Building on the success of the 8000 Series, John Deere has announced four new self-propelled forage harvester models from 625 to 970hp.
The 9000 Series features the latest forage harvesting technology and will provide customers with 10 per cent more productivity while at the same time consuming 10 per cent less fuel, compared to John Deere’s current top of the range machines. In addition, when it comes to maize silage processing the 9000 Series consistently delivers 10 per cent higher kernel processing scores. These outstanding performance figures have been verified through numerous field tests by both John Deere and renowned independent research institutes.
The foragers have undergone a fresh, new design with striking elements including twin exhausts. At the heart of the three biggest models – the 9700, 9800 and 9900 – is a powerful 24.2-litre V12 Liebherr engine. This high-performance power unit is designed to operate efficiently at lower engine speeds; beneath 1400rpm it still provides oustanding torque capacity and copes easily with peak loads.
This feature combines with several other efficiency enhancing developments, such as optimised component speeds at low engine rpm, and forms the basis of John Deere’s new HarvestMotion concept, which significantly increases throughput and enables industry leading fuel economy.
The large crop channel width of 850mm is tailored to handle the tremendous throughput of these machines, to ensure the best possible forage quality and chopping efficiency. Because of the higher engine horsepower, these new foragers feature a reinforced drivetrain and improved mainframe. The proven DuraDrum cutterhead is also designed for handling massive crop flows independent of the selected length of cut.
John Deere has extended its range of kernel processors by introducing the XStream KP model. This high performance processor has been developed together with the US based company Scherer, an experienced leader in kernel processor technology. It is perfectly matched to the high-performance engine, providing a large roll diameter of 250mm and 50 per cent roll speed differential, thus increasing processing intensity by 10 per cent at all cutting lengths.
Kernel processor rolls are available with a standard sawtooth design on the Premium KP unit, and either the sawtooth or a new XCut design on the XStream KP,which features a spiral cut groove across the roll surface. Both roll designs are also available with the proven Dura Line heavy-duty coating for increased durability.
Another highlight of the new XStream KP is the built-in temperature monitoring system, which keeps the operator informed about the KP bearing temperature in order to prevent unnecessary machine downtime. As with the 8000 Series foragers, the kernel processor can be removed in just five minutes for quick changes between maize and grass.
The new 9000 Series self-propelled forage harvesters are available with John Deere’s complete range of AMS precision farming systems, for improved operator comfort and cutting quality. These include:
- the new HarvestLab 3000 NIR (near infrared) sensor – view and document real-time measurements of crop yield, moisture and other constituents such as protein, starch, fibre etc as totals or in convenient site-specific maps
- HarvestLab 3000 also enables AutoLOC automatic length-of-cut settings and silage additive dosing on the move, based on dry matter content
- the same sensor system can be used in stationary mode for analysing clamp silage in order to manage feed rations more accurately, and for analysing the constituents in manure (eg N, NH4, P & K) when operating a slurry tanker
- AutoTrac automatic steering
- RowSense feeler guidance allows the forager to automatically follow maize rows
- Active Fill Control (AFC) for automatic filling of trailers
- the MyJohnDeere Operations Centre web portal for active fleet management and displaying machine and harvest data.
After undergoing demanding DLG field tests in the high-yielding maize fields of northern Italy and Germany, the new John Deere 9800 self-propelled forage harvester demonstrated significant increases in performance and efficiency. The machine was comprehensively tested and has received official DLG certification.
