John Deere announced the release of two new planter upgrade options, expanding ways farmers can upgrade their John Deere planters and increase productivity. MaxEmerge 5e and ExactEmerge meter upgrades are now available for a variety of John Deere planters, providing farmers the opportunity to update the meters on planters without replacing the entire row unit.

“We consistently work with farmers and our John Deere dealers to find ways we can update existing equipment to help farmers be more productive,” said Kyle Barry, precision upgrade marketing manager at John Deere. “The introduction of these new meter upgrade kits are an example of how we are helping farmers be more productive and efficient, saving time and money.”

ExactEmerge Meter Upgrade Kit

This new precision upgrade gives farmers with a 2015 or newer John Deere MaxEmerge or MaxEmerge 5e planter the ability to convert to ExactEmerge without having to purchase new row units. The upgrade will optimize planting productivity, helping farmers plant twice as fast, at speeds up to 10 mph, with pinpoint population and spacing accuracy. The BrushBelt™ seed delivery system works with the metering technology, providing a gentle, yet effective, means of delivering seeds exactly at the bottom of the trench, with no bouncing or rolling that will impact even emergence. The combination of these technologies delivers planting accuracy and productivity gains to help growers make the most of tight planting windows and maximize yield potential. This cost-effective solution is a great fit for any operation that wants to plant faster but doesn’t need the new iron that comes with a full row unit upgrade such as shanks, parallel arms and gauge wheels. 

MaxEmerge 5e Meter Upgrade Kit

For farmers with a 2015 or newer MaxEmerge 5 John Deere planter, this precision upgrade replaces the existing mechanical drive with the electric drive MaxEmerge 5e meter. The MaxEmerge 5e delivers an advantage of improved population accuracy by up to 20%, compensating for curves on the outer rows of the planter. Farmers also will benefit from variable rate prescriptions, individual row shutoffs, and reduced maintenance compared to the typical mechanical drive system. This upgrade uses a seed tube to deliver seed to the trench and an active downforce system – either active pneumatic or Individual Row Hydraulic Downforce (IRHD) to ensure consistent seed placement and uniform depth across changing ground conditions. This kit includes an upgraded in-cab experience with the all-new SeedStar 5 Monitoring System that puts fast row-by-row planting data at a farmer’s fingertips during planting and in the John Deere Operations Center ™.

“The new precision upgrades are significant as they allow farmers the ability to enhance their planting technology without the need to invest in an entirely new row unit,” Barry said. “The advanced features this upgrade provides farmers helps them improve their planting efficiency, reduce seed waste and increase overall productivity.”

These upgrades supplement the multiple upgrades John Deere offers for their planters, including the Ultimate Planter Upgrade. This is a complete factory row replacement for model year 2005 and newer planters, including the following features:

  • ExactEmerge or MaxEmerge 5e electric meters
  • IRHD and active pneumatic downforce
  • Standard or spoked gauge wheels
  • SeedStar 5 monitoring
  • One year factory warranty

Additional options for the Ultimate Planter Upgrade include ExactRate or ExactShot liquid fertilizer system, ExactChem granular insecticide, easy-adjust pneumatic row cleaners or pneumatic closing wheels.

“The Ultimate Planter Upgrade is an option John Deere provides for those who are looking for a full planter rebuild,” Barry said. “You have the opportunity to spec out the planter exactly how you want it with the help of your local John Deere dealer.”