SeedStar 3 HP overview
SeedStar 3 HP shown on the GreenStar™ 3 2630 Display
Building upon the foundation of previous SeedStar monitoring, the SeedStar 3 HP monitoring system takes planter monitoring to the next level. When paired with the GreenStar 3 2630 Display, the SeedStar 3 HP monitoring system provides critical information about the planting process to the operator within the tractor cab. SeedStar 3 HP is compatible with the GreenStar 3 2630, the Gen 4 4200 CommandCenter™ Display, the Gen 4 4600 CommandCenter Display, the 4240 Universal Display, and the 4640 Universal Display.
Detailed planter performance information allows the operator to make adjustments needed for planter optimization. After all, with rising costs, it is imperative to make sure that every seed is planted accurately and precisely within the seed furrow for maximum yield potential.
The SeedStar 3 HP planting functions are fully integrated with the full spectrum of Precision Ag Technology applications such as John Deere Section Control for Planters, GreenStar 3 2630 Display, AutoTrac™ assisted steering system, John Deere Operations Center, JDLink™ telematics system, and others. Integrated planting technologies, for better asset utilization and ease of use, is just part of what SeedStar 3 HP provides.
SeedStar 3 HP main run page
SeedStar 3 HP main run page
SeedStar 3 HP has an updated main run page layout. With the use of tabs toward the top of the screen it is much easier to navigate through readings such as population, singulation, spacing, downforce, and ride quality. If for some reason an issue arises with a row-unit, the tab will turn red indicating there is an issue. The tab can be pushed and lead to what is causing the issue. Inside each tab, there will be a bar graph detailing information specific to that tab. The picture shows what a population bar graph looks like. This layout improves functionality and overall ease of use while planting.
SeedStar 3 HP seed singulation monitoring
SeedStar 3 HP seed singulation planter run page
Understanding meter singulation performance on the planter is critical to minimizing the amount of seed multiples and skips. As a result, the SeedStar 3 HP monitoring system provides real-time information, from the redesigned seed sensors placed in each brush belt cartridge, about the overall seed singulation performance.
As seen in the screen shot image above, overall singulation performance is seen in the tab at the top of the screen. Seed skip and multiple sources of information are displayed below the bar graph of the run page. This provides the operator a better understanding of relative seed multiple and skip data on a row-unit basis within one easy glance at this run page.
Also, within the seed singulation planter run page, information about row-units with the highest percentage of seed multiples and skips is provided in order to make necessary adjustments for better planter optimization.
SeedStar 3 HP row-unit downforce planter run page
SeedStar 3 HP downforce planter run page
With changing field conditions, it is important to monitor down force to ensure consistent seed placement. Seeds placed too shallow or too deep can impact emergence and affect yield.
With the SeedStar 3 HP monitoring system, row-unit downforce information is measured by the downforce sensor and sensor and transmitted to the GreenStar Display in the tractor cab. The row-unit downforce information is displayed on the top portion of this run page with more row-unit downforce information on the lower portion.
Active downforce takes SeedStar 3 HP even further by removing constant downforce adjustments from the operator and actively controlling the downforce system to maintain a desired target margin. Just set the row-unit target margin value and the active downforce system works automatically to make sure the planter maintains this value-achieving, precise soil penetration and consistent planting depth without sidewall soil compaction. This frees the operator from constantly making manual downforce adjustments as conditions change.
SeedStar 3 HP ride quality and ground contact run page
SeedStar 3 HP ride quality and ground contact run page
The fifth tab from the left in SeedStar 3 HP is a shared tab between ground contact and ride quality. Operators may change between the two criteria based on their planter setups or personal preferences. Ground contact displays the percentage of time the row-units are engaging the ground, the load is measured via a sensor through the gauge wheels. Ground contact is recommended to ensure the row-unit is maintaining proper depth at higher planting speeds.
Downforce sensor installed
Downforce sensor
Depending on the planter size, different configurations of sensor and downforce sensors are installed in support of the SeedStar 3 HP monitoring system.
SeedStar 3 HP seed spacing monitoring
SeedStar 3 HP seed spacing planter run page
Throughout the planting process, obtaining good seed spacing is critical towards achieving plant growing conditions for maximum yield potential.
Today, many items are adjusted on the planter prior to planting to optimize overall seed spacing performance. But after such adjustments are made, information about the actual seed spacing performance during planting was missing within the planter monitoring system. With SeedStar 3 HP, seed spacing information is transmitted live via the GreenStar Display to show the operator exactly what is happening with the planter behind them.
The SeedStar 3 HP transmits seed spacing information onto the bar graph (shown above) for easy understanding of planter seed spacing performance. Also, information about seed skips and multiples are provided to help understand actual planter meter performance and other related system functions in order to make necessary adjustments if needed.
SeedStar 3 HP meter runoff page
SeedStar 3 HP runoff page
On SeedStar 3 HP, the meter runoff page allows growers to test meters before going to the field. Growers can now test the meters without removing them and have confidence in their planter’s performance before going to the field. Many parameters can be viewed during this test such as: singulation, seed count, skips, multiples, coefficient of variation (cv), etc. This test assures that the meter is in healthy condition and ready to plant when conditions are appropriate.
Other SeedStar 3 HP monitoring features include:
- Capable of monitoring individual row-unit and overall planter performance in terms of seed spacing, singulation, and row-unit downforce
- On-screen indication of down force sensor assemblies once configured within the monitor settings application
- Full-color display icons for easy recognition and overall aesthetics
- Downforce system controls with the GreenStar display application
- A run page that allows operator to view relative population levels of all rows on one screen
- Mapping of actual and target seed rates can be mapped in Operations Centers.
- Reprogrammable utilizing controller area network (CAN) via Service ADVISOR™ diagnostics system or Service ADVISOR Remote with JDLink™ connectivity
- User-configurable high fertilizer pressure alarm that allows the operator to be warned when fertilizer pressure reaches a specific level
- Automatic Fast Start for SeedStar 3 HP ensures that seeds will be place accurately when starting from a stop.
- Automatic tractor speed source selection. When equipped with an 8000/9000 Series Tractor, the system selects the radar speed or allows for manual speed input selection.
Components and operation
Planter main controller
Row-unit controller (RUC) with two electric motors
The SeedStar 3 HP monitoring system contains the following components in order to support the planting data transfer to the GS Displays:
- Planter main controller
- Downforce sensor assembly
- Electric power gen (EPG)
- Row-unit controller (RUC)
The row-unit controller processes the row-unit data from the sensor node assemblies located on the row-unit head casting. The processed information is then sent to the planter main controller to be integrated into the displayed information being sent to the GreenStar Display.
Downforce sensor assemblies are found on row-units with sensor installed. The downforce sensor assembly is put together with the gauge wheel depth-adjustment handle and provides gauge wheel pressure information to the respective sensor node for data processing.