Deere announces new 7R 350 tractor

John Deere has announced several updates and additions to its 7R and 8R tractor ranges for the 2021 model year.

New to the 7R line-up is the 7R 350 with a base weight of around 11,200kg and an engine output of 350hp. According to John Deere, that is a 20hp increase over the largest MY20 7R tractor and delivers the best power to weight ratio of any John Deere tractor on offer.

The 7R 350 comes standard with Triple Link Suspension and Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) and can be ordered with CommandPRO controls for precise speed control and easy implement hookups.

John Deere Tactical Marketing Segment Manager, Marko Koelln, said the new model provides both power and mobility for farmers who need it.

“Customers will benefit from the manoeuverability and lighter footprint of the smaller chassis offered by this tractor,” Koelln said.

“For example, it is ideal to power large mowing and baling equipment or for hauling heavy loads on-farm.”

Another key enhancement for the 7R series is the addition of LSB Ride Control for hay and forage work.

The function controls vibrations on the tractors caused by large square balers (LSB) hooked up to the back of the machines to provide the operator with a smoother and more comfortable ride. It works by modulating the tractor’s IVT to compensate for the rocking motion of the baler plunger.

LSB Ride Control is available as a factory-installed option for MY21 on 7R Tractors equipped with an IVT and is compatible with John Deere L331 or L341 Large Square Balers.

“LSB Ride Control allows operators to operate large hay implements and large square balers more easily, minimise compaction damage due to the 7R 350’s lighter footprint, and to perform mowing, merging, baling and moving bales with one tractor,” Koelln said.

For MY2021, John Deere will make ActiveCommand Steering 2 (ACS 2) available as a factory-installed option on 7R and 8R Tractors. This system replaces the original ActiveCommand Steering system and has more features and capabilities to further improve driving experience in the paddock or on the road, John Deere said.

Koelln said with the ACS 2, operators can adjust steering sensitivity and steering wheel resistance or turn variable-ratio steering on or off to best match their application and driving preferences.

“For example, ACS 2 can be set to make it easier to turn the tractor in the paddock or set to provide a more automotive-like steering experience during transport,” he said.

Since MY20, all 7 Family Tractors include AutoTracTM activation and JDLinkTM Connect for five years in base, as well as an all new StarFire 6000 Integrated Receiver.

“The Stafire 6000 Integrated Receiver reduces setup times and eliminates Terrain Compensation Module (TCM) calibrations. With reduced pull-in and remote software download times, precision agriculture has never been easier,” Koelln said.

For MY21, John Deere will also offer Low Sidewall (LSW) Tyres as optional equipment on its three largest 8R Tractors, the 8R 340, 8R 370 and 8R 410.

“8R Tractors require Independent Link Suspension to be equipped with Low Sidewall Tyres,” Koelln said.

“This combination provides outstanding ride quality with all the benefits of a single tyre and a large footprint, such as decreased compaction, in a narrow transport option.”

The MY21 7R and 8R tractors can now be ordered with deliveries starting in early 2021.