John Deere Unveils 8R Series Tractor Lineup

John Deere is bolstering its lineup of high-powered row-crop tractors with the introduction of its 8R Series Tractors.

As producers take on more acres and grow their farm operations, they're spending more time in the tractor cabs working. New 8R Series Tractors help operators work more comfortably and productively. The lineup includes six wheeled models that range from 225 to 345 engine horsepower and three track models that range from 295 to 345 engine horsepower.

"We've taken the most fuel-efficient row-crop tractor ever produced, at a time when its reliability is better than ever, and refined it by increasing horsepower output, adding our most spacious, most comfortable, and most productive cab ever. We've also dramatically upgraded the ride comfort and capabilities of our track models. These tractors offer customers low operating costs and maximum uptime with ultimate comfort and productivity," says Chad Hogan, John Deere product line marketing manager.

A hallmark of the 8R Series tractors is the next-generation John Deere CommandView II Cab. Inside, operators will discover a roomy work environment that's equipped with integrated, easy-to-use monitors and controls. Visibility is enhanced in all directions.

Each 8RT Tractor is equipped with John Deere's AirCushion Suspension System that was first made available on the company's larger 9030T Series Track Tractors.

And for the first time ever, John Deere makes its Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) available on 8RT Series Track Tractors. It's standard on the 8345RT and optional on all other models. With an IVT, operators can use a single lever to smoothly shift from 0-24 mph, or any speed in between.

Maximum transport speed has been increased up to 24 mph on the track models. In addition, fuel capacity on the 8RT Series has been expanded to 200 gallons – a 54% increase from its predecessor.

"Our track tractor customers can now select any track spacing between 72-160 inches wide by using the field-installed kit and can make adjustments without de-tensioning the tracks," says Hogan.

All 8R and 8RT models are powered with the 9.0L John Deere PowerTech Plus engine that meets current Tier III Emission Standards.

Deere Introduces 800-Horsepower Self-Propelled Forage Harvester

John Deere introduces its new 800-horsepower 7950 Self-Propelled Forage Harvester, the largest, most powerful SPFH the company has built. Deere also unveils its new 770 SPFH Corn Head and 600C Series Pickup Heads to complement the 7050 Series lineup.

The 7950 SPFH replaces the 7850 in John Deere's forage-harvester lineup that includes five additional models that range in size from 375 to 615 hp.

"The 7950 SPFH is ideal for customers that require a large-capacity forage harvester for their dairy, beef, or custom-harvest operation. In some cases a single 7950 can replace two smaller forage harvesters," says Tim Meister, division manager of marketing for Deere's Ottumwa Works. "Customers that utilize one machine instead of two can significantly reduce their machinery and operator costs.

"With its 19L Cummins® engine, the 7950 SPFH provides customers with efficient power and reliability to handle their most demanding harvesting jobs, without compromising quality or performance."

Customers can now order the new John Deere 770 Corn Head that's compatible with the company's 7050 Series SPFHs. The 770 Corn Head is a 10-row unit on 30-inch spacing and can be a replacement for the 710 Corn Head. The new corn head is comprised of four large drums and two small drums. The large drums are especially beneficial for customers who need to harvest tall or high-tonnage corn.

Three new John Deere 600C Series SPFH Pickup Heads are also now available for use with 7050 Series SPFHs.

"These new heads offer customers improved efficiency and productivity and allows them to make fewer passes through the field to harvest the same amount of crop as before. We've also made several improvements to our new 600C Series Pickup Heads that make them considerably more durable and reliable than the 600B models that they replace," explains Meister.

Deere Offers New Series of Self-Propelled Windrowers

Deere introduces its all-new lineup of 400 Series Self-propelled Windrowers for 2010. Three new models are now available: the 125-horsepower A400, 125-horsepower D400, and 200-horsepower R450. The A400 and R450 replace John Deere's 4895 and 4995 Self-propelled Windrowers, respectively. The D400 is dedicated for draper applications.

"Beef, dairy, and custom-harvesting operations continue to increase in size and demand higher efficiency and performance from their equipment. Our new windrowers enable customers to cut more crop in a day while our proven conditioning system reduces dry-down time," says Deanna Kovar, division manager of marketing for John Deere Ottumwa Works.

Kovar says the new windrowers provide customers with faster transport speeds, a smoother ride, updated styling, and increased maneuverability compared to their predecessors. Maximum transport speeds have been increased up to 21 mph.

The new rear-axle steering-assist system has three operating modes. From 0-4 mph the system is inactive. This allows for improved operator control of the windrower at slow cutting speeds in challenging field conditions, or when customers need to make sharp turns at the end of the field. The second mode is partially active at 4-8 mph. At these speeds, hydraulic cylinders attached to the rear caster wheels, begin to work in unison with the front drive wheels to allow for enhanced operator control of the windrower.

"At speeds greater than 8 mph the rear steer-assist system is fully active. In this mode operators are better able to control the windrower when higher cutting speeds are reached or on the road during transport," says Kovar.

Under-frame clearance on the 400 Series is increased 7 inches to accommodate large windrows without dragging crop. The 400 Series machines are CAN-bus integrated to make diagnostics and calibration easier for service technicians, which saves customers time and money for routine maintenance and for repairs if needed. The newly updated cab and controls reduce operator fatigue during long workdays.

Deere Adds Economy-Sized Self-Propelled Sprayer to Lineup

John Deere adds an economy-sized but versatile model to its 30 Series Self-Propelled Sprayer lineup. The new 4630 Sprayer is ideal for cotton farmers who want a low-cost, comfortable, and productive machine that's simple to operate. It's also ideal for corn, soybean, or small-grain producers that want a productive yet comfortable machine with advanced options.

The 4630 Sprayer replaces John Deere's discontinued 6700 Sprayer.

The sprayers are available in a narrow 72- to 88-inch, or wide 90- to 120-inch axle configuration. In areas where corn or soybeans are planted on traditional 30-inch rows, the sprayer's wide axle configuration allows it to straddle three or four rows providing ultimate stability for the operator.

In cotton country, the narrow configuration gives the sprayer the ability to straddle two 36-, 38-, or 40-inch rows that allow cotton producers to stay on hard centers. The axle flexibility allows the 4630 to fit in most crop applications in North America and around the world. Its C-channel frame and air-ride, four-link suspended axle provide an exceptionally smooth ride that allows spraying to occur at speeds up to 17 mph," says Nick Weinrich, John Deere product manager.

The new 4630 Sprayer features a 600-gallon poly solution tank that sits above the sprayer's axles to prevent crop interference. The sprayer's hydraulically-driven centrifugal pump provides continuous 4-95 gallon-per-minute flow rates that deliver up to 40 gallon-per-acre rates across the 80-foot boom width at speeds up to 12 mph.

Operators pilot the sprayer with a single hydro lever that moves with the ComfortCommand seat. John Deere's AutoTrac-Ready system provides the necessary wiring harnesses to run GreenStar guidance and field documentation applications. Customers can add a StarFire global positioning receiver and use it in conjunction with the standard GreenStar 2 1800 Display or optional GS2 2600 Display to run guidance applications such as AutoTrac™ and Swath Control Pro. The GS2 2600 Display enables operators to create as-applied maps, and to utilize documentation features found in larger John Deere 4730, 4830, and 4930 sprayers.

The 4630 Sprayer is available with a 60-80-foot boom that enables operators to spray at either a 60-foot width with the outer booms folded in, or at 80-feet with the booms fully extended. Each 4630 Sprayer is powered by a 165-horsepower John Deere PowerTech 6.8L, turbocharged diesel engine that's Tier III emissions compliant. A 70-gallon fuel tank provides up to 16 hours of operating time between refueling.