John Deere plans to show off its tractors, balers and precision farming technology
New tractors, balers and AMS precision farming technology will be featured on John Deere’s Cereals event stand for the first time in June.
With horsepower ratings from 245 to 345hp, increasing to 380hp with intelligent power management, John Deere’s new 8R & 8RT Series tractor range includes the industry’s first ever tracked models with an infinitely variable transmission. Features include a new, spacious CommandView II cab, and a new AirCushion suspension system on the tracked machines. There is a choice of 16/5 automatic PowerShift or AutoPowr infinitely variable transmissions on all models except the top of the range 8345R and 8345RT, which are AutoPowr only – both transmissions allow a 24% increase in transport speed to 42kph. The 8R Series wheeled tractors are equipped with front axle independent link suspension (ILS), with Active Seat as the secondary suspension system.
Both 8R and 8RT Series tractors now feature intelligent total equipment control (iTEC), which replaces the previous implement management system (IMS). This integrated tractor and implement control system is easy to set up and operate, relieving the operator’s workload and saving time during headland turns. In addition, a range of AMS guidance solutions are available across the range. All models come AutoTrac-ready as standard, while optional upgrades include iTEC Pro for automatic headland turns and iGuide passive implement control for more accurate work in hilly conditions.
New balers on show at Cereals will include an 864 Premium variable chamber model equipped with tractor-implement automation, which received a DLG silver medal award at Agritechnica 2009.
The tractor-implement automation system enables two-way ISOBUS data exchange between the tractor and more complex implements. During operation, the system allows the implement to take command of certain pre-assigned tractor functions to make the driver’s life easier. On a round baler, for example, it will tell the tractor when bale formation is nearly complete and make it slow down to release the bale.
Designed for farmers and contractors looking for higher density bales and increased versatility, John Deere’s round baler range has been completely updated and renumbered for the 2010 season. There are now eight basic variable and fixed chamber models altogether, with a range of pick-up and feeding systems, extra options and new features, including an improved knife design for increased quality of cut and productivity.
Depending on model and specification, there is a choice of three pick-up types for different baling conditions. The HiFlow pick-up is available in widths of 2 and 2.2m, for high baling capacity especially in dry crops. The 2 or 2.2m RotoFlow pick-up features a large diameter, high rpm rotor for increased performance, and a new drop-floor unplugging system, which prevents blockages caused by the build-up of crop material; and the 2 or 2.2m MaxiCut pick-up offers either 14 or 25 precutter knives for greater flexibility.
John Deere’s Agricultural Management Solutions (AMS) division recently announced two new ways of supplying farm vehicles with highly accurate GPS correction signals for precision farming applications – a mobile RTK system with an industry exclusive “fall-back” feature, and a unique method of extending the signal reliably from an RTK base station.
As an alternative to the existing base station system, the new StarFire Mobile RTK option instead uses a modem connected to the vehicle-mounted StarFire iTC receiver to provide a correction signal via the Vodafone mobile phone network and a central internet-based server. The server automatically calculates the optimum error correction for the vehicle’s location, maintaining +/- 2cm repeatable accuracy regardless of the vehicle’s position.
In addition, the new StarFire RTK multiple repeater is designed to extend and improve the range and effectiveness of an RTK base station network. This industry exclusive breakthrough makes it possible to use up to nine radio repeaters per base station without the signal interference issues encountered by other systems, in which only one repeater can be used.
Increased accuracy and lower costs can also be achieved by using automatic section control on the growing number of Isobus-ready sprayers, fertiliser spreaders and seed drills, using John Deere’s new Application Pro Universal system.
The optional Sprayer Pro, Seeder Pro and Spreader Pro modules are designed for use with the latest GreenStar 2 precision farming software packages and the GreenStar 2600 in-cab display. These allow third party machines to be switched automatically on and off of according to their GPS position, in the same way as John Deere’s established Sprayer Pro system on its trailed and self-propelled sprayers, which will be demonstrated in the Sprays and Sprayers arena at the Cereals event.
