Tech Takes the Wheel: John Deere Delivers Solutions Beyond Iron
The unifying theme of John Deere’s product launch is to increase productivity, profitability and sustainability. And the big green manufacturer is achieving that trifecta across all seven new products by intertwining iron and technology even closer.
“The line where the precision ag starts and the tractor stops is extremely gray. It used to be bolting on precision ag hardware, and now it’s part of what the tractor does,” says marketing manager Ryan Jardon. “Just as much as hydraulics, technology is what you get when you buy a tractor from John Deere. The deep integration of precision ag gives the ability for the tractor to do all the features customers want with no bolt-on harnessing and hardware. Our 7, 8 and 9 series tractors now have the same base level of precision ag integration. And sprayers and combines have gone through the same process to deliver on our precision ag opportunities.”
9 Series Delivers Power, Efficiency
The Model Year 2022 9 Series tractors span 200 hp and 12 models—six wheeled, three 2-track, and four 4-track models ranging from 390 to 640 hp. John Deere is the only manufacturer offering tractors in all three forms.
As marketing manager Ryan Jardon explains, this lineup features improved efficiencies with more horsepower and hydraulic capabilities. Powered by brand-new 13.6 L John Deere Powertech engines, the tractors are designed to stay in the power band longer, and optional hydraulic power management offers up to 50 more horsepower in high hydraulic demanding jobs. The largest model can provide up to 640 hp, is powered by a 15 L Cummins engine, and has up to 67,000 lb. of ballast.
“With more power, we beefed up the drivetrain, which increased the overall weight of the tractor, and it really allows you to hug the ground and get the traction needed for additional power,” Jardon says.
“Customers want to pull wider implements–or the same implements but faster–to do more work in less time. This tractor helps them be ready to go and get as much work done as they can in the time windows they have.”
All 9 series tractors are geared with the e18 powershift transmission.
Factory-integrated technology packages from the 7 and 8 series are now standard on the 9 Series with, StarFire 6000 receiver, AutoTrac, the Gen 4 CommandCenter and JDLink, to stream data to the John Deere Operations Center.
“Ultimately, precision ag has never been this easy for a four-wheel-drive customer,” Jardon says.
In the newly designed cab, the operator is optionally heated, ventilated and features massage.
“There’s plenty of adjustability in the seat, and there’s a bigger fridge and more storage,” Jardon says. “We know long days are inevitable, and we want operators to be comfortable. We also have device power connectors so whatever you want to plug into the cab, it’s there to keep you running.”
In summary, Jardon says, “It’s the technology and the brains within these tractors that sets them apart. They provide high power, power to the ground, and efficiencies to do a lot of work and do it precisely. That’s where the industry is going.”
8 Series Delivers New Integrated Solutions
Ranging from 230 to 410 hp, the 15 models of 8 Series tractors are available across three forms: wheeled, two track and four-track. Also like its big brother in the 9 series, 8 series tractors come factory equipped with JDLink connectivity, an integrated StarFire 6000 GPS receiver, Generation 4 CommandCenter display and AutoTrac guidance.
The 8 Series front axle options include mechanical front-wheel-drive or independent link suspension. Three transmission options include 16-speed PowerShift; e23 PowerShift, or the Infinitely Variable Transmission with optional CommandPRO.
With the new 8 Series, John Deere deepening its focus on how its machinery is more about delivering agronomic solutions than just iron, and it has two new offerings as examples.
The first example is ExactRate Tanks, which are an industry first, factory installed tractor/planting solution.
“This is the next step for a green on green solution as we strive to make things easy for our customer. Our customers know of the agronomic benefits to apply nitrogen with the planter pass and at sidedress, but it hasn’t been easy until now,” says Jardon. “With ExactRate Tanks, everything is turn key for the grower. Our John Deere dealers can be a one-stop shop to eliminate the pain points of aftermarket tanks and plumbing.”
ExactRate Tanks provide up to 1,000 gal. of liquid fertilizer carrying on the tractor with an additional 600 gal. mounted on the planter. Setup on 8RX tractors paired with 1775NT planters, transport speed is up to 20 mph and in-field the tractor.
A second technology example is the new John Deere Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS), which optimizes tire pressure to be higher for over the road transport and then lower during in-field operations.
“This will allow customers to easily make tire pressure adjustments that just weren’t practical before,” Jardon says. “And this will help minimize the soil compaction.”
For model year 2022, John Deere will offer three enhancements to its air seeding lineup. RelativeFlow Blockage Detection will have wider availability across all widths and all products. In-cab TruSet downforce provides adjustments to ensure proper seed depth. And Pro Series Quick-Change blades will provide a 45% improvement per blade for changeovers.
The company has also announced a new model naming system highlighting series, opener style and width.
All-Season Machines For All Field Conditions
Marketing manager Joel Basinger says sprayers need to be able to not only delivery high capacity and high accuracy but also be ready to head to the field when field conditions are prime. For model year 2022, John Deere is introducing new 400 series, 600 series and Hagie STS sprayers.
“We have a complete offering for all sprayer customers,” Basinger says.
The Hagie STS models have been redesigned from the ground up. The new chassis, styling, and suspension are highlights of the major changes. The cab, which features hands-free entry, has been carried over from the x9 combine with some sprayer specific changes.
With the new design, the sprayers offer the Hagie trademarks of 52/48 weight split; up to 76” clearance, and the front-facing hybrid boom, along with optional all-wheel-steer, nutrient toolbar, and Montag cover crop attachment.
“These sprayers are powered by John Deere Powertech 9.0 L engines, and are 300 hp and 400 hp—the highest horsepower for a row crop sprayer in North America,” Basinger says.
The three models are STS12 with 1200 gal; STS16 with 1600 gal; and STS20 with 2000 gal. The 2000 gallon machine is the largest capacity sprayer John Deere offers.
The STS models feature the Gen 4 CommandCenter, StarFire 6000 receiver, AutoTrac and JDLink. ExactApply is also now available on the STS models.
Also in the new lineup are the refreshed 400 and 600 Series which aim to increase the productivity with reliability. The medium chassis 400 series spans four models: 408R with 800 gal; 410R with 1000 gal; 412R with 1200 gal; and 400R with dry spinner.
The large chassis 600 series includes three models: 612R with 1200 gal; 616R with 1600 gal; and 600R with dry spinner.
Carbon fiber booms are optional, and Exactly Apply with boom recirculation is available on steel booms.
First Product In The See & Spray Portfolio
Since its acquisition of Blue River Technologies in 2017, John Deere has made it publicly known of its intent to develop plant-by-plant application solutions. Now, the company is introducing the first product in its See & Spray lineup---See & Spray Select, which is the result of a development partnership with University of Southern Queensland in Australia.
See & Spray Select is a factory installed option available on the new 400 and 600 Series sprayers.
“We are launching our first product in the See & Spray lineup, and this will be a journey,” Basinger says. “We’ve been waiting on be able to introduce this first product, and there will be lots of things to talk about in the next two, three, and four years.”
In this initial production introduction, John Deere is focusing See & Spray Select to be used in rotations that include chemical fallow acres—and in the North American markets that means primarily in the western plains and pacific northwest.
“This system today doesn’t distinguish weed from crop, it doesn’t distinguish different greens,” Basinger says.
The technology detects a growing plant and selectively sprays a targeted application at 12 mph. The See & Spray system captures field images with 36 cameras across a 120’ boom (27 cameras on a 90’ boom), and collects application as-applied maps and data.
If the owner wants, they can switch over from See & Spray to broadcast spraying with a switch in the cab. Basinger says this makes John Deere stand out as the only OEM spraying manufacturer to offer a factory-installed spot spray and broadcast solution in one machine.
Per research across 75,000 acres, See & Spray Select can provide an average reduction of non-residual, pre-emerge herbicides by 77%, which could allow farmers to reallocate those previous input expenses to other areas of their operation and the system will allow growers to use more complex tank mixes than were available in the past.
“We used to farm on a field, then it went to zones, and then rows, and our goal is to be managing plant-by-plant,” Basinger says. “We want to use sensing technologies to identify weeds and potentially diseases. There is a lot that artificial intelligence will open up.”
John Deere says it’s working with multiple development partners in this space, including the team at Blue River Technologies.
From tractors to See & Spray technology, John Deere’s launch demonstrates the company’s commitment to deliver technology to customers that can improve the way they farm.
