500D Draper

The 500D Series includes an improved reel increasing durability in heavy crop conditions.

500D Draper teeth

If reel teeth need to be replaced, it can be done quickly. Easy reel tooth replacement with one-quarter turn of a wrench means up to 20 percent improvement in the time it takes to replace reel teeth. If one does break, a ninety degree turn will allow the reel tooth to be removed. Additional teeth can be added at any location along the extruded tooth bar.

A double swath package (hydraulic deck shift) is available as an option for the 525D, 530D, and 536D Draper Platforms.

Double swath is controlled from the cab using hydraulics and two shifting decks. Operators can choose right, left, or center delivery of the windrow.

The double swath package is a valuable asset for producers who want to combine the two windrows into one to match up with the material handling capacity of larger combines and self-propelled forage harvesters (SPFHs).

Additionally, the package gives the ability to discharge crop to the outside on the headland to prevent running over the windrow while cutting the rest of the field.

Right-hand discharge

First pass with right discharge

Second pass with right discharge

The first and second passes with the discharge to the right of the windrower.

Left-hand discharge

Third pass with left discharge

The third pass with the discharge to the left of the windrower.

Center discharge

Center discharge

When the operator wants to switch back to center delivery, it can be completed with the touch of a button using the controls inside the cab.

500D Draper on windrower

The draper hydraulic pump control maintains knife, belt, and reel speeds regardless of engine rpm changes. This means uniform cut quality and windrow formation regardless of terrain or engine load. Also, less crop loss or shatter.

500D Draper on W235 Windrower

The 500D Draper Platforms feature center belt drives. Center belt drives deliver increased torque enabling greater productivity with minimal belt slippage and increased performance in heavy crop conditions.

Center-driven belts

Red circles point out the location of the belt drive motors

The draper belts on the 500D are driven from the center of the platform. This delivers increased belt performance compared to drapers with end-driven belts.

Belt drive motors

Motor driving the left-hand belt

Motor driving the right-hand belt

Due to the motors pulling the belt (instead of pushing in an end drive system), there is less slack in the belt. This delivers an increase in belt torque.

As a result, producers will experience minimal belt slippage and increased performance in heavy crop conditions due to the center-driven belt system.

Sales, parts, and service support from your local John Deere dealer offer overnight parts delivery and a well-trained support staff.

500D Draper and interchangeable rotary platform

When dealing with multiple crops, the 500D Draper Platform and John Deere rotary platforms are quickly interchangeable on W235 or W260 Traction Units. These platforms can be interchanged in 30 minutes or less. This means customers can use one traction unit for harvesting both small grains and hay.