John Deere C-Series air cart optimises seeding performance

As the reigning champions of the Henty Machine of the Year Award, Hutcheon & Pearce are gearing up to defend their title at the 2024 event. 

After clinching the 2023 MOTY with the innovative GUSS Automated Sprayer, now available for sale, Hutcheon & Pearce is ready to showcase another ground-breaking entry: the John Deere C-Series air carts.

The C-Series air carts represent a completely new line-up, featuring significant tech updates designed to optimise seeding performance for farmers of all sizes, including those with Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) requirements. 

These air carts are equipped with AccuRate™ electric meters, made from stainless steel and composite materials. 

This construction ensures a corrosion and wear resistant system that stands up to seed treatments and abrasive granular fertilisers, delivering significant savings on meter maintenance costs.

The new AccuRate™ meter bank boasts up to eight individually controlled meters per tank. This feature allows farmers to adjust the speed and volume of each meter, enabling higher-resolution prescriptions and up to eight-times more precise seed metering. 

To maximise efficiency during short seeding windows, the C-Series air carts include two calibration features: the industry-exclusive EZCal™ system and the trusted ActiveCal™.

Complete Goods Inventory Manager Chris Roberts emphasised the comprehensive capabilities of the C-Series.

“The C-Series air carts are designed to meet the needs of all farmers, from small operations to large-scale producers. Everyone wins,” Mr Roberts said. 

“The under 20,000L air carts feature the same advanced meters, tank scales, and calibration systems as their larger counterparts, but with additional features like a low-profile hopper that offers more than double the filling space of current models.

These smaller carts also include a new conveyor/auger system that allows the hopper to stay in one spot while filling all four tanks, achieving fill speeds up to 75 per cent faster than the current conveyor. 

The G5e cart-side display further enhances efficiency by reducing calibration time and eliminating the need for multiple trips between the tractor cab and the cart.

Chris Goods highlighted how the C-Series meets the stringent criteria for the MOTY Award.

“We believe the C-Series air carts excel in every aspect of the MOTY criteria, from their purpose and suitability to their ease of maintenance and operation. The construction is robust and designed for longevity, while the advanced technology ensures precise operation and adjustment. Additionally, the availability of parts through our 20 NSW Hutcheon and Pearce branches and overall value for money make these carts a game-changer for farmers,” he said.

EZCal and ActiveCal Systems: The C-Series air carts feature the industry-exclusive EZCal™ system, a push-button calibration process that is up to 75 per cent faster than previous methods, saving significant time and effort. The ActiveCal™ system ensures that meters remain calibrated throughout the day as product properties change, allowing for continuous accurate seeding.

AccuRate Electric Meters: Constructed from stainless steel and composite materials, the AccuRate electric meters are designed to be corrosion- and wear-resistant. This innovative system stands up to seed treatments and abrasive granular fertilizers, significantly reducing maintenance costs. The AccuRate meter bank, with up to eight individually controlled meters per tank, enables higher-resolution prescriptions and precise seed metering.

Section Command and Curve Compensation: These features provide unparalleled accuracy and efficiency. Section Command allows operators to stop each meter from rotating, preventing seed damage and dumping during section control operations. Curve Compensation adjusts the speed of the meters during turns, ensuring consistent rate delivery across the entire drill, which is crucial for optimal crop growth.

Blower Speed Automation: This feature allows operators to set a target blower speed from the cab, ensuring consistent air flow as conditions change throughout the day. This level of automation reduces operator fatigue and allows them to focus on the seeding task at hand, ensuring a quality job regardless of experience level.

The combination of these advanced features makes the John Deere C-Series air carts not only innovative but also highly efficient, significantly enhancing the seeding process for farmers of all sizes. With their focus on accuracy, cost efficiency, and ease of use, the C-Series air carts are indeed serious contenders for the MOTY award, embodying the spirit of agricultural innovation and excellence.

As Hutcheon & Pearce prepare to showcase the C-Series at Henty, the farming community eagerly anticipates whether they will secure another win at the MOTY Awards. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, Hutcheon & Pearce is well-positioned to impress once again. For more information on the C-Series air carts, visit Hutcheon & Pearce's website or contact your local dealership.