2018 John Deere 9470RXN tractor review

Row croppers in the Riverina region have been widely anticipating the debut of John Deere’s four-tracked 9RX series tractors with narrow undercarriages. And following recent demo days in Coleambally and Hay (NSW), they were not left disappointed.

The narrower tracks and smaller footprint allows growers to cover more hectares a day with improved controlled traffic capabilities and horsepower.

On display for growers to drive at the demo days was the articulated 470hp 9470RXN featuring a 3m-wide track spacing and 24-inch (60cm) tracks.

The tractor pulled a 4.1m wide Kuhn DMR 4855 disc ripper to prepare ground for cotton. Farmers praised the high capacity nine tonne linkage lift, the horsepower, traction and the operator comfort.

Growers also tested the 8320R, the 8370RT on 18-inch tracks and 2m spacing, and the 9520RT fitted with 30-inch or 75cm tracks on 2.8m spacing.

Maximum power to the ground

The RXN is available in either 420, 470 or 520hp and is powered by a John Deere PowerTech PSS 13.5-litre engine.

Stepping up in grunt, the 9570RX and 9620RX are powered by the 15-litre Cummins QSX15 engine – an air-to-air aspirated engine delivering constant power over a wide range of engine rpm.

The 18-speed e18 PowerShift transmission has six reverse gears and Efficiency Manager, allowing the tractor to automatically optimise fuel efficiency.

Track spacing options range from 2m to 2.2 and 3m, with track belt widths of 18 inches (45cm) to suit row cropping, or 24 inches.

John Deere dealership Hutcheon and Pearce sales representative, Justin Turner, said the demonstration at Coleambally drew cotton, corn, rice, cereal and oilseed growers from throughout the Riverina.

“Broadacre growers on tram tracks and row croppers growing cotton and corn on 1m beds are chasing bigger horsepower machines,” Turner said.

“Southern NSW growers have a limited window for ground preparation so this tractor can do multiple operations, reduces soil compaction, increases operator comfort and presents an increased return on investment.

“The 9470RXN puts another tractor into the fleet – we now have a four-track narrow, a four-track wide, a two-track in the big 9Rs and a two-track in the 8Rs.”

The 9470RXN comes equipped with Camoplast Durabuilt rubber tracks, standard 3500 or the heavier duty 6500 version.

“Mid rollers simply bolt on the hub on 9RX Series tractors, and require an oil level check every 1500 hours, and if they need to be replaced it is a simple procedure,” Turner said.

“The spacing of the mid rollers also helps prevent vibration during transport and in the paddock.’’

This in turn, results in 60 per cent more track tension and less slippage on the drive wheel.

“The undercarriage pivots 10 degrees up and down over uneven terrain to get more power to the ground, and helps keep all four tracks in contact with the ground in uneven areas,” Turner explained.

“This allowed for a greater footprint and reduced soil compaction.”

Six-inch (15cm) wide drive lugs engage the 39.5-inch (100cm) diameter drive sprocket, giving an additional 24 degrees of wrap angle.

“The drive lugs on the 9470 RXN are six inches (15cm) wide to cater for the narrow 24-inch (60cm) belts in row cropping and suit the higher horsepower operation,” Turner said.

He added the drive sprocket was designed to allow mud and debris to fall clear.

“There are also mud scrapers fitted on the idler wheels to help reduce the debris build-up."

Ride quality and operator comfort

Ride quality on the 9470RXN at speed is smooth, especially with four tracks working in the paddock.

“This tractor has the Active Command steering as standard and with improved manoeuvrability,” Turner said.

“It is a smaller steering wheel with three-and-a-half turns lock-to-lock. Some articulated machines can be abrasive in their movements, but this is more subtle to the steering.”

The 9RX Series is fitted with the CommandView III cab, featuring good visibility and a 40-degree swiveling seat for a better view of the implement.

Inside the cab, the CommandARM allows the operator to control all key tractor functions, including transmission speed and direction, and PTO.

The cab is equipped with a high resolution 4600 CommandCentre display for controlling the hydraulics, hitch preferences and the built-in AutoTrac guidance and JDLink Connect information management systems.

JDLink Connect monitors the machine’s location and hours, gives curfew alerts, can track and analyse fuel usage, and allows wireless data transfer.

The demo tractor was fitted with the new cost effective extended monitor plugged into the 4600 CommandCentre allowing different operations to be run at the same time.

“Visibility is good in the cab with the major components of the exhaust and air cleaner hidden behind the corner posts,” Turner said.

“The leather seat has a 40-degree swivel increasing operator performance and reducing fatigue.

“A refrigerator option runs while the tractor is in operation.

“Cab entry and exit is excellent with safety platforms for fuel tank filling and visual inspections.”

Servicing and hydraulics

Accessing under the bonnet was easy, allowing radiator, belts, filter and oil checks to be made from ground level.

The 9RX series comes with a 1500-litre fuel tank, has a turning radius of 6.4m and an operating weight of 28 tonnes.

“This demo machine (9470 RXN) has a rear PTO, CAT 5 drawbar and a rear CAT 4N/3 hitch with a 9700kg lift capacity plus a hydraulic top link can be fitted,” Turner said.

It has a high flow hydraulic system (435 litres/minute) with two pumps allowing for a high flow at lower rpm to reduce fluid consumption.

Options include four to six rear selective control valves.

Happy customer

Coleambally row cropper Tim Wiseman was impressed with the 9470 RXN and the serviceability of the tracks.

“We are growing cotton and corn, so the biggest reason I’m looking at this size is horsepower and the width,” Wiseman said.

“I’m looking for something I can run on top of the beds without hurting the tractor.

“The idea is non-conventional, but this would really suit and I will be going with the duals.”

Wiseman described the 9RXN’s ride as “amazing’’ with the new cab suspension.

“It floats all over everything and the traction would be heaps more,” he said.

“The transmission was very smooth and I could hardly feel the gear change.

“The swivel seat went half way around so you are not straining your neck to watch, and being row croppers, we watch a lot.

“I like the high capacity 9-tonne linkage lift so I can form beds and apply fertiliser all in one go – normally that is a two-pass operation.”

The recommended retail price for the 9470RX Tier 2 engine is $554,549 and $680,296 for the 9620RX 15-litre Cummins QSX15 Tier 4 engine.

Key specifications

Engine power: 346kW (470hp)

Hydraulic capacity: Up to 435 L/min

Hitch capacity: Up to 9072kg

Drawbar capacity: Up to 5440kg