Finally Recognizing the popularity of strip-till and the growing demand for this type of specialized equipment in continuous corn, John Deere has made a late entry into the market with its first machine. This market has been developing since several shortline manufacturers started offering strip-till options in the late 1980s.

Along with many other products ranging from tractors to combines, a 12-row 21510S strip-till unit was unveiled during a Deere dealer product introduction in late August. The unit is available in a 30-foot width with a 30-inch row configuration.

“It has plenty of clearance to aggressively manage large amounts of residue, consistently place nutrients and efficiently prepare the seedbed,” says Dave Wendt, product manager, John Deere Des Moines Works. “Even in corn-on-corn, it will stand up to the challenge of heavier residue with unequaled reliability and durability.”

The unit features 25-inch coulters on 15-inch spacings that are mounted on a hydraulically adjustable rockshaft. Active hydraulic down force maintains constant pressure on the coulters for maximum cutting and sizing of residue.

“Once the residue has been sized, spring-cushioned 16-inch row cleaners remove residue from the row ahead of the nutrient shank,” explains Wendt. “The notched disc blade on the row cleaners can be adjusted vertically, depending on how aggressively the cleaners need to operate. The spring-cushioned nutrient shank then places nutrients into the root zone.”

The nutrient shank’s 1,300-pound trip force allows faster operating speeds while maintaining a consistent seedbed and nutrient placement in the root zone. The maximum operating depth…