Adjusting Opener Down-Pressure and Seed Depth (John Deere Tractors With Closed Center Hydraulic Systems)

1. IMPORTANT: Valve (D) must be in open position.

   IMPORTANT: Adjust opener down-pressure, as required, to keep opener gauge wheels in firm contact with soil. DO NOT use more down-pressure than necessary or damage could result to machine.

   IMPORTANT: Active hydraulic system requires a tractor with closed-center or pressure/flow compensated hydraulics. A conversion kit and installation instructions are available for tractors with open-center hydraulics.

   
   N42122FH-UN-06JAN92

   
   N59938-UN-25MAR02

   
   N81682-UN-12SEP08

   A - Valve Adjusting Knob

   B - Valve Knob Lock

   C - Pressure Gauge

   D - Valve

   E - Green Zone

   F - Red Zone

   Lower the openers by pushing FORWARD on SCV lever. Valve (D) must be LOCKED OPEN to provide constant pressure/flow to openers. See INSTALLING LEVER LOCK CLIP—TRACTORS WITH MECHANICAL SCV CONTROLS in Preparing The Tractor section.
   • Use clip to lock lever forward on John Deere tractors equipped with SOUND-GARD™ Body.
   • On John Deere 7000 Series tractors, rotate valve detent selector to MOTOR POSITION to lock lever in forward position.
   • On 8000 Series Tractors, set the time detent knob to “C” for continuous flow. Push the SCV I lever forward to “click” detent position.
   
   

---




2. While watching pressure gauge (C), adjust opener down-pressure by rotating knob (A). Once set, lock knob in position with wheel (B).

   • NEVER operate outside the green zone (E).
   • NEVER operate in red zone (F).
   
   

   IMPORTANT: NEVER operate the machine with the pressure gauge needle in the red zone (F) on the gauge or damage to machine could result.

   NOTE: DO NOT use more down-pressure than necessary to allow openers to penetrate soil and to maintain firm contact between gauge wheel tires and surface. In some clean-till conditions, it may be necessary to operate at bottom of green zone (E) to prevent openers from bulldozing.

3. If gauge needle does not move, see Troubleshooting-Opener Down Pressure System in Troubleshooting section in this manual.

4. 
   N42150RZ-UN-21SEP94

   A - Depth Adjusting Handle

   Preset planting depth (always raise the openers to adjust the planting depth). Position depth adjusting handle (A) with left pin in lowest hole and right pin in next to lowest hole. This setting generally provides a 25 mm (1 in.) seed depth. Each handle position changes the depth approximately 8 mm (5/16 in.).

---




5. Lower the openers while moving forward. The SCV must be held forward by clip.

6. Stop without raising openers.

7. Check whether or not gauge wheel arm is up against opener.

8. NOTE: DO NOT use more down-pressure than required to maintain desired depth.

   Once the wheel arm is against the depth adjusting handle, check seed depth.

9. 
   N42150FQ-UN-02NOV93

   
   A40205-UN-13AUG96

   B - Down Pressure Adjustment Nut

   C - Pin

   D - Clevis

   E - Dimension

   F - Dimension

   To change seed depth, raise openers and reposition depth handle.

---




10. Two ways to increase opener down-pressure to compensate for track left by machine or tractor tires are as follows:

    • Remove pin (C) and turn clevis (D) to increase length of spring assembly. When lengthening spring assembly by 1/4 to 1/2 in., install jam nut above clevis to lock clevis to cap screw. Lengthening spring assembly 1/4 in. will lower opener 3/4 in. DO NOT lengthen assembly more than 1/2 in.. Lengthening assembly will decrease opener ground clearance when openers are raised.
    • Tighten nut (B) in 6 mm (1/4 in.) increments until desired penetration is achieved.
    
    

    Initial Dimensions Are:

    Dimension	Short	Long
    E	24.1 cm (9.6 in.)	27.9 cm (11 in.)
    F	35.1 cm (13.8 in.)	44.5 cm (17.5 in.)