Let’s take a few minutes to discuss Hitch Settings and Operation on John Deere tractors.
Both mid-size and large tractors offer four hitch operating modes. They are; • Position Mode • Draft Control • Draft Control with Slip Sensitivity • and Float Mode
Position Mode, lowers the hitch to a set position and keeps it at that position, regardless of draft loads.
To activate Position Mode, first navigate to the hitch page by depressing the Hitch button on the Navigation Bar.
Change, both Load Depth and Slip Sensitivity settings to “Zero”.
You can then adjust hitch position using either the Hitch Control Lever or Depth Adjust Dial.
Depress the “Set” button to save this hitch depth set position.
Once a headland turn is completed, implement can be returned to depth set position by placing hitch control lever into lower detent or by simply depressing the hitch Resume Button.
Position mode is recommended when connected to a non-ground engaging implement.
It can also be used with ground engaging implements to maintain a constant depth, provided the terrain is flat and level.
On the Hitch page, you can also adjust, • Upper Limit Position - indicated here with upper limit indicator. • Drop Rate or how fast the hitch will lower • and Raise Rate, how fast the hitch will raise
Position Mode however, may not be your best choice when operating ground engaging equipment in uneven or rolling train.
With the hitch held at a fixed position in Position Mode, the implement will lift or pull out of the ground as front wheels enter a trough.
Then, Implement is driven deep into ground as front wheels exit this same trough.
When operating in rolling fields or in fields where soil conditions change rapidly from soft to heavy soils, Draft Control Mode may be a better choice.
Draft Control Mode; will automatically lower and raise the implement in rolling terrain, to keep draft loads (or implement load) consistent.
Also in changing soil conditions from hard pan to soft soils, Draft Control Mode will automatically raise and lower implement to keep draft loads consistent.
To activate Draft Control mode, first adjust Load Depth setting to a setting somewhere between 1 and 5. The Help page provides suggestions for different types of implements.
I would recommend starting on the low end of these recommendations, using a setting of 1 to 2.
Lower implement into ground using Hitch Control Lever or Depth Adjust Dial to achieve your desired depth.
Then while traveling at your desired depth and ground speed, in average soil conditions for that field, depress the hitch SET button.
This records the hitch depth set position. However, while in Draft Control mode, it also records the current draft loads inputted by the hitch draft sensors.
The Hitch Control Unit will then, lower and raise the hitch to maintain this same draft load.
As this occurs, you will notice a difference between actual hitch position and your original Depth Set position. A Green bar displays the difference between Depth Set and Actual hitch position.
Load Depth mode will also automatically prevent overloading of tractor if soil density or resistance changes.
When dense or hard soil conditions are encountered, it will raise implement to keep Draft Loads consistent. Then lowering implement when less dense or soft soils are encountered.
If adjustments are made to Load Depth values,
you must once again depress the SET button, while operating in normal field conditions at normal ground speeds. This will clear previous settings, then record and save your new settings.
Higher Load Depth values, will cause more depth variation and faster draft response to load variations.
If depth variation is too excessive, lower your Load Depth settings.
If adjustments are made to Load Depth values, you must once again depress the SET button while operating in normal field conditions at normal ground speeds.
This will clear previous settings, then record and save new settings.
Now let’s discuss Draft Control with Slip Sensitivity
Slip Sensitivity requires both Load Depth to be activated and a functional ground radar.
Without one or both, Slip sensitivity will be unavailable and grayed out on your display.
Before using slip sensitivity, it is important to have tractor properly ballasted to prevent excessive slip in normal conditions.
Normal wheel slip for a properly ballasted wheel tractor is 8 to 12 percent slip (2 to 5% for Track Tractors). Refer to operator’s manual for more information on ballasting.
With slip sensitivity activated, the implement will be raised if wheel slip increases above your desired setting.
It is then lowered back to set position once wheel slip has decreased.
As this setting is increased, the implement will be lifted with lower amounts of slip.
Slip sensitivity can be deactivated by changing slip Sensitivity setting to zero.
Float mode is intended to be used with implements that are self-supported with gage wheels.
Float Mode allows the hitch to raise and lower with minimal resistance, to allow the implement to follow the contour of the ground.
To activate Float mode, press hitch control lever full forward, then downward, locking it in the Float position.