The John Deere-patented-design cutterbar is made from individual, diagonal-cut modules. Servicing the modules is easy; the diagonally cut module design allows the modules to be removed individually while leaving the cutterbar attached to the frame. Idler gears transmit power through the cutterbar, increasing life of the platform and improving uptime.
Diagonal-cut modules
Cutterbar module
- Removing seven bolts (two on each side of the module and three at the rear of the frame) enables a module to be removed from the cutterbar.
- A rubber ring seals each module to the other and enables a common oil reservoir throughout the cutterbar.
- The modules are made of high-strength, nodular iron castings.
Drive components
Cutterbar drive components
- Each module consists of two idler gears and one drive gear. The large-diameter idler gears transmit power from module to module. The idler gears turn at a relatively slow speed for added durability.
- A smaller-diameter pinion drive gear is used only to power the cutting disk. Power is not transmitted from one cutting disk to another except through the large- diameter idler gears.
- Cutterbar modules are interchangeable across the entire cutterbar. Disk rotation is reversible and determined by the quill position (A) when assembling the disk module to the cutterbar. In some conditions, cutting performance can be improved through reversing individual disk rotation.
Quick-change knives
Having sharp knives on your machine is critical to harvesting all your crop and leaving a clean-cut field. Changing dull or bent knives is no longer a time-consuming job with the John Deere quick-change knife (QCK) system. There are no worries about having an impact or air compressor to change out the bolts. Simply insert the QCK tool into the disk and press down. The knives can be swapped out in seconds.
- Reduce time to change knives by more than 50 percent over the bolted system
- Kits are available to retrofit most 600, 800, and 900 Series Mower-Conditioners
With TouchSet, you can make adjustments to the R500 rotary header directly from the cab, enhancing convenience and efficiency. TouchSet allows you to adjust the formation shields, roll gap and swath flap on the go, all without leaving you seat.
Windrow width adjustments
In the past, adjusting the windrow width required crawling under the machine to loosen and adjusting the forming shields. With TouchSet, these adjustments can be made quickly and easily form the comfort of the cab, saving you time and effort.
Adjust the swath flap from the display
Adjust the forming shield from the display
Roll gap adjustments
Roll gap adjustments
With TouchSet, operators can effortlessly select and adjust the swath flap, roll gap, and forming shields settings from the display. Please note TouchSet is not compatible with the R400 rotary header but is fully compatible with the R500 rotary header, equipped with any conditioner except for the impeller.
Windrow formation shield actuators
Customize a preset for a field or crop
TouchSet comes with a preset library of different crops to select while cutting. The crop selection automatically adjusts the header for that particular crop. You can also customize your own preset for a particular field and/or cutting. This allows you to quickly adjust the swath flap, forming shields, head tilt, roll gap, and cutterbar speed.
The overshot cross auger delivers increased performance in windrow formation and cut quality. Improved crop flow from the edges of the platform toward the center provides an even flow into the conditioner, creating more uniform windrows. Additionally, crop is lifted off the cutterbar faster for improved cut quality in downed crops and reduced crop recut.
Improved crop flow from edges
- The overshot cross auger features cupped flighting with a long pitch. The cupped shape makes the auger more aggressive in pulling crop from the edges of the platform and the converging drums.
- Moving more crop from the edges of the platform toward the center delivers increased windrow uniformity, helping to reduce drydown time.
Reduced recut
Reduced recut
- The center flutes of the cross auger have an aggressive edge to help lift crop off the cutterbar and feed it faster into the conditioner. This improves crop quality in reducing the potential for crop recut.
- Moving crop faster into the conditioning rolls increases the overall capacity of the platform, enabling faster cutting speeds in heavier crop and more acres cut in a day.
Lightweight plastic doors and bolted top sheets make service quick and easy.
Lightweight plastic doors
- Lightweight plastic doors provide resistance to rock damage and are easier to open than original metal doors.
- Bolted top sheets replace an original welded design and can be removed for increased accessibility or replaced in case of rock damage.
Quick-change knives
Having sharp knives on your machine is critical to harvesting all your crop and leaving a clean-cut field. Changing dull or bent knives is no longer a time-consuming job with the John Deere quick-change knife (QCK) system. There are no worries about having an impact or air compressor to change out the bolts. Simply insert the QCK tool into the disk and press down. The knives can be swapped out in seconds.
- Reduce time to change knives by more than 50 percent over the bolted system
- Kits are available to retrofit most 600, 800, and 900 Series Mower-Conditioners
The R400 and R500 Rotary Platforms provide a variety of conditioner options tailored to meet the needs of producers. Different crop types demand different conditioners to ensure optimal performance in window formation, cut quality, and drydown time.
Urethane conditioning rolls
Urethane conditioning rolls
- The urethane roll conditioner works well in legumes, especially alfalfa and most all-grass crops. In general, roll conditioners are better suited for thick- stemmed, cane-type, and taller grasses more than 1.5-m (5-ft) tall.
- Molded urethane rolls are formed by a cool molding process that does not distort or warp the steel core of the roll, ensuring the rolls are arrow straight and cylindrical, so they can be accurately spaced close together for uniform conditioning along the length of the roll.
- The intermittent, recessed-cleat design gives more crimping edges for greater pressure per square inch, which results in superior conditioning and faster crop drying.
An adjustable swath board is included with the urethane conditioner roll option.
Impeller
Free-swinging impeller - R400 only
Pre-loaded tine impeller - R500 only
The R400 and R500 Rotary Platforms are each equipped with unique impeller conditioners tailored for optimal performance. The R400 features a free-swinging impeller, while the R500 comes with a pre-loaded tine impeller, making both models ideal for conditioning grass crops and legumes such as alfalfa.
The R400 has V-shaped tines and the R500 has straight-shaped tines that create a scuffing action by pushing the crop against an adjustable conditioning hood. This action effectively removes the waxy surface of the stem, enabling faster moisture evaporation. However, it is important to note that these conditioners are not recommended for crops 1.5 m (5 ft) or taller.
The adjustable conditioner hood offers operators the flexibility to modify the distance between the hood and the impeller tines. A tighter clearance results in more aggressive conditioning, while a wider setting accommodates larger crop volumes and provides gentler conditioning for legumes. Additionally, the impeller rotor speed can also be adjusted only for the R400 by altering the drive belt routing. It is important to note that no conditioner speed adjustments are recommended for the R500.
The R400's free-swinging impeller tines are designed to protect the conditioner from damage when encountering rocks or other solid objects, reducing maintenance needs in challenging conditions. The force of the free-swinging impeller ensures that the tines effectively push on the crop.
On the other hand, the R500 features a pre-loaded tine impeller equipped with 162 individual tines, which can be replaced due to wear or breakage. It is crucial to operate the machine with all tines intact, as missing or broken tines can lead to imbalances and vibrations that may cause damage. The pre-loaded tine impeller not only pushes the tines outward but also allows them to apply greater force on the crop.
The impeller speeds for the R400 free-swinging impeller are:
- 870 rpm – ideal for grasses
- 630 rpm – suggested setting for legume crops
- Increased impeller speed in taller crops may help reduce wrapping of rolls
The recommended impeller speed for the R500 pre-loaded impeller is:
- 2350 rpm - minimum rpm required to maintain force of the pre-loaded tines on the crop
V-10 steel conditioning rolls
Close-up of V-10 steel conditioning rolls
- The V-10 steel conditioner rolls feature 10 angled flutes arranged in a chevron pattern, or V-pattern, along the length of the steel core.
- Steel rolls offer improved wear life over urethane rolls, particularly in adverse crop conditions.
Advantages of the V-10 conditioner roll over the previous straight-flute design include:
- Deep intermeshing angles for positive feeding and uniform conditioning throughout the entire length of the rolls
- More crimping edges for improved conditioning
- Improved feeding
- Improved windrow formation
An adjustable swath board is included with the V-10 steel conditioner roll option.
Tri-Lobe™ steel conditioning rolls
Tri-Lobe steel conditioning rolls
Close-up of Tri-Lobe steel conditioning rolls
Tri-Lobe steel conditioning rolls are only available on the R500 Platform.
- Tri-Lobe steel conditioning rolls have three intermeshing chevron lobes to crush the length of the stem for improved conditioning and faster drydown. The rolls are manufactured using a patented process.
- The steel material increases wear life, especially in abrasive crops or soil conditions. Durability is a distinct advantage compared to other crusher-style rolls made of rubber or urethane. The chevron design of the rolls gives positive feeding and improved crop flow.
- These rolls are well-suited for use in alfalfa where reduced curing time results in less bleaching of the crop. In heavy, thick-stemmed crops, such as sudan or sudex, the steel construction of the rolls does a very good job of breaking up the nodes on the stems to improve dry down.
Replaceable end shafts
- The shafts on the Tri-Lobe rolls are steel forgings that are then machined. These precision parts have minimal runout, which means that the rolls themselves rotate precisely around their axis.
- This precision enables the rolls to be adjusted to a minimum clearance for consistent conditioning along the length of the rolls.
- The machined, forged roll ends are bolted into the core of the Tri-Lobe steel roll. In the event a roll end is damaged, the entire roll does not need to be replaced. Each shaft can be replaced individually, resulting in lower repair costs.
- For serviceability, each roll end has two threaded holes so bolts can be used to pull the shafts from the steel core of the roll.
An adjustable swath board is included with Tri-Lobe conditioner option.
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