At Exapta, we take performance very seriously. We spend a lot of time analyzing what needs to be accomplished and how best to accomplish it.… Read More »DuraLok vs Competitors & OEM (Firming Wheels on JD 50/60/90 drills)
JD 50/60/90/Pro-series drill rebuilds and upgrades Don’t have the time or inclination to crawl around on your drill doing the necessary maintenance? Wanting UniForce, but… Read More »No-till Drill Rebuild Services
An oft-discussed topic is the repair of the boot attachment holes to minimize the up/down slop (which is important for seed placement). But it’s crucial that… Read More »JD 50/60/90 seed boots
Continuing on from our previous email with seed firming and furrow closing steps: 5) Seed firming is mission critical. Unless you’re willing to rely on a rain every… Read More »JD 50/60/90/Pro-series NT drill tips, Part 2:
All of our past newsletters and tips on these drills are compiled and updated here (if you hate reading, this material was also presented in a recent webinar,… Read More »JD 50/60/90/Pro-series NT drill tips, Part 1:
In case you missed the Webinar, you can watch the recording now. UniForce In-Depth Webinar covers: Hydraulic capacity requirements Can UniForce work when the tractor… Read More »UniForce In-Depth Webinar
This special flat washer and flange locknut wear against each other as the closing arm moves up/down in the field. They wear fairly quickly, since they’re only… Read More »Maintenance on JD 50/60/90s
Bigger isn’t always better. At least not for opener blades cutting mulch (and soil) in no-till.Too many OEMs want to use 20 – 24” opener… Read More »Blade Size for No-till Openers
These are notorious for dust getting inside, not taking grease, and then seizing up entirely. While the update that Deere did with making a flat… Read More »Depth-adjustment shaft seizing on JD 60/90 drills?
Keeping the firming & closing arm pivots working properly can be a real hassle on the JD 50/60/90 drills. Even after Deere upgraded them circa… Read More »Aricks Bushing Kits
Content of this page is copyright 2005-2025 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.
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.
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.
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.
