Deere announces updates to MY2019 combine harvesters

John Deere has announced three major updates to its S-series combines for 2019 that the company says will significantly improve the performance, ride quality and small grain harvesting efficiency of the machines.

New tracks

The first update is a new suspension track system with 24-, 30- or 36-inch belt widths which come as an option, and is factory installed.

The new tracks feature a number of improvements to the track belts, integrated final drive, suspension cylinder and tandem bogie wheels that have been designed to improve floatation, ride quality, transport speed and durability.

“Combines with these tracks will be able to get into paddocks sooner and harvest longer, especially under less than ideal conditions, with less impact on the soil,” says John Deere Harvest Solutions product marketing manager, Matt Badding.

The new track system features a unique tread design with wider and taller tread bars that are angled to improve traction, balance and ride comfort while extending tread life.

John Deere claims combines equipped with the new track systems can travel up to 40km/h to speed up transportation between paddocks.

700FD HydraFlex Draper

In addition, Deere is launching the latest in its flex draper line-up – the 700FD HydraFlex Draper.

The symmetrically designed draper has a dual V-guide belt and thicker, corrugated front edge for improved crop flow and four times longer belt life, according to John Deere.

It also has a dual position 16- and 18-inch centre-feed drum for greater harvesting versatility and better processing of bushy crops like canola; as well as an 18-inch Top Crop Auger for smooth feeding and fewer slugs under tough conditions.

“To improve ground sensing on uneven terrain and to automatically adjust header position accordingly, we’ve added a fourth sensor to the Automatic Header Height Control option on our 35-, 40- and 45-foot models,” Badding says.

“The new 700FD HydraFlex Draper has been built to deliver improved crop handling versatility, longer wear life and to feed and capture more grain.”

MyOperations app enhancements

To help customers monitor combine operations and adjust settings from remote locations, Deere is offering the Remote View function as part of its MyOperations mobile app.

The new applications build on existing machine technologies, like Combine Advisor and Remote Display Access, to allow owners or managers to remotely monitor combine performance and adjust concave clearance, rotor, fan speed and chaffer and sieve clearance settings as required.

“This latest mobile app for combines gives customers immediate visual access to machine information from a single combine or an entire fleet to improve overall harvesting operations,” Badding says.

“From their mobile device, customers can make changes to different settings as crop and harvesting conditions change throughout the day, then the operator simply accepts the changes on the in-cab display.

“These updates are fully integrated and compatible with John Deere S700 Series Combines, and continue to make them the most intelligent, efficient and productive grain harvesting machines for our customers.”

For more information, visit JohnDeere.com.au.