John Deere larger tractors to receive more precision tech for MY24

Buyers of John Deere’s Model Year 2024 7, 8 and 9 Series tractors are set to receive the StarFire 7000 integrated GPS receiver and G5Plus CommandCenter Display as factory-installed standard features, providing the foundation for autonomous capabilities in the future.

"This new tractor lineup offers farmers an opportunity to take significant steps towards the implementation of autonomy on farm,” said John Deere Productions System Manager, Ben Kelly.

"In addition to including the new G5Plus Display and SF7000 Receiver as base equipment, optional automation features like automated headland turns, allow farmers to reach a level of operation on the doorstep of autonomy.

"Improving signal stability and reliability have also been a major focus in the development of these new tractors, and this advancement will provide farmers with the highest level of guidance and accuracy ever offered by John Deere."

The new SF7000 Receiver uses a new signal level, SF-RTK, to provide growers with +/- 2.5 cm accuracy direct from satellite with five years repeatability — offering almost an equivalent to traditional Radio RTK accuracy, without the inconvenience of managing base stations on farm.

It also offers a pull-in time of eight minutes which, according to John Deere, is a significant upgrade compared with the SF3-signal-enabled StarFire 6000 receiver's +/- 3 cm accuracy and 20 minutes pull-in time.

Last week, Kelly joined a panel of leading technology specialists at agrifood innovation conference, AgriFutures evokeAG., where he emphasised how in the future John Deere's autonomous tractors will provide labour flexibility and time-saving benefits, and that connectivity will be foundational in assisting farmers to monitor autonomous technology on farm.

"The pathway to autonomy includes a number of critical steps, and connectivity is becoming increasingly foundational on that journey," he said.

"Growers are able to start preparing for autonomous machinery now, by investing time to implement critical foundational hardware technologies like GPS and connective devices. From there, farmers can start to add software solutions, like automated recordkeeping and remote monitoring tools.

"By using these tools now, in daily operation, farmers will be able to reap immediate productivity benefits, and set themselves up for a smooth transition to fully-autonomous equipment in the future."

Inside the cab, the all-new G5Plus CommandCenter Display (and optional G5Plus Extended Monitor) features increased processing power and faster file transfer times compared to previous display iterations, John Deere said.

G5Plus also benefits from a 35 per cent larger viewing area and 1080p high-definition video resolution. The 32.5cm touchscreen display and higher video resolution provide farmers with clear, bright and easy access to machine controls.

In addition, AutoTrac guidance and Section Control are now included in base equipment across the line up of 7,8 and 9 Series Tractors. Farmers also have the option to include the new G5 Advanced package to take advantage of John Deere automation applications, including AutoTrac Turn Automation, AutoPath, AutoTrac Implement Guidance, Machine Sync, and In-Field Data Sharing.

Connectivity between the tractors and implements has also been taken to the next level, with factory-installed implement ethernet connection, enabling future high-bandwidth communication between tractors and implements.

"Operator comfort and ease-of-use has been addressed to increase visibility and safety with the new right-hand corner post display added inside the cab of MY24 7 to 9 Series Tractors," Kelly said.

"The easy-to-read display features digital readouts and an illustration area to help ensure these tractors can take advantage of advanced features as they become available and a factory-installed rear-window tint is also available for John Deere CommandView 4 cabs, to help keep operators comfortable while providing better visibility to display screens on bright days."

Other updates include the addition of 20 horsepower for all 9RT Two-track Tractors, and farmers can choose from the 9RT 490, 9RT 540 or 9RT 590.

John Deere has added wider track-spacing options, specifically for vegetable growers, on its lineup of 8RX Four-track Tractors. These include 3352.8mm, 3454.4 mm, 3657.6mm or 3860.8mm wide track spacings. The wider spacings are compatible with 419.1mm, 457mm, 609mm and 762mm track widths and John Deere ExactRate fertiliser tanks.