Deere adds X-factor to combine series

John Deere has announced the new X9 1000 and X9 1100 combine harvesters that will complement the existing S-series machines in the company’s harvesting line-up.

The new machines offer a range of class-leading smarts and features such as automation, the industry’s largest cleaning shoe, the largest threshing and separation area in Deere’s line-up, and tailored precision farming technology to help farmers harvest more hectares in a day regardless of the conditions, Deere said.

John Deere Tactical Segment Manager, Marko Koelln, said as conditions change the X9 models can make automatic adjustments for the operator so that it consistently functions at peak levels.

“For example, in the morning, straw can be damp and make threshing and separating tough. Later in the day, moisture evaporates, and harvesting conditions improve,” he said.

“In the past, these changes required operators to adjust harvester settings to help the machine compensate – now the adjustments are made automatically.”

Some key features on the X-series include a wide feeder house, dual separator, and what Deere claimed to be the industry’s largest cleaning shoe, which all work together to improve crop flow and increase harvesting capacity.

“At the heart of the new combine is the X Series Dual Separator (XDS) with the largest threshing and separation areas Deere has ever offered,” Koelln said.

“Crop in the XDS is threshed and separated during nine revolutions, resulting in less grain loss and increased harvesting capacity.”

According to Koelln, the seven square-metre Dyna-Flo XL Cleaning Shoe has 36 per cent more cleaning area than the S790.

“It can harvest thin dry crop, thick damp crop and everything in between, putting more high- quality grain in the tank, pass after pass. Even if conditions change, grain quality remains high.”

Deere's X Series combines are available on wheels or tracks with Control Traffic Farming configurations.

The X9 1000 grain tank can hold up to 14,800-litres, while the X9 1100 holds up to 16,200-litres – five per cent and 15 per cent more than the S790 respectively. Folding unloading augers with adjustable spouts are available for the X Series in 7.9m, 8.7m or 9.4m lengths.

The X series is powered by John Deere’s PowerTech 13.6-litre engine which works with a robust belt- drive system and updated ProDrive XL Transmission to improve fuel efficiency.

During harvest, the X Series combines can run up to 14 hours without refuelling, Deere added.

“Compared to the S790, the X9 1100 uses up to 20 per cent less fuel per tonne harvested to help keep input costs low,” Koelln said.

X Series combine harvesters are available with integrated precision ag technologies such as the StarFire 6000 Receiver that requires no calibration of the Terrain Compensation Module (TCM) and is more accurate than previous offerings, Deere said.

Coupled with new guidance system enhancements, the new receiver acquires the GPS signal quicker for increased uptime.

The JDLink telematics system is standard on both models and comes with five years of service in base. It enables effective machine-to-machine communication and allows easy sharing of machine data between devices or between owner and agronomist, for example. The John Deere Connected Support feature gives owners easy access to dealer services such as remote support.

There are three technology packages available for the X Series - Select, Premium and Ultimate.

The basic Select package includes the StarFire 6000 Integrated Receiver, Generation 4 4600 Display, Harvest Smart, Interactive Combine Adjustment and is Connect Mobile ready. Premium builds on the Select package and includes Active Terrain Adjustment and the Premium 3.0 Activation with AutoTrac RowSense, Section Control and In-Field Data Sharing.

Everything in the Select and Premium packages is included in the Ultimate along with Automation 3.0 Activation with Generation 4 Machine Sync and the Combine Advisor Technology Package with ActiveVision Camera technology and Auto Maintain.

All X Series Combine Harvesters can connect to the John Deere Operations Center, a cloud-based location where farmers can electronically share machine or operational information with trusted partners and advisors.

“Industry-leading harvest solutions such as the Combine Advisor package optimise and automate main harvester functions when conditions change, increase fuel efficiency and give greater ground coverage to shorten the harvest window,” Koelln said.

The restyled X Series cab offers more storage space, more USB ports and better connectivity than other models, Deere said.

For a more automotive experience, an optional touchscreen radio can be added that’s smart-phone ready so operators can use voice commands or integrated controls to get directions, make calls, listen to music, or send and receive messages.

Three comfort and convenience cab packages are available - Select, Premium or Ultimate. The Ultimate includes a new ventilated massaging seat that swivels 16 degrees right or left for improved operator visibility and all-day comfort.

A Signature Edition is also available and includes the highest levels of comfort, lighting and technology packages John Deere offers.

“We’re extremely excited by how the X Series will broaden the John Deere harvester lineup and meet the needs of even more Australian grain producers,” Koelln said.

“We expect to see a couple of demonstration units on the ground in late 2021, when we’ll also start taking orders for deliveries the following year.”

Koelln added the company will also be making further announcements around its range of headers to suit both the X9 and the S700 Series very shortly.