Farm Compliance

"The John Deere DN345 provides a financially attractive option to ag retailers for spreading lime. It can be pulled behind John Deere 8030 or 9030 Series Wheel Tractors and coupled with our AMS offerings for a fully integrated application solution," says Craig Weynand, John Deere division marketing manager - application equipment. "This spreader is an excellent fit for applicators who already use our tractors to apply anhydrous ammonia, to strip-till, and to sidedress. By utilizing existing assets you can keep your equipment overhead low and generate higher returns on invested capital."

Weynand says the John Deere DN345 provides your operation with a high-capacity, efficient, and cost-effective lime application solution for commercial applicators.

"We observed test operators using a John Deere 8530 Tractor and DN345 to spread lime at speeds ranging from 10 to 15 mph. Even under changing conditions, they used our tractor and spreader to consistently apply 350 to 700 tons of lime in a 10-hour day. Plus, they were typically able to load the DN345 with four more tons per load than their floater rigs.

"In fact, the DN345 can accommodate a full truckload of lime making tendering extremely productive. This means you can spend more time in the field spreading material with fewer stops for reloading. Test operators confirm the John Deere tractor and spreader combination matches or outperforms their floater rigs when spreading lime," explains Weynand.

The DN345 gives applicators added versatility since it can be used to spread lime and also has the capability to spread fertilizer. Struck capacity is 345 cubic feet for the single-bin configuration. Plus, it can carry up to 17.5 tons (struck) of lime and more than 12 tons (struck) of fertilizer.

An optional MultApplier™ stainless-steel bin, can also be added to the main hopper, giving the unit separate compartments for holding material. Operators can switch from lime to fertilizer and back again with minimal effort. A bolt-in endgate and quick-connect couplings make it easy to convert the spreader from a single-product to a dual-product unit in less than two hours. When installed, the MultApplier gives the DN345 a struck capacity of more than 400 cubic feet, and increases fertilizer load-carrying capacity to more than 14 tons.

"When making lime applications the DN345 delivers a consistent spread pattern up to 60 feet wide – and up to 90 feet wide when applying fertilizer," explains Weynand.

User-friendly spreader controls are fully integrated into the tractor's John Deere GS2 Display with SpreadStar™ software control. This gives applicators access to control functions through touch-screen navigation of the color display. Once it's set, SpreadStar automatically adjusts the spinner speed for simple, accurate variable-rate operations.

"In today's tight labor market, SpreadStar's easy-to-learn and easy-to-use controls can help you more easily attract and retain part-time or seasonal operators because they can learn the system fast and become productive more quickly. Ultra-efficient applications are possible using John Deere AutoTrac™ guidance and Swath Control Pro™ to automatically turn the entire spread width on and off based on the coverage map.

"You can also pre-program settings for up to six jobs for each bin and access as-applied, on-screen mapping and documentation programs when needed. John Deere gives you a fully integrated system that increases productivity and efficiency," Weynand says.

Even with its massive payload-carrying capacity the DN345 leaves a light footprint in the field thanks to its four high-flotation tires. Tire pressures can be operated at 20 psi, compared to higher rates for three-wheel floater rigs. Tractor tire pressures are even less depending on the tire configuration used.

In the field, the DN345 can be operated under full load, at speeds up to 20 mph. Plus, the spreader is also equipped with a hydraulic brake system that's integrated into John Deere 8030 and 9030 Series Tractors equipped with the hydraulic brake option. A taillight package approved for highway travel is also included.

Spreader/tractor connections are simple thanks to a ball-hitch receiver coupler that connects to a large 80 mm ball bolted to the tractor drawbar. This eliminates any fore/aft movement and prevents the unwanted jerking that's customary with a standard hitch-pin connection.

The DN345 is backed by a two-year limited warranty. See your John Deere CAD dealer today for more information.