John Deere is introducing its all-new self-propelled forage harvesters, the F8 and F9 sequence.
The F8 and F9 forage harvesters includes a wider cab outfitted with storage options with devoted holders for smartphones, keys, or bigger objects, in addition to cold and warm drinks. The infotainment system contains 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 proper and to the left for straightforward entry and improved visibility. The elective ActiveSeat II additionally affords totally adjustable electrical controls, cooling/heating, a therapeutic massage perform and lively suspension expertise that isolates as much as 90% of vertical actions for a easy journey. The slim cab pillars and sweeping home windows present panoramic visibility from the header to the flap of the spout. The spout now might be rotated as much as 230° for optimum unloading whereas the redesigned steering system of the rear axle delivers a powerful 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 consumer expertise. Machine settings might be saved in numerous 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 contains settings for header folding, spout raise, AutoTrac, ProTouch, Machine Sync, 4WD and extra.

The management system ensures that subtle agricultural expertise is simple to function. The G5/G5PlusCommandCenter touchscreen show with shortcuts and context-sensitive assist simplifies navigation. A brand new forage harvester particular display menu permits operators to shortly 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.
An elective G5Plus Prolonged Monitor doubles the 12.8” display, permitting customers to watch extra features concurrently and make changes as wanted. Important information is displayed through data graphics on screens on the nook publish show.
“With the F8 and F9, we’ve reimagined your entire 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 are usually not 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 gas effectivity. It options John Deere engine controls, a high-pressure common-rail gas 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 expertise. This maximises productiveness at lowered engine speeds, delivering fixed energy over a large rpm vary, which ends up in improves driveability for the operator. Engine velocity administration improves gas effectivity by decreasing 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 circumstances. Once more, these fashions additionally characteristic HarvestMotion for finest productiveness and driveability at most throughput.

The F8 and F9 fashions include a complete expertise stack designed to optimise efficiency. Floor Pace Automation optimises robotically the automobile velocity and engine rpm primarily based on engine load and preselected goal speeds and engine hundreds.
Energetic Fill Management utilises a stereo digital camera system to regulate the rotation and flap place of the spout robotically, monitoring transport autos and aiming the crop for optimum fill technique. The ProTouch Harvest system affords single-click headland automation for maize, grass, or entire crop silage, managing header raise, spout management, AutoTrac, Energetic Fill Management, and Floor Pace Automation for straightforward headland turns. When switching between highway and area, the ProTouch expertise handles as much as 9 important features, together with beacon lights, 4WD, settings for engine velocity administration, and spout positioning. Further John Deere Precision Ag Know-how choices, comparable to AutoPath (rows and bounds) might be added as required.
“The F8 and F9 might be outfitted with superior automation and John Deere Precision Ag Know-how, one of the best we ever supplied in forage harvesting,” Steinmann explains. “From Floor Pace Automation to clever crop monitoring or ProTouch Harvest, these options assist operators to concentrate on the harvesting job, boosting each effectivity and forage high quality.”
In keeping 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 numerous harvesting necessities.
The brand new inoculant dosing system, IDS 2.0, works with HarvestLab sensor readings to optimise silage high quality. The system includes a 50l insulated focus tank for extremely concentrated components in addition to a 325l tank for prime quantity software in addition to for water. Moreover, the engineers built-in a cleansing system together with a transparent water tank.
John Deere additionally affords 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