John Deere is introducing its all-new self-propelled forage harvesters, the F8 and F9 sequence.
The F8 and F9 forage harvesters contains a wider cab outfitted with storage options with devoted holders for smartphones, keys, or bigger objects, in addition to cold and hot drinks. The infotainment system consists of Bluetooth connectivity, radio, streaming and hands-free calling. A number of charging choices, together with 12V and USB ports. Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto permits for entry to calls, messages, music and voice instructions.
The ActiveSeat within the F8 and F9 sequence swivels 16° to the precise and to the left for straightforward entry and improved visibility. The non-compulsory ActiveSeat II additionally provides absolutely adjustable electrical controls, cooling/heating, a therapeutic massage perform and lively suspension know-how that isolates as much as 90% of vertical actions for a clean trip. The slim cab pillars and sweeping home windows present panoramic visibility from the header to the flap of the spout. The spout now will be rotated as much as 230° for optimum unloading whereas the redesigned steering system of the rear axle delivers a formidable 6 m turning radius for sooner headland turns.
The F8 and F9 forage harvesters are outfitted with intuitive controls for machine and harvesting settings to boost person expertise. Machine settings will be saved in several driver profiles, permitting for a fast begin of harvesting with out the necessity to regulate settings with each change of driver.
The brand new ergonomic CommandPro joystick, that includes as much as 11 customisable buttons, is well programmed through the touchscreen of the G5/G5Plus CommandCenter show. This consists of settings for header folding, spout raise, AutoTrac, ProTouch, Machine Sync, 4WD and extra.

The management system ensures that refined agricultural know-how is simple to function. The G5/G5PlusCommandCenter touchscreen show with shortcuts and context-sensitive assist simplifies navigation. A brand new forage harvester particular display screen menu permits operators to rapidly regulate probably the most related machine features by one fingertip. It’s 35% bigger and 75% sooner than earlier shows, with a excessive definition 1080P display screen.
An non-compulsory G5Plus Prolonged Monitor doubles the 12.8” display screen, permitting customers to observe extra features concurrently and make changes as wanted. Important knowledge is displayed through data graphics on screens on the nook publish show.
“With the F8 and F9, we’ve reimagined the complete operator’s setting to ship unmatched consolation and intuitive management. It merely has been constructed across the operator,” says Philippe Steinmann, go to market supervisor Europe at John Deere. “These machines aren’t solely highly effective however ship an distinctive driving expertise, so drivers can push harvesting to new limits whereas having fun with first-class consolation.”
Utilized in John Deere X9 combines and 9RX tractors, the JD14X engine now powers all six F8 fashions. The engine energy vary (rated ECE R120) begins at 425 PS (313kW) with the F8 100 mannequin and the brand new prime mannequin F8 600 delivering 645 PS (475kW).
Within the F9 sequence (fashions F9 500 to F9 700), the JD18X engine within the rated PS vary from 700 PS (515kW) to 820 PS (603kW), delivers peak efficiency with enhanced gasoline effectivity. It options John Deere engine controls, a high-pressure common-rail gasoline system, and serial turbochargers with cooled exhaust fuel recirculation (EGR) and no want for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).
All JD18X engine fashions characteristic the well- HarvestMotion Plus know-how. This maximises productiveness at diminished engine speeds, delivering fixed energy over a large rpm vary, which leads to improves driveability for the operator. Engine pace administration improves gasoline effectivity by lowering engine rpm throughout transport and at headlands.
The third engine possibility, the Liebherr 24.2L V12, powers the F9 900 and 1000 fashions, delivering as much as 1020 PS (750kW, rated) making certain most productiveness in even probably the most excessive harvesting situations. Once more, these fashions additionally characteristic HarvestMotion for finest productiveness and driveability at most throughput.

The F8 and F9 fashions include a complete know-how stack designed to optimise efficiency. Floor Pace Automation optimises mechanically the car pace and engine rpm based mostly on engine load and preselected goal speeds and engine masses.
Lively Fill Management utilises a stereo digital camera system to regulate the rotation and flap place of the spout mechanically, monitoring transport autos and aiming the crop for optimum fill technique. The ProTouch Harvest system provides single-click headland automation for maize, grass, or entire crop silage, managing header raise, spout management, AutoTrac, Lively Fill Management, and Floor Pace Automation for straightforward headland turns. When switching between street and area, the ProTouch know-how handles as much as 9 important features, together with beacon lights, 4WD, settings for engine pace administration, and spout positioning. Extra John Deere Precision Ag Expertise choices, equivalent to AutoPath (rows and limits) will be added as required.
“The F8 and F9 will be outfitted with superior automation and John Deere Precision Ag Expertise, the very best we ever provided in forage harvesting,” Steinmann explains. “From Floor Pace Automation to clever crop monitoring or ProTouch Harvest, these options assist operators to deal with the harvesting job, boosting each effectivity and forage high quality.”
In accordance with John Deere, the F8 and F9 fashions are designed to optimise silage high quality. The well-known DuraDrum cutterhead performs with outstanding flexibility for varied harvesting necessities.
The brand new inoculant dosing system, IDS 2.0, works with HarvestLab sensor readings to optimise silage high quality. The system contains a 50l insulated focus tank for extremely concentrated components in addition to a 325l tank for prime quantity utility in addition to for water. Moreover, the engineers built-in a cleansing system together with a transparent water tank.
John Deere additionally provides two new superior kernel processor choices. For one, the John Deere Final 250TM kernel processor with bigger 250 mm rolls, temperature monitoring and foldable design for finest serviceability. Secondly, the John Deere XStream 305 kernel processor delivers a 56% bigger floor with 305mm rolls, electrical adjusting and the well-proven oil-mist greasing for finest processing in all size of cuts.
Photos courtesy of John Deere