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 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.

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.

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.

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.

All 2720 Disk Rippers come with TruSet Tillage and single-point depth control in base equipment, providing operators with the choice of in-cab control or making manual adjustments.

TruSet Tillage depth and pressure control

In just six seconds, 2720 Disk Ripper operators can manage their changing field conditions such as running deeper over end rows or shallower on hilltops and lighter soils by making on-the-go adjustments for the entire implement from the tractor cab. TruSet enables users to adjust depth for the rippers and adjust the pressure on the active hydraulic rolling baskets – all while covering acres.

For the 2720, producers can also upgrade to TruSet active hydraulic stabilizer wheels to make in-cab adjustments for depth.

TruSet Tillage active hydraulic stabilizer wheels

Getting the best field performance is easier with TruSet hydraulic stabilizer wheels. Choose TruSet hydraulic stabilizer wheels as an option on the 6.86-m (22.5-ft) nine-standard model or 8.38-m (27.5-ft) 11-standard model. The mechanical stabilizer wheels can be manually adjusted with a turnbuckle. TruSet enables operators to control the TruSet hydraulic stabilizer wheels from the cab while on the go. It requires TruSet depth and pressure control.

Functionality by depth-control option

Single-point depth control is easily accessible from the front of the machine. This convenient performance feature:

• Is in base equipment
• Is easy to use
• Conveniently provides an infinite range of depth settings
• Gives excellent repeatability

TruSet Tillage provides precise depth and pressure control from the cab on the go

TruSet Tillage provides precise depth and pressure control from the cab on the go. Integrated TruSet Tillage technology enables disk ripper operators to adjust depth and down pressure on the active hydraulic rolling baskets while on the go to respond to changing field conditions such as varying soils, compaction, and moisture.

With a short window of time to perform tillage operations, TruSet can provide significant productivity improvements as operators are able to adjust the combination ripper while covering acres with the push of a button. By responding to conditions as they change throughout the field, TruSet enables operators to generate better-quality tillage performance with the first pass.

Using a GreenStar™ display, an operator sees real-time data for depth and basket down pressure for assurance of desired tillage outcomes. Once the actual set point is validated and configured to the display in the cab, operators can make independent adjustments as small as 2.54 mm (0.1 in.). Four customizable presets enable operators to save and name different combinations of settings for their most common field conditions.

Single-point depth control is included with the TruSet Tillage system, giving operators the choice of automated or manual adjustments. Hydraulic routings on the 2720 Disk Ripper 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

50-mm (2-in.) disk gang bolts

Gang tension system

John Deere's 2600 Series Disks provide an innovative approach to tension disk gang bolts.