New 2720 Disk Ripper

Overview

With short windows of time to perform tillage operations, TruSet provides significant productivity improvements as operators can adjust the tool with just the push of a button, maximizing acres covered per day. By responding to conditions as they change throughout the field, TruSet Active enables operators to generate a higher-quality tillage performance within the first pass.

Using a GreenStar™ display, an operator sees real-time data for a variety of feature settings, ensuring confidence in desired tillage outcomes. Four customizable presets enable operators to save and name different combinations of settings for their most common field conditions, which allows for even quicker implement adjustments.

TruSet allows for adjustments from the cab

TruSet Tillage system

Single-point depth control is included with the TruSet Tillage system, giving operators the choice of automated or manual adjustments. Hydraulic routings on the tool are designed to allow each implement to feature both TruSet and standard single-point depth control for system redundancy, operator preference, and flexibility at resale.

John Deere has expanded TruSet features to bring even more functionality into the cab: 

• Active depth, and basket pressure and raise
• Gang angle
• Hydraulic active stabilizer wheels
• Hydraulic wing control
• Hydraulic fore-aft control

TruSet features and packages

TruSet Tillage features a variety of technology features and packages. With either the Select or Premium package, you can elevate your experience with some or full control of your tillage tool from the cab at your fingertips. The following table outlines each TruSet offering specific to the implement model. For additional information on each feature, see the details after the table.

*Currently not available in feature packaging

**New feature

NOTE: All Select package features are also included in the Premium package.

System Limitations 

Due to the style of sensor being used in this system, there have been a few conditions where it’s suggested running the machine with Active Depth turned off. Accuracy of the system may suffer, and active adjustments being applied may be less than desirable. 

• Downed crop 
• Snow of measurable depth 
• Tall weeds 
• Tall grass/cover crops 
• Bedded/ridge tilled practices 

After these conditions have passed, operator can re-enable TruSet Active without needing to re-calibrate the system.

Active depth (Select and Premium package)

Adjust depth and pressure while in the field

• With TruSet Active, the tillage tool automatically adjusts and keeps the desired depth even through changing field conditions, such as tire sink in soft soils or mud buildup in damp and sticky conditions.
• This is possible using an ultrasonic sensor that measures the distance from the mainframe to the soil as the implement travels through the field.

Basket pressure and raise (Select and Premium package)

• Integrated TruSet Tillage technology enables the operator to adjust their down pressure on the hydraulic rolling baskets while on the go to respond to changing field conditions such as varying soils, heavier residue, and moisture.
• Easily raise your baskets with one touch to avoid certain areas of the field, whether you are wanting to check the tillage tool with the baskets up or avoid going through a wet spot in the field. Once you’re through the area and ready to lower the baskets, simply press the basket lower to resume your desired basket pressure. 

Side-to-side leveling (Premium package)

Individual section leveling with TruSet side-to-side

• Operators have the option to enhance the TruSet Tillage system with individual section leveling functionality. TruSet side-to-side is available as a field-installed option that can be ordered with the tillage tool or through aftermarket parts. The base TruSet Tillage system can also be upgraded to TruSet side-to-side with a conversion kit.

Gang angle (Premium package)

Gang angle adjustment

• With TruSet gang angle control, operators can adjust the gang angle on the go right from the cab. Adjusting the gang angle from 0 to 12 degrees provides more horizontal soil movement. The more aggressive the gang angle, the more soil mixing and burying of residue. Operators can also remove light ruts, tracks, and weeds at the most aggressive gang angle.

Fore-aft (Premium package)

Hydraulic fore-aft control levels the 2660VT

• TruSet hydraulic fore-aft control enables operators to level the implement from the comfort of the tractor cab.

Wing down pressure (Premium package)

Hydraulic wing control pressure

• TruSet hydraulic wing control transfers the weight from the mainframe to the wings to improve penetration in hard or heavy soils. In high-speed, shallow-depth tillage operations, maintaining a consistent depth across the tillage tool is critical to the consistency of the seedbed.

NOTE: TruSet hydraulic wing control pressure is only offered on three-section models.

Stabilizer wheels (additional factory option)

• Getting the best field performance is easier with TruSet Active hydraulic stabilizer wheels. Choose the option to easily adjust the depth of the stabilizer wheels from the cab to match the overall depth as changes are made. This feature replaces the mechanical linkage on stabilizer wheels with a hydraulic cylinder.

NOTE: Stabilizer wheels are not offered on one-section models.

TruSet documentation

With integrated TruSet Tillage technology, operators can incorporate documentation and prescription functionality into their tillage operations. The tillage documentation feature allows producers to capture and analyze the tillage pass for additional coverage of the crop production cycle. Prescription functionality provides producers the capability to ensure their tillage operations are executed correctly, optimizing their investment in preparing for the next crop.

Operators can document data for the depth of their tillage tool along with rolling basket down pressure. By creating an as-applied map based off global positioning system (GPS) data for the job performed by each functional area on the implement, TruSet enables producers to document their tillage passes then later review and analyze the data for future agronomic decisions.

Additionally, the TELUS Agronomy Prescription Creator company, a connected partner tool through the John Deere Operations Center, enables producers to create prescriptions for each functional area on the tillage tools. Data from previous yields, soil surveys, or freehand drawing tools can be used to create prescriptions that command the implement to the desired depth and pressure settings for optimum agronomic results.

TELUS Agronomy Prescription Creator is a trademark of TELUS Agriculture and Consumer Goods

Internal basket scraper on knife-edge rolling basket

The internal basket scraper allows for a uniform field finish in wet conditions because the baskets do not need to be raised out of ground to avoid plugging and can stay in the ground 100 percent of the time.

This is available as an option for the knife-edge basket.

Residue remaining

2720 Ripper remaining residue in corn stalks

Typical percentages of residue cover remaining from the 2720 Combination Ripper are listed in the table. These percentages do not consider variables such as the conditions of the residue, speed, and soil type.

NOTE: Percentages assume disk gangs are operating at 152 mm (6 in.) of depth.

The 2720 Ripper offers increased weight per blade over the 512 Ripper to penetrate rock-hard soils and deliver up to 203.2 mm (8 in.) of blade working depth to bury residue. The chart below details the weight per blade of the 2720 with and without a basket versus the 512.

The 2720 Ripper achieves increased weight per blade over the 512 because of the following:

• Mainframe fore/aft tubes increased from 152.4 x 152.4 mm (6 x 6 in.) on the 512 to 177.8 x 177.8 mm (7 x 7 in.) on the 2720
• Mainframe fore/aft tubes increased from 9.5-mm (0.38-in.) thick on the 512 to 12.7-mm (0.5-in.) thick on the 2720
• Wing frames have changed from 6.4-mm (0.25-in.) thick on the 512 to 9.5-mm (0.38-in.) thick on the 2720
• Increase in gang bolt size
• Cast spools

2720 Ripper burying corn residue

*Non-fragile residue includes crops like corn, sorghum, and wheat (more than 1585.8 L [45 bu]).

**Fragile residue includes crops: like soybeans, edible beans, peas, wheat (less than 1585.8 L [45 bu]), sunflower, peanuts, and cotton.

Tandem wheels

NOTE: The option code 6095 is included in the base price of the ripper. Option 6095 is listed under the finishing components and is less round rolling basket.

Michelin 340/65R18 tires

Walk-Over tandem wheels provide added support and stability for smoother operation in the field.

Wheels in front of ripper shanks

The wheels are located behind the front disk gangs and in front of the ripper shanks. This allows the wheels to run on ground that has been leveled by the front disk gangs for more stable operation.

Goodyear is a trademark of The Goodyear Rubber & Tire Company. Michelin is a trademark of  Compagnie Générale des Etablissements Michelin SCA.

2720 level-lift hitch

The level-lift hitch/turnbuckle:

• Holds the frame level fore and aft for consistent depth throughout its range of operating depth, without the need to re-level the machine when the depth is changed
• Allows the operator to go from the working position to the transport position without re-leveling the machine

A single 152-mm x 254-mm (6-in. x 10-in.) hitch tube enables tighter turns on the headlands without the inside tractor dual interfering with the hitch tube.

The turnbuckle is used to adjust fore-aft leveling:

• Convenient, easy adjustment to match the hitch to the tractor drawbar
• Locking mechanism makes it easy to adjust turnbuckle as required; no jam nut to tighten
• Adjustment is made only once for each tractor

The turnbuckle-adjustment wrench is in base equipment:

• Stores for easy accessibility
• Also used to adjust eye bolts for wing depth control cylinders

Disk and shank pattern

The 2720 Combination Ripper uses the disk-shank-disk configuration (DSD). In the DSD configuration, the ripper standards are located between the disk gangs instead of behind them (or DDS) as some competitors use.

With the shanks at the rear of the machine, the shanks can leave large ridges and valleys.

Disk gang spacing

The 2720 Ripper disk gangs use field-proven gang components from the 2600 Series Disks for excellent reliability and performance. Disk gangs provide the following:

• Sizes residue to flow through spring tillage tools
• Kills weeds
• Works the soil
• Levels the soil profile
• Mixes the surface residue
• Gives full-width tillage up to 152-mm (6-in.) deep

C-spring standards protect the gangs from obstacles. Sealed, maintenance-free bearings prevent foreign material from getting into the bearings, thus ensuring long life. The bearings come with a two-year warranty.

The 2720 disk gang also features a floating scraper that is now mounted to the gang instead of to the gang tube. This allows the scraper to stay in constant contact with the blade when the gang side-loads in harsh conditions, allowing for increased residue flowing capability.

Floating scrapers mounted to the gang to increase residue flow

The 610-mm x 6.5-mm (24-in. x 0.256-in.) solid spherical low-concavity disk blades are spaced at 279 mm (11 in.) for sizing residue and to ensure residue flows well through spring tillage tools.

NOTE: Pieces are not sized so small they deteriorate quickly, blow away easily, or are buried readily, and yet are small enough to flow through a field cultivator.

High draft requirements

Operators are requiring faster field working speeds and larger implements and tractors because of a dramatic increase in farm size. The market is asking for and receiving tractors with more torque, more weight, and more horsepower. This increased draft requires more from the implement frame and hitch components. 

Frames and hitches have been redesigned with increases in frame tube thickness, additional diagonal bracing, and frame gussets for 447.4-kW (600-hp) engine requirements.

Category 5 implement hitch link

As part of the redesign, implements include a heavy-duty Category 5 implement hitch link, providing the necessary strength and dimensions to match a Category 5 tractor drawbar and associated load.

The drawbar pin is increased from 51 mm (2 in.) with Category 4 to 70 mm (2.75 in.) with Category 5. The hitch link thickness is increased from 47 mm (1.85 in.) with Category 4 to 58 mm (2.28 in.) with Category 5.

The addition of this option will satisfy tractor Category 5 drawbar requirements.

Compatibility

• Category 5 implement hitch links are not compatible with Category 4 tractor drawbars
• Category 5 tractor drawbars are not compatible with Category 4 implement hitch links

Round-bar or knife-edge rolling baskets

Hydraulic round-bar rolling basket

Hydraulic knife-edge rolling basket

The industry-exclusive hydraulic rolling baskets found on the 2600 Series Disks and vertical tillage are also available on the 2720 Disk Ripper. The baskets come in a round-bar or knife-edge configuration. 

Below are the benefits of each basket:

• Round bar – does a better job of busting clods and firming the ground.  Slightly more prone to plugging over the knife edge because there are more bars.  Works best in drier conditions.
• Knife edge – slices through clods. Works best in heavier, wet soils. Knives grab dirt and recycle more to size clods more effectively. Cleans out very well in the field. 

The rolling baskets can be set in three different positions based on their hydraulic operation:

1. Down pressure - a gauge on the front of the 2720 allows operators to set basket down pressure to ensure constant ground contact.  Down pressure also allows for better sizing of slabs, clods, and root balls and leaves a level soil profile.
2. Float - the baskets can be put in the float position using the selective control valve (SCV) on the tractor. This allows the weight of the basket to roll over the ground. 
3. Raised - the baskets can be lifted off the ground when encountering a wet area of the field to help eliminate any chance of plugging.

Down pressure should always be set using the gauge and operated from the cab.

• Baskets are attached to the frame by a welded gusset, not straps and bolts. This makes the basket attaching method much more reliable to withstand harsh field conditions.

Basket attachment to frame

NOTE: Rolling baskets are not available on the seven-standard rigid narrow transport model.

Contact a John Deere dealer for more information on Round-bar rolling baskets and Knife-edge rolling baskets.

Rear view of folded 2720 Narrow Transport

Side view of folded 2720 Narrow Transport

The 2720 Disk Ripper provides multiple narrow-transport configurations that enable producers to easily maneuver their implements. The seven-standard 2720 is available in rigid and folding configurations.

Transport dimensions and rolling basket compatibility vary by tool. The folding seven-standard narrow-transport configuration is a true three-section machine with folding baskets.