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No-till Drill Parts & Equipment

  • Air Flow
  • Case IH P-500 & SDX Drill Parts
  • Delivery Systems
  • Intelligent Ag Flow Monitors
  • John Deere Drill Parts
  • Keeton Seed Firmers for Drills
  • Mojo wires for Drills
  • UniForce Hydraulic Downpressure

    • UniForce Hydraulic Downpressure

    Get your JD 50/60/90/Pro-series drill to work the way it should.

     

    • Reduce/eliminate hairpinning
    • Get consistent depth!
    • Better use of frame weight (& less frame stress)
    • Less sidewall compaction
    • Avoid misplaced seeds from sidewall blowout (gauge whls riding up)
    • Greater upstroke/downstroke on openers than OEM
    • Perfectly uniform pressure on all openers

    Call to order 785-820-8000

    The biggest downfall of the JD 50/60/90/Pro-series drills is how down-force is applied—the rockshaft twists to compress a big coil spring on each opener. Because the spring is nearly parallel to the arm, the opener has almost no down-stroke—i.e., the spring is in the optimum position (applying the correct amount of down-force) for only about 1/4″ of its range. Had the spring been oriented differently (e.g., pushing straight down), the problem wouldn’t be nearly so bad.

    So, you must have fields that are laser level for these openers to work correctly. Even 1/2” depressions give them fits. The spring starts to relax as the opener goes into these miniscule depressions, and you lose down-force—the opener loses depth, and starts hairpinning. To compensate, everyone cranks the pressure way up—so that the majority of openers have far too much pressure, just to keep those passing thru mild depressions working halfway decent. You end up with excessive sidewall compaction on most of the rows, while some aren’t even holding depth. Not to mention it takes a bunch of extra ballast on the frame. For this reason, it’s much more important to get rid of downpressure springs on these drills than it is on planters with a parallel link.

    The Trouble With OEM Springs

    The big coil spring on JD 50/60/90/Pro-series drill openers is a major downfall of that design. If the spring relaxes when the opener goes into the slightest depression, it loses down-pressure and fails to cut the straw & stalks (hairpinning!) and the furrow may be shallower if soil is hard.

    Single-Action cylinders

    Maintain a completely uniform pressure across all the openers of the drill.

    UniForce Hydraulic Down-Pressure

    Our UniForce hydraulic system fixes Deere’s design debacle. Now, you can get uniform pressure on every single opener throughout its full stroke. The result is much better cutting, less hairpinning, holding depth much more accurately, and far less sidewall compaction. Another problem with springs is that they bounce: Hydraulics don’t have this problem. When developing the UniForce, we’d often leave at least one opener with the OEM spring. Watching them run side by side, it’s amazing how much the row(s) with OEM springs bounce, whereas the rows with UniForce are smooth and steady.

    UniForce uses single-action cylinders along with the OEM rockshaft, which is still used to raise and lower the openers. The two hydraulic circuits may be plumbed together so that everything runs on a single tractor remote*, or they may be kept completely separate (two tractor remotes are used). *We prefer them kept separate.

    Large 3/4″ header hoses* allow oil to move quickly from one end of the drill to the other, and between the front & back ranks. This keeps pressure almost perfectly constant even while going over steep terraces or through swales at high speed. Special brackets support the header hose on most air drill sections. Large 1/2″ drop hoses let oil move in & out of cylinders very rapidly. But don’t be fooled by the size of the hoses: The flow requirements are relatively low—for 48 rows, the UniForce takes only 4 – 8 GPM (for comparison, the air cart fan needs 25 – 30 GPM). (*Box drills use 1/2″ header hoses.)

    Call for UniForce pricing and receive a free quote. All of our Exapta team members have hands-on experience with UniForce. They can answer your questions and work up a quote for you.

    Optional Accumulator

    For those who farm in terraces, especially when using only a single rank of openers, Exapta offers an optional 2.5-gallon accumulator for the UniForce system (JD 50/60/90/Pro) on air drills, or a pair of 1-gallon accumulators for a pair of box drills towed together on a hitch. When hitting terraces square-on, even the largest-capacity tractors can’t supply enough oil flow to keep the pressure constant, but our accumulator improves this considerably. (If you don’t farm in terraces, you don’t need an accumulator.)

    Includes brackets, hoses, fittings

    More UniForce Hydraulic Downpressure Testimonials

    “We are very pleased with the UniForce system. We noticed our openers run a lot smoother through the ground, and no longer bounce as much. The seed placement is excellent, and emergence has never been better than the last two years. It’s especially impressive with small-seeded crops. All plants emerge at the same time, and we see that right through to harvest with very even maturity. We have just experienced two drought years in a row. This past year [2018] was the worst in 18 years. With the Exapta system (UniForce, Thompson wheels, DuraLoks, Ninjas, Ingersolls) on our drills, we seem to be seeing some yield advantage at harvest time.”
    Chet Dykshoorn
    Chet DykshoornForemost, Alberta, Exapta customer since 2012 (UniForce, etc on two 42’ JD 1895s)
    “The openers run a lot smoother and they don’t bounce around like they used to [before installing UniForce]. Seed placement is definitely better, therefore obviously emergence is better. We have faced a couple drier years than normal, but I’ve been quite surprised with some of the yields!”
    Glen Sebok
    Glen SebokTaber, Alberta, Exapta customer since 2012 (UniForce on two 43-ft JD 1895s)
    “UniForce really made an improvement on my drill. We now are able to keep the openers in the ground consistently. That was the biggest downfall with the JD drill, but with UniForce we solve that issue. In fact, in the same field we were using both the planter and the drill to plant beans, and the beans planted by the drill were two inches taller than the beans planted by the planter. I can see there being a huge market for UniForce on drills, because planters are so expensive anymore — but with UniForce, you can do just as good of a job using your drill and it’s a lot less expensive.”
    Ron Small
    Ron SmallMonroe City, IN, Exapta customer since 2007 (1990 CCS JD drill, 35-ft, 15” spacing)
    “Prior to UniForce, our 1990 CCS JD drill would not consistently place soybeans in the terrace pans [channels]. I wouldn’t let anyone else run the drill, but now with UniForce I’ll let others operate because I’m not worried about maintaining depth when going over terraces and through channels. With UniForce, not only will it uniformly place seeds in the pans but we also are able to plant over 0.5 mph faster and still have 5,000 -10,000 more seeds in the ground instead of bouncing out on top. And that’s a conservative estimate. The big bonus—simplicity!! There’s no need for sensors and electrical nightmares. Set your pressure and plant.”
    Brian Miles
    Brian MilesMarshall, MO, Exapta customer since 2018 (UniForce on 43-ft JD single-rank 1990 CCS)
    “UniForce worked beautiful! It eliminates all the bounce and keeps the openers in the ground. I am very glad I installed UniForce.”
    Karl DavisWinfield, IA, Exapta customer since 2017 (JD 1990 CCS 40-ft 15” spacing)
    “Addition of the UniForce hydraulic down-pressure system was money well spent. The openers stay down, do not bounce and cut thru residue, while accurately placing seed at the desired depth. We are also pleased with the addition of the DuraLok press wheel, Ninja seed tabs & Niaux disc blades. We thank Exapta for their continued dedication to the improvement of agricultural equipment.”
    Mike StubbsLacrosse, WA, Exapta customer since 2018 (JD 1990 CCS, 40ft on 10” spacing)
    “We only installed the back rank to improve our soybean stands, but when I run the drill for wheat seeding, I look back and can visually see the openers on the back rank running so smooth versus the front rank openers are bouncing constantly. I know we are getting better seed placement just by that visual!”
    Jerry Mettler (Mettler Fertilizer)Menno, SD, Exapta customer since 2015 (UniForce on back rank only of 42-ft JD 1890)
    “We installed UniForce before wheat seeding and saw a significant difference with much better stands in the problem areas like terrace channels. I’m very pleased with the improvements UniForce made to the drill.”
    Mike Jordan
    Mike JordanBeloit, KS, Exapta customer since 2007 (JD 1890, 40-ft, 10” spacing)
    “The system does what it should. We have more flexibility going over terraces now, and not leaving little skips. The openers stay in the ground better.”
    Jerry Burger
    Jerry BurgerPalmer, KS, Exapta customer since 2007 (UniForce on 30-ft JD 1890 CCS)
    “We installed the UniForce system on our 1890 last summer. The seed placement on winter wheat last fall in soybean stubble reminded me of planter-quality work. We seeded soybeans in corn stalks this spring, and except for areas where corn residue had accumulated in windrows, the seed placement was better than previous drilled beans (with the same drill) according to our agronomist, Matt Deyle. In fact, he said it reminded him of a planter…. I am of the opinion that the UniForce should be standard equipment on the Deere drills.”
    Kent Stones
    Kent StonesLebanon, KS, Exapta customer since ’99 (UniForce & T-whls on 42-ft JD 1890 on 7.5” spacing)
    “I have been pleased with UniForce. I appears to roll ground better and has more travel. I’m confident it’s doing a better job than the OEM springs.”
    Josh Lloyd
    Josh LloydClay Center, KS, Exapta customer since 2010 (UniForce on JD 1890 40ft on 7.5", TBT 350bu)
    “The drills definitely pull easier after installing UniForce. My Challenger keeps track of fuel usage and all that. UniForce also lets the drills follow the terraces much better—before, there were places we couldn’t get 1/3 of the discs in the ground. Also, the drill is quieter—the openers aren’t banging around like they used to. Everything’s not bouncing like it was before.”
    Dean Panter
    Dean PanterSmith Center, KS, Exapta customer since 2016 (UniForce on a pair of 15-ft JD 1590s on 7.5" spacing)
    “With our terraces and uneven ground, we wanted to keep constant pressure on all the openers, and have more stroke. We didn’t like having to apply so much extra pressure to make the springs sorta work when the opener went through a small depression. On our old drill, we broke the frame a couple times, and the rockshafts a couple times. We hope to avoid that stress on our newer drills with UniForce’s greater stroke and more constant pressure.”
    Lewis Unruh
    Lewis UnruhPeabody, KS, Exapta customer since ’03 (UniForce on pair of JD 1590s on Houck Hitch)
    “I don’t usually jump right into new products, but I did with UniForce because it was what I had in mind needed to be done anyway to go across terraces. I really like it.”
    Mike Slipke
    Mike SlipkeDowns, KS, Exapta customer since ’07 (UniForce on 40-ft JD 1890 on 7.5" spacing)
    “I am very pleased with the performance of UniForce. I am getting more consistent seed placement across the drill in uneven areas and edges of fields. More downward travel compared to the factory setup makes a big difference and there is also no bouncing of row units. I was also very impressed with the install job by you. Complete confidence that it was done properly and explained to me. Overall just really happy with UniForce and working with the good folks at Exapta Solutions! Would recommend to anyone looking to improve drill performance.”
    Scott Heinemann
    Scott HeinemannWinside, NE, Exapta customer since 2018 (UniForce on JD 1590 box drill 15ft on 7.5" spacing)
    “Thanks for doing a good job at Exapta, appreciate your dedication to the no-till system. We used the drill last season (2021), very pleased with the improvement. I have many variations in my field plane so I need the consistent down pressure. Had a better stand because of better seed-to soil contact, also improved yield. I would recommend the [UniForce] system to others.”
    Ed Meng
    Ed MengExapta customer since 2008 (UniForce, Thompson wheels, Ninja flaps, DuraLoks installed on a 15' JD 750 drill)
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    UniForce Hydraulic Downpressure Videos

    See the UniForce system in action
    Installing cylinders for UniForce hydraulic down-pressure system

    About the UniForce hydraulic down-pressure system

    In the News

    Don Titlon shares with No-Till Farmer about his experience with UniForce. Read more.

    Exapta Solutions’ new UniForce hydraulic down-force Replaces the OEM springs on each opener with hydraulic cylinders to apply uniform force to the opener throughout its range of travel, for greatly reduced hairpinning of residue and much better holding of opener depth. Read More

    Tom Cannon shares with No-Till Farmer that the Exapta upgrades to his drill including UniForce allowed him to lower his soybean seeding rate from 150,000 seeds down to 100,000! 1/3 lower seeding rate! As Tom stated, “That is a huge savings when you look at today’s high seed costs.” Read More

    Downloadable Installation Instructions

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    Content of this page is copyright 2005-2024 Exapta Solutions, Inc. (reprint with written permission only).

    Thompson wheel covered by U.S. Patent No. 6,907,833. Liquid delivery feature of Valion seed tube guards is U.S. Patent No. 8,978,564. Ninja seed bounce flap U.S. Patent Pending. UniForce U.S. Patent Pending. All rights reserved on other designs. Exapta is a registered trademark of Exapta Solutions, Inc. Keeton is a registered trademark of Precision Planting. Mojo Wire, Thompson wheel, Valion guard, Ninja flap, UniForce, DuraLok, No-till Seeding Explained, and No-till Seeding School are trademarks of Exapta. Disclaimer: Recommendations & page content are current, accurate, and believed to be broadly applicable as of the time of writing (Dec 2005) and last update (2005 – 2014). Because of diversity of soils, climate, crops, planter & drill models/designs marketed worldwide, combinations of attachments, etc., actual results may vary. No warranty is made as to actual results obtained. Should you encounter exceptions or worthwhile annotations to the statements made on this page, please contact us.

    “Last fall was extremely hard and dry for wheat sowing. I was able to hold the depth much better with the [UniForce] hydraulic system than I would’ve with the JD springs. We left one opener with the JD spring on it, and it was visibly jumping around [riding out] compared to the rows with hydraulics.”
    Alan Aufdemberge
    Lincoln, KS, Exapta customer since ‘08 (UniForce on 40-ft JD 1890)
    “Before installing UniForce the drill openers looked like a piano board being played. Now that UniForce is installed, it is amazing to see how no opener bounce occurs. The entire drill has consistent down-pressure, giving us uniform depth. We are now obtaining what we set out to accomplish. ” [2019 update] “Since adding UniForce, I’ve been able to reduce my soybean seed population from 165,000 to 140,000, so a savings of 25,000/acre. This saves me about $8/acre.”
    David Hoar
    Campbellsburg, IN, Exapta customer since 2016 (43-ft JD Single rank 1690 CCS, 32 openers on 15” spacing)
    “Seed placement is beautiful, wet or dry, almost like a planter. In combine tracks, tractor tracks, grain cart tracks—it’s all at the same depth. All the seeds are down in the bottom of the furrow and firmed in, right where they should be, with loose soil over the top…UniForce, along with Thompson wheels, have taken a mediocre drill and turned it into a truly superior-performing seeding tool. It’s not just a slight improvement, it’s night and day. A lot of people will give a testimonial on something just because they’ve spent the money, but I am impressed. I was skeptical and dragging my feet about purchasing UniForce, but the results are stark and undeniable. [2019 update] Extremely pleased. We’re seeding beans into 170-bushel corn stalks, and I believe these are the best stands I’ve ever had—with the worst seed I’ve ever had [low-vigor as determined by Cold Germ and AA]. I’m absolutely convinced that anyone running this type of drill will find this system highly beneficial.”
    Kent Stones
    Lebanon, KS, Exapta customer since '99 (UniForce & T-whls on 42-ft JD 1890 on 7.5" spacing)
    “In hard, dry bean stubble, [the UniForce] stuck [the wheat seeds] in there better. The stands were more consistent in wheel tracks and drier areas. Overall, slightly more uniform stands, and more uniform emergence. After seeing the results on our 1895 last fall [2016], I felt strongly enough about it to outfit our 60-ft 1890 with UniForce.” (And Mike spends his money super-carefully.)
    Mike Arnoldy
    Kennebec, SD, Exapta customer since ’01 (UniForce on 43-ft JD 1895 & 60-ft JD 1890)

    Derek Tjaden

    Derek is Kansas native who grew up in a 100% no-till farming operation. From an early age the benefits of no-till were made known to Derek by his father and by attending no-till conferences. From there he furthered his passion for soils while at Kansas State University getting his agronomy degree. He has had the experience of working in various roles and sectors of agriculture from sales and consulting, to management, which have all been within production agriculture. Derek has also worked in specialty ag markets such as turf and ornamentals.

    Bob Pagel

    Sales & Service Representative

    Prior to joining Exapta, Bob Pagel was an Agricultural Territory Sales Manager for Ritchie Brothers, serving parts of MN, WI and IA. He continues to support his family farm in SE Minnesota.

    Jon Zeller

    Current Product Engineer

    Jonathan Zeller joined Exapta excited to return to working with no-till planting equipment. He supported research of no-till planting and other ag related projects for 7 years with Kansas State University’s Agricultural Engineering Department after getting his engineering degree. He later worked 3 years for Landoll Company, LLC. where he gained experience in a design engineering role. Jonathan grew up on a small family farm in NE Kansas working with row crops, hay and cattle. Jonathan enjoys solving engineering problems and improving or creating products to be robust and easy to install and service.