5-cm (1-in. x 12-in.) cast closing wheel follows the press wheel to close furrow, placing soil over seed or fertilizer after the press wheel secures seed in furrow.
- A double-row ball bearing to reduce wear is located in the arm of the closing wheel
- Mounted parallel to the furrow opener, the closing wheel can be adjusted laterally to allow running on top of furrow for sandy or mellow soils or to side of furrow for heavier soils
- Down pressure is adjustable from 12 kg to 19.5 kg (26 lb to 43 lb) (no tools and three adjustments).
NOTE: Closing wheel is optional on fertilizer openers.
Code |
Bundle |
Description |
1701 |
|
Less cast closing wheel |
1707 |
|
Cast serrated fertilizer closing wheel |
Opener gauge wheel
11.4-cm x 40.6-cm (4.5-in. x 16-in.) semi-pneumatic wheel gauges depth
- Standard smooth plastic hub for minimal soil disturbance in mellow soils
- Depth can be controlled from 0.6 x 9 cm (1/4 to 3-1/2 in.) in 6-mm (1/4-in.) increments (13 total adjustments)
- Runs on sealed, double row tapered ball bearings
7.6-cm x 40.6-cm (3-in. x 16-in.) gauge wheel (optional)
- Less stubble or residue disturbance
- Depth can be controlled from 0.6 to 9 cm (1/4 to 3-1/2 in.) in 6-mm (1/4-in.) increments (13 total adjustments)
Code |
Bundle |
Description |
1605 |
|
Smooth-side gauge wheel |
1610 |
|
Narrow gauge wheel (7.6 cm [3 in.] in width) |