News & Events

Designed as versatile workhorses for contractors and medium sized to large arable farms, John Deere’s newly styled 7R Series tractors feature more power, manoeuvrability and operator comfort than their 7030 Series predecessors. There are five models in the range, developing a maximum of 230 to 310hp with Intelligent Power Management (IPM), according to 97/68EC ratings.
For added security, 7R Series tractors are fitted as standard with CESAR Datatag and immobiliser systems, with a unique transponder based key. In addition, new models will be supplied with complimentary JDLink Ultimate telematics plus Service ADVISOR remote monitoring and diagnostics systems for the first year.
Having optimised the performance of its field-proven and operator-friendly high-pressure common rail (HPCR) PowerTech Plus engine technology, which consistently achieves leading fuel efficiency results in independent tests, John Deere has maintained the single fluid, diesel-only approach on these latest models to conform to Stage IIIB emission standards.
The 9-litre PowerTech PVX engine on the three larger models – 7230R, 7260R and 7280R – features a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and exhaust filters, which include a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The two smaller models – 7200R and 7215R – are powered by 6.8-litre PowerTech PSX engine using series turbochargers, which combine a low-pressure fixed geometry and a high-pressure variable geometry turbocharger. With IPM, both engines deliver an additional 30hp for transport and non-stationary pto applications.
The electronically controlled viscous fan cooling system automatically adjusts fan speed to match load changes. To maximise efficiency of the cooling system, air is pushed into the engine compartment instead of being pulled in. This helps to minimise dirt intake and keeps the radiator clean, as well as increasing fuel efficiency by 3 to 6 per cent, depending on the application.
There is a choice of four transmissions, including PowerQuad Plus with speed matching and AutoQuad Plus with FieldCruise and EcoShift functions. The newly designed CommandQuad transmission includes an Efficiency Manager, which makes sure that the gear and throttle work hand in hand to optimise fuel efficiency, with automatic range shifting on the road.
There is a choice between a fully automatic mode, with gear and engine rpm selection depending on load, and a manual dial-up mode for targeted speed applications, which includes five ranges with four power speeds per range. In addition to the convenient CommandArm control, this transmission features 42kph Eco and 50kph options and a left hand reverser for easy direction changes. For maximum fuel efficiency, the AutoPowr continuously variable transmission has been completely redesigned, with all new hardware and control software.
The 7R Series tractors feature the same newly designed CommandView II cab as the 8R Series machines. New levels of comfort are provided by the spacious interior, the armrest controlled and roof-integrated air conditioning system, all-round visibility both day and night from an increased glass surface area and 360-degree lighting pattern, which delivers a 74 per cent increase in available luminescence, and more storage space than ever before.
For maximum operator comfort, these new tractors are optionally available with either ActiveSeat suspension to compensate for up to 90 per cent of the tractor’s vertical movements, or HCS Plus hydraulic cab suspension. This is a semi-active dampening system that anticipates loads and braking to maintain the overall balance of the cab, while still providing the driver with an accurate feel for the tractor and ground surface.
The new right-hand CommandArm console with its integrated CommandCenter display puts all the key tractor functions within easy reach. The 7in CommandCenter display is ISOBUS compatible and includes Access Manager as standard, while the optional touchscreen version also includes video capability. Both standard and touchscreen versions accommodate key applications such as the CAN-bus controlled SCVs and intelligent Total Equipment Control (iTEC), which allows the operator to automate multiple functions simultaneously.
In addition, important GreenStar precision farming applications can now be operated via the display, including AutoTrac and SprayerPro. The CommandArm console also incorporates the settings for cruise control, iTEC, transmission and pto settings, hitch functions, air conditioning and radio controls, mechanical front wheel drive (MFWD) engagement and the light controls. Tractors equipped with PowerQuad Plus or AutoQuad Plus transmissions feature an alternative right-hand control console. The optional GreenStar 2630 display enables the use of AutoTrac and Guidance Pro modules, and provides ISOBUS capability, documentation, video functionality, Access Manager and a stand-by mode.
The newly designed structural chassis of 7R Series tractors takes advantage of the high power density to cope easily with demanding load and draft applications. For putting maximum power onto the ground, the tractors are equipped with TLS Plus triple link suspension, in combination with MFWD. TLS Plus features self-levelling and automatic adjustment of axle sensitivity.
Also optionally available for these new tractors is John Deere’s exclusive ActiveCommand Steering system, which reduces steering effort in order to minimise operator fatigue and improve driving comfort and control. This fully electronic steering control system automatically adjusts the road wheel angle based on the lateral acceleration of the tractor.
This improves control when cornering at transport speeds, as well as the tractor’s ability to hold a straight line. Furthermore, the system’s Variable Ratio Steering module reduces lock-to-lock turning in the field, for quicker headland turns. Compared to a conventional steering system, ActiveCommand Steering produces a 75 per cent reduction in typical hand movement.
New large capacity pumps deliver increased oil flow and lift capacity from the closed-centre, pressure and flow compensated hydraulic system, which can operate a maximum of eight SCVs, up to six at the rear and up to three at the front of the tractor. Maximum lift capacity of the rear hitch is 9562kg on the 7200R, 7215R and 7230R and 10,788kg on the 7260R and 7280R, while the fully integrated front hitch (with pto) has a lift capacity of up to 5200kg. The tractors also feature a new pick-up hitch.
John Deere 7R Series tractors have a slightly longer wheelbase than previous models, and the top two models can be fitted with larger Group 49 tyres with a maximum diameter of 215cm. There is also the option of a flanged or rack & pinion rear axle for extra versatility, and the shorter overall length of the tractors has improved turning radius by 18 per cent.

John Deere has installed two new Titan FuelMaster 5000-litre tanks at its Langar, Nottingham headquarters. These have replaced existing 20,000-litre single-skinned steel tanks, which had become fouled and heavily corroded over time with sludge and sediment.

The installations were specified by The Oil Tank Company Ltd, who are Titan accredited suppliers and installers based in Rutland; the company offers a full maintenance service for both commercial and domestic installations.

Both the new plastic FuelMaster tanks are bunded (a tank within a tank), and they have dual 10-micron particle and water filters fitted as standard. The fuel from one tank is being used for on-site demonstrations of the latest John Deere tractors and other self-propelled machines, while the second tank, along with another new installation, a Titan EcoSafe 5000 bunded tank, stores oil for the company’s warehouse heating system.

The switch to the FuelMaster range has been driven by the industry’s shift from red diesel to ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD), which is better suited to power the modern tractor engine. Plastic tanks do not react with the diesel components, thus preventing the build-up of sludge and residue, and the finer filters with water traps protect the demonstration fleet’s fuel systems.

“With the change to ULSD and the likelihood of a bio-oil content within the new fuel, we had to make sure that our fuel hygiene was top of the class,” said John Deere’s division customer support manager Bob Holt.

“Our previous steel tanks were decades old, and there was no point in running the risk of contaminating the fuel systems of our demonstration machinery fleet. We are simply employing best practice, and would encourage our customers to take a long, hard look at not only their fuel storage facilities but also the quality of the fuel that they are purchasing.”

The Oil Tank Company has been dealing with Titan for the last 10 years – a testament, according to the company’s founder and managing director, Simon Ellis, to both the quality of the product and the customer service they offer.

He said: “Titan has long been the market leader in fuel storage; their products and service are second to none. For example, the FuelMaster range comes fully set up ready to be installed, and only requires connecting to an electrical supply. We then maintain the systems after installation, typically going in after 12 to 18 months to check the filters and pipeworks.”

The FuelMaster tanks were installed with new bases and firewalls, and the installation is fully compliant with the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations 2001.

John Deere’s HarvestLab sensor for self-propelled forage harvesters will, from next season, be able to analyse a range of crop constituents including sugars, starch, protein and crude fibre content, quickly and accurately while on the move.
 
Farmers and contractors looking to generate extra income can therefore benefit from this new advance in precision farming technology. The ability to now measure sugar levels in real time also provides the opportunity to manage the silage additive process more efficiently, using a range of commercially available automatic variable rate application systems.
 
This latest version of HarvestLab is the first commercial system of its kind on the market, and is based on near infrared (NIR) sensor technology manufactured by Zeiss Jena. Using the additional crop data, the HarvestLab sensor can help livestock farmers to optimise their herd’s performance from silage, more accurately balanced against the correct amounts of extra bought-in feeds when required.
 
Similarly, operators of bioenergy plants can more easily calculate the optimum amounts of biomass material to use for efficient energy production. John Deere’s 7050 Series i-specification self-propelled forage harvesters are ideally suited to harvesting maize and other energy crops for biomass, and can chop consistently to the necessary length for bioenergy plants, down to 4mm.
 
The forager’s integrated ‘intelligent’ technology package includes the HarvestLab sensor and AutoLOC. Using the machine’s infinitely variable transmission, this already provides automatic adjustment of the length of cut depending on the dry matter content of the crop being harvested. This is based on settings programmed in by the operator on the machine’s in-cab GreenStar 2630 touch screen display prior to work, according to end user requirements.
 
As the forage dry matter rate within a field varies due to differences in soil, seed varieties and other external factors such as trees on the headlands, AutoLOC automatically adjusts the chop length in 1mm increments based on the preset values, to produce the optimum feed quality from the harvested crop. HarvestDoc also records all the necessary crop and harvest data for the contractor’s invoicing process.
 
Mounted on the forager spout, the HarvestLab system has been independently verified by DLG to consistently deliver +/-2 points of accuracy.

John Deere has entered into a cooperation agreement with the Bank of Ireland to support retail financing solutions for its agricultural and turf equipment in the Republic of Ireland.
 
Effective from 1st August 2011, this non-branded agreement will be administered by the agricultural and commercial finance company Bank of Ireland Finance (BIF).
 
John Deere believes this is an extremely positive step, not only in supporting its business partners but also as a commitment to its growing agricultural and turf customer base in the Republic of Ireland.
 
The agreement enables John Deere dealers to offer customers a full range of flexible machinery financing options.

Designed and built by John Deere, the new 1026R sub-compact tractor provides best in class power, performance and versatility, while offering a number of standard features more commonly found on larger machines.
 
This is a completely new model from John Deere, and is aimed at both residential and commercial customers who need to do more than just cut grass. A wide range of attachments and implements, which can be changed quickly, easily and safely, make the 1026R suitable for councils, municipalities, private contractors, landscapers, large property owners and smallholders.
 
The 1026R has a 26hp three-cylinder diesel engine (23.8hp rated at ECE R24), and a two-range hydrostatic transmission with Twin Touch pedals for ease of use and precise operation. Both four-wheel drive and power steering are standard, giving excellent manoeuvrability in all conditions. The tractor also has a wider track width of 1.2m for increased stability.
 
Additional comfort and simple operation are provided by the flat-floor, easy to access platform, standard cruise control and tiltable steering column, and a deluxe suspended seat. A high specification lighting package, a 12V outlet and a foldable Roll-Gard ROPS are also standard equipment.
 
The new 1026R can carry dozens of attachments and implements, including a quick attach front loader with a lift capacity of 380kg to full height, a mid-mounted AutoConnect side discharge rotary mower deck, rear mounted attachments on the standard Category I three-point linkage, and front mounted attachments such as a snow blade or rotary brush using the John Deere Quick Hitch system.
 
The durable 3.5 or 4.5mm thick mower deck is available with cutting widths of 1.37 or 1.52m (54 or 60in) respectively, and is very easy to attach. Using John Deere’s exclusive AutoConnect technology, the operator simply drives over the top of the deck for automatic attachment to the tractor. The mower’s height of cut can also be adjusted easily from the tractor seat thanks to a conveniently located knob, and the deck can be raised and lowered using an independent system controlled by the standard front loader joystick.
 
The tractor’s three-point linkage with position control has a maximum lift capacity of 525kg at the link ends, or 309kg at 61cm (24in) behind the link arms. A Category 0 front hitch is also available, designed specifically for the European market, with ample lift capacity for large front-mounted implements.
 
An optional comfort cab features large doors, a spacious environment for the operator, a deluxe cloth seat and integrated work lights, offering excellent visibility at night. Overall height of the tractor with the cab fitted is under 2m (78in), which is useful for access to low buildings and when operating close to trees and other obstacles.

John Deere’s Setting Directions – Turf product launch sees the addition of two new zero-turn mowers to the company’s range of riding lawn equipment, which includes the existing Z425 model. The Z225 is an entry level machine, while the Z645 has been designed to meet the requirements of semi-professional users.
 
Both these new John Deere zero-turn mowers represent state of the art mowing productivity and operator convenience, and are backed by the world class John Deere dealer network.
 
The homeowner solution: Z225
The Z225 is a new entry level zero-turn machine for fast, efficient and comfortable mowing. Equipped with a twin-cylinder engine developing 14.6kW at 3150rpm, it provides plenty of power and torque, whether you are discharging grass clippings to the side or using the optional collection system or mulching kit. The electronic ignition allows easy starting, while premium power and fuel economy are provided by the V-twin overhead valves and cast iron cylinder liners, which ensure a long engine life.
 
The Z225 can travel at speeds of up to 11.3kph and benefits from efficient, adjustable twin lever controls, which are very easy to use and feature shock absorbers for more comfortable operation. The large 33cm (13in) diameter front caster wheels and 18x8.5-8 rear drive tyres provide solid traction and a smoother ride.
 
A newly designed operator station on the Z225 features excellent visibility. In particular, the edge of the cutting deck can be easily seen when trimming up against obstacles. In addition, all the controls are colour coded for simple identification and operation.
For optimum safety, the operator must sit in the seat, engage the park brake and ensure both control levers are in the outward position before the engine can be started. The engine will also stall if the operator leaves the seat without the control levers in this position, and the park brake engaged.
The deep design of the 107cm (42in) mower deck helps to lift the grass for a clean and even cut. The mower’s high level of performance can be maintained by using the deck’s wash port, which allows a hosepipe to be connected directly to the deck for automatic cleaning.
The semi-professional solution: Z645
John Deere’s larger semi-professional zero-turn mower, the Z645, is equipped with a V-twin engine developing 15.4kW at 3350rpm. This provides high torque levels for all applications, with low vibration and noise levels. The Z645 is more robustly designed than the smaller Z225 and Z425 models and features an increased specification, including a heavy-duty pump and wheel motor transmission for extra reliability and long life.
The Z645 is equipped with a durable 122cm (48in) high-capacity mower deck, which is designed to handle larger volumes of grass and stand up to the most challenging mowing conditions. In addition, a foot pedal system makes it easy to lift and lower the deck, which is particularly useful when faced with obstacles such as kerbs and paths, for example.
The operator station features a deluxe high back seat, which can be easily adjusted in position for different operators. The control panel is conveniently located and provides easy access to the ignition switch, deck engagement and engine/choke controls, which also include the engine rpm speed control.

John Deere’s new X305R rear-discharge lawn tractor with collection system replaces the previous X300R model, and features a range of enhancements which make it even more versatile and productive.
 
The X305R has a powerful two-cylinder Kawasaki engine developing 12.2kW at 3100 rpm, which has been specifically manufactured for John Deere. This engine provides sufficient power to handle difficult working conditions while also providing a high level of fuel efficiency.
 
The TurboStar mowing system on the X305R lawn tractor offers excellent grass collection properties. Its enhanced fan features larger diameter, reinforced 8mm blades, and the fan is directly mounted on top of the mower deck for improved material flow into the collection hopper.
 
A low lift blade is used to feed the fan more efficiently, which improves material collection even further, and the mower stops automatically as soon as the hopper is full. This means the hopper’s capacity can be fully utilised, and blockages are avoided.

THE DAIRY EVENT & LIVESTOCK SHOW 2011, NEC, SEPTEMBER 6 & 7
 
John Deere’s new 6R Series tractor makes its UK show debut at this year’s Dairy Event & Livestock Show in September, alongside a new 7R Series tractor and 900 Series round baler with Fast Release System.
 
The newly styled 6R Series models offer more power, performance and operator comfort, and feature improved suspension and cab visibility, more powerful hydraulics and increased lift capacities. For added security, 6R tractors will also be fitted as standard with CESAR Datatag and immobiliser systems, with a unique transponder based key.
 
Three large frame models are initially available from November this year, the 6170R, 6190R and 6210R. They are equipped with a new Stage IIIB 6.8-litre six-cylinder PowerTech PVX diesel-only engine rated from 170 to 210hp, or a maximum of 200 to 240hp with Intelligent Power Management (according to 97/68EC). This makes the top of the range 6210R the biggest tractor ever built at Mannheim, and the first model to be produced by the factory with over 200 rated hp.
 
An optional front pto and an integrated front hitch with a lift capacity of 4000kg are also available ex-factory for the first time on 6R Series tractors, while maximum lift capacity of the rear hitch is 9550kg on the 6210R. The front hitch is fully compatible with the new John Deere H Series front loaders, which have been developed to provide maximum visibility and to match the new tyre size and tractor chassis dimensions.
 
Transmission options include the established AutoPowr continuously variable transmission, as well as AutoQuad Plus and PowerQuadPlus with SoftShift for smoother gear changes under load. The 40kph AutoQuad Plus EcoShift transmission can produce lower engine rpm at high transport speeds, to maximise operator comfort and reduce fuel consumption.
 
With the new AutoPowr drive pedal mode, operators can choose between three different settings depending on the application or their driving style. Once the desired engine rpm is set using the hand throttle, forward speed can be independently adjusted using the drive pedal.
 
A new 6210RE model with electric drive will also be available from spring 2012, in addition to an innovative transmission option that is due to be previewed at Agritechnica in Germany, in November.
 
Machinery demonstrations
 
John Deere is once again sponsoring the main machinery demonstration area at the event (adjacent to the John Deere stand no. MA451, near the event entrance), which this year features silage choppers/shredders and cubicle bedders from Garnett Farms Engineering, JF-Stoll, King Feeders, Kuhn Farm Machinery, Lucas G, RECO, Shelbourne Reynolds, Suton Machinery, Teagle Machinery and Woodchuck, all of which are being demonstrated on both days of the event.
 
These demonstrations are designed to provide visitors with an opportunity to compare models from different manufacturers, working under the same conditions. For further details, visit the event website at www.dairyevent.co.uk