25 Years of John Deere Automated Guidance: A Precision Ag Timeline
This year marks the 25th anniversary of John Deere moving into automated guidance.
Now the wraps are off, with official photographs and confirmed specifications; twin, chromed exhaust stacks and a J.Lo back end hint at where they’re headed.
The new 9000 series will have four models -- the 9600, 9700, 9800 and flagship 9900. The smallest unit has Deere’s own 13.5L, 6-cylinder PowerTech engine, while the three larger units are equipped with a 24L, V12 engine supplied by Liebherr.
Maximum power outputs are 625, 770, 870 and 970hp, respectively, in machines the manufacturer describes as ‘wide-bodied’ with fuel capacities of 1100 to 1500L.
Rural News understands that several existing 8000 series machines will remain in the product offering. It is expected the 8600 will become the flagship of that series, with the same 13.5L/625hp engine as the entry level 9600 machine.
John Deere says the new series will provide “10% more productivity while consuming 10% less fuel” than existing top-of-the-range machines. It also gives a similar number of 10% higher kernel processing scores for machines equipped with corn crackers.
The range has undergone several changes, including an 850mm crop channel that feeds a 670mm diameter drum that carries 40, 48, 56 or 64 chopping knives. Add to this an improved mainframe to deal with higher loadings, a reinforced driveline in the same vein and optimised component speeds: all are said to increase efficiency and form the basis of JD’s new HarvestMotion concept.
The kernel processor/corn cracker for the range merits attention; it has the optional XStream KP unit developed with US specialist Scherer.
It has a roller diameter of 250mm and a roller speed differential of 50% to create a ‘scrubbing’ effect; it is said to achieve the higher kernel processing score authenticated by independent test institutes.
Processor rollers are fitted in a saw-tooth profile on the Premium KP unit, with either saw-tooth or a new X-cut design in the XStream unit; this has a spiral-cut groove across the roll surfaces. Interestingly, the XStream KP is fitted with in-built temperature sensors to keep the operator informed of bearing temperatures.
The 9000 series is available with JD’s AMS precision farming systems that include the HarvestLab 3000NIRsensor to measure crop yields, moisture and other constituents; AutoTrac steering; RowSense guidance and ActiveFill Control to fill trucks or trailers.
