John Deere chose Livestock 2012 to launch its range of self-propelled forage harvesters – the seven-model 7080 series which offers a power span from 380hp through to 812hp.

Prompting the change has been the requirement to meet new emission standards and this has led to the introduction of new engines which conform with the required Stage lll B (Interim Tier 4) standard.

The 380hp 7180 has a six-cylinder, 9-litre engine but then it’s 13.5 litre blocks all the way through to the 625hp 7780 and it is interesting to note there are now 440hp and 490hp models which replace the 480hp 7350.

Topping out the range if the 812hp, 19-litre Cummins powered 7980 which remains in the Tier ll emissions bracket. 

New features include a new KernelStar processor which uses a bevel disc designs and is claimed to do a better job of smashing maize and wholecrop and produce better quality feed for cattle and anaerobic digesters as a result.

There is also a new five-speed length of cut transmission which can be operated from the cab and an option for a Harvestlab which not only records crop moisture and volume but, for the first time, also provides an analysis in terms of starch, protein and other constituents.

For more on this topic

See our Livestock 2012 event page